Live War Coverage

Member

Is anyone else disturbed by this? Differing political views aside, does the live coverage bother anyone else? I know someone who was deployed Friday. I am sure he is not in the action yet, but just seeing the battlegounds and then the news of POWs/slain members of the armed forces really bothers me. I know I don;t have to watch it, and I am most likely not going to from now on but I really don't think that this shold be televised. Anyone else?

Member

Excelent

the kilted one

it reminds me too much of the sports announcers who interview the "people on the street" for their opinions about pro-athletes. Most of these people would never be able to perform as the pro-athletes but are so terribly critical of those athletes. I view the war coverage the same way: most of the people offering "opinions" which so much of the "coverage" is, would never put themselves in the same positions as those fighting the war. I even take this to higher levels, could these same critics have made the tough decision to go to war as our leaders have done? I'd say they probably could not, but they sit in judgment of those who made the decision and those who are carrying out their duties.

I don't watch.

Member

Just another reason why I don't have TV.

Member

I have mixed emotions about the live coverage. So far, the live coverage has been more a mix of action movie and cheeleading. They are yet to show us some of the carnage that has, and will, take place. (Other than Al Jareez--the Arab tv network.)

On one hand I think these disturbing pictures shouldn't be broadcast. They make me uneasy. They make me fearful for US forces, for the potential loss of life.

However, maybe I should see what it means to go to war and be disturbed. During the first Gulf War I remember the main visions they showed us was the film of smart bombs hitting targets. Now we are seeing actual firefights. I think maybe it is good that I am exposed to what my goverment is doing on the ground in Iraq and in a way be forced to shoulder an unpleasant burden. A burden so light as to be non-existent compared to the burden placed on the troops, but I think I should bear witness to what we have engaged.

What I find ironic is it was the film, day after day, broadcast into living rooms of the firefights in Vietnam that turned public opinion. The American public eventually grew weary of watching young kids die with no end in sight. We have come full circle and now the military has again allowed--encouraged--reporters to not only troop with them but to file realtime reports. I know everyone thinks this will be a short war. I think it will be a short war. But if it isn't we know how this type of coverage will help shape public opinion. And is that a bad thing? To be able to make a decision based on actual happenings you witness?

I am glad we don't attack each other here. I wouldn't dream of posting something like this anywhere else, if you get my drift. But for what it is worth, I think the invasion of Iraq is necessary and the right thing to do.

Excelent

Well said Alan.

The young men and women that are dying are the same age as those protesting.

Frightened Inmate #2

All my news comes from the internet and newspaper so I don't usually get to see much footage and then I do, it's so small on compressed that it's hard to make out much of anything.

I'm like Alan with mixed emotions on whether or not it should be broadcast 'live'.

One thing that did disturb me though was on the first or second day of bombing one of the people from work, at 5:00 PM on his way out the door said, "Well, I'm going home to watch them drop bombs on Bagdad [sp?]." I found that rather disturbing; like he's going home to watch his favorite team in the NCAA championships and not soldiers from both sides, real people, die fighting. Neutral

Oompa Loofah

I have nowhere to go to escape it.

Even if I leave my tv off--which I do, someone at the commissary or BX (base exchange) is talking about it. Or the radio breaks in with "breaking news"

I want to escape it. I've been living it, breathing it, and smelling it since November when this buildup started.

I think what finally pushed me over the edge was our soldiers being captured. These men are dying for me. And I can't do a d*mn thing about it. I can never thank them. I can never repay them. I can't do anything for them that would come near to what they've given me. The fury I feel inside is indescribable. The agony at their plight is almost unbearable. (God be with the protestor that runs into me right now)

They are heroes to me. They are my husband's brethren. When we lose just one, we are all touched with the loss-we all lose a little part of ourselves. I'm told cops are the same way. But that is why we have the best fighting force in the world. They have honor. As a group they have morals and believe in fighting for what is right, decent, and good. They are a brotherhood.

I'm sorry for my rant.

Member

Member

I was on Spring Break last week and found myself watching the coverage quite a bit. I agree that the coverage is unreal, and maybe far too much. I guess I feel if these brave souls can be over there living it, I should have the courage to watch it and keep informed. I know that does nothing to help them, and they'll never know. (I don't believe everyone should do this, everyone has to do what they feel is right for them...and I'm not in front of the tube 24/7 either) It just seems the least I can do. I do hope the news channels decide NOT to show the pictures/tapes of the executed soldiers. They died as heros, they deserve as much dignity as we can afford them. CNN has said they will show very brief clips of the interviews after deciding it may help keep these soldiers alive. (make Iraq accountable)

I also agree it's nice to have this forum to vent and discuss a bit without feeling the need to dodge and duck.

Member

I guess living the experience first hand has made me immune to the whole instant news experience, and since the conflict started I've pretty much stayed away from the obsessive nature of watching breaking news as it happens TV.

I have a few friends who are there now in harms way and my thoughts for their safe return are with them but the total news coverage sorry I got better things to do.

I've had people here at work asked me about my own experiences and I tell them pretty much you have to be there to understand it, and after removing bodies from the highway of death 12 yrs ago this brings back some painful thoughts of what war can do to the human body.

As far as the various talking heads the various outlets have giving their point of view.......................may be doing more harm than good where the scope of public opinion is concern for both the pro and anti conflict/war camps. Not to mention the families involved.

As a former vet I support the war effort, but won't engage in the daily dribble the media feeds us.

M

Adjunct

Most of the reporters crack me up with their acting and talking like the troops. It all fuels the drama.
Then so importantly they say, I cant tell you where I am or where I am going in the interest of protecting security or something like that. The reports just seem to want me to say hey thanks for putting your life on the line so I can watch you tell me so little information. No thanks.
It is interesting but we as a news hungry society got what we wished for on this. Color commentators retired Captains, Majors, Colonels, Generals are all coming out now.
I tune in periodically for a few minutes periodically but nothing new really comes out so I stop when they start repeating themselves. after about 5 minutes

Master of Prissface

Member

I try not to watch any of it. It's glorification of violence, a big no-no in my house, and also, why do I need to help increase ratings for the TV bozos?
Also, in case, you with small kids didn't already know, PBS has decided to put solely children's viewing on every day until 8 pm so that your kids don't have to watch war stuff if you don't want them to.

Live War Coverage

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