Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Media fail to report on surge
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Elinor D. Wright
Wright is a retired small business owner who lives in Lexington.
Some weeks ago, Lexington Kiwanians were treated to an eye- opener by the evening's speaker, Capt. Matt Thompson. He served in Iraq and is currently assigned to the Virginia Military Institute as an ROTC instructor. After his return, he realized the American public was largely unaware of the improvements to Iraq's infrastructure.
The failure of the U.S. media to inform the public of the significant achievements by allied and U.S. troops is disturbing.
It has become evident that CBS, ABC and NBC would rather not air good news from Iraq. The Media Research Center reports that the networks consistently reduced the number of stories about Iraq as the situation in that country improved.
In reference to Iraq, these leading networks aired 178 reports in September 2007, 108 in October and 68 in November. Reports from Iraq fared even worse. Forty-two were aired in September and the number dropped to 11 in November. December numbers are not available. People who regularly listen to news broadcasts about the war in Iraq are familiar with the incessant litanies of negativism. The slaughter of innocents in the streets of Baghdad by insurgents has been meticulously reported each time.
The print media offer too much negativism and criticism. Why suppress the success of the surge and all the good it has brought about in Iraq? Is there ever any thought given to how the families of those fighting might feel? Our service men and women are doing a fine job wherever they are. Iraq is turning around and shows great improvement. The regrettable fact is most of the public is not aware of the achievements. The current leadership in Congress appears to be ignorant also, judging from their disgraceful expressions of defeat.
All media have cause to report the substantial successes in Iraq. They are reality for which we owe these American men and women, as well as our allies and the Iraqis involved, our deepest thanks.
Personal politics should not keep us from supporting our government and armed forces in this endeavor. Both are the best in this world. Neither deserves incessant verbal abuse.
I believe readers would welcome the following information Thompson provided:
n 47 countries re-established embassies in Iraq.
n 3,100 schools were renovated, 364 are being rehabilitated, 263 new schools are under construction with 38 already completed.
n 46 institutes or colleges and four research centers are operating.
n Iraq's Navy operates five 100-foot patrol craft, 34 small vessels and a naval infantry regiment.
n Iraq's Air Force encompasses three operational squadrons, nine reconnaissance and three U.S. C130 transport aircraft 24/7 and plans to add 16 UH-1 helicopters and four Bell Jet rangers.
n Iraq has a counterterrorist unit and commando battalion.
n Iraqi police service exceeds 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers. Five police academies produce 3,500 new officers every eight weeks.
n 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities are under construction.
n Of children under 5, 96 percent received the first two series of polio vaccinations. October 2007 saw 4.3 million Iraqi children enrolled in primary schools.
n Iraq's independent media consist of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations.
n The Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June 2004.
n Two Iraqi presidential candidates actually had a televised debate.
