The CBS Ambush (1 Viewer)

[oldreliable67]

Strategy Page has a commentary by Austin Bay on the media's complicity in the violence orchestrated by terrorists.

Twenty-first century Islamo-fascist terrorists, however, have refined the model and moved beyond an image of anger to a new form of prepared global ambush that integrates murder, terror and instant media.

The ambush technique coordinates blood-spilling violence with sensational imagery and rhetoric using a dispersed network of media operatives, guerrillas and terrorists. Networked, Coordinated Blood-spilling plus Sensationalism -- hence the technique's acronym: the CBS ambush.
[...]
Executing a CBS ambush requires the implicit cooperation of sensationalist media -- media that delight in emotional slights and rarely probe beyond the superficial. Until that implicit cooperation ends, the Islamo-fascists will continue to exploit this productive stratagem, achieving propaganda victories designed to ignite a "clash of civilizations" and brutally intimidate their Muslim and non-Muslim opposition.

Though this commentary was occassioned by the Muslim world's outrage over the Pope's remarks, it is noteworthy for its thoughts on media complicity and terrorist exploitation thereof.

Please read the whole thing and post up your reaction.

 

[AndrewC]

I agree. Our media, politicians and special interest groups use this violence to further agendas, increase self worth and ratings. It sickens me. To be aware of what is going on in the world do we really need 24 hour graphic play by play of our times? Do we need a constant stream of pictures, videos, factoids and testimony to know that war, violence and brutality sucks? Most decent human beings do not need a constant reminder of these things. Those that live through and die because of these acts deserve better.

But what about this site? Do we not do the same thing? Users race to post about the latest tragedy. Violence is used to justify and decry often the very same policy or position. Shock and emotion are common tools used in discussion here. Often times without regard for those involved. Perhaps this says more about our society and us as individuals than it does those who perpetrate the constant barrage of emotion and blood. Maybe they are a symptom of our condition.

 

[faithful_servant]

I agree. Our media, politicians and special interest groups use this violence to further agendas, increase self worth and ratings. It sickens me. To be aware of what is going on in the world do we really need 24 hour graphic play by play of our times? Do we need a constant stream of pictures, videos, factoids and testimony to know that war, violence and brutality sucks? Most decent human beings do not need a constant reminder of these things. Those that live through and die because of these acts deserve better.

But what about this site? Do we not do the same thing? Users race to post about the latest tragedy. Violence is used to justify and decry often the very same policy or position. Shock and emotion are common tools used in discussion here. Often times without regard for those involved. Perhaps this says more about our society and us as individuals than it does those who perpetrate the constant barrage of emotion and blood. Maybe they are a symptom of our condition.

Not all of us... http://www.debatepolitics.com/war-iraq/13374-good-news-iraq.html

 

[Pogostick]

I agree. Our media, politicians and special interest groups use this violence to further agendas, increase self worth and ratings. It sickens me...

..But what about this site? Do we not do the same thing? Users race to post about the latest tragedy. Violence is used to justify and decry often the very same policy or position. Shock and emotion are common tools used in discussion here. Often times without regard for those involved. Perhaps this says more about our society and us as individuals than it does those who perpetrate the constant barrage of emotion and blood. Maybe they are a symptom of our condition.

I'm a complete newb to this forum, but I can and have observed the difference. Unlike the DU nutcases, people here think. Unlike the Freeper crowd (from what I've witnessed), people here are willing to discuss rather than react instinctively, as if attacked personally.

Granted, some knee-jerking will occur.

We all have one common concern: The betterment of our nation, and her future..

So let's do it.

Okay - :spin: