Interesting blog write-up
This is an interesting commentary on the commentary after the president’s speech. First, the bio of the author:
Colonel Robert E Bartos Ret US Army-served as Military Attache to Moscow and Belgrade-Chief of Foreign Intelligence on Army Dept Army Staff-commanded battalion in Vietman-member of President Reagan’s transition team-advisor to Strategic Arms Delegation in Geneva–now spends time between Washington, DC and the Caribbean
Now, there are some inaccuracies on the descriptions of both Michael and Anderson, so don’t blow a gasket. Still, the gist of the comments is great:
Like many Americans who watched Bush’s Surge speech, I flipped the TV channels afterwards, curious to gauge the pundit and politically correct crowd’s gush. A vast majority were either neutral or disappointed over Bush’s performance. My favorite interview was on CNN between Anderson Cooper and the veteran Australian journalist Michael Ware who reports from Baghdad. Cooper is a prissy, prim, clean cut, immaculate and careful man who always looks like he stepped out of a band box even in the middle of sandstorm. Ware is just the opposite: sometimes with a shirt tail out, he always looks like he was swept off a bar room floor, and usually has a one day growth of stubble; if you look closely you may find flys buzzing around his sweaty head. With a nose that is spread to the side of his face and that nasal Australian Outback Crocodile Dundee accent, he is by far the most gifted and effective English speaking reporter on the scene in Iraq. He responded to Cooper’s earnestly polite question on Bush’s speech with a sneer and read from prepared notes that debunked every major point in Bush’s speech based on his own on site observations and sources; it was a stark, grim reply, and a refreshing performance. No effort was made to please TV sponsors or conform to political attitudes at CNN. Cooper thanked him, probably afraid to ask another question – it was a rare moment – if Petraeus talked to this Australian regularly, the General might keep more of his troops alive. I dare US Congress to call Ware as an open hearing witness. Now that would be SHOCK AND AWE in the Congressional committee rooms.
Yowza.
September 21st, 2007 at 05:30
Well, Colonel Robert E Bartos, I like your description of our favorite journalist.
However, if you looked closely on Monday, Anderson had a hint of stubble!
And as far as Michael’s appearance, let the sweat drip, let the stubble grow and the two seconds it would take to tuck the shirt in are two seconds that can be used to gather more factual information about what’s going on.
Keep up the good work, everyone!
September 21st, 2007 at 08:55
No kidding Mavis, as I used to tell my clients , “If you’re not sweatin’, you’re not doing it hard enough.” But to tell you the truth, that description of Mick was kind of…yummy. But back to the real world, it’s the hard core reporting that is most important. And thanks to Cyn for this site. You can actually follow the history of the war just by watching these clips. I just wish we could get more out of him than 3 minute clips. The situation over there is much more complicated and I have so many questions that I’ll never get answered. I know he has to “dumbdown” a lot of his answers for MSM. *sigh*.
October 9th, 2007 at 23:13
Does anyone know where this commentary was posted? Who was he writing to in regard to Mick and Anderson?
October 9th, 2007 at 23:18
It was posted on the guy’s personal blog the day after the president’s speech.
October 10th, 2007 at 00:05
Cyn, you’re amazing. You are everywhere!