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Image-conscious

9 comments on Image-conscious

Image-conscious
: A University of Texas prof writes for Al-Jazeera criticizing American media coverage of today’s fall of Saddam:

One obvious question: During live coverage, viewers saw a US soldier drape over the face of Hussein a US flag, which was quickly removed and replaced with an Iraqi flag.

Commanders know that the displaying the US flag suggests occupation and domination, not liberation. NBC’s Tom Brokaw reported that the Arab network Al Jazeera was “making a big deal” out of the incident with the American flag, implying that US television would — and should — downplay that part of the scene. Which choice tells the more complete truth?

What, as if Tom Brokaw is the boss of all U.S. media, sending them hidden messages? That’s the way it works — no, now that’s the way it worked — in Iraq, Prof.

It gets worse. After complaining that we don’t focus enough on the dead, he blames us — well, really, he blames the U.N.’s sanctions — for Iraq’s economic problems.

This guy is the Peter Arnett of the academe.

: Nick Denton and I were IMing earlier about that American flag on the Saddam statue. Nick says the soldier who put it there should be court-martialed. I can hear his captain screaming up at him: “Stow that flag, soldier! You want to start a riot and mess up my pension?”

Of course, that is the image Al-Jazeera chooses to show — often.

9 responses to “Image-conscious”

  1. James Avatar
    James

    I wonder – does Al Jazeera show the flag being passed down by the soldier, then proudly waved by Iraqis in the crowd, immediately after that? Or that the American flag was then replaced with an Iraqi one?
    I found it quite a metaphor for the whole war: first, the Iraqis tried a rope – not long enough, no luck there. Then they tried removing Saddam with a sledgehammer – too strong. So finally, they got the US Marines to help, and managed it. For decades the Iraqi people tried to topple the real Hussein, dying by the thousand in the attempt (estimated 350,000 in 1991 in the South!) When the Kurds managed it in their area to the North, he brought in an Al Queda splinter group, Ansar Al Islam. (So much for “no links to Al Queda”…)

  2. Matt Welch Avatar
    Matt Welch

    Professor Jensen

  3. jennetic Avatar
    jennetic

    James: yes! I doubt that was the intention, but it’s an apt metaphor.
    People are going to continue to decry the “Evil” deeds of the USA. The author writing for Al-J states that the USA doesn’t really care about the Iraqis.
    Well, at the end of the day, it sure looks like the US/UK/Aus groups cares a whole lot more than anyone else. I haven’t noticed any Arab nations trying to help the Iraqis. Haven’t noticed any other of the Old Europe groups stepping up, either. Everyone else stepped away from the plate.
    Don’t get me wrong: the loss of life is tragic, and should not be downplayed. But neither should the amount of death, torment, and terror under which the Iraqis lived for decades. That time has ended, thankfully, and it’s due to the Coalition, not the “radical” wankers.

  4. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    Jennetic,
    Among Arab countries, I think you have to credit at least Kuwait, Qatar, and the smaller gulf states for supporting the coalition and for providing humanitarian aid for Iraqis, and Jordan for much more covert assistance. Even if the Saudis reluctantly helped, I think they’re still a net drain of staggering proportions on the whole Muslim, not just Arab, world.

  5. Thomas J. Jackson Avatar
    Thomas J. Jackson

    The Arab war respects one thing-power. The soldier putting the flag up did something the military has done since the first sargent barked out an order. To believe the Arab war will be insulted is to miss the point, the Arab street did not rise, it never will. It is the US street, that the world underestimates. It is the US people who are aware of the risks and sacrifices. If you are to weigh the risks inherent in pissing off the US public or the Arab street only a fool would risk the wrath of the US electorate right now.
    In fact, the Arab world must be shaking in its boots right now. I have no doubt we will see the double dealing of the Egyptians, Syrians, Iranians, and Saudis once the Iraqi files are captured. That is if the Russians haven’t gotten them all.

  6. Paul A'Barge Avatar
    Paul A’Barge

    “Nick says the soldier who put it [the American flag] there should be court-martialed.”
    Oh, does Nick now? Nick chooses to sit in judgement of a US soldier, gone to fight for his country and to liberate the Iraqi people?
    And, what precisely is it that Nick has been doing, that gives him the right to sit in judgement of any of our brave soldiers? Sipping is fine red wine, and trimming the crust off his Brie cheese while he feverously chatters away on his computer keyboard, working up an arrogantly moral sweat over his tumescent indignation?
    Bugger off, Nick. The next time you decide an American soldier should be court-martialed, you’d better have your skinny ass in harm’s way. Either that, or you shut your pie-hole.

  7. Pithpott Avatar
    Pithpott

    If we judge the Arab media mentality by the recent performances of Iraq’s info minister, it’s obvious their interest in, and grasp of reality, is surpassed only by their infantry’s ability to to shittheirpants at the mere sight of an enemy.

  8. Sgt. Rock Avatar
    Sgt. Rock

    Mr. Denton should know that the soldier who put up the flag was asked to do so by his commanding officer.

  9. Sparkey Avatar
    Sparkey

    From this UK Times Online Story: