WE get it. WE have functioning memories. WE know a con job when we see one.
However, the steno pool pretending to be a free press is apparently not quite so intellectually adept.
They need our help again.
As discussed by Markos on Hardball, by georgia10 on the front page, and by Bob Johnson's recommended diary from yesterday, among others, this "troop cut" to pre-splurge levels was always on the books, had to happen, was a foregone conclusion, hell, it was a slam dunk.
For reasons all about conditions on the ground; by next April, we will be out of fresh troops to send into Hell.
But you already know that. You read Dailykos.
The Kewl Kidz don't, so don't kid yourselves about the reach of this website.
It's important to inform the media that we already know that desurgification presented as a 'choice' or the result of 'success' is factually wrong.
Quick action item below:
In order to assure you we remind only those mouthpieces that are misreporting this important story, I have included links to each one's article, then a contact link.
Also, I have concentrated mostly on the websites of the TeeVee 'news' organizations, because the bush is using them to spread his disinformation tomorrow night, and a direct challenge to their coverage is most effective, IMO. The Associated Press is included because their tripe is used as the fodder for the rest of the megaphones.
First, a sample letter - edit, copy&paste, or write your own.
To the editors,
The story indicated above contains a major error of fact that I feel needs to be addressed, assuring accurate information is provided to the public.
The surge in troop levels in Iraq announced by the president last January has always been slated to end by next April, for reasons that have nothing to do with General Petraeus' determinations about security or the effectiveness of the surge. As your network and others have reported, the Pentagon has consistently stated that this deadline was there because there simply are not enough troops available to them to continue these levels beyond that date. This runs directly counter to the message sent by the administration, and uncritically amplified in your piece, that this is a result of policy in any way. Please correct this false impression by including this readily available information.
Here's CNN's puff piece. In spite of Anderson Cooper bringing up the point about the freshness date expiring, they are still pushing the spin that this is a choice.
Here's CNN online's contact page.
Here's some marshmallow from MSNBC, and here's how to reach them; letters@msnbc.com (it's just an email addy). I know Tweety ain't buying, but the editors sure are.
Sadly, NPR led off Morning Edition with this fairy tale, too.
Remind them who pays their salaries here.
ABC news is also in on it, though they attribute AP.
[support@abcnews.go.com] is where to go to help them with their accountability.
CBS also uncritically published the AP story; here it is on their site.
They have no url for comments and feedback, but a comment may be posted below the story, and if you go all the way to the bottom of the page, the little "contact us" line shows up in the blue bar at the very bottom - it opens a popup for feedback.
Speaking of the Associated Propagandists, here's their contribution to the lie of omission (via yahoo news).
And here's their feedback page.
I would include Faux Nooze as well, but for a few things - I will NOT go to their website, and they push propaganda as a matter of policy, so what do they care?
Last, I haven't heard much from our leadersheep that they know this whole thing is bogus, and they have a much bigger megaphone than you or I.
Find your senator here
Find your representative by name here, and by state here.
All of these stories advertise tomorrow's Big Desurgification Speech, and all make the false link between the preordained drawdown and Petraeus' happytalk assessment. Most call it Petraeus' plan, for Thor's sake.
Please take a few minutes and let them know that you remember what they reported last winter, spring, and early summer, when the 'temporary' nature of the escalation was a good selling point for the deadenders. Don't let the 'troop cut that's not a troop cut' story gets the legs the WH obviously has been banking on.