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I definitely lost my ability to be bothered, shocked or amazed by the depth at which some of the greatest Western news agencies and media outlets are prepared to sink in their support to the enemies of their own civilization, last year almost to the day, when Reuters and its stringers cast smoke on Lebanon, and produced some of Hezbollywood's greatest blockbusters.Now, this:
Tuesday August 14, 2007: An elderly Iraqi woman shows two bullets which she says hit her house following an early coalition forces raid in the predominantly Shiite Baghdad suburb of Sadr City.
This latest disinformation hack from the French news agency AFP (yeah, emphasis added) didn't come as a surprise, and didn't raise my blood pressure either — in fact, it sparked quite a stroke of frank amusement, as you can see in the good-natured and videotaped farce I've performed for the occasion, and edited for your viewing pleasure(1).
I really can't believe, this time, that the AFP editors and minders who let this one go through the wire can be accused of dishonesty — and God knows I have no reason to give anybody in this joint [at the AFP even less than any other] the benefit of the doubt. I simply do not believe these people could release such a screaming obvious mendacity to a worldwide audience, and hope they could get away with it.
I just can't see how this could be the result of anything else but crass ignorance of one the most basic facts on firearms(2). So basic that it doesn't even belong strictly to the allegedly technical field of ballistics, but is simply a question of elementary vocabulary — that applies to both English and French, as the distinction between cartridge (cartouche) and bullet (balle) is identical in both languages.
This is where the real shocker lies: for even if we assume that they could be honest and unbiased, if these Great Professionals™ who make their trade and pride of reporting on worldwide crises — that are bound to involve, more often than not, individual weaponry of various make and caliber — can't even tell the difference between a bullet and a cartridge, can you just imagine what else — and how much — they ignore?
We can live with a dishonest press — as long as we know it — but ignorance from those who pretend to inform us?
Comments
Comments thread (64)
2326 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
I see this crap all the time, from every news agency and source. Images attached to articles that are so obviously at odds with the piece it is simply stunning that these idiots still get away with a shrug and wafting of open palms,"Oops. Sorry, just a mistake folks." What a crock.
And the tiny point that this same woman has been used in the same manner and method twice before is a clear indication of unmitigated gall.
2328 - Ben USN (Ret)
Ben USN (Ret) Washington State, USA
No one would waste a bullet on that hezbohag (always wondered what those 72 "virgins" looked like).
But obviously, the AFP like to waste film on her/it. How sick is that? Did the camera survive?
Excellent post, Sir!
2329 - tinga-tinga
tinga-tinga
HAHA! Wonderful! Ahh, Dissing Frogman, you may have to do ANOTHER primer for AFP, because the rumor is out there that the "Old Lady" looks a lot like an "Old Guy " who's seems to be a regular EXTRA in these scenes of photographic pathos. Explainin' to their hot-shot reporters and editors how to tell the difference entre les femmes et les hommes. (hehe)
2330 - Valerie
Valerie
Luv it, luv it, luv it!
More films, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssssse.
2331 - anachrophile
anachrophile Massachusetts
She must be one of the legion of 3rd world elderly that do this semi-professionally. In their cultures, we are frequently told, the elderly continue to be relevant to the family unit, once the men go off to LAllah-land. The reporters just showed up too soon, so all she had time for was to pull a couple of cartridges out of her basket of ammo and ragged bandages smeared with ketchup.
2332 - floridasuzie
floridasuzie Florida
LOL! Love the instructional video, Frog! Is that what you've been so busy building - a frog studio? heh
Go get e'm! Encore!
2334 - Nelson D. Noel
Nelson D. Noel
It is the highest duty of any father to embarass the hell out of his children - especially teenagers. You sir have all the earmarks of one of the greatest of all time.
I absolutely loved your video! You did send a copy to the proper authorities at AFP I hope. They can't learn if they don't see!
Keep up the great work my friend.
Nelson D. Noel
2335 - Grimmy
Grimmy Where I'm at.
There was another AFP piece from the earlier days in Afghanistan. Some of the high muckety mucks of Al Kayduh were gathering in this old guy's house for a nice, sit down type, dinner. They were his guests. He was hosting them.
Well, it seems the house got all blowed up. Nasty evil Americans did it. As proof, the old man was photographed standing in the hole that used to be his house. Standing up beside him was the proof positive that it was the evil Americans that blew up his innocent house. That evidence was an old USSR 152 mm artillery bullet. It was caked in mud, like it had been buried for some time, and still had the lifting ring screwed into the fuse well.
Of course, according to the AFP tard, the man was completely innocent and had nothing to do with Al Kayduh. He was just a nice man that invited the leadership of Al duh over for dinner.
2336 - Valerie, Texas
Valerie, Texas
Frogman,
You just get better and better. This is your best work ever! And that is saying a lot because you always put out wonderful things! But this was fantastic. The humor, the text, the music choices, and the acting--superb! Bravo! Bravo!
2337 - Words Twice
Words Twice USA
Loved the video!