HA! Drudge-Rumsfeld set up; reporter planted questions with soldier

[underpants]

I just heard Rush talking about this as I went to get my lunch. The all knowing Rush just happened not to say anything about this yesterday (Even though he just knew something about it wasn't right) and LOW AND BEHOLD look what came out today from the fedora-ed one.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashcp.htm

Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts is embedded with the 278th Regimental Combat Team, now in Kuwait preparing to enter Iraq, and is filing articles for his newspaper. Pitts claims in a purported email that he coached soldiers to ask Defense Secretary Rumsfeld questions!

From: EDWARD LEE PITTS, Chattanooga Times Free Press military reporter
Sent: Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:44 PM
To: Staffers

[Bleacher Creature]

1. LOL! It's one of his own scoops.

If that doesn't set off warning bells in your mind, nothing will.

[bobbyboucher]

2. Yeah, it's the media's fault. How terribly predictable.

Now the reich wingers will scream it all day that it was the media then will never mention it again, except to insert the lie at opportune, media bashing times.

[ComerPerro]

3. Good for him

Seriously. I would be willing to be that the people asking wanted to say this anyway. They probably just needed someone to tell them that it is ok to ask tough questions.

I loved the look on Rumsfeld's face when he first heard this question. He seemed stunned that someone would ask him a real question. And he almost acted like he didn't have to answer it. As though the troops should be happy he gave any response at all.

[underpants]

6. Rummy asked him to repeat the question and you could hear laughter

Everyone knew he had no answer and was stalling for time.

[indigobusiness]

4. How dare they sabotage the propaganda with the truth!!!

I'm outraged!

[briang5000]

5. The soldier wanted to ask the question

Rush and Drudge will spin this that the media planted the question, but in truth all the reporter did was make sure the troops he was embedded with had the opportunity to ask the important question.

Don't let the neo-con media turn the story into a story about the reporter.
The story is the lack of armor and supplies.

--- This is what this job is all about - people need to know. The solider who asked the question said he felt good b/c he took his complaints to the top. When he got back to his unit most of the guys patted him on the back but a few of the officers were upset b/c they thought it would make them look bad. From what I understand this is all over the news back home. --

[underpants]

Rush~ "See the reporter was upset because HIS Humvee wasn't armored

NO fatboy there was obviously an audience for that question.

WAS IT TRUE??? Apparently so

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2807004

[medeak]

7. Loved the applause from soldiers

that said it all...

[underpants]

8. New jock posted this at the same time

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2807752

[DireStrike]

9. So they think our glorious troops are instantly swayed by "media" people?

Of course, ALL the troops support not having armor for themselves. Only one of those dirty scalawags from the LIBRUL MEDIA could make them ask why they have to dumpster-dive for armor.

[Gloria]

10. Well, who was that ex-wife I heard today saying that this

soldier always spoke his mind??

[pipes]

13. Ever wonder why she is his ex....?

Maybe too much time in the desert fighting a war and not enough time at home...why would she speak out...she was pissed that this administration ruined her marraige and took her husband away?

these people are so damn ruthless, i can't stand it anymore!

[prolesunited]

11. And again they are trying to shift the focus

off the question and response to the situation and methods. There will be more airtime given to the paper, reporter and soldier, smearing them all as much as possible, than to the real issue facing the troops being sent overseas.

[bunkerbuster1]

15. yeah, the sh*t float vets have all that time on their hands

might as well take down another soldier, nothin' better to do until the Coronation.

[Robbien]

17. Yes, exactly

When Drudge, Rush and the usual gang start smearing you know they are worried about the original story's effect and start deflecting by character assignations.

[louis-t]

12. 'press officer' wanted to make sure his story was 'positive'

Bullshit factor is all these idiot repubs care about. How dare this reporter 'tell the truth'!

[eaprez]

14. How does this make the question illegitimate?

[underpants]

16. Most everyone there seemed to like it being asked

I'll bet the Fox Question of the Day (brought to you by Wal-Mart) is going to be "Was the Chattanooga reporter out of line?" or something to that effect.