News Flash
BAGHDAD — Over the past year, Iraqis heard several audio recordings by a mysterious terrorist leader named Omar al-Baghdadi singing the praises of al-Qaida and urging his followers to attack U.S. troops.
The whole thing was a sham, the U.S. military said Wednesday. Al-Baghdadi actually was a fictional character dreamed up by al-Qaida in Iraq to bolster its local credibility because the group largely is run by non-Iraqis. The voice heard in the recordings belonged to an Iraqi actor.
The version linked above leaves out AP’s discussion of how, by the new evidence of AQI’s direct contacts with AQ Mission Control, the U.S. military is trying to sway gullible senators into thinking Iraq is a front in the war against Islamic extremism.
That’s here:
BAGHDAD - The U.S. command announced on Wednesday the arrest of an al-Qaida leader it said served as the link between the organization’s command in Iraq and Osama bin Laden’s inner circle, enabling it to wield considerable influence over the Iraqi group.
The announcement was made as the White House steps up efforts to link the war in Iraq to the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, with a growing number of Americans opposing the Iraq conflict. Some independent analysts question the extent of al-Qaida’s role in Iraq.
OK. Back to the news. Just so long as you understand that everything else the U.S. military tells you in this report is non-AP-approved Bush propaganda.
Surber: Getting it Bass-Ackward
Welcome Punditeers, Newsbusters, Salon, etal! Always good to see you. Come on in. Argument for wire services here. Sometimes you need to find another source for a view on the ground. Hey, do you think Petraeus belongs on this list? Speaking of ancient history.
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:47 am on Thursday, July 19, 2007
7 Responses to “News Flash”
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July 19th, 2007 at 10:09 am
At least the terrorists lie outright and they know they are lying, which makes them honest in a perverse kind of way. The AP lies by omission and distortion, and they’re only doing it “for our own good”, which makes them the worst, most unrepentant, liars.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:15 am
[...] AP version was better, although Jules Crittenden of the Boston Herald took [...]
July 19th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
You said it, Rebecca.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I said they’d spin it out of all recognition; that required no mystical power of prophesy. AP and the rest are Al Qaeda’s propaganda arm in the West, so they had mustered forces to do all the damage control they could manage. The theme is the same, of course: American’s lie and you cannot trust them; the enemy isn’t the enemy. They are consistent, if nothing else.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Which “independent analyists” is the AP referring to?
July 19th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Next you’ll be telling me they’re not interested in flying kites either.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:47 am
“independent analyists” = the New Times Editorial Board
or Keith Olberman
whoever is available.