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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)
2451 - the dissident frogman
the dissident frogman France
Chad: Thanks. Coming from someone like you, who is both a talented photographer and graphic designer as well as a hunter, shooter and all around outdoorsman, that's something.
2461 - Sentry
Sentry
You're back! Awesome, awesome video. Forwarded it to everyone I know.
2467 - sgt tacklebury
sgt tacklebury
Excellent training aide, I would like to show this to my firearms class, great sense of humor, dry and slightly ironic (just as we like it)
Best Regards, Frank
2478 - referman
referman
If your not a mime,your a better actor than the reporters are acting like a reporter.Great stuff.Where's act deux.How about something with the Clintons,say billy bob in beijing with mr Hsu in prostitute alley with nothing on but a rain coat and his clarinet case.With sandles of course and mr hsu holding bills boom stick..Peace on earth,and if not take no prisoners let god sort em out..
2479 - saintarctangent
saintarctangent Kentucky, USA
This video is way too cool! Thanks DF!
I thought you couldn't own firearms in the EU?
2531 - Sentry
Sentry
As an aside--what're the prospects of getting this in a downloadable format? I know you said you were working on it.
2535 - Bill Wallbank
Bill Wallbank
Like your site & take on our world, Thanks
2539 - alex
alex
Bravofrogman, nice to know you frenchies are coming round. First a kick-ass leader (finally) and now the Frogman.
alex the canuk
2708 - A Massive Yeast Infection
A Massive Yeast Infection
Damn you and that infectious song! Because of you, I had to rent 'Dil se' and now I can't get enough Bollywood! Damn you!
2864 - Jose Angel
Jose Angel Monterrey, Mexico