CNN Sniper Video

I recently received the following email from the father of a 3/3 Marine that we had served with in  Salerno last year.  This young Marine along with the entire 3/3 battalion left Afghanistan and after a short break were deployed to Iraq.  After 7 months in the An Bar province, they were relieved by the 2/3 Marines and have recently redeployed to their home station in Hawaii.

Recently CNN showed an insurgent video of the sniper killing of an American soldier in Iraq.  The decision by CNN to air the film on national television was beyond bad judgement.  Our anger turned to outrage when we found out the victim was 2nd Lt. Joshua Booth from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines.  Not only are his pregnant wife, child, and parents forced to come to terms with the death of this twenty-three year old Marine, but they now know his final moments and violent death has been gratuitously aired for the world to witness.  Bobbye and I know the video could easily have been of Daniel or any number of Marines we have come to know, since the killing took place in Haditha, Iraq.

I found CNN's explanation proved to be bland and devoid of substance.  There are any number of guesses as to why CNN chose to air the insurgent video; however, in my judgement, none are of overriding value.  I am further distressed the video has not been discussed and editorialized to any degree in the mainstream press.

I cannot imagine the WWII press airing footage sent to them by Nazi Germany or the Imperial Japanese Army depicting the killing of American soldiers in Europe or Marines on Iwo Jima.  I've always believed the media's support for the troops never went much beyond ratings and their financial bottom line.  2nd Lieutenant Booth's killing, now aired on a world stage, reinforces my opinion.

I would ask everyone to consider making a conscious decision to boycott CNN in protest and avail yourselves of another national news source.  Further, I would ask you to forward this email to friends and relatives for their consideration.

I have watched this bit of "journalism" when it was aired on CNN International last week and I have to say that it was disturbing at best.  Of course it was preceded with all the warnings as to the graphic nature of what was about to be aired and a brief description of the decision process used in producing it.  I found both to be lacking.  The warnings took on the enticing nature of promotion and the justification was a weak attempt towards public service alluding to the emerging threat of a "new" shift in insurgent tactics in utilizing snipers.

I certainly share this father's outrage but I find CNN's motivations to be a bit different.  Maybe it was a function of watching this piece on the international channel rather than with the domestic newscasters but I found the pandering to an anti-U.S. policy sentiment to be blatant and the timing of its release during the run-up to the mid-term elections less than coincidental.

I have to wonder if no other major news outlet aired these video pieces because they didn't have them or because they didn't find them news worthy.  If they didn't have them, it leads to the question of how CNN came to possess these insurgent created items and why they would choose CNN to give them to.  If everyone had them but only CNN showed them, it baffles me why many will continue to chastise Fox News for a pro-administration bias but proudly hail the credibility of what is fast becoming an American based Al-Jazeera.

My heart and utmost gratitude go out to the Booth family.  To the 2/3; Semper Fi and come home safe.  Those who truly care know all the good things that you are doing.

Comments

[Teresa]

Of course I saw all the links and outrage over the video over the last several days.

For my part, I don't need to give CNN any more traffic than it already has. I don't need to see our brave soldiers used in this way. I won't play into the enemy's hands like that.

I'm not sure what CNN is, but it's not an American journalistic endeavor.

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

I quit watching CNN a couple or more years ago. Everything I see or read about them just convices me I did the right thing. They obviously paid money to a Terrorist or his shill and there was no news value in the video, just propaganda for the bad guys and horror for those families at home. Creeps!

[Agnieszka O.]

I don't watch CNN. They are not on our side. They aired it fully knowing it was a propaganda video.

[GunnNutt]

I hope Mrs. Booth sues the pants off CNN for the obvious pain and suffering they have caused. Can you imagine any jury NOT awarding her huge damages? The precident CNN has set with their new Treason Journalism deserves to have a precident setting day in court as well.

Semper Gratus, FP-5!

[Mike @ CopTheTruth]

Yeah, I think the Clinton News Network has finally reached rock bottom. And I'll bet they stay there.

[[email protected]]

Unbelievable bunch of B.S.
keep the faith. You and your soldiers families shouldn't have to endure that kind of propaganda from CNN the long deployments are hard enough. No News value and I frankly would expect this from aljazeera. I will support your boycott but lets not stop there CNN has sponsors and they must be held accountable. I will post your letter at CWVA forum and blogs will try to spread word.

Sean P. Eagan
New York State Director
Cold War Veterans Association

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