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January 27, 2005
Various Updates and Clarifications
Thanks to all for tuning in today, and for the many comments and emails. Here are a few things to know:
First off, the site I mentioned on TV is the Central Command home page, available at: www.centcom.mil. There you will find press releases in the lower right of the page. They are updated as news happens, and not according to any publishing schedule. No updates are given on the weekend. This is the list of stories that I mentioned on the air.
Next, an Alert Reader emails this:
When, oh when, are you going to note that the MSM's continual drumbeatThis is all true of course. Just by looking at headlines alone, one can see a sort of meta-narrative of the coverage of Iraq. It doesn't matter whether there is any bias in the media or not: the predominant story-line is obvious.
of pessimism about Iraq is reaching a veritable crescendo in advance of the vote. It's become too obvious to ignore. Just today alone in
online versions:NYT (not to mention editorials, general violence stories and AP/Reuters pickups):
"Iraq Insurgents Unleash More Attacks as Election Day Nears"
"Anti-Vote Violence in Iraq Is Intensifying, Latest Data Show"
"Across Baghdad, Security Is Only an Ideal"
"Iraqis Abroad Seem Reluctant to Vote, Too, Sign-Up Shows"
"New Election Issues: Electricity and Water"WaPo (same):
"U.S. Troops' Role in Iraqi Elections Criticized"
"Iraqi Sheik Struggles for Votes, And Against Religious Tradition"Reuters:
"Iraq Election May Worsen Ethnic, Sectarian Tension"
"Saudi Rulers Eye Iraq Election, Shi'ites Discount Fears"
"Insurgents Strike at More Iraq Election Targets"
"Investors nervous as Iraq election approaches"
"Iraq election campaign dirty as well as dangerous"
"Fear shrouds Iraq election"
"Attacks turn Iraq election into "stealth" campaign"Here's a positive one: "Iraqi exiles sign up to vote, want peace,
democracy""Iraqi Elections Likely 'Less Than Perfect' - U.S."
AP:
"Insurgents step up violence ahead of vote"
"Baath backers, extremists slip into Iraq"
"Election tensions in Kirkuk could spread"
"Iraq conditions make for unusual election"neutral at best: "U.S., Iraqi forces secure election sites"
"Bush's stake is huge in Iraqi elections"
"Oil prices up amid Iraq election worries"
"Vote tally may take awhile in Iraq"
Trust me, not neutral: "Arab media give Iraq election center stage"
"Top U.S. commander: Iraq forces not ready"
If you are jonesing for more "good" news from Iraq, then you absolutely must go check out the work by Arthur Chrenkoff immediately. He writes a "Good News from Iraq" column every two weeks which is featured on the Wall Street Journal's Opinionjournal.com, and Winds of Change.net on Mondays. To see all of the archives from this series, go to Chrenkoff's blog, scroll down the sidebar, and click on the links to the good news series. Don't miss his "Good News from Afghanistan" and "Good News from the Middle East" posts either!
Next, you should really check out the rest of the Milbloggers for more. Just scroll down the sidebar to your right and find the "Milblogs" logo and see the links under it and click on "List." Then enjoy. Milblogs was founded by Greyhawk at The Mudville Gazette. Be sure to pay him a visit.
Next, to answer a few admin questions, if you email me, I'll do my best to respond, but please be patient. And, if you'd like, I'll add you to the mailing list here at The Adventures of Chester. I send out one update a week just letting folks know what we've been discussing here of late. I don't plan to share this list with anyone for any reason.
Next, when we hear of tragedies like yesterday's helicopter crash, it is natural to want to help. Here are three great ways you can support the war effort:
1. Give a donation to The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation, whose mission is to give aid
to children of Marines or Federal law enforcement personnel who were killed on duty or died under extraordinary circumstances while serving our country at home or abroad.
2. Consider giving to Spirit of America, which supports the war effort in a whole slew of ways. A great example is their Iraq Election News program. Check it out.
3. USA Cares is another program that offers a variety of support to troops and families. Check them out too.
Next, I'd like to thank Fox for having me on. All of the folks I spoke with were highly professional and it was a pleasure. And thanks to the technician who hooked me up at the remote site. His son is a Harrier pilot in Iraq. Seems like everyone knows a Marine.
One final note about the TV appearance and then on to other things: First two phone calls I got afterwards in rapid succession were from my father and then mother who asked the same question, "Was that your jacket? Why did you look so big?"
Well, apparently, it's not a good idea to wear a white shirt when on TV, so my streetjacket is what we went with. Somehow, it seems I looked like I had just left the gym or had gained 30 pounds or something. So in the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I am 5 foot 7 and a buck forty-five of blogging power. I'm the small, quick, wiry version of Marine, not the large, brute-squad version.
Oh! Mrs. Chester says hello to any new readers.
Enough of all that . . .
Later tonight: Are bloggers more reliable than the mainstream media? An interesting question and it needs some examination . . .
Posted by Chester at January 27, 2005 6:26 PM
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