McGentrix wrote:No wonder the president doesn't find time to read or listen to what the media say about him. The coverage has gotten so unremittingly negative that he'd be a pretty odd duck if he did.
I must admit, this one has me baffled. The author doesn't argue that the stories are
false (a point already noted by
JustanObserver), just that they're
negative. Presumably the author isn't suggesting that the LA Times, or any other reputable newspaper, should print positive falsehoods rather than negative truths, so maybe it's just the
attitude that he finds objectionable, not the content.
The solution? Well, for starters, let's rewrite the headlines so that they convey a more upbeat, positive tone. Below, the original headlines, along with my proposed improvements (in bold):
June 1:"For Iraqis, a Symbol of Unkept Promises" (about a school the coalition "promised to make a paradise, but all they've changed is the paint.")
Paint These Iraqi Schoolkids "Delighted!"
June 2:"Chalabi Accused of Aiding Iran Spies"
US Exposes Major Iranian Spy Ring Operating In Iraq
June 3:"Troops Told They Can't Leave Army"*
Pentagon Announces Plan to Help Cut US Unemployment Rates
June 4:"CIA Director, Under Fire for Agency Lapses, Resigns"*
Tenet Offered Chance to Fulfill Potential in Private Sector
"Abu Ghraib Intelligence Soldier Describes Iraq Abuse in Detail"
Want to Build Your Own Naked Human Pyramid? Here's How!
June 5:"Fear Enters the Pipeline of Saudi Oil Industry"
Saudi Official "Cautiously Optimistic" About Oil Industry
June 6:"Bush, Chirac Pledge to Cooperate on Iraq" (subhead: "Remarks by the French president about a chaotic occupation underscore differences.")
Bush, Chirac Pledge to Cooperate on Iraq (subhead:
French President says something, but seriously, who here understands French?)
June 7:"Battles Take Daily Toll in Sadr City"
Army Boasts of New Opportunities for Rapid Promotion in Iraq
June 9:"Prison Interrogators' Gloves Came Off Before Abu Ghraib"
Soldiers Praised for Devising Innovative Psychological Experiments
"U.S. Will Revise Data on Terror" (subhead: "The State Department works to amend its report on global attacks after critics alleged an undercount and political manipulation.")
Administration Gets Terror Data Right
June 10:"A Tough Time for 'Neocons' " (subhead: "Once, they exulted in the Iraq war. Now, with the setbacks in the region and the Chalabi spy probe, neoconservatives are feeling embattled")
Neocons Remain in the Spotlight (subhead:
Through good times and bad, no one can stop talking about them)
June 11:"Going to War Not Worth It, More Voters Say"*
Poll: In Relation to Iraq, Bush Performance on Economy Looking Better
"NATO Not Expected to Send Force to Iraq"
US Rejects NATO Aid Offer
June 13:"Retired Officials Say Bush Must Go"*
Critics of Bush Administration Now Jobless
"Insurgents and Islam Now Rulers of Falluja"
Army Pulls Out of Fallujah: "We Didn't Want it Anyway" Says Commander
June 14:"At Least 20 Killed in Baghdad (Car) Bombings"
Detroit Sees Auto Market, Opportunities Opening Up in Iraq
June 15:"Iraq's Foreign Contractors in Cross Hairs of Insurgents"
Patriotic Contractors in Forefront of War Effort
"Iraq Conflict Disrupts U.S. Plans for Military"
Pentagon Rapidly Adapts to New Geopolitical Situation
June 16:"Ex-Soldier Recalls Beating He Received in Guantanamo Drill"
Army Weeds Out "Not Tough Enough" Soldiers
June 17:"Spy Work in Iraq Riddled by Failures"
CIA Weeds Out "Not Sneaky Enough" Spies
"No Signs of Iraq-Al Qaeda Ties Found"
US Finds Further Proof of Iraq's Successful Efforts to Hide Evidence of Terror Ties
June 18:"Air Authorities Were In Chaos, 9/11 Panel Says"*
Air Authorities "Not Chaotic" Prior to Attacks, Says 9/11 Panel
"FAA Staff Blindsided by Attacks"
FAA Improves Terror Readiness
"Iraqi Leaders Would Consider Martial Law"
Iraqi Army Ready to Resume its Place in Society
"A Killing Puts Courts on Trial in Iraq"
Iraqi Courts Boldly Face Challenges
June 19:"Radicals Kill American in Saudi Arabia"*
Contractor's Family to Receive Large Life Insurance Payout
June 20:"2 Allies Aided Bin Laden, Say Panel Members"*
9/11 Panel Blames Foreigners for bin Laden
June 22:"Judge Orders Army Leaders Questioned"*
Army Leaders Volunteer Information to Judicial Probe
"South Koreans Weep, Wait for News of Iraq Hostage"
South Koreans Gain New Insights Into US War Effort
June 23:"South Korean Held in Iraq Is Beheaded"*
ROK Contractor's Family to Receive Modest Life Insurance Payout
"Iraq Deal on Airline Is Probed" (subhead: ". . . Case may reflect flaws in the reconstruction process.")
US Airline Industry Seeks New Opportunities in Iraq Market
"Files Show Bush Team Torn Over POW Rules"
Files Show Actual Debate Within Bush Administration
June 24:"Panel Faults CIA's Spying"*
Panel States CIA has Room to Improve
June 25:"105 Killed in Attacks Across Iraq"*
Pentagon Sees Light at End of Tunnel in Iraq
June 26:"Iraq Insurgency Showing Signs of Momentum"*
Iraq Rebels Still Unable to Field a Real Army
June 27:"3 Turks Taken Hostage in Iraq"*
Out of Americans, Rebels Now Forced to Kidnap Fellow Muslims
"In Darkness, Waiting For Dawn" (subhead: "The incoming sovereign government will need skill and luck to cure Iraq's ills, which confounded the occupation.")
Incoming Iraqi Government Eager to Face Challenges
June 28:"U.S. Marine Kidnapped as Attacks Surge"*
Insurgents Manage to Kidnap Only One American: Pentagon Sees Positive Downward Trend
"Hand-Over Is Political Gamble for Bush"
Bush Shows Bold Leadership
June 29:"Iraqis Quietly Take Power After Bremer's Early Exit"*
Bremer Changes Plane Ticket, Catches Earlier Flight
"High Court Says Detainees Have Right to Hearing"
High Court Readies for 2004 Vote Recount Drama
"Wartime President Is Again Outflanked"
Bush Shows Bold Leadership Again
June 30:"Hussein Arraignment Set; Iraq Takes Custody Today"
Saddam Looking Tanned, Rested After Spider Hole Stay
July 1:"Pentagon Alerted to Trouble in Ranks"
For First Time Since Vietnam, Pentagon Looks in its Suggestion Box
July 2:"Still Defiant, Hussein Faces Down Iraqi Judge"*
Saddam Remains in Custody after Arraignment
July 3:"Army Takes Its War Effort to Task" (subhead: "Report says U.S. forces prevailed in Iraq despite deep supply shortages and bad intelligence.")
Army Gains Increased Confidence After "Lessons Learned" Analysis
July 4:"Group Says It Killed Marine"*
Marine's Family to Receive New US Flag, Hearty Handshakes
July 5:"Iraq Debates Rebel Pardon"*
Iraqi Rebels to Get Same Deal as Nixon
"Claims of Marine's Slaying Are Denied"
Pentagon to Rebels: "As If!"
July 6:"U.S. Response to Insurgency Called a Failure"*
US Response to Insurgency Called a "Limited Success"
"Doubts and Duty Tug at Marines"
Marines Fondly Recall Home, Families
July 7:"Pentagon Deputy's Probes in Iraq Weren't Authorized, Officials Say"
Pentagon Deputy Shows Initiative, Conducts Independent Probes
