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shawa · CNO Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 2004

From Drudge Report:

RUMSFELD SET UP; REPORTER PLANTED QUESTIONS WITH SOLDIER
Thu Dec 09 2004 11:49:38 ET

Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts is embedded with the 278th Regimental Combat Team, now in Kuwait preparing to enter Iraq, and is filing articles for his newspaper. Pitts claims in a purported email that he coached soldiers to ask Defense Secretary Rumsfeld questions!

From: EDWARD LEE PITTS, MILITARY AFFAIRS
Sent: Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:44 PM
To: Staffers

Subject: RE: Way to go

I just had one of my best days as a journalist today. As luck would have it, our journey North was delayed just long enough see I could attend a visit today here by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. I was told yesterday that only soldiers could ask questions so I brought two of them along with me as my escorts. Before hand we worked on questions to ask Rumsfeld about the appalling lack of armor their vehicles going into combat have. While waiting for the VIP, I went and found the Sgt. in charge of the microphone for the question and answer session and made sure he knew to get my guys out of the crowd.

So during the Q&A session, one of my guys was the second person called on. When he asked Rumsfeld why after two years here soldiers are still having to dig through trash bins to find rusted scrap metal and cracked ballistic windows for their Humvees, the place erupted in cheers so loud that Rumsfeld had to ask the guy to repeat his question. Then Rumsfeld answered something about it being "not a lack of desire or money but a logistics/physics problem." He said he recently saw about 8 of the special up-armored Humvees guarding Washington, DC, and he promised that they would no longer be used for that and that he would send them over here. Then he asked a three star general standing behind him, the commander of all ground forces here, to also answer the question. The general said it was a problem he is working on.

The great part was that after the event was over the throng of national media following Rumsfeld- The New York Times, AP, all the major networks -- swarmed to the two soldiers I brought from the unit I am embedded with. Out of the 1,000 or so troops at the event there were only a handful of guys from my unit b/c the rest were too busy prepping for our trip north. The national media asked if they were the guys with the armor problem and then stuck cameras in their faces. The NY Times reporter asked me to email him the stories I had already done on it, but I said he could search for them himself on the Internet and he better not steal any of my lines. I have been trying to get this story out for weeks- as soon as I foud out I would be on an unarmored truck- and my paper published two stories on it. But it felt good to hand it off to the national press. I believe lives are at stake with so many soldiers going across the border riding with scrap metal as protection. It may be to late for the unit I am with, but hopefully not for those who come after.

The press officer in charge of my regiment, the 278th, came up to me afterwords and asked if my story would be positive. I replied that I would write the truth. Then I pointed at the horde of national media pointing cameras and mics at the 278th guys and said he had bigger problems on his hands than the Chattanooga Times Free Press. This is what this job is all about - people need to know. The solider who asked the question said he felt good b/c he took his complaints to the top. When he got back to his unit most of the guys patted him on the back but a few of the officers were upset b/c they thought it would make them look bad. From what I understand this is all over the news back home.

Thanks,

Lee

EDWARD LEE PITTS FILED STORY ABOUT THE TROOPS BEFORE THE POW-WOW WITH RUMSFELD

PhantomSgt · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:48 pm Post subject:

Hey Soldier the press is not your friend. Mad

_________________
Retired AF E-8

Independent that leans right of center.

Schadow · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:21 pm Post subject:

kman · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:04 am Post subject:

Another “reporter” ambush. Figures. Hey, this wasn't anticipated and we've armored 15,000 out of 19,000 vehicles. With all the other stuff we're doing over there that sounds pretty good.

BTW: Anyone remember the scramble to make hedge cutters for the Sherman Tanks? Talk about scrounging.

Kurt

BigEd80 · Seaman Recruit Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 8

Words cannot describe what I feel towards that reporter. But you know with this situation there seems to be a whole lot of common sense lost here. I'm 24 years old, republican, and a former army brat, and what I see in this situation, first if any one should have to answer for the armor problem is John Kerry and some of his other cronies since he voted against the proper funding of the troops. Second it seems like our people today forget that these advancements weren't there in the past wars and the United States endured through these wars. Why should this war be any different? What it is, is the Dems trying to find some legitimacy to whatever power they have left. The Dems make such a big deal about bringing our troops home from Iraq, how come there is no such outcry like this when it comes to bringing our troops home from Bosnia?

tony54 · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:54 pm Post subject:

Embedded reporters are still MSM reporters.
Of all the reporters who claim to want the truth,
I don't remember one of them ever asking a legitimate question of John Kerry: "WHY HAVE YOU NOT SIGNED FORM 180?" and publish the answer.
What's that tell you?
Republicans, Christians, and most of all Military men and women: BEWARE OF THE REPORTER, HE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!

Reporters should be made to read you the "Miranda Rights" before asking a question:
"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU"

USS Endicott · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 5:13 pm Post subject:

It appears to me that CBS and the MSM is at it again. Does anyone else find it strange that this reporter asks this question regarding equipment for the troops and right after that CBS 60 Min.2 has that deserter on complaining about unsafe equipment? I believe this is a continued effort on the part of the MSM to undermine our military efforts.

I think we should provide better equipment for our soldiers and I am more than willing to have a higher percentage of my taxes spent on military equipment; and a lower amount spent on overpaid Senators, welfare aide to illegals, and money spent on the UN. Do you think CBS and the MSM would be willing to endorse this plan?
_________________
"God Bless America and keep watch over our military personnel. Thanks to all who have served and are serving now!" from a California American.