Another Fake Massacre
Uh, no. From Task For Iron's PAO via email:
Iraqi soldiers have found a mass grave of mutilated bodies in a restive region north of Baghdad, a local security official told CNN Thursday. ... Iraqi soldiers said 12 of the bodies found north of Baghdad were beheaded and four others were mutilated. The corpses, all male, were discovered Wednesday near Muqdadiya in Diyala province north of the capital, the official, from Diyala province, said on Thursday. He said police believe al Qaeda in Iraq left behind the mass grave.
This is at least the fifth "massacre of civilians story by al Qaeda" attributed to anonymous police, civilian, or military sources by incurious reporters this year.
This appears to false reporting. We currently have no information to confirm this. Neither the Brigade on the ground, or out teams that work with the IA or IPs can confirm this.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 03:01 PM
Comments
1
The Deciders!
Posted by: Techie at December 13, 2007 03:33 PM (AV8Z6)
2
And yet The Deciders say they are brave for hiding under a desk in The Green Zone relying upon a Billal Hussein-type stringer.
Posted by: eddiebear at December 13, 2007 04:03 PM (wnU1W)
3
The deciders are nothing if not consistent.
Posted by: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr at December 13, 2007 05:14 PM (gkobM)
4
I understand they hate George Bush. I get it. Really I do. Message received.
But JUST ONCE I would think one of these BDS suffering media outlets would stop and say "You know - we've reported, like 50 straight phony massacre and atrocity claims. In fact, there hasn't been a single one that was remotely true in, like three years now. Maybe we ought to, you know, actually try and check one out before repeating the story to the whole world"
But JUST ONCE I would think one of these BDS suffering media outlets would stop and say "You know - we've reported, like 50 straight phony massacre and atrocity claims. In fact, there hasn't been a single one that was remotely true in, like three years now. Maybe we ought to, you know, actually try and check one out before repeating the story to the whole world"
Posted by: Fred at December 13, 2007 05:41 PM (HG9F2)
5
Come on be a little understanding - the MSM in Iraq probably can't afford to hire the stringers AND provide them with digital cameras and email access so the stringers could photograph the bodies and send by email to the MSM hiding under the tables in the Green Zone.
Posted by: AJ Lynch at December 13, 2007 05:48 PM (mvo7l)
6
I think they just keep finding the corpse of the press' credibility.
Posted by: TallDave at December 13, 2007 06:14 PM (/XDWj)
7
Why do we keep hearing about these fake ones but nothing when Michael Yon covers an actuall one?
Posted by: vivictius at December 13, 2007 06:15 PM (HVACT)
8
I'd like to see a tally of fake deaths in Iraq. We might even reach a grim milestone.
Posted by: Amphipolis at December 13, 2007 06:18 PM (fja7A)
9
Thanks for cluing us in.
Otherwise, I'd never know what xNN reports.
PS your blog program deems the comment "I don't watch xNN" to be "questionable content". I think that's a laff, and you may want to find a different blog program.
Otherwise, I'd never know what xNN reports.
PS your blog program deems the comment "I don't watch xNN" to be "questionable content". I think that's a laff, and you may want to find a different blog program.
Posted by: Stella Baskomb at December 13, 2007 06:31 PM (ti+1x)
10
Now waitaminnit. There's a new element here.
[The official] said police believe al Qaeda in Iraq left behind the mass grave.
Now if the reporting was that Shi'ia death squads had done the massacre, or Iraqi troops under American leadership, or American troops... it would fit with Teh Narrative. After all, it has been Decided that only Sunni under Saddam's leadership are fit to rule, that American troops (and their protogés) are slack-jawed misfits slathering for opportunities to commit atrocity, and that any attempt by Shi'ia to defend themselves, let alone exact revenge, constitutes Civil War which will Destroy Iraq and embarrass George W. Bush. That Decision has been used by al-Qaeda with uncommon skill to support their propaganda, and vice versa.
Victims of al Qaeda atrocities don't fit. Al Qaeda, being the Good Guys, cannot by definition commit atrocity -- although they may, at times, be sufficiently maddened by the oppression they suffer to become a trifle overzealous (reminding us somewhat of the great and good man, Pol Pot).
But throwing it out to be debunked -- ah, that does fit. It will turn out not to be true, because al Qaeda don't do atrocity. Just ask your friendly neighborhood Press.
Regards,
Ric
[The official] said police believe al Qaeda in Iraq left behind the mass grave.
Now if the reporting was that Shi'ia death squads had done the massacre, or Iraqi troops under American leadership, or American troops... it would fit with Teh Narrative. After all, it has been Decided that only Sunni under Saddam's leadership are fit to rule, that American troops (and their protogés) are slack-jawed misfits slathering for opportunities to commit atrocity, and that any attempt by Shi'ia to defend themselves, let alone exact revenge, constitutes Civil War which will Destroy Iraq and embarrass George W. Bush. That Decision has been used by al-Qaeda with uncommon skill to support their propaganda, and vice versa.
Victims of al Qaeda atrocities don't fit. Al Qaeda, being the Good Guys, cannot by definition commit atrocity -- although they may, at times, be sufficiently maddened by the oppression they suffer to become a trifle overzealous (reminding us somewhat of the great and good man, Pol Pot).
But throwing it out to be debunked -- ah, that does fit. It will turn out not to be true, because al Qaeda don't do atrocity. Just ask your friendly neighborhood Press.
Regards,
Ric
Posted by: Ric Locke at December 13, 2007 07:17 PM (rPOv5)
11
But it doesn't say that al Qaeda in Iraq committed the mass-murder, but that the left it behind - so it could still be anybody's guess who actually did it, al Quaeda just came and visited, and they left - they're mysterious you know, it's all behind them now...
Posted by: DirtCrashr at December 13, 2007 07:31 PM (VNM5w)
12
I can see how the press could easily have followed Ric's narrative, or CY's. Either way, they don't seem to have latched onto the concept that printing known falsehoods--for whatever reason--is not good for the public's trust in them as news sources.
Posted by: C-C-G at December 13, 2007 08:43 PM (CGiAW)
13
I hear tell of yet another drowned woman in Ted Kennedy's car. No time to verify it, so I'll just report it here.
Posted by: Korla Pundit at December 13, 2007 10:49 PM (0Jnzc)
14
Professional journalist's high standard reporting.
Posted by: ic at December 14, 2007 02:56 AM (NM7Uv)
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