Post Your Gulf War Media Gaffes Here
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Our intrepid reporter John Simpson referred to missiles slamming into the ground at three times the speed of light then corrected himself to only 3 times the speed of sound 
And that paragon of CNN reporting Christiana Amanpour referring to the British 15th Royal Marine Brigade
Edited cos I can't spell
And that paragon of CNN reporting Christiana Amanpour referring to the British 15th Royal Marine Brigade
Edited cos I can't spell
Down side to "embedded press"....reporter says 12 pow...1 kia...3 wia....one pow has a bad attitude. Now in the old days....with no press about with video cams.....errr...."attitude problem" ? Not for long!
BBC - Ben Brown interviewing USMC officer. USMC officer explains that some of enemy are discarding uniform, donning civvies and mingling with genuine locals. Explains that now-disguised troops are shooting at his men.
Brains Brown: So is that pretty dangerous for you guys?
Marine (amazed): It [being shot at] is always dangerous. And it is for you guys too.
Brains Brown: So is that pretty dangerous for you guys?
Marine (amazed): It [being shot at] is always dangerous. And it is for you guys too.
Last edited by Archimedes; 22nd Mar 2003 at 19:12.
Watching CNN: a reporter at an A-10 base repeatedly stresses he can't say where he is but that the base is close to the Iraqi border. Back to anchorbint...
'We're always amazed at the action on those carriers...'
'We're always amazed at the action on those carriers...'
BBC were showing the same bit of video of "American" tanks moving towards Amm Qasr.
However, the tanks were Challenger 2's and 90% of the other vehicles were British army trucks and land rovers - many bearing union jack stickers.
However not one single "expert" correctly identified ANY of the vehicle nor sussed the troops were wearing UK issue helmets.
However, the tanks were Challenger 2's and 90% of the other vehicles were British army trucks and land rovers - many bearing union jack stickers.
However not one single "expert" correctly identified ANY of the vehicle nor sussed the troops were wearing UK issue helmets.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The gaffe here was Fox news not spotting the one HOT piece of news when their reporter or expert told them:
"Here is a British Royal Marine of Four Two Commando examining an Iraqi soldiers kit and GAS MASK."
The commentator was correct in EVERY respect but no one picked up on why an Iraqi would have a gas mask!
Lu Zuckerman, oh dear. And I was hoping from what you said that it was the finger and not the thumb.
The banknote was definitely on SH. He did it twice. First time was quick and not clear. He lived so he did it again.
Arming journalists. You jest. They wouldn't know the enemy if they wore uniform with BAD GUY writ large. Surely this forum would convince anyone of that.
I've posted here because of my earlier post:
I did a Google search for Iraqi Gas masks and found several links. The ABC Online was not available but this link went back to Agence Presse.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_219217,0005.htm
It was on the wires 8 hours ago.
"Here is a British Royal Marine of Four Two Commando examining an Iraqi soldiers kit and GAS MASK."
The commentator was correct in EVERY respect but no one picked up on why an Iraqi would have a gas mask!
Lu Zuckerman, oh dear. And I was hoping from what you said that it was the finger and not the thumb.
The banknote was definitely on SH. He did it twice. First time was quick and not clear. He lived so he did it again.
Arming journalists. You jest. They wouldn't know the enemy if they wore uniform with BAD GUY writ large. Surely this forum would convince anyone of that.
I've posted here because of my earlier post:
I did a Google search for Iraqi Gas masks and found several links. The ABC Online was not available but this link went back to Agence Presse.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_219217,0005.htm
It was on the wires 8 hours ago.
P the Nav....
By now, as a Navigator, you must be used to having the right info...know where you are going....but can never get a receptive audience.
I was figgering the Iraqi's were counting on our side using the now banned Tear Gas......we agreed to quit using a non-lethal means of incapacitating them.....and now have to rely upon the more conventional (but permanent) methods. Go figger!
By now, as a Navigator, you must be used to having the right info...know where you are going....but can never get a receptive audience.
I was figgering the Iraqi's were counting on our side using the now banned Tear Gas......we agreed to quit using a non-lethal means of incapacitating them.....and now have to rely upon the more conventional (but permanent) methods. Go figger!
Death Cruiser Flight Crew
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Woff 1965: Surely someone in the BBC Newsroom must have twigged by now, due to the BEDFORD and LAND-ROVER logos plainly visible on the front of the vehicles? Also those Scorpions (non-Desert camouflaged) with TWO Union Jacks on the front are so similar to what was parked at LHR a couple of weeks ago!
The 'Duty Anorak' at Sky, Francis Tusa, would at least have spotted this one straight off.
The 'Duty Anorak' at Sky, Francis Tusa, would at least have spotted this one straight off.
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I watched a few of T Lloyds reports, he kept saying how he was out alone not controled by the military, at one point he said he was just a few hundred yards from where the Iraq'a where dug in, he kept making the point of his freedom of action, I sincerely hope he turns up, but the press don't seem to have learned anything from Afghaistan, remember that lady reporter who was captured by the Taliban?.
I honestly don't see the point of it.
Also some poor buggah might have to go in somewhere and get him out.
I honestly don't see the point of it.
Also some poor buggah might have to go in somewhere and get him out.
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BBC News "All Allied aircraft have one or more crew on board". Profound yet still technically incorrect if you count the UAVs.
Also, if the media are giving Baghdad several hours notice of B52s leaving Fairford then they need to be shut up.
Also, if the media are giving Baghdad several hours notice of B52s leaving Fairford then they need to be shut up.
Iraq Raid Warning
Even if BBC,Sky etal stopped showing film of B52's taking off from Fairford I am sure some "Peace" campaigner would put it on a website somewhere.
Anyway depending on routing, method of attack (ie CALCM, AGM 142, GBU or Mk 84's), target etc there must be a good 60-90 minute spread in time on target.
So take off time is only a crude guide for the Iraqi's - there are also B52's, B1's and B2's operating out of Diego Garcia and the CONUS which should further confuse things.
Anyway depending on routing, method of attack (ie CALCM, AGM 142, GBU or Mk 84's), target etc there must be a good 60-90 minute spread in time on target.
So take off time is only a crude guide for the Iraqi's - there are also B52's, B1's and B2's operating out of Diego Garcia and the CONUS which should further confuse things.
Woff 1965,
I think that the spread of mission times is significantly longer than 90 minutes, even without the possibility of Fairford B-52s transiting via Moron (which has been reported). I'm not sure that AGM-142 is available this time, but would point out that even with -86 and JDAM alone, the potential difference in mission times is enormous. Take off times from Fairford can thus be of little value to Iraq, as you say, especially since with several of the weapon types involved Iraq has no means of doing anything to stop them.
Drapes,
He deserved it, then? Catch yourself on!
I think that the spread of mission times is significantly longer than 90 minutes, even without the possibility of Fairford B-52s transiting via Moron (which has been reported). I'm not sure that AGM-142 is available this time, but would point out that even with -86 and JDAM alone, the potential difference in mission times is enormous. Take off times from Fairford can thus be of little value to Iraq, as you say, especially since with several of the weapon types involved Iraq has no means of doing anything to stop them.
Drapes,
He deserved it, then? Catch yourself on!
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Sat through my nightshift last night and realised that the BBC News 24 female reporter left at Fairford was having a worse night than me:
At 0218: 'The aircraft taxiing behind me (approx 75m behind and lit up like a Christmas tree) is probably a B-52 returning from Baghdad. It's impossible to say how many have so far returned, but it's not all 9 that left at ten thirty this morning.' Presumably it's very hard to spot such a small, quiet ac like the B-52 land and count the number that taxi past on your fingers!
At 0221: 'These are definitely the same aircraft that took off from here at about ten thirty this morning on their long journey to Baghdad. Ten hours there and ten back. They can do this because the B-52 can fly for some 18 hours without refuelling.' Now, I know my maths can be dodgy at times, but...
Whilst I accept that they will get a number of the technical military bits wrong, it's the blindingly basic gaffes that amaze me.
Shock report 2 mins ago on sky news:
'Soldiers can suffer stress, just like normal human beings. Believe it or not, they don't get training on how to avoid it.'
At 0218: 'The aircraft taxiing behind me (approx 75m behind and lit up like a Christmas tree) is probably a B-52 returning from Baghdad. It's impossible to say how many have so far returned, but it's not all 9 that left at ten thirty this morning.' Presumably it's very hard to spot such a small, quiet ac like the B-52 land and count the number that taxi past on your fingers!
At 0221: 'These are definitely the same aircraft that took off from here at about ten thirty this morning on their long journey to Baghdad. Ten hours there and ten back. They can do this because the B-52 can fly for some 18 hours without refuelling.' Now, I know my maths can be dodgy at times, but...
Whilst I accept that they will get a number of the technical military bits wrong, it's the blindingly basic gaffes that amaze me.
Shock report 2 mins ago on sky news:
'Soldiers can suffer stress, just like normal human beings. Believe it or not, they don't get training on how to avoid it.'
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Just watching live feed on all the news channels from Umm Qasr where elements of the USMC are held up by a couple of pockets of resistance, all appears to be going to plan and Tanks are currently mopping things up.
However the Journo on the scene is now getting hot anf bored and is starting to ask why only a few iraqis can hold up "his" advance.
He asked his of a Marine Grunt and also made the point that perhaps the action was being sanitised by the presence of live feed cameras.
Grunt came back "I anyone thinks this is sanitised then I invite them to go and visit the local recruiting office they can be foundon any street corner"
priceless...
However the Journo on the scene is now getting hot anf bored and is starting to ask why only a few iraqis can hold up "his" advance.
He asked his of a Marine Grunt and also made the point that perhaps the action was being sanitised by the presence of live feed cameras.
Grunt came back "I anyone thinks this is sanitised then I invite them to go and visit the local recruiting office they can be foundon any street corner"
priceless...
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Still at Umm Qasr troops have now pulled back to allow airstrikes, the Sky news crew locked their camera on the building that they were told was the target.
Suprise suprise target was a completely different one which just happened to be off shot (quick thinking by a US Marine - if we can see the pictures so can the enemy).
According to the Journo the RAF Harrier was closer to the Target than the US F-18. (It could have been an AV-8 from the USMC of course - but how would he know he's a numpty)
Bint in the Fox news studio nearly creaming herself with all the excitemet
Suprise suprise target was a completely different one which just happened to be off shot (quick thinking by a US Marine - if we can see the pictures so can the enemy).
According to the Journo the RAF Harrier was closer to the Target than the US F-18. (It could have been an AV-8 from the USMC of course - but how would he know he's a numpty)
Bint in the Fox news studio nearly creaming herself with all the excitemet
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Mach 1 B52?
Early hours of this morning (insomnia!) CNN were giving the tech specs of the B52H.
Included was a top speed of 650mph. Now I know that they continuously update the BUFF, but 8 afterburning Olympus and a delta wing?
Included was a top speed of 650mph. Now I know that they continuously update the BUFF, but 8 afterburning Olympus and a delta wing?
Last edited by moggie; 23rd Mar 2003 at 08:55.
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The Sunday Times News Review, page 5
Photograph of the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt
Apparently they were about to witness the first multiple take off of US Navy aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier!
However, as the aircraft are tightly parked, with wings folded, and no crew on board, the caption of, 'Planes lined up for take off' is not quite appropriate.
Photograph of the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt
Apparently they were about to witness the first multiple take off of US Navy aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier!
However, as the aircraft are tightly parked, with wings folded, and no crew on board, the caption of, 'Planes lined up for take off' is not quite appropriate.
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Reliable news
If you want relief from the constant 'looping' of the same pieces of film/reporting seen on the 24 hours news channels - try switching onto Abu Dhabi TV (available on digital).
It's interesting to see the Arab view on the whole thing - English subtitles are available for those of you who don't know what 'bint' means.
It's interesting to see the Arab view on the whole thing - English subtitles are available for those of you who don't know what 'bint' means.