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March 25, 2008
Negative U.S. media linked to increased insurgent attacks
Negative U.S. media linked to increased insurgent attacks
Researchers at Harvard say that publicly voiced doubts about the U.S. occupation of Iraq have a measurable "emboldenment effect" on insurgents there.
Periods of intense news media coverage in the United States of criticism about the war, or of polling about public opinion on the conflict, are followed by a small but quantifiable increases in the number of attacks on civilians and U.S. forces in Iraq, according to a study by Radha Iyengar, a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in health policy research at Harvard and Jonathan Monten of the Belfer Center at the university's Kennedy School of Government.
The increase in attacks is more pronounced in areas of Iraq that have better access to international news media, the authors conclude in a report titled "Is There an 'Emboldenment' Effect? Evidence from the Insurgency in Iraq."
The researchers studied data about insurgent attacks and U.S. media coverage up to November, tracking what they called "anti-resolve statements" by U.S. politicians and reports about American public opinion on the war.
"We find that in periods immediately after a spike in anti-resolve statements, the level of insurgent attacks increases," says the study, published earlier this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a leading U.S. nonprofit economic research organization.
In Iraqi provinces that were broadly comparable in social and economic terms, attacks increased between 7 percent and 10 percent following what the researchers call "high-mention weeks," like the two just before the November 2006 election.
The study also found that attacks increased more in parts of Iraq like Anbar province, where there is greater access to international news media, measured by the proportion of households with satellite TV, which its authors say increases the credibility of their findings.
The researchers conclude that the increases in attacks are a necessary cost of the way democratic societies fight wars and say they are concerned that the research may be seized upon by the Iraq war's supporters to try and silence its critics.
"We are a little bit worried about that," Mr. Monten said in an interview. "Our data suggests that there is a small, but measurable cost" to "anything that provides information about attitudes towards the war."
Wild Thing's comment.........
Where do I begin at how much this has my blood boiling.
First let's start with this......"Periods of intense news media coverage in the United States of criticism about the war...are followed by a small but quantifiable increases in the number of attacks on civilians and U.S. forces in Iraq".
Any person with half a brain would KNOW that negative comments, negative press (media), politicians spewing BS about pulling out, anti-war protests, violence and protest at recruiting centers etc., politicians and the American haters like Code Pink, ANSWER, and others saying we are NOT winning when our military reports of tremendous success in so many areas, that the surge IS working ............... a person with a brain would know these things effect the war and give aide to the enemy!
So there is NO need to spend 1 second on some stupid study about it. What a total waste of time, and you just know these idiots got paid probably to do this kind of investigation and report on it.
Secondly........"The increase in attacks is more pronounced in areas of Iraq that have better access to international news media".....again anyone with a brain would know that the areas that have access to the media would hear of these people above that I mentioned and the things they have been saying and take it that they have friends in America that are on their side NOT on the side of the troops. How soon they forget that Saddam LOVED CNN and loved to watch it. That is why I post about the things Murtha, Reid and others say and call them what they are TRAITORS to America one and all, and that IMO they should be punished as anyone committing treason and being a traitor should be punished.
And third...... "concerned that the research may be seized upon by the Iraq war's supporters to try and silence its critics.".......they say they are worried about you and I, and wanting to silence the critics of the war when this information in their report is exposed. What on earth do they think the support the troops rallies are about.
What the heck do they think drives a blogger to never give up and want to share the awesome things our troops are doing since the communist media will not. Did they do a full investigation or not!?!?!? Because IF they did they would find out from Murtha and Reid and Pelosi, Code Pink , ANSWER and the rest of our enemy within that they have received tons of emails, tons of Fax's, and phone calls of our protesting THEM, and how dangerous what they say and do is for our troops in harms way.
The many rallies that go on are to support the troops and to make sure that the voice of those of us in America is heard. That we appreciate the sacrifices and are aware of the danger our troops are in every day 24/7.
This is NOT the 60's and early 70's when we had no real internet, no blogs to get the word out, to plan rallies of support. We will never forget how our Vietnam Vets were treated, how the media and the vile leftie bunch I spoke of at the beginning of my comment existed back then and we had no real way of setting up our own rallies like today.
Then there are the numerous support the troops organizations we know of from being on the internet where we can find ways of giving more support to the troops too.
I swore to myself back during the Vietnam War, that NEVER AGAIN would the left have a voice without my fighting back, letting them know how I felt with all I am. From my fisrt visit to Nam, there were things a person could do back here at home. I remember back then how when a few soldiers got out of the hospitial a bunch of us drove up the coast in Calif. and put Hanoi Jane stickers in the urnials in the bathrooms along the drive up and back down the coast. heh heh
Today there are rallies, and t-shirts that a person can wear and it is fun to see how many get upset when they see me wear "the party of cut and run" with a few of the Dems on the front image. Or one of my favorite Marine t-shirts that says...." USMC Spring Break in Iraq, making it possible for the enemy to die for his country".
And fourth, they say "Our data suggests that there is a small, but measurable cost" to "anything that provides information about attitudes towards the war."
Oh my gosh, the lives of our troops is a small but measurable cost when negative remarks about the war are made? SMALL but measurable cost???????? This isn't about the stock market for pete's sake!
Ready on the right
Ready on the left
Ready on the firing line.
Posted by Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 03:55 AM
Comments
I wish they wouldn't have released this report. Now Code Pink and Democrats are going to ramp up their anti-war efforts to condemn the US. The more attacks against American GI's, the better it is for their cause.
Posted by: BobF at March 25, 2008 07:14 AM
My, My! it took a Harvard study (imagine that)to "prove" what we bloggers and military family members and troop supporters have known for years. Maybe that's because we PAY ATTENTION!!
"We are a little bit worried about that," Mr. Monten said in an interview. "Our data suggests that there is a small, but measurable cost" to "anything that provides information about attitudes towards the war."
What an elitist, ignorant, assinine thing to say!!
But as my Mom would say, "consider the source."
"The more attacks against American GI's, the better it is for their cause."
You bet, BobF! They just love dragging those phony flag-draped coffins around, don't they.
Sick people ~ very sick people. (I mean, just look at the way they dress! My word!)
Posted by: yankeemom at March 25, 2008 08:25 AM
It's funny--if a reporter had acted this way during WW 1, WW 2 or even Korea, they would have lost their jobs and been run out of town on a rail. Things were different then. It was honorable to join the service--to fight for something you believed in.
Now the liberal media who has anchors who can't pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel, are only showing the one side and the dummy hippies are feeding us a bunch of bs.
I am so sick and tired of seeing only the bad.
It breaks my heart every time I hear someone badmouth the war or the military. My daughter comes home sad from school because no one understands how she feels, having 3 cousins over there, fighting for not only our freedom, but the freedom of the entire world. Most kids think it's bad and that we rushed in just to make Bush look good.
They don't understand and they never will.
Posted by: Lynn at March 25, 2008 08:29 AM
In Vietnam it was less than 10%. In the present war it is 1%. That is the number of elgible Americans actually serving in the military. So few paying the price for our freedom. Because so few wear the uniform, the majority has little feeling for the reality or purpose of the war, and seems mostly disinterested.
Another minority, but very vocal and influential are the hate/blame America bunch. These include elected Democrats, most of the MSM, academia, minority groups and assorted leftist riff-raff. In earlier times as Lynn pointed out, they would probably not have been tolerated. But now, due to the overwhelming disinterest of the general public, these lefty groups flourish.
The patriotic counter groups are also beginning to flourish thanks to the Internet. Outfits like the Patriot Guard, Rolling Thunder, Eagles Up, and others are able to gather and outnumber the Lefties. But the Lefty groups have the power/influence of the media and mouthpieces of Democrat Senators and Congresspeople to add punch to their message.
And the real power, the vast majority of the American public continues on with their heads in the sand or up their a--. They care and know more about the contestants on American Idol than they care about the sides involved in the War on Terror. Until another 9-11.
Posted by: TomR at March 25, 2008 10:35 AM
This is sick!!!! A Harvard group does this study that reveals what we all knew all along. Hello??? This isn't rocket science!!!!
They apologize for it because they "are concerned that the research may be seized upon by the Iraq war's supporters to try and silence its critics". And then they have the audacity to comment that "We are a little bit worried....that....Our data suggests that there is a small, but measurable cost" to "anything that provides information about attitudes towards the war."!!!! How can they reduce the loss of one American life to a "small, but measurable cost"???
Like you Chrissie, I am at a loss as to where to begin. The vile stench that is permeating this Country from the Liberal, Politically Correct Socialists is enough to gag a maggot!!!! And that is exactly what they all are too.....maggots!!!! They are under the delusion that if they put flowers in their hair, smile really big and get on their stomachs and grovel to the those that want nothing more than our way of life totally destroyed, that they will somehow be spared and be able to live happily ever after in their stupid utopian world!!! Vain hope!!!
Don't misunderstand me.....I am all for peace but you maintain Freedom and Peace by making sure your enemies understand you are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and that he will suffer far worse than you. Patton clearly understood this when he said "Don't you die for your Country, but make the other poor bastard die for his"!!
Now we have written validated proof that the puke media and Liberal idiots are causing additional casualties but no one is stopping them from spewing their evil gutter garbage and jeopardizing more of our troops!!
Want even more proof of how the media crap is killing our fine military men and women? Read the book "Lone Survivor" about U.S. SEAL Marcus Luttrell. 23 men were killed on a mission gone bad because 4 SEAL Team members decided not to eliminate 3 Afghan sheepherders who had discovered them. The reason they didn't kill the 3 sheepherders? Because they were more afraid of how the U.S. and World media would crucify them and that they would wind up in prison for killing 3 "innocent" Afghans. Those 3 "innocent" sheepherders gave away their position to the Taliban and the result was 23 U.S. military personnel killed!!! The blood of these 23 men rest on the hands of the vile news media, Code PinkO, ANSWER, and traitor Murtha who I pray will all burn in hell for their treasonous acts!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: John at March 25, 2008 11:30 AM
It's sickening WT, my tenure was brief along the DMZ of Vietnam, the media tipped off nearly all the assaults on enemy strongholds north of the DMZ, whether they be fast movers into Hanoi or B52's hitting concentrated masses along the border, it cost many American and allied lives and today they are still telegraphing troop movements and actions, and aiding the enemy through seditious reporting and in some cases outright treason. Here is a partial list of who I think are the most egregious in the media, whether it be by their innuendo, their anti-american anti-military reporting, or their downright support of the enemy. If I missed a few or branded some wrong so be it, if the shoe fits, wear it, Ratbastard's. The very worst amongst these Ratbastard's are the embedded reporters who betrayed the troops on the battlefield, burn in hell. The blood of my fellow Americans is on your hands.
Al Franken Ratbastard
Alan Colmes Ratbastard
Anderson Cooper
Bill Maher Ratbastard
Bill Plante
Bob Franken
Bob Schieffer
Brian Williams
Chris Matthews Ratbastard
Chris Wallace
Chuck Roberts
Dan Rather Ratbastard
Diane Sawyer
Ed Bradley
General Wesley Clark Ratbastard
George Stephanopoulos
Jeannie Moos
Jeff Zucker
Jerraldo Riverra
John Roberts
John Stossel
Jon Stewart
Julie Chen
Katie Couric
Keith Olbermann Ratbastard
Kevin Sites Ratbastard
Larry King Gutless, Smarmy, Ratbastard
Matt Lauer
Peter Arnett Ratbastard
Rivera Jerraldo
Ted Koppel
Ted Rall Ratbastard
Tom Brokaw
Walter Cronkite Long Term Ratbastard
Wolf Blitzer
Contributors:
Al Sharpton Communist Ratbastard
James Carville Ratbastard facilitator
Jesse Jackson Communist Ratbastard
Michael Moore Pus Gutted Communist Ratbastard
Terry McAuliffe
Posted by: Jack at March 25, 2008 01:20 PM
Bob I know what you mean, they are all worried about ramping us up, but the ones that are loving this report are the lefties, the anti-war bunch. And I saw it at their sites before I even posted it. They are very happy about it. grrrrr
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 05:13 PM
Yankeemom, exactly, your Mom was so right.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 05:16 PM
Lynn,I am so sorry your daughter has to go through that kind of thing. I wish I could make everything the way it should be. There really are a lot more people that support the troops then those that don't. It's just that some situations put a person among a lot of the ones that don't. Prayers for you and your dear family.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 05:23 PM
Tom, well said that is all so true.
I think the ones with their heads in the sand and not even intererested are lilke zombies, just going through life not involved in anything that really matters too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 05:27 PM
John, I read that book and it is fantastic. Thank you so much for mentioning it.
Your so right about war, we that know the cost, the sacrifice are not into death and killing it is only that we know that without wars there has never been peace and every so often in history a country has to fight to keep the peace and freedoms that was fought for before. Peace through strength like it has been said.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 05:31 PM
Jack, that is a good list of the enemy we have to deal with. You are so right, every one of them has blood on their hands. Thank you for that list.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2008 05:35 PM
I have one small question,where is John Kerrys
DD1080,Anyone,Anyone,Buhler????
Posted by: Tincan Sailor at March 26, 2008 10:25 AM
