« Previous · Home · Next »
Slander
By Bull Nav
OK, I have accepted the fact that the press will report that every time we put another carrier in the Arabian Gulf that it is a "show of force," or an "impending attack." I get it. They can speculate. I don't necessarily agree that news should be speculative, but sure, you can go ahead and speculate.
Which is why I was OK when I started to read this AP article:
Navy Stages Show of Force Off Iran Coast
By BARBARA SURK
Associated Press Writer
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The U.S. Navy staged its latest show of military force off the Iranian coastline on Wednesday, sending two aircraft carriers and landing ships packed with 17,000 U.S. Marines and sailors to carry out unannounced exercises in the Persian Gulf.
No problem. Lots of strike aircraft, lots of marines, lots of ships...exercises? sure...
I do, however, have a serious problem with the last line in the article:
U.S. warships have frequently collided with merchant ships in the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf.
This makes it sound like we are a bunch of incompetent ship drivers, which we are not.
I have but one question for Ms. Surk:
- Where is the data to support your claim of "frequent" collisions between the US Navy and merchant shipping?
A quick search of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System shows that since January 2005, there has been exactly one collision between a US Navy warship and a merchant ship. This was the USS NEWPORT NEWS' collision with the Japanese tanker Mogamigawa in January of this year.
Based on this quick analysis, I believe it was improper to use the word "frequent" in describing US Navy collisions in the Arabian Gulf.
It took me 20 minutes to find the website and search their database. I would think someone who makes their living as a reporter would show more due diligence in researching their report.
Update: Thanks go to reader Mark who noticed that the AP article had been updated, and that the line that got my blood pressure up was removed. Interesting how that happens.
We will see what makes it in print once I get home tonight and read my local paper.
Update 2: Well I guess this wasn't big news after all. Neither of the newpapers I get carried this article, or any others about our big-decks in the Gulf.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://op-for.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/992
Comments
That's one of the best gotcha's I've seen in a long time. GOOD CATCH.
It appears the AP artical has been modified as the contentious line is no where to be found & the opening sentence has been modified.
BULLNAV
Agree in principal, and sent this message to friend in the fleet for her yucks, as well.
I have no knowledge of where the actual fender bender occured last year, but wasn't the USS McCampbell involved in one?
WRT show of force, I say we have freedom of speech rights. Almandinekebab can have a fit for all I care.
V/r
-SJBill
BULLNAV
The offensive languarge is still posted by APNews:
Link: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070523/D8PA51600.html
U.S. warships have frequently collided with merchant ships in the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf.
Option 1: U.S. warships colliding with merchant ships in the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf.
Option 2: Merchant ships colliding with U.S. warships in the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf.
Which option presents the U.S. warship in the worst light?
So, I suppose it's also the USS Cole's fault for parking in the way of that little merchant ship filled with explosives?
Then there is the idiocy of the "show of force"...
Anybody with a clue about carriers knows the show of force is when we stand off from the coast out of shore-based missile range. You do not use a howitzer for knife range fighting...
Publicly, at least, the Navy isn't saying the maneuvers, which are expected to last several weeks, are directed at Iran.
"The timing of the exercise was determined by the availability of forces in the area of operations," said Lt. John Gay, spokesman for the Bahrain-based U.S. 5th Fleet. Warships under 5th Fleet command patrol the Gulf, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
No, publicly the Navy is explicitly saying that they are *not* directed at Iran.
The AP is part of the big-bad MSM...since they're part of the entertainment business now, they don't HAVE to be factual anymore. Just ask Rosie!
Post a comment
Potential comment conditions listed here. Oh, and you may use basic HTML for formatting.
"I would think someone who makes their living as a reporter would show more due diligence in researching their report."
Bull Nav - They are not "reporters", they are advocacy journalists. Big difference. They write news articles in order to "change the world" and affect and influence people's opinions. And make sure their (journalists') opinions become the opinions of the general public.
As such, they are not interested in doing appropriate research in order to have all the appropriate facts for their propaganda. They are not taught to do research in journalism schools anymore, they are taught how to influence the opinions of the public with their writing.