Think Progress

Couric Admits Her Rosy Report From Iraq Is Based On ‘What The U.S. Military Wants Me To See’

CBS News anchor Katie Couric is currently reporting from Iraq. Today she spoke to Bob Schieffer on CBS’s Face the Nation and largely reiterated Gen. Petraeus’s talking points on Iraq.

She said that Petraeus believes there “really is a trend” of success on the security situation in Iraq and believes President Bush’s escalation “needs to continue.” She also recounted “signs of life that seem to be normal” at a market she visited, but then conceded that the positive aspects of her report are based on “what the U.S. military wants” her to see:

Well, I was surprised, you know, after I went to eastern Baghdad, I was taken to the Allawi market, which is near Haifa, which was the scene of that very bloody gun battle back in January. And, you know, this market seems to be thriving. And there were a lot of people out and about. A lot of family-owned businesses and vegetable stalls.

And so, you do see signs of life that seem to be normal. Of course, that’s what the U.S. military wants me to see, so you have to keep that in mind as well. But I think there are definitely areas where the situation is improving.

Watch it:

Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), who recently returned from Iraq and spoke with ThinkProgress, also admitted that it’s “very, very easy to be influenced, from their [the military's] point of view, that things are better.” “I will tell you that when you get in the Green Zone, there is a physiological phenomenon I think called Green Zone fog,” said Tauscher. “It’s death by powerpoint. … It’s always that their argument is winning.”

Nonpartisan government reports dispute the Bush administration’s rosy claims of success. A leaked draft of an upcoming Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis contradicts “the Bush administration’s conclusion in July that sectarian violence was decreasing as a result” of the surge. It concludes, “The average number of daily attacks against civilians remained about the same over the last six months; 25 in February versus 26 in July.”

Digg It!

Transcript:

SCHIEFFER: Did you get the sense that he [Gen. Petraeus] is going to tell the president that he believes these extra troops, the so-called surge, is working and that we have to leave it in place for a while?

COURIC: I definitely got that impression. I mean, I think he concedes there’s certainly areas of Iraq that are really difficult and are true trouble spots. Al Qaida in the north, Shiite militias in the south of Baghdad still a lot of insurgency and still a lot of sectarian violence even in Baghdad.

But I believe he thinks that these are not just pockets of success, what I mentioned about Fallujah and Ramadi, but it really is a trend. And he told me he thought the trend was definitely going up rather than down. And to continue the progress he believes that’s being made here so far that the surge must continue and U.S. — a full U.S. presence should be here.

But he did talk about geometry on the battlefield, Bob, and about possibly drawing down some troops. But he thinks that certainly in these areas where the surge was needed, that it needs to continue.

SCHIEFFER: So he says there is the possibility that some troops may be drawn down. Katie, what are your impressions after being there on the scene? We’ve all followed this for years from afar but once you’re there, anything surprise you in particular?

COURIC: Well, I was surprised, you know, after I went to eastern Baghdad, I was taken to the Allawi market, which is near Haifa, which was the scene of that very bloody gun battle back in January. And, you know, this market seems to be thriving. And there were a lot of people out and about. A lot of family-owned businesses and vegetable stalls.

And so, you do see signs of life that seem to be normal. Of course, that’s what the U.S. military wants me to see, so you have to keep that in mind as well. But I think there are definitely areas where the situation is improving.

But everyone agrees, Bob, that if these people, the people of Iraq, do not get basic services like electricity, like running water, it will be impossible to win their hearts and minds and have them fully support the national unity government or anything that’s going on here.



303 Responses to “Couric Admits Her Rosy Report From Iraq Is Based On ‘What The U.S. Military Wants Me To See’”

  1. littlebear says:

    In other words, she has just admitted her “rosy report” is a lie and that it is based on propaganda – and this passes as news in the MSM?


  2. Not Canadian says:

    Couric :: Journalism
    Bee :: Windshield


  3. upside00 says:

    Maybe she is trying to overshadow her mini-me, Dana Perino, because she is jealous that Dana got the Chief WH feces tossing job and not her.


  4. ∞Ω says:

    Katie, you’re making Walter Cronkite sooooo proud right now.

    


  5. upside00 says:

    Another possibility is that she sees the end coming at CBS and is auditioning for the Faux Entertainment channel, showing that she can suck the WH teat as well as any of those other hacks.


  6. kevo says:

    Yes, too bad Katie and the other visiting dignitaries don’t speak the local language. If they could, they’d get a chance to better gage the real time experiences of the common Iraqi people. Instead, we are fed images that comport to our TV prejudice – if we see it on TV, it must be true. Even her description of the market place is two-deminsional, merely a collage of people watching with no real time cultural engagement.

    Who knows, maybe to help process the pain the U.S. occupation has caused them they are making rude and malicious jokes about their American visitors. Who knows, maybe the vendors in the marketplace are traders by day, and sectarian murderers at night.

    I applaud Katie C. for being there, but I don’t think her reporting will offer us any more enlightenment as to why this president decided to go into Iraq in the first place and then begin the process of nation-building when he had proffessed for so long that he didn’t believe in nation-building.

    I hope Katie can be as open as she can. By openly stating she only is being given the images supplied by the Bush team, she is on the right path of journalism. Let’s hope she can maintain this journalistic endeavor to bring us a better sampling of the carnage in Iraq so we can better weigh and measure the bullshit coming from this WH. -Kevo


  7. tarazan says:

    Did she buy a ‘rug’ in the market like senators Liberman,Graham and McCain, when she went browsing?!


  8. texaslady says:

    Well, since it is going so good another basis for bringing our men and women home NOW !


  9. Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver says:

    At least Couric is aware that she’s not seeing everything. After all, since we know that civilian deaths have doubled since last year, those incidents of violence must be taking place somewhere. That “somewhere” is not a place the U.S. military wants to show visiting reporters and dignitaries or even acknowledge to exist.


  10. Zooey says:

  11. Proud American Liberal says:

    The fact that Couric is willing to openly admit that what she saw was what they wanted her to see is a major event. How many other journalists have been willing to make that statement (Answer: NONE). Basically, she called out the military on their lies. Whether you like Couric or not, that’s a gutsy thing to do.


  12. dillholegaggins says:

    Katie Couric is just another partisan from the msm.


  13. Clark Barr says:

    Katie, you’re such a whore!


  14. AngryOne says:

    Fox News attacked CBS rival and single mother Katie Couric for her trip to Iraq. But while Neil Cavuto, John Gibson and the gang at Fox grew hysterical about Couric leaving her children alone, they remained silent about 26 year old Michelle Ring and other single mothers fighting – and dying – for the United States in Iraq.

    For the details, see:
    “Fox News Attacks Couric Trip While Single Mother Soldiers Die in Iraq.”


  15. had enough says:

    This http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ypa75axdK6o
    posted last night on TP is what I believe.

    We illegally invaded/slaughtered an innocent country, kept it a living hell for 4 years as we did not allow the Iraqi people rebuild as they wanted and now it is polite conversation of how we are going to continue this living hell while our treasury is being robbed…


  16. AVGVSTVS says:

    Umm… it goes without saying that journalists escorted by the military will only see the things that they are shown.

    Only Proglibs find this “newsworthy.”


  17. gummitch says:

    Only Proglibs find this “newsworthy.”

    Comment by AVGVSTVS — September 2, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

    And only idiot trolls think that their judgment on what is “newsworthy” is, um, comment worthy. No one gives a sh!t what you think, Mr Pee.


  18. PMS says:

    As a former military public affairs officer I can GUARANTEE you that journalists see and hear what the military want them to see. I’m not saying our military is lying, it’s just a super positive spin. Go to that same market like the locals do, day after day, without armed guards, to see what its really like. McCain lost my vote when he pulled that PR stunt trip into Bagdad with all the armor, escorts, etc. then tried to convince us how safe the place is.


  19. Not Canadian says:

    Wow!

    Now I know why Zooey has been light on posting here.

    Great job, keep it up.


  20. Nik says:

    I read ThinkProgress for informed discussion of events. What need is there to call her a whore or a twit, or any other name? She may not be a Murrow in the field of reporting, but she actually traveled to Iraq, which is important for journalists to do. As others have commented, she admitted that she was seeing only what the military was allowing her to see and it is important that people who see her reports know that. She is highlighting Iraq in the news, unlike Fox which seems to be burying it. Good for her and for her full disclosure.


  21. mr.ed says:

    The Pentagon pays top dollar for its smoke and mirrors. Thank you, thank you very much.


  22. 2ManyTrolls/2LittleTime says:

    #16- at the risk of wasting time responding to a silly troll, here goes-
    did you shower before waking up to Mom’s cereal and loving embrace after spending last night crouching in the urinal of the local truck-stop mens’ room, getting blissfully whizzed on all night by those big, burly trucker mens’es?
    Mommy likes you clean before ya’ll make love and then she drives you from the trailer park to the li-berry to “post”- and get figuratively whizzed on by the posters, here.
    PS- remember, the posessive is-’ “your” and not “you’re”. Wouldn’t want you to skip the first clue that you and all of the other CONTURD trolls are illiterate.


  23. Zooey says:

    Comment by Not Canadian — September 2, 2007 @ 1:10 pm

    Thanks!! It’s a group effort, check us out anytime. :)


  24. Buckeye Nut Schell says:

    Think about the fact that these people are afraid everyday to go to the market and suddenly they find out that there is going to be a high level visit. That is the day I would want to go to the market, wouldn’t you?

    So I am sure that when these visitor’s show up, people that haven’t gone to the market in weeks suddenly show up buy two weeks worth of goods to last until the next heavily guarded visitor shows up.


  25. Toss these losers says:

    Huh?

    Pointing to Fallujah and Ramadi to suggest the surge is working is disingenuous, don’t ya think Katie? The surge was to secure Baghdad. Both of the former were pre-surge battles.

    I’m sure the market that she points to as “normal” probably looked just that right up until it blew up in January. A snapshot in time doesn’t exactly give the full picture, but it sure helps if your goal is to simply catapult the propaganda.


  26. bob lahblah says:

    I read ThinkProgress for informed discussion of events. What need is there to call her a whore or a twit, or any other name? She may not be a Murrow in the field of reporting, but she actually traveled to Iraq, which is important for journalists to do. As others have commented, she admitted that she was seeing only what the military was allowing her to see and it is important that people who see her reports know that. She is highlighting Iraq in the news, unlike Fox which seems to be burying it. Good for her and for her full disclosure.

    Comment by Nik — September 2, 2007 @ 1:12 pm

    I agree that there’s no need to slander her, but if you had to sum up her report in a single sentence, what would it be? “The surge is working” or “I can’t truly give an accurate report on the surge because the military will only let me see what it wants me to see”? It seems to me that the latter was merely a footnote in her otherwise glowing report.
    If you were her, what would you report to the American public/ taxpayers?


  27. Buckeye Nut Schell says:

    Unfortunately, MSM reporters are lazy. For years, they got away with reporting whatever the Generals, or administration said and just assumed their credentials were to be unquestionable.

    Newsflash… We are now questioning their credentials.


  28. kevo says:

    I’m with Nik @ #20! If you wish to make unintelligible, snarking comments, go to another thread. Name calling only diminishes this small d exercise. Please try to keep your posts substantive, as I too look to these threads to get a plurality of thought and idea, not to score points by denigrating others who are not around to defend themselves. -Kevo


  29. CaptainVideo says:

    Romney senior, who was an honest man, said that when you go to Vietnam they brainwash you. This time he was going to find out what really is going on. This got him labeled as the “brainwashed candidate” and helped do in his candidacy.

    In Iraq it’s deja vu all over again. The same kind of brainwashing that helped keep that war going much longer than it should is working again.


  30. AVGVSTVS says:

    Comment by AVGVSTVS — September 2, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

    And only idiot trolls think that their judgment on what is “newsworthy” is, um, comment worthy. No one gives a sh!t what you think, Mr Pee.

    Comment by gummitch — September 2, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
    ———-

    Wow. You just sat there waiting for me to make a comment, didn’t you?


  31. james k. sayre says:

    Another Bush war whore… “We’ve come a long ways…” Unfortunately, some of these corporate media “liberated women” are backsliding into supporting oi-nazi fascist imperial neo-colonial aggression by the Bush gangsters against the Iraqi people.


  32. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    Umm… it goes without saying that journalists escorted by the military will only see the things that they are shown.

    Only Proglibs find this “newsworthy.”

    Comment by AVGVSTVS — September 2, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

    No, “Augustus”. The problem, so far, is that it has been going without being said that the journalists, Members of Congress, and other official visitors have only seen what the military wants them to see. And they have been coming back from these highly-chaperoned visits with nothing but glowing testimonials to the “progress” being made. If liberals (I assume that your derogatory term refers just to us) are the only ones who find this admission “newsworthy”, it’s because conservatives do not undestand what the nature and purpose of journalism is supposed to be about. Journalism is about finding out the objective truth, not simply reporting what each side has to say and letting uninformed viewers decide who is telling the truth. Often times, one of the two sides is lying, and viewers (and readers) have no way to know which side is lying without someone pointing out the objective truth.


  33. RUCerious says:

    At least she isn’t as clueless as Brian Baird.


  34. TripMaster Monkey says:

    For everyone who’s condemning Katie as a neocon apologist, remember, she didn’t have to add the part about her only seeing what the military wants her to see at all.

    And for everyone who’s condemning Katie for not placing more stress on her seeing only what the military wanted her to see, remember that if she had placed any more emphasis on that fact, we might not have heard her report at all.

    I’m not trying to defend Katie here, but remember, our media is controlled by this administration. We were lucky to hear this much dissent.


  35. Badger says:

    I think it would be usefull to watch Ms. Couric’s reporting, and then disect what was said, and how it was said. I’m sure the blogs will be up to the task.
    The evening news is 30 minutes long…ten of it commercials. To get to the heart of the matter in few words and pictures is difficult…perhaps impossible. under these circumstances, a false impression is easy leave. We’ll see how carefull Ms. Couric is with her words.


  36. BARTLEBEE says:

    I think it would be usefull to watch Ms. Couric’s reporting, and then disect what was said, and how it was said.

    Comment by Badger — September 2, 2007 @ 1:50 pm

    I think it would be usefull to watch Ms. Couric’s reporting, and then bore my brain out with an auger bit.


  37. gummitch says:

    Wow. You just sat there waiting for me to make a comment, didn’t you?

    Comment by AVGVSTVS — September 2, 2007 @ 1:39 pm

    Yeah, because it’s all about you, Mr Pee.

    What a maroon.


  38. klyde says:

    what else could be expected from a woman who gave a three hour hate monger the first free speech segment on her show?


  39. kasinca says:

    Westmoreland painted a prettier picture than reality as well…the difference, he wasn’t doing it because the administration required it. He got fired because, as bad as Johnson was, he was seeking the truth on the ground. The crime family hates reality and wants a general who can fanticize just like they do. Petraeus is not as honorable as they would have you believe. He is not smarter than those who were fired for telling the administration something they do not want to hear, he is just a little more dishonest when it comes to seeking notoriety. I don’t trust any lying general.


  40. Badger says:

    Bartlebee….Millions of American’s shape their political opinions from watching the evening news. Do you really think a Critical look at what and how theydo what they do is a waste of time?


  41. rdenbo says:

    When are these idiots going to learn that anecdotes aren’t evidence? The actual statistics don’t back up the claims that there’s progress being made. That you can walk into a street market wearing body armor in a heavily armed group doesn’t mean anything.

    I can’t even comprehend a world where this is accepted logic.

    Imagine you’ve got cancer that’s spread to 90% of your body. But your doctor tells you progress is being made because it hasn’t reached your pinky toe.

    You get into a car accident that requires serious repairs. You come back into the shop 2 weeks later to find your car is still wrecked. But the mechanic says he’s made progress because he’s put air in the tires.

    If you transposed the so called “progress” being made in Iraq into a situation most people had to deal with in their everyday life, 100% of them would be screaming in anger over the lies and incompetence.


  42. AVGVSTVS says:

    I think it would be usefull to watch Ms. Couric’s reporting, and then bore my brain out with an auger bit.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 2, 2007 @ 1:52 pm

    ———

    Go for it!


  43. BARTLEBEE says:

    No Badger.

    I just think that listening to Katie “Navy Seals are Cool” Couric for more than 3 minutes requires an immediate cranial evacuation.


  44. BARTLEBEE says:

    Beating oneself about the head and shoulders with a heavy, blunt opject can sometimes work in less extreme cases of Couric-exposure.


  45. kasinca says:

    The general is carrying water for Dubya and the crime family. We need people who are honest like those that the crime family fired.


  46. Gregor Samsa says:

  47. BARTLEBEE says:

    Of course, technically speaking, just the act of listening to Katie “Navy Seals are Cool” Couric for more than 3 minutes, constitutes a complete cranial evacuation.


  48. BARTLEBEE says:

    Now you know why they call her “the scoop”.


  49. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    At first, as I watched the video of the scenes in the market, I was struck by how it looked like the only “customers” the street vendors had were American soldiers.

    As for this “progress” argument for allowing the carnage to continue, it’s a false one. “Progress” means the accomplishments of the benchmarks in total, not just some steps along the way. They were supposed to form a government and work to solve the problems. They have formed a government, but seem unable to work out how to solve their problems, and may never do so! If a benchmark requires that A, B, and C be accomplished, and “A” and “B” are easily done, that does not translate into “progress”. Especially if “C” is something that would never happen in another seven hundred years of infighting. The goal is the completion of the benchmarks, not just the interim steps to get there.


  50. Tom says:

    The evening news is 30 minutes long…ten of it commercials. To get to the heart of the matter in few words and pictures is difficult…perhaps impossible. under these circumstances, a false impression is easy leave. We’ll see how carefull Ms. Couric is with her words.

    Comment by Badger

    With no disrespect to anyone here; the absolute last place one should get their news or information is from the likes of the Evening News – or any other MSM outlet. It’s just that simple. Corporate ownership has not allowed an opposing viewpoint to establish itself. That is why the Daily Show and Olberman are becoming popular – they at least attempt to get at the truth and provide perspective.


  51. BARTLEBEE says:

    There is progress Wayne.

    If you’re an insurgent.


  52. BARTLEBEE says:

    Of course if you’re a neocon bootlicker, like AVGVSTVS, then you can listen to Couric without requiring a cranial evacuation, since theres nothing in their craniums to evacuate.


  53. Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver says:

    I applaud the fact that Katie Couric is mentioning her awareness that she isn’t seeing everything. But her comments go no further than that. Hopefully, she will be aggressively (and on her own) seeking individuals to interview in Iraq from the government and the civil society in general who can give her the full spectrum of the situation and not just those who are provided to her. If anyone watches TV from Europe, like the English BBC or French TV5, they will see news reports of almost daily, massive demonstrations in Baghdad against the continuing U.S. presence. And they will see the rampant violence that continues to plaque that poor country.

    But I condemn the fact that Couric is going to Iraq now. Why now? I see this as part of next week’s coming public relations “surge” ahead of the Petraeus report and Katie Couric and the corporate media are part of that PR surge.


  54. BARTLEBEE says:

    Fox news took care of that for them a long time ago.


  55. Badger says:

    For example…and slightly off topic..I recently read an analysis of the Mark Foley incident. The everning news reporter made the solemn sounding comment that ” the republican’s lost support in the 2006 election because of what Mark Foley did. Actually, the republicans lost support because of what the Republicans did…by covering up Foley’s long record that THEY were aware of.
    I think any time we can discover and point out such simplistic inaccuracies is a good thing.


  56. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    There is progress Wayne.

    If you’re an insurgent.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 2, 2007 @ 2:09 pm

    That depends on what the goals of the insurgents are. If it’s the departure of American troops, then they have not made progress. We’re still there, and if Bush has his way, we always will be.

    As for the goal of the actual terrorists, if it’s world domination, then they can’t report any meaningful progress either. But if the goal is to bring down our country by fometing dissent from within, they might think they’re making progress, but that’s because they don’t understand our culture and society. I believe that they view us through the prism of their own culture and wonder why we allow so many of the thigns we allow.

    On a side note, making the Middle East safe and secure just so we could get at the oil would not be the priority it is now if we had listened 30 ot 40 years ago and tried to wean our nation off of such a dependence on oil. Jimmy carter had solar panels put up on the roof of the White House. One of Reagan’s first orders was to take them down (and, symbolically, continue our dependence on foreign oil)


  57. AVGVSTVS says:

    Of course if you’re a neocon bootlicker, like AVGVSTVS, then you can listen to Couric without requiring a cranial evacuation, since theres nothing in their craniums to evacuate.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 2, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
    ————–

    I put the TV on mute if I see Couric. But I don’t watch much TV.


  58. BARTLEBEE says:

    I predict that down the road, almost all of the newscasters of today who did not step up, speak out and report truth to power, will be replaced.

    Once the secrets and crimes of the Bush administration are called to account for, and Bush’s cronies are in jail, and the facts are all laid out, the talking head reporters who did the administrations bidding and shyed away from the obvious corruption in going to Iraq, spying on Americans, the Haliburton rip off and profitteering, etc, will be ridiculed and even despised for their inability to do their jobs, and report truth, and not the lies of power.

    Katie Couric will be lucky if they let her report the weather in Pocatello once the truth comes out. As well the rest of them.


  59. Doc Rock says:

    CBS is so much better since it shucked those Pesky Dan’s (Schorr & Rather). No more of that pesky investigative reporting!


  60. CaptainVideo says:

    “For everyone who’s condemning Katie as a neocon apologist, remember, she didn’t have to add the part about her only seeing what the military wants her to see at all.”

    O.K. she’s less bad than the FOX “reporters,” but she’s still bad. What can you expect from a “reporter” who put Limpy on as a guest commentator on her first show.


  61. Tom says:

    But I condemn the fact that Couric is going to Iraq now. Why now? I see this as part of next week’s coming public relations “surge” ahead of the Petraeus report and Katie Couric and the corporate media are part of that PR surge.

    Comment by Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver

    Agreed. Its all show and tell. Nothing of substance. We are getting manipulated and very few seem to notice. Everything this administration does – with a complicit MSM – is designed and built to deceive. After all this time of all these pundits being wrong, why on earth do we still allow them into our homes? I was sick and tired of being lied to at the beginning, but it still keeps on trucking. Why? I don’t know. Maybe Americans like being lied to, sigh…


  62. BARTLEBEE says:

    I put the TV on mute if I see Couric. But I don’t watch much TV.

    Comment by AUCRUSTUS — September 2, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

    I’m sorry.

    You must have confused me with someone that gives a shit what you do.


  63. wmholt says:

    Tom said:

    “With no disrespect to anyone here; the absolute last place one should get their news or information is from the likes of the Evening News – or any other MSM outlet. It’s just that simple. Corporate ownership has not allowed an opposing viewpoint to establish itself. That is why the Daily Show and Olberman are becoming popular – they at least attempt to get at the truth and provide perspective.”

    I agree completely, Tom. But what I don’t understand is why the corporate goal of returning the most value to their shareholders allows people like Glenn Beck and Tucker Carlson to keep their shows, despite dismal ratings. In fact, Newsweek, Time, and the Washington Post can’t sign up former Bush speechwriters and neocons fast enough as columnists.

    Are they just ignorant of what the population would rather watch/read, or do corporate profits take a back seat to political gamesmanship?


  64. scooter says:

    Katie,,,,, don’t you know that to listen to the people THERE in IRAQ and repeat the ROSY predictions is wrong….

    What you should be doing is repeating the PESSIMIST predictions of REID and PELOSI….
    These 2 are the obvious EXPERTS on the situation.


  65. Gus says:

    Petite body frame and even more petite credibility


  66. BARTLEBEE says:

    What you should be doing is repeating the PESSIMIST predictions of REID and PELOSI….

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 2:23 pm

    Yea, it sure is “pessism” to accurately describe what is going on..


  67. CaptainVideo says:

    “Are they just ignorant of what the population would rather watch/read, or do corporate profits take a back seat to political gamesmanship?”

    Keeping the Republicans in power is great for corporate profits. Keeping low rated right wing talking heads on the air is an investment in keeping the Republicans in power.


  68. Tom says:

    Are they just ignorant of what the population would rather watch/read, or do corporate profits take a back seat to political gamesmanship?

    Comment by wmholt

    Excellent question. The shareholders must be getting some return – or they would be out of business. I dunno. For guys like Murdoch – who has tons of money – maybe financial losses are secondary to getting their philosophy out into the mainstream. Sort of like when a new product comes out, and they give it a way for free to generate a market.


  69. Tom says:

    Keeping low rated right wing talking heads on the air is an investment in keeping the Republicans in power.

    Comment by CaptainVideo

    I think the Captain correctly answered your question wmholt.


  70. scooter says:

    I say we let KATIE go to NEW ORLEANS and have our GREAT mayor RAY NAGIN show her all the wonderful things in HIS city and all the PROGRESS going on there….
    He will have to make sure and not take her to the DANGEROUS parts of his city. Just the places HE PICKS.

    After all RAY would not want to HURT the sensiblities of a lovely (non-chocolate) journalist…

    Now that is some propaganda we can all get behind.


  71. CaptainVideo says:

    “I predict that down the road, almost all of the newscasters of today who did not step up, speak out and report truth to power, will be replaced.”

    Not as long as virtually all the broadcast media is controlled by a small number of corporate conglomorates. These people will be touted as the experts on the next controversial thing the Republicans want to do, like attack Iran.


  72. R.Risman says:

    Wondering if Katie will change her tune on her return. She has a family to think of: and being left to wander the streets of Iraq looking for the real story, might not encourage her safe return.



  73. scooter says:

    Send DAN RATHER instead,,,,

    He can slip some $ to a few terrorists ahead of time and then get LIVE coverage of the terrible situation going on…

    Of course Dan would not consider it faked as it would support his prearranged conclusion


  74. TripMaster Monkey says:

    CaptainVideo sez:

    O.K. she’s less bad than the FOX “reporters,” but she’s still bad. What can you expect from a “reporter” who put Limpy on as a guest commentator on her first show.

    Don’t misunderstand…I’m not holding up Katie as a model of journalistic integrity…she’s a card-carrying administration water-carrier. But with that comment, she managed to punch a small hole in one of her buckets…a hole that was large enough to be noticed, but not so large as to warrant pulling her report entirely.

    It’s a feeble gesture, but it’s still better than nothing at all.


  75. Gus says:

    OK Little lady let’s assume there is a progress. How long it will last? How long these level of troops will stay there to keep up these progress? Are we rich enough to keep the burden? Who will govern Iraq? You do not ask these questions, do you? All you want to know is what these general-politicos want to tell you


  76. BARTLEBEE says:

    “We Are Going To Hit Iran. Bigtime”

    Comment by NOMOREWAR_FORISRAEL — September 2, 2007 @ 2:32 pm

    If we do, then China and Russia will be hitting us back.

    Big time.


  77. BARTLEBEE says:

    Don’t misunderstand…I’m not holding up Katie as a model of journalistic integrity…

    Comment by TripMaster Monkey — September 2, 2007 @ 2:33 pm

    I’d be willing to hold Katie up with my mustache, but thats as far as I’d go.


  78. scooter says:

    why is IRAQ such a bad place but NEW ORLEANS under LIBTARD control “just needs more $”…

    % the deaths are equal…. and NEW ORLEANS has been sucking $ from us for over a hundred years,,,, IRAQ just 4.

    Ray Nagin says NEW ORLEANS is for CHOCOLATES,,
    MALIKI did not say BAGHDAD is for SANDIES (not yet)

    I suggest we withdraw out of NEW ORLEANS immediattly (over 100 years of help is enough) and then we only have 96 years in IRAQ to go…


  79. Tom says:

    I’d be willing to hold Katie up with my mustache, but thats as far as I’d go.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    Good one Bart – LOL…


  80. Chocolate Messiah Overload says:

    > Umm… it goes without saying that journalists
    > escorted by the military only see what their shown…

    right.. the surge is working so well, yet still there is NOWHERE in non-kurdish iraq that doesnt require a few fully army military sightseeing helicopters as an escort.

    it also goes without saying that saddam had nothing to do with 9-11 (even chimpy admitted this), and that we found no viable, recently made WMD in Iraq,,yet there are almost half of the population who beleive both these falsities… so just because something “goes without saying” doesnt mean its obvious to people like you..


  81. CaptainVideo says:

    “Of course Dan would not consider it faked as it would support his prearranged conclusion”

    O.K. Rather fell for a Karl Rove dirty trick and believed that the fake memo Rove or his minions had sent out in the hope that some reporter would fall for it, use it, and thereby would be discredited. He got lazy and careless and failed to see that this was an obvious fake. Rather was old enough to remember that typewriters, with only very rare exceptions, did not use proportional spacing. The proportional spacing should have raised all kinds of flags if Rather had been paying attention. Another victiom of Karl Rove dirty tricks.


  82. BARTLEBEE says:

    Uh, New Orleans is part of the United States nimrod.

    Iraq is not.


  83. CaptainVideo says:

    “why is IRAQ such a bad place but NEW ORLEANS under LIBTARD control “just needs more $”

    New Orleans is part of the United States and therefore the responsibility of the U.S. government.

    Iraq is on the other side of the world and the U.S. has no business being there.


  84. scooter says:

    Katie is a coward,,,, this is a puff piece

    Visiting IRAQ and not NEW ORLEANS…

    Anybody that wants to see the REAL action would know where to go.


  85. Rob Lootens says:

    Couric is a Main Stream Media Call Girl. A highly paid whore with a gift for talking out of both sides of her mouth without moving her lips. I hope she gets what she deserves in the end for selling out America. But what the heck, she’s just getting in line. Everyone in a position of power these days is seeing how much they can amass before the golden goose of democracy is pronounced dead.

    Ironically, the end game will be the same for everyone; an ugly struggle for survival. The only difference will be those who at the moment are the”Haves” will be the last people standing and their fate will be the more protracted. So be it, we all make choices.

    petulantgemini


  86. BARTLEBEE says:

    Its amazing we have to point out to the mook that New Orleans is part of the United States.

    :|

    Our schools are failing.


  87. Chocolate Messiah Overload says:

    >I suggest we withdraw out of NEW ORLEANS immediattly
    >Comment by scooter

    Uhm, I have one question about what you said.. how can a country withdraw from itself?

    other than that, what are you trying to say? Are you trying to say that Iraq is in some way similar to New Orleans?

    Or are you saying something signifigantly less retarded that I’m not understanding?


  88. Ronald Reagan's Ghost says:

    “Send DAN RATHER instead,,,,

    He can slip some $ to a few terrorists ahead of time and then get LIVE coverage of the terrible situation going on…”

    Comment by scooter —

    Hey, it worked (at least for a while) for me. I armed terrorists, and today conservatives cry crocodile tears for all the dead that I’m responsible for.


  89. BARTLEBEE says:

    I suggest we send scooter to New Orleans, and they can use his mouth for a ballast pump.


  90. barfly says:

    I suggest we send scooter to New Orleans, and they can use his mouth for a ballast pump.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    He was a good mouthpiece for Cheney!


  91. Chocolate Messiah Overload says:

    > I suggest we send scooter to New Orleans,

    F#ck that, send me to New Orleans. We can take up a collection to send this D1psh1t to Iraq while we’re at it…

    pass around the plate ladies….

    Shakey-Jake will be collecting contributions from his paypal account…such a hip 75 year old dude…


  92. scooter says:

    New Orleans is a LIBTARD run cesspool,,,,

    The predictions on this city are much ROSIER than they should be (people want to see the bright side). To claim they just need $ is a RUSE as bad as that in IRAQ.
    FUNNY THING,,,, using rosy predictions in CRAP HOLES we want to see do well.

    It is however a part of the US…. But should’nt be.
    We should pull out now. (


  93. scooter says:

    NEW ORLEANS is a crap hole no better than IRAQ and we should CEDE it back to FRANCE…..

    Let the pessimism rule…. (you do know FRANCE once owned it)


  94. alp3 says:

    New Orleans is a LIBTARD run cesspool,,,,
    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 2:49 pm

    ahh back w/ the silly little cheap shots eh, squeak?


  95. scooter says:

    What is the difference between NEW ORLEANS and BAGHDAD?
    A. the weather
    B. chocolate vs. sandy
    c. nothing (NEW ORLEANS is however considered part of the US,,, unfortunatly)

    ANSWER,,,, all of the above… and CEDE the city back to FRANCE


  96. barfly says:

    “New Orleans is a LIBTARD run cesspool,,,,”

    Unlike Miami, the main ‘CON drug-smuggler/illegal alien port of entry…


  97. scooter says:

    Cheap shots with NEW ORLEANS….. HMMMMM

    Oh i get it,,,,, IRAQ’s are not cheap shots,,,,, but NEW ORLEANS are …… YEAHHHH


  98. scooter says:

    HEY barfly,,,

    When was the last time MIAMI voted in a CONSERVATIVE in anything…?

    YEP


  99. alp3 says:

    #

    Cheap shots with NEW ORLEANS….. HMMMMM

    Oh i get it,,,,, IRAQ’s are not cheap shots,,,,, but NEW ORLEANS are …… YEAHHHH

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

    no, you still don’t get it.


  100. Long Tooth says:

    Jeezuz. Between the two of them, Couric and Tauscher possess the intellect of a hamster.


  101. BARTLEBEE says:

    B. chocolate vs. sandy

    Comment by cooter — September 2, 2007 @ 2:55 pm

    And there you have it folks.

    Behold the inbred racist dirtbag, in all its dirtbag glory.

    THIS is the character of the right wing scum that trolls the liberal blogs.

    Racist, nazi scum.


  102. scooter says:

    I must admit that RAY NAGIN has much fewer security guards than MALIKI,,,,

    RAY freaked out when he could not get his own POLICE to protect him from his city.. but has lately gotten much better about this….

    HEY thats progress RIGHT….


  103. Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver says:

    Comment by CaptainVideo:

    “…O.K. Rather fell for a Karl Rove dirty trick and believed that the fake memo Rove or his minions had sent out in the hope that some reporter would fall for it, use it, and thereby would be discredited. …”
    ________________

    And the right wingers who trash Dan Rather seem to selectively forget what Lt. Colonel Killian’s own secretary said. Marian Carr Knox looked at the Killiam Memos given to Dan Rather and said they were not genuine and not the memos she typed. BUT, she said that they contained exactly the same information on George Bush that she remembers typing regarding George Bush’s preferential treatment in the Guard. She also stated that Lt. Col. Killian was very upset with George Bush when he refused to obey an order to present himself for a physical examination.
    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/15/60II/main643768.shtml

    And the order permanently suspending George Bush from flying is a real document. No one has tried to debunk this official Texas Air National Guard document that suspended George Bush from flying.
    http://www.glcq.com/docs/(72-09-05)flight_status_order.pdf
    George Bush disobeyed a direct order in a time of war.


  104. BARTLEBEE says:

    Progress will be when we’re pissing on your headstone, scooter.


  105. green heron says:

    Really good propaganda makes no apologies. The big lie and all that. Why? Bcause people tend to believe what they want to believe. Most Americans are stupid hicks. Stupid hicks want to believe eye-rack is a noble adventure. Katy Couric needs to watch more Fox News. On Fox, they make no apologies. They just come right out and say it: “Listen you stupid hicks, eye-rack is a brilliant example of American moral justice. Believe it you stupid hicks.”


  106. scooter says:

    ALP I get it…

    we rip on IRAQ as a hell hole (which it is) because this hurts REPUBLICANS.

    we don’t rip on NEW ORLEANS as a hell hole (which it is) because this hurts DEMOCRATS.

    funny thing,,, both sides say they just need $ and time.
    Yeah i get it….


  107. Ken says:

    I like the way they keep saying the surge is working and they need to continue it. sheesh, if it really worked, they could say the surge worked and now we have to get the troops out of there. Nope it hasnt worked so they need to keep the troops there to continue to try and get it to work.


  108. barfly says:

    So much for dog and pony shows, what the administration needs is a good traveling circus.

    And while the insurgents are all busy eating cotton-candy, and applauding the exploding clown-cars, we can slip our troops in, and get the whole bunch in one fell swoop.


  109. scooter says:

    I should not compare the IRAQ’S to NEW ORLEANS….

    It is really mean to the IRAQ’S as they have only had 4 years and APPEAR to actually want to succeed.


  110. Bob says:

    Katie is soo cute and perky in her little camos.

    Any cute and perky news in a war zone?

    Katie is to news as Dan “fake but accurate” Rather is to truth.


  111. scooter says:

    Barfly,,,, can we also send the circus act to NEW ORLEANS. Or should we just give up there,,, too.?


  112. Gregor Samsa says:

    Does anyone understand the new troll’s Iraq-vs-New-Orleans babble?

    I sense it’s trying to communicate something, I am just not quite sure what it’s trying to say. Assuming, of course, there is actually a message that is worth understanding.

    On topic, I thought it obvious that reporters in Iraq only get to see what the military want them to see. I guess it isn’t for a lot of people. I wonder if FauxNews will again try to demean Couric.


  113. dras says:

    Did CBS need to put the woman in peril for her to tell us something we’ve known all along. Why not just let Fox send their people over to ship the crap back to us. Hell if something bad happens to them they will be doing the job that their management and editors want them to do then there will be no big loss.


  114. barfly says:

    And some on this thread make very effective administration clowns.


  115. alp3 says:

    It seems to me, squeak. you’re trying to blame the “LIBTARDS” for both?


  116. Bob says:

    # 69

    Ouch that would be very interesting.


  117. barfly says:

    If clowning is your goal, that is.


  118. azureblue says:

    Hey scooter- we note how you’re covering for your butt bud Bush, who actually is responsible for the flooding of New Orleans, (he cut the ACOE budget to less than one fourth, stopped work on the canal side levees so he could cover tax breaks for his rich buddies) and who wants $200 Billion for Iraq (which he has to borrow from the Commies), but still continues to ignore New Orleans. Only failures cover for failures.

    tell us, who is paying you to troll here?


  119. scooter says:

    So i’m racist for repeating what the mayor of NEW ORLEANS said his own city should stay,,,, “chocolate”

    The president of IRAQ MALIKI,,,, deserves an apology from me as he has not said his city BAGHDAD should stay “sandy”

    I apologize.

    I said this to widen YOUR eyes to CRAP HOLE situations HERE…. and how OPTIMISM (when it has no reason) is currently being used by LIBTARDS to help NEW ORLEANS come back. (come back to a bigger crap hole than it currently is)…

    LIBTARDS do this,,, to try and protect the LIB politicians there….

    So,,, crap hole A,,, BAD crap hole B,,, GOOD


  120. barfly says:

    Katie is to news as Dan “fake but accurate” Rather is to truth.

    Comment by Bob

    That would be “Ronald Reagan is to patriotism what George Bush is to truth.”


  121. BARTLEBEE says:

    Hey those are some good ideas.

    How about from now on, whenever the administration gives a press conference, lets have them pull up in one of those little cars, and they’ll all be stuffed in there, and come piling out, with their big floppy feet and their red rubber noses, and stumble up to the podium, honking their buggyhorns.



  122. barfly says:

    “So,,, crap hole A,,, BAD crap hole B,,, GOOD”

    Comment by scooter

    Crap hole A, wastes 2 bil. a week. Crap hole B, no dead servicemen put there for lies.

    A has car bombs and many poor. B has many poor.


  123. Bob says:

    Katie seen any cute IEDs?


  124. Bob says:

  125. scooter says:

    Gregor samsa

    IRAQ is a worthless crap hole,,,, so is NEW ORLEANS
    They both have been this way for over a hundred years.
    Both also claim they just need $ and time.

    NOW,,, knowing this

    In IRAQ it’s useless to try and help them set up a GOVT.
    In NEW ORLEANS DITTO!

    LIBTARDS rip on the BUSH administration for trying in IRAQ.
    They say there is no hope and PROGRESS cannot be made.
    LIBTARDS however think NEW ORLEANS can somehow be saved (as long as a LIBTARD is running the show).

    Thus progress in NEW ORLEANS,,, with $ time whatever,,,
    and failure in IRAQ with the same.


  126. Hosea says:

    Surely Ms. Couric noted the troops stationed with arms ready at intervals of about six feet. It is hard to imagine that this is the norm.

    CVould it be just another Mccain style photo-op?


  127. Bob says:

    Throw money at it like Dems do to failed public schools:)


  128. barfly says:

    “… and come piling out, with their big floppy feet and their red rubber noses, and stumble up to the podium, honking their buggyhorns.”

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    Soaked in blood, dragging each other around in high-stress positions, with a charming group of trained attack-dogs chasing them, and adding to the hilarity…


  129. scooter says:

    alp,,,
    I don’t BLAME libtards for both,,, I blame libtards for belittling PROGRESS in IRAQ and then (thinking) NEW ORLEANS PROGRESS is REAL.


  130. had enough says:

    It is ALL just polite conversation… keep the masses content while We the People and the rights of others are trashed.

    Proof Bush Sr. is for New World Order:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CWBTL33MpA


  131. Bob says:

    New Orleans is run by corrupt Dems has been for decades.

    Everyone knows that:)even Dems.


  132. Bob says:

    Protect Katie at all cost, She is a mommy.


  133. Gregor Samsa says:

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    Iraq = A foreign country, not the US
    New Orleans = City in Louisiana, a state of the US. Not a foreign country.

    I hope that clarifies the situation for you.


  134. barfly says:

    “Throw money at it like Dems do to failed public schools:)”

    Comment by Bob —

    And how are those faith-based programs working for improving education? Any successes?


  135. BARTLEBEE says:

    how OPTIMISM (when it has no reason) is currently being used by LIBTARDS to help NEW ORLEANS come back. (come back to a bigger crap hole than it currently is)…

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

    So here you’re saying that a US City, New Orleans, a major US city of half a million people that is host to numerous arts and cultural festivals, home of Tulane University one of the most respected colleges in the world, a city that has the largest busiest port system in the WORLD, not to mention a 5 and a half billion dollar toursism industry, is just a throwaway?

    Amazing.


  136. Duh George says:

  137. BARTLEBEE says:

    Does anyone now wonder why these morons bankrupt the country both economically and morally in just 7 short years?


  138. Bob says:

    100% successful from lib brainwashing:)


  139. scooter says:

    Barfly,,,
    We have a lot more $ and YEARS to go in IRAQ failure if we ever want to get it up to NEW ORLEANS standards.

    As for the DEATHS…. I guess your only concerned with GI’s and not GANG BANGERs,,, (good),,,
    You also need to ignore PHILADELPHIA and TRENTON.

    As for the CAR bombs,,,, Your right about that,,, the IRAQ’S appear much more intelligent then NEW ORLEANS


  140. Gregor Samsa says:

    Amazing.
    Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 2, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    Also, last time I checked, New Orleans wasn’t asking the US federal government to leave them alone. Quite the contrary.

    Iraqis have been overwhelmingly in favor of a withdrawal of US troops.

    Not to mention Iraq is (or it’s supposed to be) a sovereign nation.


  141. Bob says:

    FARTLEBEE
    relax man everything is fine Your morals are still where you left them.
    Please hand on to them as we do not need them at this time – thanks.


  142. BARTLEBEE says:

    IRAQ is a worthless crap hole,,,, so is NEW ORLEANS

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    Listen to the pig.

    A famous American city world renown for its arts and quisine, home to a world class world famous univsersity, home to the worlds largest and busiest seaport, home to a 5 and half BILLION dollar tourist industry, is to a a right winger, a “worthless peice of crap”.

    This is going to make next November so much easier.


  143. barfly says:

    “I don’t BLAME libtards for both,,, I blame libtards for belittling PROGRESS in IRAQ and then (thinking) NEW ORLEANS PROGRESS is REAL.”

    Comment by scooter

    Now we’re descending to the absurd. Please, post a comment from this thread that corroborates this assertion, or apologize for trying to distract the thread with irrelevance. You won’t find anyone here stating what you’ve just claimed.


  144. BARTLEBEE says:

    As for the CAR bombs,,,, Your right about that,,, the IRAQ’S appear much more intelligent then NEW ORLEANS

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:43 pm

    Yea. Those Tulane folks….. what dolts huh?


  145. BARTLEBEE says:

    What our right wing friend scooter, is of course trying to say, is the black are inferior to the whites.

    Just in case anyones unclear.


  146. alp3 says:

    alp,,,
    I don’t BLAME libtards for both,,, I blame libtards for belittling PROGRESS in IRAQ and then (thinking) NEW ORLEANS PROGRESS is REAL.

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:38 pm

    Belittling what Progress in Iraq? and celebrating(my word) what progress in N.O.?
    I don’t see any true signs of progress in either location.

    It’s already been pointed out to you why N.O. is different than Iraq.
    Does the f*ckin’ word “homeland” ring a bell? probably not, oh well.

    don’t stop believing, squeak. it seems to be your cornerstone.


  147. Bob says:

    New Orleans will come out ahead regardless of government aid because the people are independent and strong. Government is not their saviour like the Dems want.


  148. scooter says:

    BARTLE

    So your saying that the basket of civilization, the cradle of humanity, the country of IRAQ, with a proud history (more than we have here) and a huge PORT in BASRA,,, also has universities (debatable as to whether they are better or worse than TULANE), lots of JIHADI tourists from other countries is just a THROWAWAY?

    Considering the way both of these locals are run by THIER leaders ,,,, YEP


  149. had enough says:

    I don’t BLAME libtards for both,,, I blame libtards for belittling PROGRESS in IRAQ

    Comment by scooter

    Just curious, I want to hear in your words what progress in Iraq is… I fear I already know the answer, but maybe if you post it, you will see how ugly it is.


  150. barfly says:

    “Does anyone now wonder why these morons bankrupt the country both economically and morally in just 7 short years?”

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    Not with the circus-clown Right. The question really is what kept it all from imploding sooner, given the incompetence.


  151. BARTLEBEE says:

    What he means are US cities with large Black populations, are “worthless peices of crap”, the crap of course being a reference to the indigenous black population.

    The Iraqi’s are a little higher on his list because they are not quite so black. They’re “sandy”, and therefore he doesn’t call them ni$$ers. They’re just them “sand-ni$$ers”, and therefore worth trying to save. After all, put a suit and tie on em, and we can make them look like a white man, with a suntan.


  152. Bob says:

    What our right wing friend scooter, is of course trying to say, is the black are inferior to the whites.

    Just in case anyones unclear.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE
    ———————————————
    a little rabble rouser aren’t u Bart the fart:)


  153. Richard says:

    I would like Katie to ask the Moslems she encounters what they would like to do about the Jew, Christian, Athiest, etc. problem.


  154. scooter says:

    hey gregor

    Crap holes in this country BY LAW must be seen to have progress,,,
    Crap holes in another country we are trying to help BY YOUR LAW must be seen to have no progress


  155. barfly says:

    “Government is not their saviour like the Dems want.”

    Comment by Bob

    I really feel sorry for someone this politically myopic.


  156. BARTLEBEE says:

    So your saying that the basket of civilization, the cradle of humanity, the country of IRAQ, with a proud history (more than we have here) and a huge PORT in BASRA,,, also has universities (debatable as to whether they are better or worse than TULANE), lots of JIHADI tourists from other countries is just a THROWAWAY?

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:49 pm

    No asswipe.

    You said New Orleans was a ‘worthless peice of crap’.

    I corrected you.


  157. Bob says:

    Economy is humming along which is good news.
    It will slow down at some point. Economy is cyclic by nature.
    Not good or bad.


  158. BARTLEBEE says:

    a little rabble rouser aren’t u Bart the fart:)

    Comment by Bob — September 2, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

    the rabble rousingist.


  159. Gregor Samsa says:

    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:51 pm

    For your own sake, join your local AA.

    That might work wonders on your ability to string two thoughts together, and your overall cognitive process.

    As it is, you make very little sense.


  160. scooter says:

    I’ll let the GENERAL there ON LOCATION tell us if HE believes there is PROGRESS,,,, anything i could tell you here either way would be crap,,,, (kinda like what a lot of you are spewing)


  161. barfly says:

    “So your saying that the basket of civilization, the cradle of humanity, the country of IRAQ, with a proud history (more than we have here) and a huge PORT in BASRA,,, also has universities (debatable as to whether they are better or worse than TULANE), lots of JIHADI tourists from other countries is just a THROWAWAY?

    Considering the way both of these locals are run by THIER leaders ,,,, YEP”

    Comment by scooter

    Have you heard what happened to these universities after the invasion?

    They were looted.

    Was Tulane looted after the flooding?


  162. BARTLEBEE says:

    “Government is not their saviour like the Dems want.”

    Comment by Slob

    And its not their tormenter, like the repugs want.


  163. barfly says:

    “Economy is humming along which is good news.
    It will slow down at some point. Economy is cyclic by nature.
    Not good or bad.”

    Comment by Bob

    Bob’s pretty desperate to avoid talking about Iraq.


  164. scooter says:

    as for my racist comments on CHOCOLATE and SANDY

    Please help me get some VANILLA,,,, just tell me which vanilla (libtard run of course) city to include here…

    PS,,, i’m not the one ripping the progress of the SANDIES now am I,,, Does that make you a RACIST?


  165. had enough says:

    What our right wing friend scooter, is of course trying to say, is the black are inferior to the whites.

    Just in case anyones unclear.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    I thought those ignorant moron unbearably stupid types faded with Archie Bunker… Guess that gene pool still thrives.


  166. barfly says:

    “SANDIES”

    Comment by scooter —

    Red State translation: Sand N*ggers.

    Next up: ragheads and Hajis.


  167. Bob says:

    Bankrupt is a hot buzz word for the Libtards. No such thing for US economy right now. Now morals yea L.A. CA is porno capital of the US followed by NY.
    We abort innocent children 40+million so far. Yea there are moral problems here.

    Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer are all big supporters of the Dem party. Libtards do no give their donations/money back.


  168. scooter says:

    Have you heard what happened to these universities after the invasion?

    They were looted.

    Was Tulane looted after the flooding?

    Comment by barfly — September 2, 2007

    It might have been a plus,,,, have you seen the football team?
    PS,,, IRAQ won the ASIAN soccer championships,,,


  169. dr4will says:

    Cure-all could become a meaningfull reporter by telling the truth–it would be unique after williams and abc coot–but they wouldn’t get that wh invitation if the truth were told!!!!!


  170. Bob says:

    Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer are all big supporters of the Dem party. Libtards do not give their donations/money back.


  171. barfly says:

    “Now morals yea L.A. CA is porno capital of the US followed by NY.”

    Someone doesn’t know that Murdock sells porn…

    And he lives in England, doesn’t he?


  172. scooter says:

    Blacks, Sandies, Ragheads, Spics, Chinks, Honkeys, and any others… are all FAILURES,,, when they have LIBTARDS at the HELM.

    I’m a racist alright,,,, against LIBTARDS


  173. Bob says:

    Of course all cable sells porno and US “sucks ” it up. Free speech baby


  174. Gregor Samsa says:

    Does that make you a RACIST?
    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 3:57 pm

    Er, no.

    The reconstruction of Iraq is actually being botched by the US federal government, you know, the ones actually running the show and holding the strings to the purse.

    Those are the people we are criticising. Do you usually have reading comprehension issues like this, or are you making a special effort today?


  175. had enough says:

    I’ll let the GENERAL there ON LOCATION tell us if HE believes there is PROGRESS,,,, anything i could tell you here either way would be crap,,,, (kinda like what a lot of you are spewing)

    Comment by scooter

    No, you need to answer my question: What is your definition of progress in Iraq?


  176. scooter says:

    do you think RAY NAGIN was RACIST when he said the city should be CHOCOLATE? (and was voted back in office)

    NOPE,,, yeah your right,,, he meant lots of candy bars layin all over the city..


  177. Bob says:

    Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer are all big supporters of the Dem party. Libtards do not give their donations/money back.

    Comment by Bob
    ———————————-
    These 3 guys really know about perverts and guess who they support?

    Dems 100% – No hypocrisy here boys and girls:)


  178. scooter says:

    the progress for IRAQ is the same as whatever definition YOU want to give to the crap hole cities in our own country.

    Think what progress you want to see happen in NEW ORLEANS,,,, now transfer that to IRAQ.


  179. scooter says:

    gregor,,, i get it

    all the crap holes in this country are BUSHS fault.
    the IRAQ crap hole is BUSHS fault.
    the crap hole you most likely live in is BUSHS fault.

    You nor any of the local folks bear any responisiblity for the crap hole life you live.


  180. Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver says:

    Here’s the great progress in Iraq. Bribery by U.S. contractrators of military officials who decide on military contracts is rampant in Iraq. The Army is now reviewing over 18,000 contracts for fraud and 22 contractors have been suspended from doing business. The corruption reaches right into the office of General Petraeus, as one of his closest aides, Lt. Colonel Joey Selph is now the object of investigation. Another military officer, Major Gloria Davis shot herself to death when it was learned that she had received over $250,000 in bribes from Lee Dynamics, a private military contractor in Iraq. Of course extremely corrupt companies like Custer Battles, which have engaged in one rip-off after another in Iraq are still safe, because the head of the company is a big Republican donor and a former Republican Congressional candidate.

    http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/083107A.shtml


  181. Bob says:

    Damn that Truthout is so full of lies.


  182. barfly says:

    “Of course all cable sells porno and US “sucks ” it up. Free speech baby”

    Comment by Bob

    So it seems a little two-faced for you to be talking about LA and NY, when the whole country sucks it up like creamed corn.

    But then, you’re not too big on being even-handed, are you?


  183. HighPockets says:

    Are Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer elected, disgraced GOP politicians? Will Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer have a hard time convincing America that the GOP has nothing to offer voters in 2008? Will Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer spend their entire campaign budget and effort trying to distance themselves from the stink of the GOP?


  184. Anon1 says:

    so she’s suppose to dog everything and piss off the very people she’s relying on to keep her safe and give her access? grow up, people. just saying that she’s not allowed to see everything is pretty gutsy.

    what she just said is gutsier than anything Charles Gibson (a Republican) and that other guy have done.


  185. Mary says:

    She should just apply for a job at FOX! NOW!


  186. had enough says:

    scooter
    You first stated Libtards are standing in the way of PROGRESS in Iraq.. I then asked you to define what progress in Iraq is, your own definition…
    Then you stated the progress for IRAQ is the same as whatever definition YOU want to give to the crap hole cities in our own country.

    This does not wash…
    You can’t provide a definition as it would be so obviously racist.


  187. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Still no new thread?

    Must be a slow day in Proglib Land!


  188. scooter says:

    Corruption in IRAQ,,,,, HAHAHAHa

    I’m guessing even a few FEEBLE minds out there could draw the comparisons between the CORRUPTION in IRAQ with NEW ORLEANS. I don’t think anything I could put on here would be as good as YOUR own imagination.

    I do however have my own OPINION on which location is better at the corruption game.


  189. barfly says:

    I do however have my own OPINION on which location is better at the corruption game.

    Comment by scooter —

    Great.

    Keep it under your hat.


  190. scooter says:

    Katie can’t go to FOX as she would most likely HOOK UP with BRIT HUME,,,,

    Those kids would be SCARY.


  191. A.Political says:

    So how is this manipulation of the press orchestrated in such a broad manner? I understand Bushco trying to spin the media, but how do all, or most reporters (of large news orgs) fall prey or become complicit?

    Do they just follow marching orders given to them from the their corporate masters a la R Ailes and Fox? Are they ethically bankrupt in regards to the true function of journalism and only out to achieve star status? From what I know journalism schools still instill the basic tenets of journalism that have existed since the origin of the constitution. Are more junior reporters cowed by the ’serious’ people above them?

    I’m starting to think this a concerted effort from the top down both in the government and corporate spheres. A loose association formed around somewhat common goals or have I been watching too many Adam Curtis documentaries?

    PS I actually highly recommend watching ‘The Power of Nightmares’ followed by ‘The Century of the Self’ and finish off with ‘The Trap – What Happened to our Dream of Freedom’ all by Adam Curtis. Now you may not agree with it all, but it’s an interesting perspective.

    https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Adam_Curtis


  192. Gregor Samsa says:

    all the crap holes in this country are BUSHS fault.
    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 4:12 pm

    Well, he is The Decider, The Commander Guy, remember?

    the IRAQ crap hole is BUSHS fault.

    He made the decision to invade that country. Any resulting chaos is his responsibility, no doubt.

    the crap hole you most likely live in is BUSHS fault.

    You’re too funny. I didn’t realise high levels of alcohol would still allow you to try to crack jokes.

    You nor any of the local folks bear any responisiblity for the crap hole life you live.

    Good thing you bring up responsibility, because you are working hard to excuse Bush from any responsibility regarding Iraq (the country he invaded) or New Orleans (a piece of the Us he is also the president of).

    How come he bears no responsibility whatsoever?


  193. Teri Roney says:

    To number 16 in this list of commentaries;
    As a long time journalist and documentary producer, let me tell you that the news value of this clip is the admission that she see’s only what the military wants her to see. It’s an admission that undercuts the veracity of the military and the credibility of this administration. It was not a statement she had to make, and I doubt that it was one that the military either expected or appreciated.
    In a profession that sometimes limits you to revealing what you can and calling attention to the limitations imposed, all you can do is all you can do.
    Couric did that. Good for her!


  194. Gregor Samsa says:

    gregor,,, i get it
    Comment by scooter — September 2, 2007 @ 4:12 pm

    And no, you didn’t get it.

    Your “arguments” are nothing more than strawmen arguments.

    I usually refrain from engaging the obviously intoxicated, the mentally imbalanced, or the intellectually dishonest.

    I sense you are a combination of the above. Good riddance, bad rubbish.


  195. scooter says:

    Had enough

    LIBTARDS don’t stand in the way of PROGRESS silly they ignore the PROGRESS that may or may not be taking place.

    Just like NEW ORLEANS may or may not be making progress (depending on how YOU want to see it).

    Now for me to say IRAQ is making progress because some areas are less dangerous or more schools are opening or more services provided… DOES not make it PROGRESS…

    The PEOPLE THERE everyday (the general) are the MOST knowledgable on whether progress is being made..

    Or maybe we should NOT believe RAY NAGIN when HE tells us of PROGRESS and how it should continue (with bigger $ of course)

    The only thing YOU are blocking is the possibility of progress in IRAQ


  196. Zep Tepi says:

    I find Mr P hilarious with his comments, Texas, where I live, the Democrats have always been more conservative than the Republican ‘cons” from up north. Go to Detroit and look at the mess they made up there. No wonder they bail out to the south. The rust belt is a Republican vision of progress.


  197. donkey says:

    yeah

    things will look

    relatively normal when

    you’re surrounded by american military

    but sometimes

    a bomb goes off

    heh…


  198. scooter says:

    Gregor,,, Bush bears about as much responsibility as RAY NAGIN who was voted BACK into office after his performance at KATRINA.

    Now,,, does that say BUSH did well? NO
    does it say NAGIN did well? NO


  199. had enough says:

    LIBTARDS don’t stand in the way of PROGRESS silly they ignore the PROGRESS that may or may not be taking place.

    Changing your statement and you still can not answer what your definition of progress in Iraq is.


  200. CaptainVideo says:

    “we don’t rip on NEW ORLEANS as a hell hole (which it is) because this hurts DEMOCRATS.”

    It is the Bush administration that has completely botched the reconstruction of New Orleans and let it become a hell hole, just as it has completely botched Iraq. Anything this administration gets its incompetent hands on turns to shit.

    When Bill Clinton was President FEMA was an effective, competent organization. If Bill Clinton were still President, the reconstruction of New Orleans would be a success.


  201. Zep Tepi says:

    The only thing YOU are blocking is the possibility of progress in IRAQ
    Comment by scooter

    Well scooter the Maliki government is rife with corruption, politicians may call that progress, but it isnt.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Now,,, does that say BUSH did well? NO
    does it say NAGIN did well? NO
    Comment by scooter

    Well if you omit the fact that the current administration and the (R)ubberstamp congress stopped funding the raising of the Levees back in 2001 – what you say makes some sense.


  202. bilbogaggins says:

    “She may not be a Murrow in the field of reporting, but she actually traveled to Iraq, which is important for journalists to do. “

    Why is it important for journalists to travel to Iraq for the Bush Admin dog and pony show, then come back and tell us all how wonderful it is there?

    What is important is the fact that Michael Ware is pretty much the only journalist who has been in Iraq all along and he knows the people of Iraq. His assessment is that the escalation has done nothing other than to secure a couple of neighborhoods while others are imploding. His assessment is that we can’t win an Occupation militarily. His observation is that unless there is a political solution, nothing will change. So who am I going to believe? Michael Ware or Katie Couric or any of the other “journalists” who have seen Bush’s dog and pony show?

    The answer is obvious, I will believe Michael Ware.


  203. scooter says:

    had enough,,,, LIBTARDS don’t believe that progress is, can, or ever will take place in IRAQ.
    They do however believe differently on NEW ORLEANS.

    Please answer MY question and give me YOUR definition of what is progress in NEW ORLEANS.

    This will help YOU on the idea of PROGRESS somewhere else.


  204. barfly says:

    “Please answer MY question and give me YOUR definition of what is progress in NEW ORLEANS.”

    Well, since Karl Rove was put in charge, it’s been a mess. As Rove has quit, I’d call that progress for New Orleans…


  205. CaptainVideo says:

    Ray Nagin was a Republican until he ran for mayor. He switched parties before running because a Republican could not be elected in New Orleans, but he has continued to behave like a Republican and is as incompetent as the Bush administration. Unfortunately he was able to defeat the genuine Democrat (Ladereu) because of the racism of the blacks in New Orleans. They preferred to vote for a proven incompetent de facto Republican, who had failed to evacuate the city, because he is black while the genuine Democrat is white.


  206. scooter says:

    OH my,,,, the BUSH adm… sure is EVIL,,,,
    On his watch the LEVEE’s got more funding than under BILL..

    But BUSH knew the LIBTARDS in new orleans would never put the $ to use wisely,,,, Evil man,,, Funding the city more than his predecessor because he knew they would screw it up…

    EVIL MAN


  207. scooter says:

    barfly
    I’d also call the 2 new supreme court justices PROGRESS.

    Progress is what YOU see it.


  208. had enough says:

    had enough,,,, LIBTARDS don’t believe that progress is, can, or ever will take place in IRAQ.
    Comment by scooter

    And you can not even give me a definition of what you think progress in Iraq is. Bye… had too much.


  209. KYJurisDoctor says:

    If she objects to been used as a pawn, why does Couric NOT come home.

    http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://Osispeaks.org


  210. CaptainVideo says:

    “So how is this manipulation of the press orchestrated in such a broad manner?”

    Virtually all of the broadcast media is controlled by 6 corporate conglomorates who have a strong economic interest in keeping the Republicans in power, and their executives dictatate what goes on in the media. In the broadcast media, the American people do not have freedom of the press. Only the 6 corporate conglomorates have freedom of the press.


  211. barfly says:

    “On his watch the LEVEE’s got more funding than under BILL..”

    And the worst terrorist attack on American soil happened on his watch, which he then used as an excuse to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.

    Never forget that.


  212. scooter says:

    Ray Nagin was a Republican until he ran for mayor. He switched parties before running because a Republican could not be elected in New Orleans, but he has continued to behave like a Republican and is as incompetent as the Bush administration. Unfortunately he was able to defeat the genuine Democrat (Ladereu) because of the racism of the blacks in New Orleans. They preferred to vote for a proven incompetent de facto Republican, who had failed to evacuate the city, because he is black while the genuine Democrat is white.

    Comment by CaptainVideo

    Careful captain,,,,, a few more comments like that and you too will be called a RACIST. In LIBTARD LAND any RACE that consistently votes 80% plus for the DEMS is not to be questioned.


  213. CaptainVideo says:

    “Petraeus believes there “really is a trend” of success on the security situation in Iraq and believes President Bush’s escalation “needs to continue.”

    Petraeus is a political general who has met with the Republicans to plan strategy to keep the war going. He will say whatever it takes to keep the war going without any regard for the truth. He is no more credible than Bush.


  214. CaptainVideo says:

    “If she objects to been used as a pawn, why does Couric NOT come home.”

    Because she wants to keep her job.

    What can you expect from a “reporter” who put Limpy on her first program?


  215. barfly says:

    “I’d also call the 2 new supreme court justices PROGRESS.

    Progress is what YOU see it.”

    Comment by scooter

    Now you’re babbling. How does this translate to New Orleans or Iraq?

    It doesn’t.


  216. scooter says:

    had enough,,,, sorry man,,,, I was really hoping that YOUR definition on PROGRESS in NEW ORLEANS would help with OUR definition in IRAQ.

    When the situation is reversed, so is the HOPE of PROGRESS not actual PROGRESS. (sorry you can’t see that)

    When YOUR or MY HOPE of PROGRESS is shown,,, it determines whether the following are considered PROGRESS or not. Areas of less violence, schools opening, more services, etc….

    Thus NO progress possible in IRAQ but mandatory in NEW ORLEANS.


  217. paps meer says:

    scooter:

    ,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,, ,,, ,,,, ,,,, ,,, ,, ,,, ,, ,,, ,,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,, ,, ,,,, ,,,, ,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,,,, ,,, ,,,, ,, ,, ,, ,,,, ,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,, ,,,, ,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,,,, ,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,,, ,,,, ,, ,, ,,, ,,, ,,,,

    I’m returning the excess punctuation from your posts on this thread. I only request that you recycle some of the commas as apostrophes in the contraction “you’re” (a combination of the words “you” and “are”).

    Best regards,


  218. barfly says:

    “Thus NO progress possible in IRAQ but mandatory in NEW ORLEANS.”

    Comment by scooter

    Your attempts at comparison don’t hold water.


  219. scooter says:

    barfly,,,
    progress in the COURT and YOUR progress in seeing ROVE go are opinion.

    You might not see progress in IRAQ but see it in NEW ORLEANS,,, when the FACTS on the ground might not be ANY DIFFERENT…

    It’s not about where this is occuring IRAQ, NEW ORLEANS,,,
    its all about what YOU want to see happen,,,

    Now that is progress


  220. scooter says:

    barfly,,,, your so sad,,, you can’t even see YOUR own prejudice of PROGRESS.

    Sorry about the ,,,,,,,,,, to all those out there that don’t like it…. bad habit. I guess


  221. scooter says:

    from the sounds of it here,,, my final comment will make MOST of you happy,,,

    gotta run


  222. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Uh oh,

    Looks like someone isn’t bashing Bush enough!!!

    heYoo!!
    +-!+!-+


  223. barfly says:

    “barfly,,,
    progress in the COURT and YOUR progress in seeing ROVE go are opinion. ”

    You asked the question about New Orleans specifically. Then you added some idiocy completely unrelated to either New Orleans or Iraq, and attempt to equate it to the two? It’s like equating apples and car bombs.


  224. Man in the Middle says:

    Of course the U.S. military is going to take Couric to former hot-spots of violence which are now comparatively safer and showing initial signs of prosperity, which is exactly what would be expected when people/organizations are proud of their accomplishments. Couric’s comments in no way imply she thinks the military is trying to pull the wool over her eyes and paint an overly optimistic picture.


  225. Bob says:

    Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynnt and Jerry Springer are all big supporters of the Dem party. Libtards do not give their donations/money back.

    Comment by Bob
    ———————————-
    These (3) guys really know about perverts and guess who they support?

    Dems 100% – No hypocrisy here boys and girls:)
    ————————————————————————-

    All you screw loose Libtards ragging on Larry Craig. Funny as hell when you consider that your are rubbing elbows with the three of the no. 1 perverts in US. Using women as sex toys, orgies, full blown deviancy for all to see and enjoy.

    What a crock a crap you Libtards are. Hef, Flynt, Springer love libtards and support the Dems fully. Dem “family values” in full glory.

    Dems and Libtards have been “Porn Again” believers for years.


  226. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Of course the U.S. military is going to take Couric to former hot-spots of violence which are now comparatively safer and showing initial signs of prosperity, which is exactly what would be expected when people/organizations are proud of their accomplishments. Couric’s comments in no way imply she thinks the military is trying to pull the wool over her eyes and paint an overly optimistic picture.

    Comment by Man in the Middle — September 2, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
    ———————————————————————————–

    Careful… you’re in Proglib country.

    Your comment makes a little too much sense for folks ’round herrrrrr.


  227. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Dems and Libtards have been “Porn Again” believers for years.

    Comment by Bob — September 2, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
    ————————————

    HEyOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!


  228. Bob says:

    HeyooooooOOOOOOoooOOOOOOOOOOoOOOOo!


  229. Bob says:

    :) OCTAVIANVS u r cool :)


  230. Bob says:

    OCTAVIANVS
    c ya later
    kick some libtards yehaaaaa!


  231. Liberal at Heart says:

    Yo yo yo I’ve been “Porn Again”. I’ve seen the dark.


  232. Not Canadian says:

    Katie Couric ONLY belongs on TV as an anchor covering the local cat-fashion show, and NOTHING ELSE.

    -bob and octa, take it to the men’s room?


  233. Not Canadian says:

    Dems and Libtards have been “Porn Again” believers for years.

    Comment by Bob

    Okay, but at least were open about it with our wives, unlike the hateful, hypocritical closeted Repukes.


  234. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Later, Bob!

    Have a good Labor Day!


  235. BARTLEBEE says:

    kick some libtards yehaaaaa!

    Comment by Bob — September 2, 2007 @ 5:41 pm

    Quit talking to yourself.


  236. herb says:

    after listening to ben stein on cbs sunday morning,i think he and katie would make a great team(a pair of twits).


  237. BARTLEBEE says:

    Later, Bob!

    Have a good Labor Day!

    Comment by OCTAVIANVS — September 2, 2007 @ 5:50 pm

    Quit talking to yourself.


  238. Bob says:

    Later, Bob!

    Have a good Labor Day!

    You too
    OCTAVIANVS

    Do not forget to thank a rich capitalist for your job unless you a are government employed leech:)


  239. Steve Splain says:

    Hey CBS, if your reporter is reporting that she is only seeing what the military wants her to see, perhaps that’s the story! Otherwise it’s just propaganda.


  240. gummitch says:

    Have a good Labor Day!

    You too
    OCTAVIANVS

    Do not forget to thank a rich capitalist for your job unless you a are government employed leech:)

    Comment by Bob — September 2, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

    Do not forget to thank the liberals and the labor movement that came before you so that you had a 40 hour work week and a Labor Day to celebrate. Not that Mr Pee aka Octavianus has a “job”.

    Bob seems to hate the military, the police, and the people who build the highways he drives on, among millions of others. All those “government employed leeches”.

    FY, Bob!


  241. Hank D says:

    What do you expect Katie Couric to say?


  242. ronjazz says:

    What do you expect Katie Couric to say?

    Comment by Hank D — September 2, 2007 @ 6:09 pm

    Just what whe did. She’s a paid liar, and once in a while, because she’s not too bright, a line of truth slips out. It won’t happen again.


  243. OCTAVIANVS says:

    FY, Bob!

    Comment by gummitch — September 2, 2007 @ 6:08 pm

    You are so full of hate.

    Why?


  244. steve EVfuture says:

    These people are just plain stupid. They have an eighth grader’s understanding of the world and they “learn” by letting the same people lie to them over and over again.


  245. ronhazz says:

    You are so full of hate.

    Why?

    Comment by OCTAVIANVS — September 2, 2007 @ 6:33 pm

    jeez, p, enough with the sybil act. get some help, the meth has eaten your teenie little brain all up. why are you so full of hate, ignorance, racism and lies? did a girl beat you up, too? that certainly brings out a lot of anger in closetted repigs, it seems.


  246. OCTAVIANVS says:

    did a girl beat you up, too?
    Comment by ronhazz — September 2, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

    Yes, but it was fun!


  247. ronjazz, troll crusher says:

    unless you a are government employed leech:)

    Comment by Bob — September 2, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

    Like Bush and Cheney, two anti-american, Al Qaeda supporting government leeches if there ever were any. Boob strikes again; straw man up, strawman down and burned to ashes.


  248. ronjazz, troll crusher says:

    Yes, but it was fun!

    Comment by OCTAVIANVS — September 2, 2007 @ 6:42 pm

    well, for her, although not much of a challenge.


  249. veritas says:

    Rosy Report – A cutsie couric quip for bull$hit and propaganda.


  250. Andrew says:

    I really really think Kate looks better with her hair pulled back, and that blue shirt she is wearing is gorgeous, does anyone know where she shops? I bet her wardrobe staff pick them for her and who is the little gnome guy? he’s so cute and whats Iraq.


  251. bilbogaggins says:

    “OH my,,,, the BUSH adm… sure is EVIL,,,,
    On his watch the LEVEE’s got more funding than under BILL..
    Comment by scooter”

    Proof scooter. Put up or shut up.


  252. CAWebb says:

    The military are so in charge of what is seen and how it is seen….look at the latest story of the papers prepared on the records of visiting Washington politicians….how they voted on recent House and Senate bills…..how is that the military position and what are these for? Spin…spin…..goes on and on….as we go round and round. Crazy.


  253. cindy says:

    Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told American Muslims gathered in Rosemont to think beyond voter registration drives.

    “You need to run for political office,” Dean said Saturday. “The only way you can achieve your goals is to stand up and say who you are and be proud of it.”

    Those in the packed house rose to their feet and applauded.

    Dean was one of several prominent Democrats on Saturday


  254. dude says:

    I guess Bill Roggio and Robert Burns of the NYTimes were only reporting what the military wanted as well.

    What this shows is the lack of intelligence of the media these days, nothing more. That couric and the congressman couldn’t ask decent questions reflects on their abilities much moreso than the military “spin”.

    This site however I would expect would feel that Roggio/burns are also “tools” for bush.


  255. Frank J says:

    KATIE COURIC: If I report good news, it must mean I’m gullible! Er, or something like that.


  256. Frank J says:

    Of course the content of the CBS evening news is what CBS wants you to see, so you have to keep that in mind as well.


  257. The Oracle says:

    Allawi market?

    Hmmm? Haven’t I heard this name in the news recently? Something about some Iraqi paying some Republican lobbyists in Washington to push for the overthrow of al-Maliki’s government in Baghdad? That Allawi?

    Just the name “Allawi market” indicates that this market is controlled by Allawi’s militia, which would make it a perfect setting for this “dog and pony show” staged for Katie Couric’s benefit…and presumably to “catapult the propaganda” back home.

    A patriotic U.S. citizen should never believe anything that the Bush administration says.

    Rep. Tauscher’s apt description of the Green Zone fog being “It’s death by powerpoint. … It’s always that their argument is winning” sounds exactly like what I’ve heard described about Hitler’s last days in his Nazi bunker at the end of World War II. Up until Hitler committed suicide the message constantly being “catapulted,” at least in Hitler’s warped mind, was that the Nazi’s were winning.

    This “Green Zone fog” is the same fog that envelops the minds of certain people who still believe that if only we’d stayed in Vietnam for a few more years, victory would have been ours.

    Yes, there will be death and destruction if U.S. forces gradually withdraw from Iraq…just as there is death and destruction today, and tomorrow, and for as long as U.S. forces remain in Iraq. By removing Saddam Hussein and the Baathist Party from power, Bush and Cheney assured that Iraq would fragment into warring factions…especially after Rumsfeld blew off the advice of military experts and didn’t have enough boots on the ground in Iraq to control the streets, all of them, all over Iraq. Thus, local warlords and criminal gangs rushed into the void created by Bush’s invasion, fighting over the spoils of war, “cleansing” neighborhoods, killing, killing, killing.

    And all the king’s horses and all the king’s men will not be able to put Iraq back together again.


  258. Frank J says:

    “this market seemed to be thriving and there were a lot of people out and about. A lot of family owned businesses and vegetable stalls and so you do see signs of life that seem to be normal. Of course that’s what the U.S. military wants me to see so you have to keep that in mind as well. ”

    Looks like she wants us to believe that the military is building Potemkin Markets in Iraq. Sheesh.


  259. manila john says:

    Sorry Katie – You never should have left Good Morning America. It was apparent from day one that you reached your level of incompetence. But Hey. Wish I could reach my level pulling down $16 mill a year. Wait. I may be wrong about the 16 mill yrly. That could be what the executive makes who made the decision to put you on what used to be a ‘hard news show’.


  260. barfly says:

    “Looks like she wants us to believe that the military is building Potemkin Markets in Iraq. Sheesh.”

    Comment by Frank J

    Your tax dollars at work, Frank.


  261. manila john says:

    I was too harsh in comment 259. I want to acknowledge the fact that Katie had the stomach to state what most of these other simpletons will not. That is that she only saw what the military wanted her to see. And the same for the management who permitted that comment to air. Perhaps its also indicative of the weakness that at long last is beginning to creep into the Bush Administration. I hope that is the case. I hope the time when this Bush outfit had the MSM cowed is ending.


  262. slappy says:

    “A lot of family-owned businesses and vegetable stalls.”

    ..I’ll have two heads of depleted uranium..aaand a bunch of IED’s…


  263. Keith says:

    Do not forget to thank a rich capitalist for your job unless you a are government employed leech:)

    Comment by Bob — September 2, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

    White House, Republicans in House, Senate, Supreme Court, state and local offices; all our military, firemen, teachers, Social Security, and Medicare workers?


  264. Keith says:

    Since Couric was a cheerleader and homecoming queen, I think it only follows that she should hold one of the top journalist posts in the US. Bush and Lott were cheerleaders.

    I record Democracy Now every day on FreeSpeechTV on Dish Network.


  265. Cycle3man says:

    With reporting what the miltary wanted her to see, she made her trip a waste of time. She should have stayed home!


  266. Smarish says:

    “Sorry Katie – You never should have left Good Morning America. It was apparent from day one that you reached your level of incompetence. But Hey. Wish I could reach my level pulling down $16 mill a year. Wait. I may be wrong about the 16 mill yrly. That could be what the executive makes who made the decision to put you on what used to be a ‘hard news show’.

    Comment by manila john”

    Sorry, Manila John. She was with the Today Show on NBC. Why don’t you talk about something you know.


  267. JL says:

    Here you het to see a great newscaster seeing firsthand what’s happening on IRAQ… Don’t you people appreciate that


  268. Phillip says:

    condileeza rice, karen hughes and katie couric are slick snake oil jobbers.


  269. Mike says:

    Bad news for you libs!! MOST (let me repeat this again….MOST) of her report said that things are VERY, VERY, VERY much better and that the report in 2 weeks will be VERY favorable to the success of the surge. Now, we all know that this is HORRIBLE news for libs because IF we continue to have success in Iraq and (God forbid that word that you libs just cannot say!) VICTORY, then you all are done in ‘08 which is the only thing you care about!!

    HAve a good day!!


  270. Zooey says:

    Mike,

    You’re missing the point that she said she’s seeing “what the military wants me to see.”

    Very big sticking point, trollie.


  271. msirt says:

    Repeated the same garbage on the Evening News


  272. manila john says:

    Big Deal Samrrishh. Big difference there.


  273. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Bad news for you libs!! MOST (let me repeat this again….MOST) of her report said that things are VERY, VERY, VERY much better and that the report in 2 weeks will be VERY favorable to the success of the surge. Now, we all know that this is HORRIBLE news for libs because IF we continue to have success in Iraq and (God forbid that word that you libs just cannot say!) VICTORY, then you all are done in ‘08 which is the only thing you care about!!

    HAve a good day!!

    Comment by Mike — September 2, 2007 @ 11:38 pm

    —————–

    Thanks Mike, I will!


  274. OCTAVIANVS says:

    she said she’s seeing “what the military wants me to see.”

    Very big sticking point, trollie.

    Comment by Zooey — September 2, 2007 @ 11:57 pm

    —-

    Maybe in Proglib land, but not anywhere else!!!


  275. TripMaster Monkey says:

    Comment by OCTAVIANVS — September 3, 2007 @ 12:29 am

    So, dolt, did you flee over here because you were getting your ass kicked too hard on the Blitzer/Boustany thread? ^_^


  276. OCTAVIANVS says:

    Comment by TripMaster Monkey — September 3, 2007 @ 12:32 am

    Nah. Things are moving kind of slow over there so I’m keeping both threads under control.


  277. TripMaster Monkey says:

    Comment by OCTAVIANUS — September 3, 2007 @ 12:33 am

    “Under control”? Is that what you call it?

    I’m embarrassed for you at this point.


  278. Zooey says:

    Lordy, TMM. No kidding….


  279. daveinboca says:

    #

    Bad news for you libs!! MOST (let me repeat this again….MOST) of her report said that things are VERY, VERY, VERY much better and that the report in 2 weeks will be VERY favorable to the success of the surge. Now, we all know that this is HORRIBLE news for libs because IF we continue to have success in Iraq and (God forbid that word that you libs just cannot say!) VICTORY, then you all are done in ‘08 which is the only thing you care about!!

    HAve a good day!!

    Comment by Mike — September 2, 2007 @ 11:38 pm

    Mike, the libtards simply want US defeat so that they can finger-point and play the blame game. Look at all the success doing that with Vietnam got them. [Oops, Carter and then Reagan/Bush/BJ/Bush]

    Actually, if Katie weren’t just a talking head, she might have asked for a bit of investigative journalism opportunities [if she knows what IJ is, that is]. Really good journalists can see around some of the corners that the Green Zone might want to impose, but then CBS doesn’t have any really good journalists, nor does the other nets and cable News outlets. Except for John Byrne of the NYT, but he supports Petraeus so he must be wrong.

    According to the nutroots, that is.


  280. Bob says:

    OCTAVIANUS thou fairest lib tail kicker :)


  281. Zooey says:

    Jeebus Bob, get a room.


  282. balkanization says:

    given the number of journalists who blithely repeat that O’Hanlon and Pollack were “war critics,” and who never mention that their “inside” reporting is based on a military dog-and-pony show, Katie Couric is to be congratulated not condemned for noting the strictures under which reporting is done in Iraq. I think it important that her words suggest a preparation of mainstream America for the obvious, that the American military can “win” the surge in specific, contained time and place–that, of course, a well-armed military can defeat insurgents here and there, forever–but that it cannot provide peace. The Iraqis know this, the troops on the ground know this, and, slowly, the American public know this. That leaves, uh, the folks in charge. Ms. Couric is not the enemy on this one, folks.


  283. OCTAVIANVS says:

    HeYooooooooooooooooOOOOOooOOOOOoooOOooooOOoooooOOooo!

    Bob!


  284. 1984 says:

    ‘What The U.S. Military Wants Me To See’ You don’t say? Watch “War made Easy”, “Weapons of mass deception”, “independent media in time of war”…


  285. Mike says:

    Wait a minute! Something’s wrong here! Something just isn’t right!

    Didn’t we have the “referendum” in November that CLEARLY stated that the American people wanted us OUT of Iraq? Didn’t we have all those polls that said that Americans want us OUT of Iraq and that we are losing? (Oh, sorry, I forgot the poll last week that said that now American say we are WINNING!). Didn’t Harry “The Body” Reid proclaim that the war is lost and that the surge is NOT working?

    But now…some things just don’t make any sense at all!! In the last few weeks very critical war columnists now say the surge is working. Liberal leaders such as Hillary, Durbin, etc now say we are winning. And now, oh no, and now the Perky one – Miss Couric – is reporting directly from Iray that (oh no, this can’t be!)… the dreaded surge IS working and that progress is being made! In fact 99% of her report was extremely positive! How can this be???? Of course libs who report on her report will basically ignore the good things she said and instead focus on her comment (which she had to throw in just to keep her lib base!) that she was only shown the good things going on! Well, no kidding left nuts! When all the lib media does is report on the bad things and basically deny any good things happening wouldn’t it kinda be plausible to show the biased media some of the positive things???? That’s a no brainer libs! NO ONE has said that all is totally well in Iraq but now even libs are starting to admit that the surge (which basically is ONLY a month old!) IS working.

    It’s bad day in lib land today!!


  286. Frankl says:

    In justifying Bush policys there is very little difference in this administration’s use of “hype” and “hope” . The Bush administration has raised the use of those two words to an art form..Mix in the word “fear”, and you have a lethal concoction that has been exploitatively used by religions and tyrants over the milleniums. When Roosevelt said “we have nothing to fear but fear itself”, who would have thunk it that a Bush could trash those words in the face of still living citizens who sacificed much during WW2. His exploitation of fear maks a potential mockery of the lessons learned from the Nuremburg trials if he and his ilk are not brought to justice..Instead of reporting core evils ruining our country, we have a Couric parsing those three words hope-hype-fear in her reportage of the Iraqi tragedy.The MSM has failed us miserably except for a few courageous voices like Keith Olberman.


  287. 1Oldfatguy says:

    It is a rarity to see an honest commissioned officer above the rank of captain. From major up to General of the Army only politicians get promotions. A captain might actually report what is happening, but a colonel will only report what his commander want to hear. That is what is fundamentally wrong with the war in Iraq, or any other war. Politicians may, or may not, listen to the senior commanders, but they themselves haven’t a real clue as to what the Marine or soldier at the bottom thinks, sees, or reports. If MSM reporters want to know if Bushit’s War is working, they need to get out of the Green Zone and spend a few weeks running convoy duty, or search and destroy. Then the reporter will have a better understanding of what in the hell they are talking about, and not before. Bushit is in Iraq today hearing his commanders telling him exactly what the White House TOLD THEM to say to him. No wonder the idiot doesn’t know what to do.


  288. Thom says:

    Couric…..better update that resume gal……you will soon get that dreaded pink slip…..and it couldn’t happen to a better person. America can see through you…..you’re a sell-out. Do you really need the damn money that bad? Won’t your current millions keep you in the lifestyle you have become accustomed to? Unfortunately, you, like the neocons you love and admire, have lost one truly important trait….a conscience.


  289. Mike says:

    It keeps getting better and better!!! Now, the perky lib goddess KC is a “sellout”! ! Why? Simple. Because she decided to forego her own lib talking points and ACTUALLY report the TRUTH (whoops, sorry libs, I know this is a BAD word!) on the Iraq situation. And now, just like Mrs William Jefferson Clinton, she’s becoming personna non grata with zi far left nuts!

    The simple truth is that libs do not care a thing about winning, the troops, etc etc. Their main goal is to win in ‘08 so they can try and spread their usual left wing ideas that is so opposite of what the American people want!!

    It’s a bad day for libs!!


  290. Mike says:

    It keeps getting better and better!!! Now, the perky lib goddess KC is a “sellout”??? Why? Simple. Because she decided to forego her own lib talking points and ACTUALLY report the TRUTH (whoops, sorry libs, I know this is a BAD word!) on the Iraq situation. And now, just like Mrs William Jefferson Clinton, she’s becoming personna non grata with zi far left nuts!

    The simple truth is that libs do not care a thing about winning, the troops, etc etc. Their main goal is to win in ‘08 so they can try and spread their usual left wing ideas that is so opposite of what the American people want!!

    It’s a bad day for libs!!


  291. teed says:

    Katie!!! Yes do something now..expose these frauds..I didn’t think you had it in you but now is the time to start speaking up…..Walter Cronkite is proud of you now, just strap on a set of balls and start REPORTING THE TRUTH


  292. ed bogdan says:

    Baghdad should appear to be improving, even if the facts state differently. With the ethnic cleansing of scores of Sunni neighborhoods, the Shiites now are turning upon themselves. When will our government learn that insurgents are prepared to outlast any occupier. They are ecstatic to see us squander our money as well as our soldiers’ lives. We could possibly be talking about “progress” in 2017 if we allowed the Bush administration to scare us Americans onxce again by invading Iran, if we have country left.

    Rosy pictures presented by sound bytes and by spin masters do not make a policy. It is time for everyone at home to stand up and say “NO.” All politicians in favor of prolonging this ill begotten war should be booted out of office.


  293. Mark Kienan says:

    Iraqi deaths are at an all time high this past august.
    Dear Ms Couric: Go to Hell! You are an ass licker for money…nothing more…nothing less.


  294. dave from queens says:

    Congratulations Katie Couric. YOu have just won an all expense paid 1 week trip to Iraq. You will spend all 7 days outside the Green Zone. You will have to walk the streets of Baghdad without any US military personnel and your entourage can have no more than 4 other people. You will then get to spend 2 days in the Anbar Province, the one where the so called surge is allegedly lurking.

    Oh and if you are alive by then, you can spend a day in Basra.

    I don’t think she’ll take the trip.


  295. salkly cohen says:

    Katie…the trip you admit is set up for you to see what theWHse wants u to see,,well the viewers don’t appreciate this disgusting journalism if that’s what u call journalism..just alot of photo op and false pictorials..yes,,the fruits and veggias looke sooo wonderfu…did u see our military ..the ones without legs,arms and blinded fron gunfire? c’mon Katie….don’t BS us Americans..this propaganda only does more harm than good..I cannot even say God Bless you..go to H..ll


  296. AVGVSTVS says:

    Iraqi deaths are at an all time high this past august.
    ….
    Comment by Mark Kienan — September 3, 2007 @ 6:24 pm

    GOOD!!


  297. nikolai says:

    “What the U.S. Military wants me to see,” but more probably what the Commander In Chief wants you to see, which are worlds apart tho they shouldn’t be, Katie…


  298. Arminius says:

    So the John Podesta and the other homosexuals at ThinkProgress are calling our military liars.

    Remember that the next time you hear a liberal say Democrats support the troops.


  299. PaulD says:

    Ron Paul is more honest than Couric about the war, see for yourself:

    Ron Paul’s Heated Exchange With Chris Wallace – Iraq
    http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=bb6bd5c3-94d8-49bf-8445-d4e2ab212ba7

    Mike Huckabee & Ron Paul Debate Iraq
    http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=c2644597-481a-4d12-a275-3591ec753b19


  300. MP Flinn says:

    That’s it; it’s over for me. I sincerely hoped you could make it as an anchor, Katie, but the selling of the “message” not the analysis of altered criteria and statistics is just plain untruthful. I’ll watch NBC News once more: to write down the names of every sponsor to be sure I never buy their product again. Won’t change much, but I’ll feel better about one small thing I can do.


  301. CJ Reds says:

    There is no winning with you people, if it’s not what you want to hear it’s a lie. I say pull them out…YES pull our sons and daughters out of there and drop a nuke on all those little bastards and be done with it!!



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