Don?t Mean Nothing, Not A Thing?

[HARDCORE]

?So who do you believe?? The media is constantly re-affirming the Administration's position that everything in Iraq is moving along fine, great progress is being made, and the 90 plus Coalition (American) deaths in that area are low indeed? (Unless, of course, you're one of the 90 that paid the ultimate price ?SINCE? this war was declared over?!)

To bolster this analogy, the media and politicians alike, referred to the 6000 deaths of 6 June 1941, and to the 2000 that died in training for D-Day! These are not my figures, but rather those quoted by a Lt Colonel, one of the many experts now employed, not on the battlefield, but rather by the media!? Now don?t get me wrong, it is good that one can attain a little professional insight, but unfortunately, these ?Media Commanders? are as often wrong as right! ?Also, the release of certain information while battles may still be raging, is (in my opinion) foolhearty at best!??

And while all of this is taking place in Iraq, Israel too is engaged in its own (not so) little problem solving! In a raid near Gaza, the Jews are busy ferreting out weapons smuggling tunnels, and in this effort have bulldozed between 1200 and 2000 homes. Two young children were also killed in the process, it was reported! ?And of course, while Israel calls this action justified, Arafat calls the scenario criminal!? (So what else is new?)

?So what does this all boil down to?? Is it a question of credibility perhaps, or a situation similar to one major newspaper?s twisted promotion of the "Spanish American War" back during the late 19th Century? Could this be an international reshuffling of the same old power deck perhaps?

Whatever it is, one thing remains a lead-pipe cinch - the people with the cameras, the news print, the mouths and the imaginations (Media), have no small part in fermenting, exacerbating, and prolonging an engagement of arms!

Be it Mathew Brady?s camera during the American Civil War, a major news rag of the late 1800s, or the wars being (at least partially) waged by those in three-piece suits, upon those dangerous T.V. stages in New York or Washington DC, the facts may not always be what they appear to be (opinion)?

I remember two old photos taken of the same dead soldier during the Civil War (about 1863 I believe)? In one picture, the unfortunate chap (a sniper) was clad in Confederate Gray, in the other, he was wearing Union Blue! Same expired gent, just neatly rearranged and re-outfitted for the cameras, depending upon the audience I assume?!

In another shot that I recall seeing, taken about 76 years later, a photographer took a picture of a Spanish Loyalist at the very moment that he was mortally felled by a bullet through the head! This photo brought the man behind the camera a Pulitzer I believe? All, however, that the object of the bullet?s affection garnered was an instant death!

So who makes some individuals heroes or villains - the man (or woman) themselves, circumstances perhaps, a product of the moment maybe, or possibly even the media to some extent? It has been a proven fact that the media, under the guidance of certain powers that be and economic pressures, can reshape even the world itself, should the need arise! Some call it propaganda, other creative journalism, spin or even pandering to public desires. Whatever it is, right or wrong, many a media mogul would be far more at home in my opinion, writing for the funny papers, rather than the editorial page!

?Alas?, we have created a whole new breed of celebrity! One armed with a mike, a makeup man and a camera, rather than integrity, a front row seat, and guts!

?But what the Hell, it don?t mean nothing, not a thing!?? At least, again, if you listen to those ?Crystal Balled Experts? who haunt the media sets, rather than applying their expertise (?) where it counts! ?Unfortunately, however, people often die to insure the fame and fortune of people like these!?

VERITAS