Drunk with the assertions they know they can't defend

Why is it that wingers find outrage where none really exists? Rick Moran at the still unironically named RightWingNuthouse says:

In a jaw dropping post on Anderson Cooper’s 360 Blog, Executive Producer David Doss reveals that CNN not only doesn’t care if their broadcasts give aid and comfort to the enemy in Iraq, but also that there is no difference between a US sniper and an enemy sniper.

One doesn’t have to read between the lines of this post nor does one have to put words into Doss’s mouth to understand exactly where CNN stands when it comes to the United States and the American military being at war. After outlining the sequence of events that led to the network broadcasting a tape of insurgent snipers shooting at 10 American soldiers, Doss proves that he is either the dumbest schmuck ever to work in TV or that he realized full well the propaganda value of the tape to the insurgents:

We are assuming they included the sniper tape to prove the authenticity of the Al-Shimary interview tape and to establish their credibility. Of course, we also understood that some might conclude there is a public relations benefit for the insurgents if we aired the material, especially on CNN International. We also understood that this kind of footage is upsetting and disturbing for many viewers. But after getting beyond the emotional debate, we concluded the tape meets our criteria for newsworthiness.

What kind of an idiot would “assume” that they included a tape of insurgents killing Americans to an American media outlet simply for purposes of authentication? Anyone with more than one brain cell working can see the PR benefit to the insurgents. Writing that “some might conclude” this is so is idiocy. Everyone believes it to be so – except the deliberately blind and self deluded.

And I am very happy for CNN that they were able to get “beyond the emotional debate.” I’m sure it was a travail trying to decide whether or not to glorify the insurgents who were shooting at Americans.

Is that too harsh a judgement? Think again:

You should also know we tried to put all of this in context. Our reporting included an interview with a current U.S. sniper in Iraq. He’s been both under attack from insurgent snipers and he has himself operated as a sniper. We also heard from Major General William Caldwell, a coalition forces spokesman in Iraq, and CNN military analyst General David Grange, formerly with the Green Beret, Delta Force and Army Rangers.

In his own words, Doss makes it crystal clear that CNN views a US sniper in exactly the same context as an Iraqi sniper. Their refusal to acknowledge the difference – that one side is killing Americans and the other side is killing the enemy – is perfectly in keeping with many (not all) media outlets who refuse to make a moral judgement about which side they are on.

Dude, take a deep breath. First, some facts:

1. American soldiers are fighting in Iraq:










2. American soldiers are getting killed in Iraq, by snipers and others:














3. Iraqi insurgents, and civilians, are getting killed by American soldiers:














4. Clearly the Iraqi insurgents are the enemy of the American soldiers:














5. Every sentient being with access to news know all 4 of the above:














So explain again why showing proof of #2 above helps the "Enemy"? Reporting the news, in a fair and balanced™ way involves showing the truth. Are we to pretend that no American soldiers have been lost? 3000 of them have been killed, you idiot!

And this statement: "crystal clear that CNN views a US sniper in exactly the same context as an Iraqi sniper"

They are showing two sides of what can only euphemistically called an international disagreement. And both sides are killing each other.

Unless you want the news to be this kind of crap:

The Iraqi forces are conducting the Mother of all Retreats.
Dick Cheney

We will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.
Dick Cheney

“I think the progress we're making is significant. I think the performance in general at least in terms of the information I've received from locals is definitely very impressive.”
Dick Cheney quote

Rick, this is the war you wanted. It's yours, in all its glory, blood and guts. I'm sorry if seeing a video of an American soldier getting killed offends you. The American soldier getting killed is what offends me!