MORE FEEDBACK… On Scoop’s War Coverage

Tuesday, 20 May 2003, 10:47 pm
Opinion: Scoop Feedback

Feedback on Scoop’s coverage of the USA-UK-Australian invasion of Iraq continues to arrive. Here’s is the latest from the Scoop Editors’ inbox...

Some of the comments made on this feedback site amaze me at with the pure scope of their ignorance. You can see it over and over again 'war is a horrible thing, we know that, we don't need to see it'. Don't you? I beg to differ. The media is failing the public spectacularly by not showing a balanced view of the war - ie. both the good and the bad. And yes you do need to see it. Many quote the events of 9/11 as enough to prove to Americans that war is horrible. Well yes, that was a tradgedy, up there with the Holocast, the Cambodian Killing Fields, Stalin's Russia, Hiroshima and Nagasaki and many other terrible world events. And yet, despite the many people in the world who experience or have experienced war and bombing and horror on a daily basis America still pumped out the images of 9/11 for everyone to see. Why is your pain good enough for us all to see, but not the Ira

Perhaps this site should show the horrors commited in the name of Saddam. But remember, the fact that he terrorised the Iraqi people dosen't give the West the right to. As my mother has been known to say "if everyone else jumped off a cliff would you?" If America really is a democratic and fair nation who will extend its people's rights and freedoms to all, why not the people of Iraqi? Liberate them without stooping to the level of tryannts and despots.

And to those that cite 'univodible accidents' lets look at the events following liberation. Did America protect hospitals and other essential services from looting? Did it try to ensure those that were injured in the cross fire, whether it be Iraqi or Western, were cared for? Did it do its best to maintain security and law and order? Not from what I've seen. It did however manage to protect the ministary of oil. Gee, I wonder why?

As an Australian I don't feel my local media is supplying me with the whole story - hell we weren't even told where our troops were. But perhaps I am slightly better off than most Americans. The sugar coated pill swallowed by the media in regard to this war is reminiscant of WWI and WWII when we willingly followed the Empire into war without realising, or knowing the consequences. Australia learned the hard way, and we (along with NZ) pause each year to commemorate our fallen. We are well aware of the horrors of war here. I doubt you would find one family uneffected at some point of the 20th Century. I beleived that the realities of war had been hammered home during Vietnam. But this return to ignorance of both sides disturbes me. Have we really gone back a century in our thinking?

Patricia Coats - Australia

Reading some of the feedback to the photos posted on your site I feel I am being presented with a range of views, some less informed than others, and each as worthy of a hearing as the other. I believe that is the important point. Those who support the war, for whatever reason, shouldn't try to deny or suppress images of the violence experienced by Iraqi people at the hands of Americans. Nor should those who are against the war feel the need to suppress information that supports it. Freedom of the press is the most important factor in making an informed decision and personally I don't feel that many western news organisations are fufilling their role adequately.

As to my opinion on the war, yes I agree with those who believe that 'something must be done' about Saddam. But I will only believe that America and George Bush set out to truly 'liberate' the Iraqui people when I see it. I don't believe that the war is being carried out in a responisible manner. Look at the looting of hospitals and other essential services but the protection of the Ministry of Oil. Citing Saddam's atrocities does not excuse those perpetrated by the west. In the words of Mahatma Gandi "an eye for an eye will turn the whole world blind". Part of the reponisibilites of a modern, democratic state is the ability to take responsibility of its own actions and avoid sinking to the level of despots and tryannts. When the Iraqi people truly have their own democracy, representive of THEIR people, culture, beliefs, needs and wants will they be liberated.

P. Coats

War Images

Re "War images" In 1968 I remember seeing such important images and numbers in the News in the United States. I guess that puts you 35 years ahead of our journalists here. I hope we never have to print your news for you. This is the first estimate of Civilian casuallties I have seen, the first images of civilian, or American soldier casualties. Thank you.

Kenneth Jenks - Moab Utah, USA

I just want to thank you for putting the truth forward when they are trying so desperately trying to destroy it. You have given the faceless a face and they will not be forgotten. I have used the photos on your site to help educate people here in the u.s., and they have had a powerful impact. Thanks again, Heather

heather - USA

For all you conservatives that love to say liberals don't care about or pay attention to what Saddam and every other cruel dictator does to there people - you're full of shit. For all you liberals who say that the conservatives don't care about civilian deaths - you're also full of shit. Stop with all this political garbage. We're all humans.

As for war, it is as murderous as you can get. Of course we're doing a good cause by freeing the Iraqi's, but we are not doing good for the one's who were killed, their families, and friends. I know some of you are saying that we can't let people continue torturing others, and I totally agree. But, it is a fact that in the long run it does no good. It may for awhile, but the next generation is going to fight more wars for the freedom they've gained from the preceeding generation. We fight to gain more freedom to fight more. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe we should consider kindness. We know from history that once one war has ended, another will begin from anger towards those who won. It's like when you're arguing with someone: If both people continue to argue, the madness will go stronger; if one person wins the argument, the other will become resentful, mad, and will get back at

One more thing, I cannot say we are invading Iraq for the fact of freeing those helpless people. We sure as hell wouldn't be freeing them if there wasn't a possible problem for America attached. This is our selfishness and one-sided view on the world. Yeah, we have a very cultured community but our news and government only allows us to see what they want us to view. The is not culture.

That's all for now.

Adam Young - USA

The American citizens should be able to see these pictures so that they can get a closer sense of the war and how children were killed for oil...It is disgeting that Mr. Bush would smile and stay in his warm and comfortable home and order our sisters and brothers to fight his dirty fight...Where are his own two daughters???Opps they can get away from this because they are too busy drinking and doing drugs...I am ashamed to have such a family representing my America....

Jessica - USA

q When Alexander Downer, Australian Foreign Minister, opined on television that Americans would be "thick on the ground" in post-war Iraq, was he thinking literally?

john O'Neill – New Zealand

I am so greatful to have found you on the web - your articles about the war were truly a gift - hardly any other source of information was as brave and hard lined - and I´m greatful ! I live in europe and eben with a lot better coverage - it still never would dare have the articles I have found on your website. Keep it up. My Pulitzer Price to YOU and your writers !!! I have sent your website to many friends who are alo now readers. Don´t be discouraged by Jerks who dont want to see the truth !!

Angie - USA

The letter from Edy Wheeler expresses classic "shoot-the-messenger" thinking: How dare you show me ugly pictures that display the horrible consequences of war?

The American media - firmly under the control of right-wing corporate interests - knows full well that such images do not fit the scenario that they and the White House have been selling, and would erode the support of so many gullible American citizens who just don't want to believe the truth about what their "leaders" are up to.

We supposedly have a free press in this country; this encompasses, of course, the freedom to lie (at least by omission). It's sad when I have to seek news from other countries to read what is actually going on in mine.

Steven A. Wells

for all who oppose the war, we dont care what you all say about the war. why dont you invite the saddam family to live with you. Sick People.

marie

WHO'S AFRAID of HIZBALLAH?

One day in 1967 the southern lebanese who lived on the border with north Israel woke up to find themselves on the other side of the border inside Israel.From that day on to this very minute,thousands of Lebanese human beings who have lived in southern Lebanon on record for six thousand years before Christ before Mohammad before Moses,became the property of the Zionist State of Israel.

If you really want to know what is going on in South Lebanon and who the hell Hizballah really are, read on.If you are not interested or think you know or think our secretary of state knows by asking Syria to shut down the "terrorists" offices in Damascus,you dont know jack.While we may have the distorted picture that Hizballah are terrorists and the Sharon is a man of peace,the Syrians the Arabs and the Iranians KNOW without a reasonable doubt that the Hizballah are freedomfighters not terrorists and Sharon is a war criminal not a man of peace.Syria and Lebanon are not sponsoring "terrorists" they are sponsoring freedomfighters.

Not to mention Hamas Jihad Islami Islamic Jihad Al Aksa Brigades and all the other big bad moslem"terrorist" organizations that are the top "terrorists" to Israel.The suicide bombing will cease the instant there is an end to the occupation and when the Palestinians in particular and the Arabs in general feel truly that America is being fair in trying to solve the problem.Our problem in America is that we are being ruled by an unholy coalition of Christian and Jewish Zionists that believe in the "Israel Right or Wrong" policies and these gentlemen and not a few ladies dancing in the corridors of power,are dragging us deeper and deeper into the abyss.

Let us rewind a few years in this 100 year old problem between the Arabs and the Jews.Lets call it Hizballah/Hamas 101.

Before Zionism B.Z, the Arabs and the Jews were the best of friends, fighting for their lives for centuries during the dreaded Catholic inquisition era.The Arabs and Jews had no problem whatsoever coexisting in peace and harmony,in fact they sought refuge from one another from the wrath of the Holy Catholic Church,till Zion came along and said lets stick it to these dumb Palestinian shepherds and farmers and create our own state.Lets ethnic cleanse this land in the name of a Zionist Homeland.No one will notice least of all care.No one did.Now we are sitting up and taking notice but the picture has been distorted over the years.The ethnic cleansers went on to become Prime Ministers and Men of Peace and the true victims in this tragedy became the big bad terrorists.

In 1967,during the six day war, a small portion of Lebanese land known as Shebaa Farms,which are rich in water wells, was "conquered" by the Israeli Defense Forces.The occupation of this portion of south Lebanon and the subjugation of the southern lebanese farmer( who had nothing to do with the 6 day war) to Israeli terror has been going on exactly for thirty six years now.

While Israel pulled out of the occupation of Sharons "Bluffer Zone" in 2000 in a humiliating defeat and in a major victory for the Hizballah, they did not pull out completely.They stayed in Shebaa Farms which as we mentioned before is RICH in water.It is interesting to note that Palestine/Israel which is known as the Land of milk and honey hath no water and Israel has been illiegaly siphoning the water from the southern Lebaneses' land since 1967.

The Southern Lebanese Hizballah (Hizb = Party Allah = God) the Party of God have been fighting for their lives and land back since 1967 and the minute the Israelis leave their land the struggle will be over.Its as simple as that.Israel is the occupier in this case and it is clear that when our "honest"secretary of state Colin Powell says that Syria and Lebanon must "reign in" and stop Hizballah from its armed struggle, eithger he has no idea who the Hizballah are or he is speaking for Israel and not the USA.This is the same Colin Powell who went to Israel last year in the midst of the Jennin Massacres and saw no massacre.

Hizballah has never been and is not a threat to the USA today.The Hizballah is sarcasticly branded the "A Team" of Terrorists by Israel and its A Team of Zionists like Liebermann Waxmann Wolfowitz Perle Fleisher Greenspan Myers White Feith in Washington who respectively control what comes out of the Senate Congress the Defense department the State Department the White House the Federal Reserve the Army AND the Navy and the FBI.

The A Team of Zionists Carving Up The Middle East

It is the Zionists and Zionism that is a threat not Hizballah. Are we defending Hizballah? You bet we are.Its high time we called a spade a spade and realize who it really was who cast the first stone in this case.If you dont believe us then ask an impartial observer.Ask Nelson Mandella.Ask Dr. Mahatir .Ask the Christian President of Lebanon.He will tell you that no matter how radical Hizballah might seem to the rest of the world their cause is legitimate.

The minute Israel leaves Shebaa Farms and gives back South Lebanon to this "A Team of Terrorists", the war would be declared over and these "A Team of Terrorists" will put down their arms and go back home and reclaim the land and the lives they had lost since 1967.The Hizballah are human beings just like us and they are longing to be freed from something called an illiegal israeli occupation that we have unwittingly supported as far back as we can remember.The Hizballah are people like us all and have children that want to lead normal lives and play and go to school and live like all our children.

The minute Israel gets out of Lebanon and ends the 30+ years of occupation the Hizballa armed resistance would cease to exist.Israel would have CRUSHED the Hizballah without firing a single shot and without the life of one innocent Lebanese or Israeli lost in vain.End the occupation today and the war will be won!Give the Arabs their "Land for Peace" plan.What could be simpler?If only Israel knew how to give.Israel only knows the expansionist isolationist zionist way and that is not the way to peace.A major paradigm shift is needed in Israel and it will be based only on sharing and living together with her brothers equally as one.

The Hizb Allah are terrorists only because Israel says so. They are no more terrorists than Nelson Mandella was in South Africa or Benjamin Martin was in the Patriot or William Wallace Was in Brave Heart. Its high time we had an attitude adjustment as to who are the real terrorists here and who exactly has been terrorizionizing whom. The answer to the Middle East problem is in our hands and we insist on siding with the bad guys and beating up on the good guys.

Not only are the Hizb Allah not terrorists they are heros of a brutal occupation.Not only is Syria not a rogue state harboring terrorists, Syria under Hafez Assad,the wisest moderate ruler the Arab world has ever known,a leader of principle who under the most enormous of pressure and provocation,kept the peace in the region all the while,against all odds,supported the Hizballah and Hamas freedomfighters who were fighting for their freedom from an illegal and unjust and brutal occupation from Israel.

Syria and Lebanon were on the side of what was right and everyone in the region knew Hizballah had every right.

There is an old saying in Lebanon that dates back a few thousand years,and it depicts exactly what Israel has done and what Israel is doing.

Roughly translated and any Arab Scholars if you have heard this one please feel free to translate correctly this gem that says:

"Darabne Wa Baka Sabakne Wa Ishtaka."

"He hit me and cried,rushed past me,and reported my crime."

Art Bishop

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