Many people have noted the decline in the credibility and quality of the press, especially those of us who write on line. My last post on the subject is here.
Today I read a great post on the press problems on A Major's Perspective. The Major is active duty U.S. Army and soon to be re-deployed back to Afghanistan for his second or third or fourth tour. The Major writes frequently about old fashioned themes such as democracy and freedom, human decency and the U.S. military. The major personifies everything that is good about the U.S. and is a thoughtful, analytical writer.
Today the Major wrote about the recent shootings at Fort Hood. I quote his post in its entirety below.
"I am going to keep this entry short. I'm afraid that if I write for too long on this subject the professionalism that I strive to maintain here will dissolve.
Over the last 48 hours reporters, analysts, and op-ed columnists have been making comments that are absolutely shameful. When the very first news about Fort Hood was being broadcast, the first comment from a TV News Network I heard was, "this is probably some PTSD incident." No thought of terrorism, and no thought of criminal activity. The facts are showing that the shooter had NEVER been deployed to the middle east. Therefore could NOT have PTSD. He committed this atrocity because he did NOT want to do his job. He signed on the dotted line like every other soldier in this country and did so without a gun to his head. The reporter immediately wrote it off to, "some PTSD incident" without regard to the facts, and with no respect for our service members who actually have PTSD. I was shocked, but it has gotten so much worse.
Over the last 24 hours, every other story I see regarding the Fort Hood shootings has been that the poor shooter was misunderstood and harassed. In addition, the media would want you to believe that this is all the military's fault, since the shooter's cousin has claimed he was harassed.
I have never been more insulted. Never mind that he shot and killed 13 people in cold blood. Never mind the fact that he wounded another 30. Never mind that there is only one person's comment to justify this assertion. The media have latched on to this and are running with it.
It is disgraceful, shameful, and just plain wrong. Those in the media making this assertion have shown their true colors, and what you really think about the military. The military is not always perfect, but the effort to help Soldiers and their Families is a central priority for us all. You would rather side with a mass murderer who guns people down in cold blood, than the men and women who maintain your freedom of the press.
The only news network with analysts that have actively rebuked this shameful opinion is Fox News. I say opinion because that is all that they are at this time. Thank You Fox News for being truthful and doing the right thing.
Please keep our Soldiers and Army Families at Fort Hood in your thoughts and prayers.
God Bless America"
