Michelle: The media’s guilty of a double standard on Obama’s Afghanistan surge
posted at 3:51 pm on February 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
Eh, I don’t know. There is a double standard at work here, but it has less to do with who’s in office than with the fact that the left’s painted itself into a corner by using Afghanistan as a talking point against Iraq for the past six years. Afghanistan’s the “good war” to which we should be devoting our resources, the argument goes, not to the neocon rodeo in Mesopotamia. Disparities in public support for the two missions over the last four years have backed that position up. That being so, what can the media do now when The One says he’s ready to send 17,000 troops to Kabul except swallow hard?
Rest assured, he will eventually face pushback from the left for this — the first stirrings are already occurring — but they’re not going to ruin the honeymoon a month into his term. A more useful discussion for the Foxies than media bias would be why, oh why, with Hopenchange fever supposedly sweeping the globe, Europe refuses to kick in a few extra troops to win the war even liberals think (or so they say) needs to be won. Thanks to Legal Insurrection for that link.
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Shocker: Media has double standard between (R) and (D)
Kelligan on February 19, 2009 at 3:55 PM
STOP the PRESSES…the MSM deals in double standards! What’s next, the MSM is biased toward the left and Obambi!
Shocker!!
Liberty or Death on February 19, 2009 at 3:55 PM
One of Obama’s greatest threats to his Presidency is a downturn in Afganistan. If things go bad, will he quit in defeat after Bush won in Iraq. He might do just that in order to avoid becoming the second coming of LJB, a President whose own party turns on him despite great strides (for the Left) on domestic issues.
RedSoxNation on February 19, 2009 at 3:56 PM
I positively despise double-standard arguments. DESPISE THEM, I SAY!
Sir Andrew on February 19, 2009 at 3:57 PM
This isn’t a double standard. Obama has clearly stated that this is the good war and as such anything he does to correct it is a good thing. Bush’s bad war with Iraq obviously had to be opposed because it was killing innocent people. I also heard that Bush was eating kittens and stepping on puppies.
txaggie on February 19, 2009 at 3:58 PM
The hippies have a march on the Pentagon planned for mid-March. One sign of a double standard will be the level of attention and credibility thy get from the media, compared to how they were treated during W’s 4th Reich.
I’m guessing there will be much less media coverage, and the media that is there will be much more sceptical about their claims of crowd size, etc.
BuzzCrutcher on February 19, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Good thing we have a “free and independent” press……..
Seven Percent Solution on February 19, 2009 at 4:00 PM
The Seal of the Democratic party should feature conjoined twin donkeys facing opposite directions with *sses on both ends.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on February 19, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Ogabe the Chickenhawk.
Never served a day in office, now he sends other Americans off to fight his hegemonic wars of aggression.
Eight solid years. I’ve learned well.
Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Good post, AP
okonkolo on February 19, 2009 at 4:01 PM
if he was smart he would’ve placed the funding for this in the stimulus bill or attached it somehow.
jp on February 19, 2009 at 4:01 PM
That’s they day they’ll be parachuting into Alaska to make sure that Palin’s filed her amended tax returns.
BuckeyeSam on February 19, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Never served a day in the “military”…damn my fumbly mind.
Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Yep that pretty much sums it up.
crr6 on February 19, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Uh so opinion polls deem things good or bad. Geez, I should really change my opinion on abortion then!
terryannonline on February 19, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Where’s Code Pink at? Did Barry lock them up?
kingsjester on February 19, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Oh, so only NOW they support the troops, their mission, their surge, and their Commander-in-Chief.
Christien on February 19, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Given the media’s relationship to Obama, that’s not an image I needed in my mind.
MarkTheGreat on February 19, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Yep that pretty much sums it up.
crr6 on February 19, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Think of the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Who are we to decide internal matters of a foreign country.
Ogabe never served in the military.
VP Joe Biden received four selective service deferments during the Vietnam War, saying at the time that he was “preoccupied with marriage and law school.”
My Lawd…bloodthirsty warmongers abound in this adminstration, doncha think?
Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 4:09 PM
MoveOn.org says, “….(crickets chirping)”. Code Pink. Hollywood is saying, “….(crickets chirping)”.
BoSox_or_Bust on February 19, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Will Cindy Sheehan set up “Camp Casey” next to Obama’s house in Chicago?
BacaDog on February 19, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Where’s Cindy Sheehan when you really need her?
College Prof on February 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
What surge are you talking about, I’ve not read or heard anything in the MSM about it….?
d1carter on February 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
It seems extremely short-sighted on the part of “his worshipfulness” to announce he wants to increase the number of boots on the ground in Afghanistan when he is also considering lifting the ban on the photographing of the “flag draped coffins” of fallen soldiers.
ladyingray on February 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Will the media continue with the body count and the desire to show flag draped coffins? I doubt it.
BrianA on February 19, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Were I around during World War II I would have supported the war against Japan but opposed the war with Germany. Germany never attacked us. They meant us no harm. Yes Hitler was a bad man but that was no cause for war. We could have won the war in the Pacific much quicker had we not wasted so many resources in Europe.
sarc/off
sdd on February 19, 2009 at 4:14 PM
In Afghanistan, the ROE will be far more critical to success than the number of troops.
Beo on February 19, 2009 at 4:15 PM
So, “Where’s Osama?” gave way to “Getting Osama won’t make any difference anyway.” Kinda shot yourselves in the foot on that one, Obama supporters.
Christien on February 19, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Why do we continue to use words like ‘bias’ and ‘double standard’?
The word is ‘corrupt’.
faraway on February 19, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I read the Hollins article… honestly, I’ve read better articles in high school papers. It is simplistic, not well fact-checked, presumptuous and self-aggrandizing… It is shocking to read such drivel from someone who was a US Senator for 172 years.
mankai on February 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
I think it is both, well I dunno, maybe mostly the later, but they are sure doing some kind of contorted limbo dance in any case.
The double talking D Kooks leaders are losing some of their followers however with their head snap
MB4 on February 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
“Neocon Rodeo” would be a great name for a band.
Golden Boy on February 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Does he have plan for using the extra troops, or is this merely a “make it so” moment for the C in C? *gag*
And when is he going to get around to invading Pock-ee-stahn?
landshark on February 19, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Circa 2012:
Just about four years ago I set out on Obama’s Afghanistan road,
Seekin my fame and training, lookin for a pot of gold.
Things got bad, and things got worse, I guess you will know the tune.
Oh ! lord, stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
Flew in on a big plane, I hope I’ll be in one piece flyin out when I go.
I was just passin through, must now be yet another 2 tours or more.
Running out of time and patience, looks like they took more of my friends.
Oh ! lord, Im stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
The Hope and Change man in the White House said yet again I was on my way.
Somewhere I lost his connection, he ran out of words to say.
I came into Kabul, a one year stand, looks like the plans fell through
Oh ! lord, stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
Mmmm…
If I only had a woman, for evry Obama Afghanistan tour Ive done.
And evry time Ive had to fight while Obama and Biden sat back home power drunk.
You know, Id like to catch the next plane back to where Im from.
Oh ! lord, Im stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
Oh ! lord, Im stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
- CCR Soldier Boy
MB4 on February 19, 2009 at 4:25 PM
by the way, is the Iraq war over? I miss the daily MSM doom and gloom and body counts from before the election.
neuquenguy on February 19, 2009 at 4:27 PM
From DailyKommunism:
Isn’t their fantasy-riddled view of the world cute?
mankai on February 19, 2009 at 4:27 PM
AP, you have it right, AGAIN!
You are the best!
blink on February 19, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Shocka, Hot Air to be downsized by one smart aleck Athiest.
MikeA on February 19, 2009 at 4:31 PM
mankai on February 19, 2009 at 4:27 PM
I can think of a couple of words but cute did not immediately come to mind. Let the commenter go over there right now and work his/her plan. Their head will be on a pole.
kingsjester on February 19, 2009 at 4:31 PM
The left and the MSM don’t have a “double” standard. What they have is more of a “progressive” standard.
Just as in taxation, where the amount one pays is affected by many factors, so to is the “progressive” standard.
The key factor in the “progressive” standard is the political test. This test dictates the level of “scorn” taxation. Thought of in this way, it is easy to see why they don’t think they have a double standard.
SouthernRoots on February 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I personally think Pres. Bush suckered the liberals and their minion media into making asses of themselves when a surge of reinforcements into a combat zone was an operational decision.
Which is cool, they dropped their own pants in public and they richly deserved it.
Probably the media to a small percentage is playing it cool on surges, but, its the gift that keeps on giving.
Speakup on February 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
The General wanted 30,000 and the 17,000 are to keep it from getting worse while they are reviewing the war and coming up with a new strategy.
Another campaign promise kept.
Wonder if the fiscal cons will be outraged on borrowing for this war while our economy is so bad and adding to the debt.
Doubt it.
getalife on February 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Mankai: yeah I read that about education and infrastructure being the solution to the problem. HAHAHAHA! yeah and unicorns really do exist.
This “surge” is really no more than a spritz. I watched the interview with the general and when he was asked if the troop strength was what he needed, he answered something to the effect of, “It’s what I asked for. It’s not what I need.” Didn’t a past Dem. President try this in a quagmire in Southeast Asia long long ago?
Driefromseattle on February 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
There is one double standard in this that continuously gets overlooked. Almost every liberal likes to cite the monthly expense of the war in Iraq over the past several years, within the context of our current economic woes. It’s as if they think there will be no cost incurred while waging an endless ground war in Afghanistan.
Full Blown war ain’t cheap and it doesn’t much matter where it takes place.
joedoe on February 19, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Exactly , and then some people say that Obama doesn’t have an “exit” plan.
the_nile on February 19, 2009 at 4:36 PM
This is from that KOS link:
“Bolstering troop levels is only the first step toward ensuring that Afghanistan can achieve enough stability so that it no longer represents an international security threat.”
Wait. What?
Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 4:37 PM
BREAKING NEWS!!!
President Barack Obama announces plan to give all the Taliban 529 college savings plans and to build Bridges to Nowhere in Afganistan!
MB4 on February 19, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Meh. Valient effort, but no real double standards here. Been saying we need to up the ante in Afghanistan for awhile now. So yeah. We’re just gonna go ahead and do that.
crr6 on February 19, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Fixed.
thirteen28 on February 19, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Is George W posting on Kos now?
neuquenguy on February 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
The only newsworthy story about double-standards and the media would be if the media treats Republicans and Dems the same.
I must note that this past election was the most balanced coverage ever with no double-standards at all….if you only look at the Democrat primary before Super Tuesday.
GardenGnome on February 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Eh, Europe will send troops to Pakistan for nation building when it’s safe. Thank you Michelle for exposing the liberal double standard whenever possible.
UPDATE: Thanks Brian for the Hotair plug
mike_NC9 on February 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
The words should be “Git rid of this gubbermint bum” . Tra-la-la. Really showing our ages aren’t we?
Fortunata on February 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Meh. Valient effort, but no real double standards here. Been saying we need to up the ante in Afghanistan for awhile now. So yeah. We’re just gonna go ahead and do that.
crr6 on February 19, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Then you would have stood almost alone while your liberal brethren beat a hasty retreat for the last eight years.
Chickenhawk in Chief Ogabe, sending American kids off to die…or something like that; it all sort of blended together after eight years.
Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 4:44 PM
MB4 on February 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Well, they found the Texas fraud billionaire so perhaps President Obama can find obl.
getalife on February 19, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Not all the campers over there are happy with Obama’s mad imperialism.
From some of the comments -
MB4 on February 19, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I would fully support nation building on the Klingon home world of Kronos.
Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Yep, I read it too, it made me ill especially this line when he spoke of the Taliban being one of our allies:
I read that and just about smashed my laptop! I wanted to post something to the effect “you’re obviously suffering from dementia you old coot, the Taliban stopped being an ally when they aided and abetted AQ prior to and after 9-11!”
Just goes to prove how out of touch and delutional lefty moonbat pacifists are…I’ll bet Hollins and Carter play bridge together and yuk it up about how evil Amerika is and how opressed and bullied groups and countries like Iran, NK, Hamas, Hezbolla are!
Sickening!
Liberty or Death on February 19, 2009 at 4:59 PM
I am with you, I would love it Obama spent the next four years in the caves of Afghanistan looking for OBL.
neuquenguy on February 19, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I wonder if “Dingy” Harry Reid, John Murtha and John “Heinz” Kerry will jump on with BO. Also how long will it be before NBc will start showing film every night of things blowing up?… I think not
Stock Tip of the Day: General Electric. Now they will have a new client other than Iran to do business with.
Dire Straits on February 19, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Both double standards are at play.
The MSM attacked Bush’s surge not only on the ground that Iraq was a “bad war,” but also on the ground that it would not work.
Today, the MSM is not filled with claims than an Afghan surge is futile, even as they try to avoid mentioning that their earlier prediction was wrong.
Karl on February 19, 2009 at 5:02 PM
shhhhh…….inconvenient surge…..PRESS
Braindroppings on February 19, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Allahpundit’s first name is Brian?
Seven Percent Solution on February 19, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I think education and infrastructure need to be part of the plan for success in Afghanistan, but without the military component the whole thing falls apart.
backwoods conservative on February 19, 2009 at 5:06 PM
free from truth and independent of fairness.
TheSitRep on February 19, 2009 at 5:09 PM
They shouldn’t call him Mr. Obama, but Pres. Obama. The first practice is that of Keith Olbermann, and they shouldn’t stoop to that.
Tzetzes on February 19, 2009 at 5:12 PM
The world doesn’t ‘like’ us more, or less. It’s the same ol’ world. They’re just crazy about this pathological narcissistic cipher, onto whom they can project all sort of their own imaginations and dreams, shortcomings of their own…
The world also continues to contribut about as much mulah and blood, as it did before Nov. 04, 2008. Rats all. I always say “When you put out money and blood, you can sit at the table and pontificate. Until then, shut up”.
Entelechy on February 19, 2009 at 5:19 PM
They should call him “King Obama”, er “your highness”, or “Messiah Obama”, er “your holyness”.
Entelechy on February 19, 2009 at 5:21 PM
MSM has double standard…also in the news, winter brings snow in Alaska, summer brings heat in Texas…
right2bright on February 19, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Michelle ‘s HOT!!
DamnYankee on February 19, 2009 at 5:27 PM
They should call him “King Obama”, er “Your Highness”, or “Messiah Obama”, er “Your Holiness”.
Entelechy on February 19, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Ha! Yes, I think “Prophet, Priest and King” is the correct protocol.
Σᾶς ῥώτησα σὲ ἄλλο θρὲντ ἂν ἤσασταν Ἕλληνας. Μπορεῖ νὰ μὴν τὸ εἴδατε…ἀλλ’ εἴσαστε;
Tzetzes on February 19, 2009 at 5:37 PM
D’oh! It posted without quotes.
Ha! Yes, I think “Prophet, Priest and King” is the correct protocol.
Σᾶς ῥώτησα σὲ ἄλλο θρὲντ ἂν ἤσασταν Ἕλληνας. Μπορεῖ νὰ μὴν τὸ εἴδατε…ἀλλ’ εἴσαστε;
(Μένετε στὴ Θράκη;)
Tzetzes on February 19, 2009 at 5:38 PM
No outrage at all. Funding wars is well within the confines of our Constitution and responsibilities. It’s the other crap that unnecessarily adds to the debt.
anuts on February 19, 2009 at 5:44 PM
“Neocon Rodeo” would be an excellent name for a rock band.
Kafir on February 19, 2009 at 5:48 PM
This is the biggest phony baloney group running this country I have ever seen. A combination of the Peter Principle and Murphy’s Law. They were voted in and that is a direct result of our screwed up education system, our propaganda press and fraud infested voting programs. Khruschev had it right when he said that they would defeat us from within[loosely translated/quoted] Funny,,he used a shoe also
retiredeagle on February 19, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Michelle drives home the point, the drooling msm have devolved into the role of water-carrier for their Dear Leader, the Thug from Chicago.
Zorro on February 19, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Why are elected R’s not asking about exit strategies and timetables wrt Afghanistan? This would not be hypocritical, but rather pointing out the hypocrisy of the left.
edshepp on February 19, 2009 at 6:20 PM
I’m waiting to hear terms like “Obama’s War” in Afghanistan.
Where are the “anti-war” protesters? In reality they’re just anti-capitalist protesters.
Mojave Mark on February 19, 2009 at 6:51 PM
.
I have news for you. He didn’t start it and he won’t be the last.
BlameAmericaLast on February 19, 2009 at 6:53 PM
It’s the media that keeps this racist thing alive. Reporting things like this,”Joe Bag-of -doughnuts, an African American.” During the Olympics we rooted for the American Team and you read down further and there it is again. Such and such event was won by bla bla bla an African American athlete. The media separates and then tells us we are racist. Am I the only person who is bothered by this double standard?
mixplix on February 19, 2009 at 7:25 PM
ohh yea
I remember obama , kerry , reid ., pelozi kennedy, crap all of the democraps were screaming like demonic possesed children ..
Crying code pinkos attempting to thwart military shipments
I would have ran their nasty asses over if i was driving the truck..
But now that the Mental midget obama is in change
and peloze the evil wicked witch of the west is holding his nuts in her jar of spells.
Now the news media is claiming what a
Victorios General obama is..
sheesh obama wouldnt last 1 day in the field.
And when it comes crashing down (because the all seeing all idiot non knowing obama left our supply lines dependant upon another EVIL EMPIRE named RUSSIA..
Sheesh i wonder who they will blame..??
And bets?
how about
Bush..?
jcila on February 19, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Holy CRAP. Are conservatives really this stupid? Here’s a primer.
IRAQ: The country that had no weapons of mass destruction and nothing to do with 9/11, invaded because PNAC douchebags like Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz have been wanting to get a foothold in the oil-producing nations since the late 90′s.
AFGHANISTAN: One-time home of Osama Bin Laden, responsible for 9/11, who Dubya gave up looking for. The place from which military resources were diverted (making it easier for Bin Laden to escape) to help create a clusterf*ck in Iraq.
I hope this clears things up.
Constantine on February 19, 2009 at 7:56 PM
How convenient it is that you forget (do you have a short attention span problem, ADHD?) the real reasons why we liberated the Iraqi people. WMD was a small part of the total number of reasons, that you have conveniently forgotten. (Holy Crap, you are THAT stupid and forgetful.)
The main stream aka dinosaur media are just like democrats. If they didn’t have a double standard, they’d have no standards at all.
BottomLine5 on February 19, 2009 at 8:17 PM
In all likelihood OBL had already left Afghanistan well before the invasion of Iraq. If he is still alive he is likely in Pakistan, maybe even in Iran or even Dearborstan for all we know.
I hope this clears things up.
MB4 on February 19, 2009 at 8:52 PM
So does this mean any Obama voter who isn’t signing up to go to Afghanistan is now a chickenhawk?
18-1 on February 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Oh and speaking of double standards, does anyone thing any of the members of our brave and independent press will ask Secretary Clinton if perhaps President Clinton made a mistake in not taking Osama Bin Laden from the Sudanese when they offered him up?
18-1 on February 19, 2009 at 9:35 PM
DEAR MICHELLE – HOW ABOUT LET’S TACKLE THE REAL OBAMA ISSUE AT STAKE IN THIS NATION —-
Obama himself admits he was an Indonesian citizen. His adoption and school records from the time he lived in Jakarta (as Barry Soetoro) have been PUBLISHED and they SHOW that he was listed as INDONESIAN! These facts being established, why does everyone not understand that Obama is therefore NOT eligible to be POTUS under the U.S. Constitution? How long will take the American public to have the courts remove Obama from office, before he destroys this nation?
searcher484 on February 19, 2009 at 10:58 PM
How does President b.o. plan on suppling our troops when Kyrgyzstan cuts that supply line, and Sen. feinstein is desperately trying to cut the one through Pakistan?
Paulyllama on February 20, 2009 at 2:03 AM
Sort of OT, but Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute introduced Michelle as “one of Colorado
s newest residents” and the Fox hosts just thanked her for joining them early “over there in Denver.”
Not that I’m asking for GPS coordinates or anything, but has MM become my Colorado neighbor to help turn this blue/purple state back to RED? I’m warmed by the thought. Bless her.
Captain Scarlet on February 20, 2009 at 3:39 AM
I hope and pray that we win this war very quickly. If Oslime-a gets credit for it, that is fine with me. Lets get our heroes home honorably and with the pride of a mission well done! Figure it out Obama….get on your knees and get some guidance.
csdeven on February 20, 2009 at 6:05 AM
I missed the Michelle segment but it must have been a good one as it caused my 82 year old father in law to come running out of his room declaring that he plans on buying a new gun.
Way to go, Michelle!!!
DannoJyd on February 20, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Holy CRAP. Are leftists really this stupid? Here’s a primer:
GERMANY: The country who hadn’t attacked us at Pearl Harbor, declared war on because British agents were stirring things up in DC since the UK was getting their asses kicked and FDR needed a real solution to the Great Depression. The same goes for Italy.
When you declare war, you go after anybody and everybody, not just a single perp. Saddam Hussein was sending $25,000 checks to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers. He sheltered many an international terrorist. He might not have had anything to do with 9/11, but he was dirty, an enabler of terrorism. Bin Laden chose Afghanistan because it was the sort of lawless place he knew he could escape from if he needed to. Besides, look at him now. He has to hide. We haven’t heard from him in months. His command and control are regularly eliminated. What’s worse for a man like that, death or humiliation?
Kafir on February 20, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Lol so this is what a president in training looks like…
hiphopconservative on February 20, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Uhhh — Yes! What else would you expect from someone suffering a socialist-liberal edumakation?
DannoJyd on February 20, 2009 at 9:20 AM
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