Is the Media trying to influence our public opinion by selective reporting?
I am re-printing below the Cent.Com highlighted summary of the recent letter from Zawahiri to Zarqawi unedited by me. After reading this communique, I wonder why the MSM has not had much to say about this. Rather they seem determined to continue to publish and report constant negative stories such as those mentioned by yankeemom on her blog.
Firepower Forward wrote an excellent two part series, “Are Journalism and Patriotism Mutually Exclusive” and “Journalism and Patriotism Part II”, that very aptly discuss some other aspects of the MSM coverage. He challenges the MSM attitude about journalism and patriotism. But even more importantly, in his unique style he writes about the consequences of irresponsible [my words] journalism on the safety of our troops and the civilian population in Afghanistan. He specifically refers to an article by “Newsweek Magazine,” “Unholy Allies”, that is a must read for all. After reading this article you will probably wonder, as I did, why the CIA doesn’t recruit these reporters [fat chance]. Better yet, why aren’t the media types who threaten our National Security subject to charges of treason or conspiring with the enemy?
The inability or refusal of the media to report all the news in a fair and equitable manner not only supports the enemy’s propaganda campaign but gives empowerment to every nut case and extremist movement in America. One of the most recognizable critics of the war who has certainly enjoyed her fair share of media coverage is Cindy Sheehan whose son, Casey, was killed in Iraq. A leaked memo by Mr. Bush indicated the words the President initially planned to use to answer Cindy Sheehan’s question, “What “noble cause” did my son die for?” I don’t know if he ever responded formally in writing while Cindy was in Crawford; but, I found the words on the memo moving!
Ironically the MSM did not report on any of the radical groups in Crawford, Texas that supported Cindy Sheehan. One of them, Code Pink, contributed a hefty sum of money to the Iraqi “Freedom fighters” [their words not mine] in Fallujah. Aren’t these the same people who killed her son, Casey? Cindy’s cross country tour from Crawford, Texas to D.C. was quite a media event. Again, what the media didn’t report or show was that the sponsor of the event in D.C., Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), is a front organization for the Workers World Party (WWP), who are Stalinist. Tantor at Conservative Propaganda attended the rally which was held September 24, 2005. Not only did he write a great review, but he took some great pictures. You may find yourself surprised at list of guest speakers and additional sponsors! Though there was a pro-war rally held at the same time, par for the course, the MSM only gave limited coverage of the supporters of the war who made a cross country trek across the United States from California. The Mudville Gazette has some very nice coverage of those people’s efforts.
If I had to pick a topic that would send many blood pressures rising and the profanity flying, all I would need to do is mention Hanoi Jane! No one brings out feelings of true “hatred” for the Vietnam veterans like Jane Fonda. Jane won the distinct title Hanoi Jane for her treasonous actions in Hanoi during Vietnam. Well, she is “On the Road Again” as the song goes. She’s driving a vehicle fueled by salad oil and making tours all over America speaking out against the war. After her much publicized “apology” to the Vietnam Veterans she published her book. Of course the media ate it up. But since “Jihad Jane’s” [as she has not so affectionately been dubbed] reappearance in her road trips all across America, very little is said in the MSM about her treasonous activity during Vietnam. The media seems to be totally unaware of the impact of Jane on our troops! In fact the media can’t seem to gush enough at Jane or any one of the other numerous Hollywood types that are now so actively protesting the war.
The problem with that industry is we just don’t have any more “Dukes,” Jimmy Stewarts, or Jane Fromans. For some reason those Hollywood types seem to think that their “special talents” are license to sell America down the drain and the MSAM is willing to help them do it! I hated listening to Joan Baez in the 60’s and I hate listening to her drone on more now. However, as a child of the 60’s I can honestly say the “hippie movement” was nothing like the people we are seeing now. Those kids really were against war. But most of them were not political. By that I mean they weren’t aspiring for political fame. Most of the ones I knew didn’t seem to have the spoiled hateful attitude about our country that I am seeing now. I won’t say there weren’t any of the fringe groups that were full of hate of anything related to the government and some were very involved in violent or fascist movements. They even tried to recruit many of the hippie crowd and use them for their purpose without much success.
Have you seen any of that comparison in the media? Have you seen much at all in the media that exposes the primary force of the socialists and fascist organizations behind all the major protest rallies across the country? How many of our elected officials in Congress who have attended and supported these socialist backed peace movements have been exposed in the MSM? None! There names might be mentioned as speakers, but the socialist/fascist connection is never mentioned. Why? I read recently that the only profession protected under the Constitution is that of the journalist! If what we have been seeing in the MSM of late, well actually for quite a while, is an example of a profession protected by the Constitution, then maybe we need a new Amendment. One that adds accountability in there somewhere, especially when the MSM practices public censorship all the while it cries out in protest when it feels it is being censored. We need more accountable journalists like Michael Yon and fewer of the spineless gofers so prevalent in the MSM presently.
Here is the Zawahiri communique to Zarqawi. I think you will find it very informative, maybe even a little frightening. But as Roosevelt said, “We have nothing to fear except fear itself!”
“ZAWAHIRI-ZARQAWI COMMUNIQUÉ
Key Themes
11 October 2005
We note seven critical themes from the Zawahiri-Zarqawi letter. The first four confirm al-Qaida’s long-term strategy and core beliefs; the latter three reflect new information about how senior al-Qaida leader Zawahiri views developments in Iraq – and elsewhere – turning against them.
Further confirmation of al-Qaida’s long-term strategy/beliefs:
· Iraq is becoming the central battlefield for al-Qaida senior leaders in Pakistan . Zawahiri views Iraq as the bridgehead for the creation of a new Islamic caliphate – their ultimate objective. The letter makes clear al-Qa’ida intends to wrest control of Iraq from the Iraqi people so they can use the country in pursuit of other goals. o Quote: “I want to be the first to congratulate you for what God has blessed you with in terms of fighting in the heart of the Islamic world, which was formerly the field for major battles in Islam’s history, and what is now the place for the greatest battle of Islam in this era….”
· Al-Qaida’s ambitions do not stop at Iraq ’s borders. Establishing the political dominance of Sunni militants in Iraq is only a first step—a means to an end—in realizing al-Qaida’s ambitions of imposing its control over the broader Middle East. In fact, al-Qaida’s focus on Iraq has nothing to do with Iraqi nationalism, but is purely instrumental as a beachhead for al-Qaida’s broader agenda. Under al-Qaida, Iraq will serve as a terrorist haven and staging ground for attacks against Iraq ’s neighbors and quite possibly Western nations — all those judged to be ruling in violation of their distorted interpretation of Islamic law – and clearly destabilize the region. According to Zawahiri:
o Quote: “…the Jihad in Iraq requires several incremental goals: The first stage: Expel the Americans from Iraq . The second stage: Establish an Islamic authority or amirate, then develop it and support it until it achieves the level of a caliphate over as much territory as you can spread its power in Iraq, i.e., in Sunni areas. . . . The third stage: Extend the jihad wave to the secular countries neighboring Iraq . The fourth stage: …[This is ] the clash with Israel , because Israel was established only to challenge any new Islamic entity. . . . [T]heir ongoing mission is to establish an Islamic state, and defend it, and for every generation to hand over the banner to the one after it until the Hour of Resurrection.”
o Quote: “It has always been my belief that the victory of Islam will never take place until a Muslim state is established in the manner of the Prophet in the heart of the Islamic world, specifically, in the Levant, Egypt , and the neighboring states of the Peninsula and Iraq ; however, the center would be in the Levant and Egypt .”
· The letter demonstrates that pulling US forces out of Iraq is the wrong approach – that terrorists will not simply lay down their arms when American forces depart Iraq . Al-Qaida and its terrorist brethren will not go away when the Coalition hands over security control to Iraqi forces; rather, they are committed to overthrowing the elected, democratic Iraqi government and ruling the country according to their interpretation of Islamic law.
o Quote: “And it is that the Mujahidin must not have their mission end with the expulsion of the Americans from Iraq , and then lay down their weapons, and silence the fighting zeal. We will return to having the secularists and traitors holding sway over us.”
· Zawahiri believes in religious intolerance and converting, conquering, or killing anyone who does not believe as he does. His only concern is how to deceive the population that this is not the case by urging Zarqawi to reduce attacks on Shia civilians. Zawahiri contends that Shia are heretics. He views Shi’ism as a “religious school based on excess and falsehood,” and as a danger to what he sees as true, Sunni Islam. Zawahiri does not condemn Zarqawi for killing Shia. Indeed, the Shia, along with anyone who does not blindly follow al-Qaida’s twisted interpretation of Islam, will be forced either to adopt al-Qa’ida’s extremist ideology or face repression or death if the terrorists establish control. Zawahiri’s concerns are purely tactical; managing the press and gaining the support, or acquiescence, of the people. o Quote: “People of discernment and knowledge among Muslims know the extent of danger to Islam of the 12’er school of Shi’ism. It is a religious school based on excess and falsehood whose function is to accuse the companions of Muhammad of heresy [in] a campaign against Islam, in order to free the way for a group of those who call for a dialogue in the name of the hidden mahdi who is in control of existence and infallible in what he does. Their prior history in cooperating with the enemies of Islam is consistent with their current reality of connivance with the crusaders.”
o Quote: “The collision between any state based on the model of prophecy with the Shi’ites is a matter that will happen sooner or later. This is the judgment of history, and these are the fruits to be expected from the rejectionist Shi’a sect and their opinion of the Sunnis. These are clear, well-known matters to anyone with a knowledge of history, the ideologies, and the politics of states.”
o Quote: “[M]any of your Muslim admirers amongst the common folk are wondering about your attacks on the Shi’a.”
How al-Qaida views the developments in Iraq – and elsewhere – as turning against them:
· Zawahiri clearly is worried they are losing public support in Iraq, and is attuned to the role of the media in the battle for such support. Zawahiri emphasizes that the struggle is ideological, with each side competing for the popular support and loyalty of the Muslim world. Zarqawi’s methods are backfiring by alienating the Iraqi people with attacks against the Shia. o Quote: “…[W]e will see that the strongest weapon which the Mujahidin enjoy . . . is popular support from the Muslim masses in Iraq , and the surrounding Muslim countries. So, we must maintain this support as best we can, and we should strive to increase it….”
o Quote: “[T]he Jihadist movement must avoid any action that the masses do not understand or approve. . . .”
o Quote: “I say to you: that we are in a battle, and that more than half this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media. And that we are in a media battle in a race for the hearts and minds of our nation.”
· Zawahiri, who previously termed democracy heretical, is willing to exploit the political process unfolding in Iraq to advance the group’s goals. Zawahiri is advocating a modified strategy in an attempt to expand the group’s Sunni support base in Iraq . It is tacit acknowledgement that the political process unfolding in Iraq appeals to average Iraqis. Zarqawi’s recent pronouncements for all-out war against the Shia and recent rhetoric against Sunnis supporting the government and coalition stirred concerns among his advisers and allies and already have prompted Zarqawi to quickly adjust his rhetoric and some tactics. o Quote: “We don’t want to repeat the mistake of the Taliban, who restricted participation in governance to the students and the people of Kandahar alone. They did not have any representation for the Afghan people in their ruling regime, so the result was that the Afghan people disengaged themselves from them.”
o Quote: “I stress again to you and to all your brothers the need to direct the political action equally with the military action, by the alliance, cooperation and gathering of all leaders of opinion and influence in the Iraqi arena. . . . [Y]ou and your brothers must strive to have around you circles of support, assistance, and cooperation, and through them, to advance until you become a consensus, entity, organization, or association that represents all the honorable people and the loyal folks in Iraq .”
· Zawahiri’s letter to Zarqawi reveals continued points of weakness in Pakistan-based al-Qaida senior leaders and what they need to operate and survive:
o Financial shortages: Zawahiri asks for a payment of approximately 100,000 of an unspecified currency until “new lines” – likely with donors – are opened. Moreover, he makes this request in the context of Abu Faraj al-Libi, intimating that his capture adversely affected al-Qaida’s ability to transfer funds.
· Quote: “The brothers informed me that you suggested to them sending some assistance. Our situation since Abu-al-Faraj is good by the grace of God, but many of the lines have been cut off. Because of this, we need a payment while new lines are being opened. So, if you’re capable of sending a payment of approximately 100,000 [units of currency] we’ll be very grateful to you.”
o The CT efforts of our partners: Furthermore, Zawahiri notes that while they may have limited the consequences of Abu Faraj’s capture, al-Qaida is wary of the Pakistani army’s presence in the tribal areas where its leaders have found sanctuary. This highlights the importance of continued Pakistani efforts in the War on Terror. As partnerships and partnership capacity expands, so shrinks the space in which terrorists can operate.
· Quote: “[T]he real danger comes from the agent Pakistani army which is carrying out operations in the tribal areas looking for Mujahidin.”
o Isolation of senior leadership. Zawahiri appeals to Zarqawi for information about the situation and activities in Iraq .
· Quote: “Likewise I would like you to inform us about the Iraqi situation in general and the situation of the Mujahidin in particular in [sufficient] detail. . . . At the least, we should know as much as the enemy knows.””
[cent.com: "What Extremists are Saying"]
edited to fix html problem
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