Article copy
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)
2350 - Braineaterbob
Braineaterbob
I don't care whou you are, that there was funny.
2351 - bonmotdot
bonmotdot
For the first time in my life, I think I'm in love with a Frenchman. Bwahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa! Pure genius.
2353 - Mo
Mo
(My first time here.)
Your video was hysterical! I look forward to looking at your site in more detail.
2354 - KL
KL
Bonmotdot,
I'm in love with the French Frogman too! I'm thinking of starting the first official Frogman Groupie/Fan Club. :)
2355 - AllenInWV
AllenInWV
A link to this video was posted on SIGforum.com and it proved to be my introduction to the Dissident Frogman. I'd ramble on and on about how great this place is, but 1) I've barely scratched the surface here, and 2) I should be commenting on the video!
So......outstanding video! Not only did it have a SIG-Sauer in it, not only did it lampoon the AFP (and news media in general), but that was some of the best physical comedy I've seen in ages!!! Great stuff!
2357 - DaToad
DaToad Glendale, AZ, USA
This is my first visit to your site. Bravo!
As for the vid: It's priceless and, I think, well on its way to becoming a classic.
2362 - Boogs
Boogs Airmont, NY
Superb DF! Instantly Classic!
2363 - R.K.V.
R.K.V.
Chere Grenouille, Vous avez un talent naturel. Bien fait.
2366 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
Better watch out, Froggy! The fems seem quite taken with you, if they get a look at Meltdown they may be taken aback.
2370 - Papa Ray
Papa Ray West Texas
Great Video, Great effort.
I took the liberty of posting a link to our blog, where it will really be appriciated.
Rednecks are like that you know.
Papa Ray