Although I’m in agreement with you on the media I see no solution. As I see it, first government controls content of the new period. All new organizations need access to governments at all levels from school boards and government at all levels are quite aware of this.

So you have three options. The media can be government owned or controlled as in most countries, the problem here I would think is obvious. The media can be publicly owned such as all of our TV outlets and major daily news papers, of which management/editors have to be be constantly looking over their shoulders not only at government but also stock holders and boards. Then there is the privately owned TV stations and newspapers which reflect the personal political/religious/cultural ideology of the owner.

In reality Daniel the only one who has freedom of the press is the guy that owns it. Everyone else does just what they are told or are looking for a job.

On your statement that Iran is ripping itself apart, I just can’t agree. I see no visible leadership for the Greens either in country or in exile or the Greens offering any alternate political/religious philosophy to that of the current authorities who run and control Iran.

Regardless if we in the west like it or not repression can be successful in running a government, re. China 1998, Tiananmen Square. It does work.

ALLONS,
Byron Skinner

First, it’s sad to see that the US national media establishment is no longer even pretending anymore. Once we had actual journalists who did actual investigations of matter that affected all of us and spoke truth to power. Today we have lipstick and eyeshadow and face-lifted talking heads who report of the least important infotainment fluff one can imagine. Imagine if we actually pursued reporting on the Iranian revolution or even what goes on behind closed doors of our own government with the same conviction that Nancy Grace gives to pillory people before they have even had a trial.

No, even the Gray Lady, the once heralded New York Times (still an important newspaper) gave us Judy Miller who found evidence for WMDs in Iraq that later turned out to be utter bullshit. When did we discover she had traded lies for access to power? After the invasion began. And Jayson Blair who cooked up every fact that won him lauds and lucite statues from journalism organizations. And now the NYT reads twitter feeds ( as if we couldn’t do that by ourselves) and quotes “unnamed sources”.

Today, Iran is ripping itself apart and the only journalists are the Iranians themselves, tweeting and Instant Messaging while they duck the bullets of those that guard their 14th century government. Imagine how much better off everyone would be if we had a news media worth a shit. Imagine how few unnecessary wars we would be involved in if actual soldiers in the field got the same bandwidth as a man who can whack a ball into a tin cup a quarter mile away and cheats on his wife.

Respectfully,

Daniel Russ
Civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com

Sadly I find that I must disagree with you on Iran. Although there have been some large and vocal demonstrations of late, by the Greens, they really don’t mean nottin’, as we use to say.

There is no indication of any overall displeasure with either the civil government or the Islamic Republic as forms of governing Iran among the majority if Iranians. I might agree that there is some unhappiness with the major players of the civil government and even the ruling Mollahs of the Islamic Republic but they are only temporary players and will by one means or another leave the scene.

A couple of articles in todays WSJ deals with this issue. The counter pro government demonstrations and the governments round up of top ranking grad students in the country.

The foreign press will denounce the demonstrations and the students will find ways out of Iran and into the US and the EU. It always seems to work out that way Colin. The bright side of all this is those grad students that are being removed for the Universities and who will find their way out of Iran are they very people who would be able to make Iraq a regional nuclear power.

The Iranian governments reaction is starting to have hints of the Cultural Revolution in China during the late 1950’s through the 1960’s and Mao’s death.

Regardless of US propaganda the Chinese Cultural Revolution did do what Mao and his supporters intended for it to do. Today almost 35 years after Mao’s death, he still controls the CCP and a half billion dedicated peasants are devoted to the Thoughts of Chairman Mao.

One thing of interest is that for British nostalgia fans of 19th.Century Colonial Office and the 20th. Century MI6 and of mid east colonial intrigue, Egypt, Palestine, Gertrude Bell, T.H. Lawrence, Agatha Christie, Iraq, etc. the UK, they seems to be having a hand in what is happening today in Iran, are having a good day of it all. Money infused local uprisings, maybe an assassination or two, ah the good old days.

Another Fleet Street Revolution, the good old days Colin.

ALLONS,
Byron Skinner

These blogger and internet junkies being accused of “leading a revolution” aren’t a match for the more dedicated Iranian security and military forces.

I started my own military culture and history blog about seven months ago and linked to DoD Buzz from day one. I have to say that I have enjoyed the reports here, and the discussions even more. Of course no comment thread on any blog these days ever goes without someone spitting out pre-chewed talking points. But for the most part I have enjoyed the real discussions, the opinions of actual combat veterans, the technical expertise, and frankly the actual old fashioned nose-for-the-news reporting that goes on. I think it’s a real treasure and I would miss it if it were not around. From time to time I have been intemperate and insulted people and for that I apologize. I don’t mind arguing. I grew up the son of Jewish immigrants, one who was in Auschwitz, and one who served in the US Army Air Corps. We fought until it was time to eat. Then we fought with our mouths full. I know deeply, that we all here still have so much to be grateful for.

That all said, I hope 2010 brings happiness and prosperity and peace to all of you, especially our troops. And Colin, Manu, Kevin et al. citizen journalists who do an incredibly good job.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Respectfully

Daniel Russ
Civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com