Political SPIN on Anti-War protest......

[Calkoon]

The same mroning the rallies started, I looked at the list of article available from the associated press, and not a single one had the word "Million" in it. Each article was dedicated solely to a specific city or town.



In all they played down the number of people involved. Of course it's impossible to ignore what could be considered the LARGEST GLOBAL DEMONSTRATION ever held, but CNN know how to use political spin and completely divert attention from the anti-War messege:



CNN's headline



<b>World antiwar rallies delight Iraq</b> !!



BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq was gloating Sunday over the global outpouring of opposition to a possible U.S.-led war against the country, saying the rallies by millions of people signaled an Iraqi victory and "the defeat and isolation of America."



<a href="http://asia.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/02/16/sprj.irq.protests/" target="_blank">Cont.... CNN on Anti War protest</a>



That truly is sick. I bet you many US local papers used the same headline as well... Mind you the article isn't bad, but the "headline" gives the needed twist and turns the table around ..........





Tomorrow, it'll totally disappear from the Western news media.

[Mujahid]

Its not a big surprise for anybody. All Americans know that their news and media is a govt. mouthpeice and nothing else. Americans dont trust their media, their news and their journalists. They know the media is a pawn in the game of the rich and powerful tyrants that run america. People read newspapers and watch CNN not to get the news but to find out the government's viewpoint on the ongoing events.

[hfsc_peace]

CNN and FOX both interviewed Iraqi govt officials LIVE about the protests .... THEY WERE GLOATING.

Why on earth wouldn't they? It's a perfectly natural human reaction. No big deal that I can see

[Calkoon]

That's the whole point. Turn the issue away from the 10 Million people demonstrating......



Remember when the demonstrations were small? They were mostly considered instigated by supporters of terrorism, but now it's much too large for false claims bringing in the dirty Political Spin...



Here's another article from <b>The Washington Post</b> to add to the Spin as part of a Rightwind counteroffensive to the World Wide demonstrations:



By Evelyn Nieves

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, February 16, 2003;





SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15 -- When the first large antiwar rallies began in October, here and in Washington, few of the tens of thousands of marchers had even heard of International ANSWER., one of the main organizers.



Some pundits, most of them conservative, complained that International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) was an offshoot of the Trotskyite Workers World Party, which has defended dictators such as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and North Korea's Kim Jong Il and decried the state of Israel. The critics said this proved that the antiwar movement was out of step with society's mainstream.



But as the rallies grew larger and more prominent, drawing hundreds of thousands of people in San Francisco and tens of thousands more in smaller protests nationwide, ANSWER's politics seemed moot. To the vast majority of people marching this weekend in global demonstrations against war on Iraq, they still are. Yet over the last several days, ANSWER's politics have created a rift within the leadership of the antiwar movement that demonstrates the difficulty in having such a small, radical group play a prominent role in organizing the peace effort





<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13873-2003Feb15.html" target="_blank">Antiwar Organizer's Politics Cause Rift </a>

[hfsc_peace]

Just as it would be if they could get Jack Straw to comment. It was interesting, but not exactly shocking to see a smug little smile.

As for ANSWER... seeing (paraphase..symbolic literal) "Kill Israel" signs ... mixed in with 'Stop the War Now' delegitimizes the whole shebang. IMHO (but I helped organize demonstrations in 1969) ,... which brings a question.. where did the organizing $$ come from? Anyone ask? Anyone know?

[Calkoon]

I do agree that mixing the "Kill Israel" and "Anti-War" signs does cause a problem.........

I think in the current context the two can be kept separate. The Anti-War protest are basically because a case has not been made and the UN has no facts pointig to the existance of WMD.

Considering that you had 10 Million demonstrators world wide, do you still think that the source of the organisers funds has anything to do witht he Anti-War messege?

[hfsc_peace]

AND YES, always always always

follow the money....
Rule of life

Irregardless of numbers, FACTS are stubborn things.
I used fear that some money coming in would be traced back to the FRIENDS committee (soviet front org).

Those who accept money from unknown sources are on thin ice (not saying they did, but you just KNOW the press is going to hound down on that any day soon. I mean if I am thinking of it). It doesn't deligitmize the voices (altho maybe Susan Sarandon addressing the crowd does) but knowing the truth is always best for all. It's just hard to find.

[Rohit]

It is a human tendency to abhor change and war brings one of the most shocking and cataclysmic change.

one should remember that there was a powerfull anti-war movement in US before they got sucked into WW2.

One should also remember the problem of inaction and 'no war at all costs' conducted by the European leaders before Hitler swallowed them one by one. Then there were also the Arab leaders who tried to negotiate with Saddam (hilarious stuff) after he annexed Kuwait.

But then on the other hand there were also the 'no war' Vietnam protestors.

It is a tough call for the leaders. To play for the gallery or to stand by their own convictions. That is the the stuff leaders are made off. That is what separates the men from the boys and the iron ladies from the secretaries.

If it had been the Democrats, there might have been a re-think but for the republican party and Bush in particular it is a no-brainer.

[MoonBeam]

"Americans dont trust their media, their news and their journalists"

little muji,
please support the above statement or is this just more ramblings of one who lives in the West and is too scared to go home to the Middle East.

[Calkoon]

Totally irrelevant in fact .... It could have been when there were a few hundred, but not now. You need to be realistic

[theman]

<blockquote><font class="small"><hr />

follow the money....
Rule of life

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
good point
so lets also ask where is the money coming from in support of this war...

lemme give you a hint, those people who bankrolled Dubya and the gang into power.

Oil industry
US Defense industry

[hfsc_peace]

Me, until about June 3rd, after which the money is mine.

Nice try though.