Yon wonders: Why won’t big media cover the Al Qaeda village massacre?
posted at 5:00 pm on July 3, 2007 by Allahpundit
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He’s as mystified as we are, I’m sure.
[F]or those publications who actually had people embedded in Baqubah when the story first broke and still failed to cover it, their malaise is inexplicable. I do not know why all failed to report the murders and booby-trapped village: apparently no reporters bothered to go out there, even though it’s only about 3.5 miles from this base. Any one of the reporters currently in Baqubah could still go to these coordinates and follow his or her nose and find the gravesites…
Although I can’t answer to the cause of the problem, I humbly offer permission to media outlets to republish excerpts of the dispatch or the dispatch in its entirety, including my photographs from the story (if used as they are in the dispatch) at no cost during the month of July 2007. I only ask that the site receive proper attribution and that any publication taking me up on the offer email the website with the details.
Here’s the link back to his superb post, “Bless the Beasts and Children,” in case you missed it the other day. And here’s a sample photo to let you know what you’re in for. If those heads look unusually small, there’s a reason.
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Were these the beheaded remains of heretical Sunni kids or the heretical heads of Shi’ite kids?
I’m sure it makes all the difference.
profitsbeard on July 3, 2007 at 5:05 PM
The only genocide or mass murder that matters to them is in Darfur, and that’s mostly because they can use it as a cudgel to bash “BushCo” with.
If we were actually in Darfur (or Tibet, or any of the other places people of their ilk ostensibly want “freed”) they’d want us right back out again.
Partisan political advantage is what matters to them. Not principle.
Citizen Duck on July 3, 2007 at 5:05 PM
It contradicts their whole “America is the worst” playbook, not one of them will pick up the offer.
bbz123 on July 3, 2007 at 5:06 PM
……But we need to make sure that we don’t say “War on Terror”. It’s just a bumper sticker, after all.
They’ll just never get it.
Hawkins1701 on July 3, 2007 at 5:08 PM
Exit question: would it really be wrong to spit on an MSM “journalist” if you met one? They should be ashamed of themselves. Korans in the toilet, yes; this story, pass.
MamaAJ on July 3, 2007 at 5:08 PM
The problem is that for many in the left the US is the enemy.
Yet we dare not question their patriotism even when they give every reason to question it
William Amos on July 3, 2007 at 5:09 PM
Would it be wrong to spit on them?
Yeah, I’m thinking it would.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2007 at 5:11 PM
They like decapitations so much, they even make them up…
When it fits the “hopeless Iraqi chaos” narrative, anyway.
someone on July 3, 2007 at 5:14 PM
At this point, is there enough patriotism left to question?
billy on July 3, 2007 at 5:14 PM
It doesn’t fit their agenda.
amerpundit on July 3, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, we seriously need to be prepared for things to get much, much worse in this country.
PBoilermaker on July 3, 2007 at 5:19 PM
Not even Olbermann?
I mean, just a little?
billy on July 3, 2007 at 5:22 PM
PBoilermaker on July 3, 2007 at 5:19 PM
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst =)
Citizen Duck on July 3, 2007 at 5:26 PM
I’ve said this before, elsewhere, but I’ll say it again here.
Outside of terrorists / jihadists? Journalists are pretty much THE most repugnant, morally reprehensible group of people on the planet.
And I’m saying that as a licensed ATTORNEY. Yes. They even make MY profession look less horrible by comparison.
Vyce on July 3, 2007 at 5:26 PM
What a generous and thoughtful offer from Michael Yon! He has offered the world a gift of knowledge, to republish his work for free, collected and written through great personal expense and risk to his safety.
Thank you, Michael, the world is a better place thanks to you. Now I just hope some *real* news organizations take him up on that offer. I know many “news” organizations will simply ignore it as it does not serve their agenda. It is both a good day for the journalism trade and a sad one for the journalism industry if nobody publishes this.
crosspatch on July 3, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Now, what if 3 rich, white college students from Duke were accused of wiping out a village full of people?
How would the media coverage be different?
JayHaw Phrenzie on July 3, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Fox News does have it on their web site and have ever since it was published but as far as I know no mention was made of it on air. Michelle, uh you are sitting in the No Spin Zone. wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
LakeRuins on July 3, 2007 at 5:29 PM
He is rapid enough, I’m sure Olbermann gets enough of his own spittle on himself, your’s would just blend in.
Yon’s doing great work.
Spirit of 1776 on July 3, 2007 at 5:29 PM
Because BushCo McHalliburton are the real massacre-ers! Right? /sarcasm
It’s amazing to me that the media and so many people still have their head in the sand or their fingers in their ears shouting la la la and refuse to acknowledge the true evil that our enemies embody. Yon’s dispatch is a prime example of what they are. It’s a story that needs to be told.
CP on July 3, 2007 at 5:29 PM
I would be interested to see the NYT public editor’s response… I am going to send this to my local paper, and I will update AP on what they say.
major john on July 3, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Awful. Just awful. They won’t cover it because it doesn’t fit the media narrative. Makes me ill, and I’m pretty desensitized to things.
That is so wrong…but so true and accurate.
Bad Candy on July 3, 2007 at 5:31 PM
The only time the left ever shut up was for about 5 hours from 9 am on 9/11/01 to about 2 pm that day. What a glorious 5 hours of sanity.
Ironic, eh?
jihadwatcher on July 3, 2007 at 5:33 PM
AP-
Would it be okay to spit on them?
Yeah, I’m thinking it would.
-Allahpundit.
How about a spit-take?
profitsbeard on July 3, 2007 at 5:37 PM
I am acquainted with decision makers at the newspaper in my city. I have emailed them the links and strongly urged them to run as much of the story as they can. Told them they will get national recognition on the internet. Didn’t link to the readership numbers thread. =)
I’ll follow up with a phone call next week – after the holiday is over and before the offer runs out.
RushBaby on July 3, 2007 at 5:38 PM
bbz123 on July 3, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Bingo….we have a winner……..
doriangrey on July 3, 2007 at 5:42 PM
1. All stories in the MSM have to fit the correct story line.
2. Michael Yon’s reporting gives hope for success in Iraq.
Let me think about those two factoids for a while, maybe it will make sense eventually.
TunaTalon on July 3, 2007 at 5:43 PM
The MSM holds the USA to a different standard because they expect us to be morally superior. The repugnant actions of our enemies do not matter to them because it is expected of them. They think that if are violent like our enemies, we become like them. The context they are missing is the direction of the violence. They intentionally slaughter children and innocent civilians. We seek to eradicate those who slaughter children.
I personally think it is morally superior(and required) to be as brutal as necessary to wipe out evil (Yes Rosie, EVIL) people who perpetrate these deeds.
We need to remember that:
jman on July 3, 2007 at 5:46 PM
major john on July 3, 2007 at 5:31 PM
I like your idea but when I went to my local rags web site The Atlanta Journal Constitution there is no option to send news tips or leads. Go figger. I know that when I first read the column I emailed it to folks like Glenn Beck, posted links at LGF, so it posted here and at Michelle’s site along with the sites Michael lists in his post.
“There are none so deaf as those who won’t hear.”
LakeRuins on July 3, 2007 at 5:47 PM
I prefer face farts personally.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Face+Fart
lorien1973 on July 3, 2007 at 5:47 PM
For the America hating press, al qaida doesn’t “massacre,” it “liberates.” Those poor, dead souls deserved to die. I don’t know what for … but if al qaida thought it best to “liberate” them, I’m sure it was for their own good. Trust the media. Yes, trust the media.
OhEssYouCowboys on July 3, 2007 at 5:48 PM
How about a sharp rebuking for their malfeasance?
PRCalDude on July 3, 2007 at 5:50 PM
I just sent Michael Yon’s link (about the MSM), with a note to look for the original post, to someone very influential who’s fond of Michael’s work and asked that this be distributed and made aware widely, in more ways than e-mail.
All here who care – please e-mail to all you know. I believe that aside from the talk radio and the blogosphere, this method did much for the demose of shamnesty. We can’t just comment – we must do something, and this is easy enough.
Entelechy on July 3, 2007 at 5:50 PM
demise, of course
Entelechy on July 3, 2007 at 5:51 PM
These msm tools prefer faux journalism to actually reporting the facts.
locomotivebreath1901 on July 3, 2007 at 5:51 PM
Yes, two wrongs don’t make a right, but I don’t think all the sharp rebukings in the world would get the point across.
Tis frustrating.
MamaAJ on July 3, 2007 at 5:53 PM
BTW don’t hold your breathe waiting on sites like Huffin’N'Puffin, Daily Komrade, Democrats Undermedicated, etc to ever post anything from Yon, Michael Totten, or Bill Roggio, since it doesn’t fit their template either.
All guys on the ground giving first hand accounts with no disclaimers about peoples names being witheld becasue they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Chris Muir over at Day by Day has been skewering the mass market media over their coverage also.
LakeRuins on July 3, 2007 at 5:53 PM
How about a raspberry?
Kini on July 3, 2007 at 6:00 PM
The enemedia are nothing but the de facto media wing of Al Qaeda, so of course they’re going to ignore this tragedy if at all possible. Why, you ask? For the same reason liberals do everything–for the children. I mean, not those children there, in that village. Screw them. Theoretical children.
ReubenJCogburn on July 3, 2007 at 6:01 PM
I suppose the reason it hasn’t been picked up is “dog bites man”. As far as the mainstream media is concerned, foreigners love to kill each other all the time, and so it’s not news.
There’s an unconscious streak of racism at the heart of most supposedly progressive, liberal people. They feel the need to defend people they think of as weak, because they believe that The Weak and The Poor etc are passive slaves to the vibrant passion that make them so charming and twee. I see nothing to separate them from the imaginary Colonel Blimp, except that they are not honest about their patronising attitude.
Apeking on July 3, 2007 at 6:05 PM
The truth is that the MSM doesn’t care about women, children, or innocents. Think about it…they ONLY care about their own political agenda, regardless of the cost. There will be special punishment for them, there just has to be.
JustTruth101 on July 3, 2007 at 6:06 PM
Isn’t the whole key to AP’s comment the mistaken use of “p” in the italicized word?
a4g on July 3, 2007 at 6:07 PM
Real news is:
*) Muslims forced to wear underpants on their heads
*) Islamic terrorists forced to use a toilet
*) Whatever Cindy Sheehan thinks about anything
*) American combat casualties
all else does not serve to paint our armed forces as not getting the job done, and giving a better life to the people Over There.
Hening on July 3, 2007 at 6:11 PM
- – Judea Pearl (father)
Mr. Pearl Sr. mistakes the end of moral relativism, i.e. this MSM omission, but he’s right on the statement, above.
The MSM doesn’t cover something like this because “the imperialists” also commit atrocities and they don’t want to ‘insult’ the ’subjugated’.
Entelechy on July 3, 2007 at 6:21 PM
CNN/NBC/ABC/CBS, etc. won’t cover it because it shows the “insurgents” for just what they are: evil. Plus, there’s the whole Iraqis and Americans working well together angle. Can’t have any of that getting out.
flipflop on July 3, 2007 at 6:23 PM
Yesterday, I sent his article as a news tip to Drudge. Nothing happened.
jediwebdude on July 3, 2007 at 6:29 PM
Al Qaeda’s goal is make Iraq fail. They don’t care who they kill so long as they have a failed state to operate from and a humiliating defeat for Western values.
Their big brass operated out of Afghanistan for years because there is now way to bring pressure on a government of a failed nation. To that end, they will do everything to foment civil war and will continue to commit atrocities like this.
And the MSM will look the other way lest they give the Iraqis any hope for peace. They are willing to sacrifice millions because they hate Bush and the US.
cmay on July 3, 2007 at 6:44 PM
The media never reports the good news from Iraq (our troops’ successes.)
The media never reports the bad news from Iraq either (Al Queda massacreing the village.)
But look: here’s Paris Hilton!!!
e-pirate on July 3, 2007 at 6:47 PM
Why tell unflattering truth about your army…and we all know Al Qaeda is the media’s army…
Tim Burton on July 3, 2007 at 6:51 PM
I hold no faith at all my local newspaper will pick up on this story, as I live in a liberal state. But I wrote the managing editor anyway, explaining Michael Yon’s offer and providing the link to the story. I also have a page of my own with a small readership, and put up the link there as well. Maybe a few more voices from that quarter will be added to this call on the MSM.
I may not have much hope, but my fingers remain crossed.
Liam on July 3, 2007 at 6:55 PM
That’s what I’m thinkin’.
omnipotent on July 3, 2007 at 6:58 PM
There fixed for you.
You have to admin the Media *must* know this type of stuff is going on. Like Michael said – its only 3.5 miles out away from the base! It must have been common knowledge.
Yet they won’t cover it. They, of their own free well and with full knowledge of the results, absolutely refuse to cover it.
I find it particularly disgusting. A few mal-contents places a bag over a prisoner’s head for a single night and its front page news (and featured on
We HateGood Morning America for 12-18 months. But the enemy butchers an entire village – men, women and children and its deliberately and knowingly ignored.As the tee-shirt said: Tree, Journalist, Rope – some assembly required.
CrazyFool on July 3, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Aren’t we being a little hard on the MSM? After all, this story broke when Paris Hilton was getting out of jail.
cmay on July 3, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Powerline has a good analysis on this topic – contrasting the AP’s willingness to trot out a bogus story about “20 beheadings” but its refusal to touch Yon’s work.
Ernie Pyle, were he alive today, would probably be shaking his head with disgust at how his modern-day counterparts are covering this conflict. Our own journos have gone far beyond the “I’m citizen of the world before I’m an American” cynicism in their refusal to cover facts on the ground to literally running interference for the enemy.
Spurius Ligustinus on July 3, 2007 at 8:07 PM
It is my understanding that Michael Von was given exclusive clearence in the Opperation Arrowhead campaign.
sonnyspats1 on July 3, 2007 at 8:44 PM
The liberal media will not cover this massacre until they figure out how Bush is to blame.
Tantor on July 3, 2007 at 9:23 PM
I,ve been on Micheal Yon,s website today.
This is only a small taste of IRANS GLOBAL PLAN.
As a Canadian,I know who the good guys are and it,s
the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I pray everyday that the UNITED STATES MILITARY GETS
STRONGER AND STRONGER.
To all AMERICANS happy 4th of july from the north side.
canopfor on July 3, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Thank you, canopfor! Many of us Yanks have Canadian roots and connections, you know. Canada is still a great Ally. Let’s pray that continues for many, many years.
Michael Yon is a national treasure, doing the work the MSM won’t do (and he’s not Mexican!).
gmoonster on July 3, 2007 at 11:23 PM
canopfor,
We always appreciate encouragement from the North. Thank you.
Freelancer on July 4, 2007 at 3:23 PM
The mainstream media does not cover the al Qaeda village massacre because if the attention of people is fixed on how evil the radical Islamists are, then the idea of losing to them anywhere, including in Iraq, becomes intolerable; and the mainstream media has an investment in defeat of this country in Iraq.
Phil Byler on July 4, 2007 at 5:51 PM
The 6 people burnt at the mosque (that was a total lie, it turns out, remember the Jamil Hussein story) was covered ad nauseum because it showed how badly things were going in Baghdad, not because 6 people were suppsoedly killed. Here we have more victims, worse depravity, and actual EVIDENCE of the killings, but no coverage because there is no way to spin it as “bad america” so this is INCONTRIVERTIBLE evidence that the media wants the US to fail in iraq.
JustTruth101 on July 4, 2007 at 6:24 PM
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