Not joining the Katie-bashing just yet…plus, a shout-out to the citizen embeds who don’t make the nightly news
Criticizing Katie Couric is fun, easy, and always good for some red meat-feasting. I’ve done plenty of it and it’s almost always deserved. But this time I’m not going to add my voice to those haranguing her for her decision to go to Iraq. Not yet, anyway.
Conservatives frequently criticize TV personalities for not taking time to visit the troops and getting a lay of the land. Well, now Couric is going. Seems hypocritical to bash her when she didn’t go and bash her now that she’s headed over, doesn’t it?
Is she trying to boost her TV ratings? Sure. Who in tee-vee land isn’t trying to do that? Does she have a liberal agenda? Again, with few exceptions, who doesn’t have a liberal agenda in tee-vee land? Will she change her mind about the war? Probably not, but who knows? Look at Rep. Brian Baird.
Couric is coming under extra scrutiny because she is a single mom. She has two daughters, one in her teens and another a tweener. Is it reckless for her to leave her family and possibly risk her life to broadcast from Iraq? Some folks who think women have absolutely no place on the war front believe so. I don’t. I made the decision in January to embed with our troops in Baghdad for a short trip, leaving my husband and two young children (much younger than Couric’s), because I felt compelled and driven to see and experience what was happening on the ground for myself. My Hot Air colleague, Bryan Preston, who accompanied me, also left behind a young family. It was an invaluable experience for us. We were able to share unique video, photo essays, and blog reports with our audience, make contacts and friends, deepen our understanding of a complex battlespace, and express our appreciation for the troops. We would do it again in a heartbeat.
No one makes the decision to leave their family lightly. There are single moms, single dads, and married parents in the military who have to make these decisions for much, much longer periods of time and who make far, far greater sacrifices every day to protect and serve our country.
Couric will be there for a total of 10 days. I’m sure it will be derided as a “drive-by” trip, a micro-embed, etc. But there is great value in walking even a foot in non-civilian shoes. Couric will not see combat and she probably won’t have to lug around 50 pounds of gear, but she still will have to wear her own body armor, ride in a boiling C-130, and sweat like everyone else.
I don’t expect much out of her reporting. She deserves low expectations, but she doesn’t deserve derision for making the decision to go.
For now, I only have these words for Katie Couric: Good luck and Godspeed. May the journey open your eyes.
***
While all the rest of the media buzz about Katie, Katie, Katie, I think her trip is a golden opportunity to give a platform to all the independent journalists who are embedded and/or who have been embedded overseas doing the reporting Katie hasn’t done. Maybe she’ll run into some of them. If NBC’s Brian Williams can get a clue about Michael Yon, maybe Couric will finally notice the outstanding work that blogger embeds have been doing.
If these citizen journalists aren’t on your daily reading list, they should be:
Michael Yon
J.D. Johannes
Bill Roggio’s PMI
Jeff Emanuel
Michael Totten
Matt Sanchez
Bill Ardolino
Mario Loyola and W. Thomas Smith, Jr. at The Tank
See what others have said
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Categories: Katie Couric
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Katie, as does everyone, deserves the benefit of doubt. I would be very surprised though if she can see the war in progress without having 2 left side lens in her glasses. We shall see.
Bravo Michelle! Voice of reason and compassion…as always!
Doug Grindle is another embed I’d add to the list. He had a great piece on c-span here a week or two ago, click the first link, it’s really fantastic.
Actually, I meant the second link on the c-span page, guess he’s got a new one, let me check that one now!
As for Perky McCouric, I’m with Michelle on this one…wait and see, could well indeed be a real eye-opener for her.
You’re right to give her the benefit of doubt. Let’s see what happens when she does her reporting. Those that criticize her for “leaving her young children behind” are just plain ignorant. Most of our troops in the war zone have young children that they have left behind. I did it twice: in 2002 and in 2004. My youngest two are now 8 and 5. Sometimes you have to take risks and make sacrifices to do what is right!
Kaite Couric…. Keeping the “BS” in CBS News.
Ever since she did a colonoscopy on TV to raise awareness of colon cancer I’ve had personal respect for her. Now Iraq. Good for her.
Boost ratings in tee-vee? By using, um, attractive women?
She’ll be fine and I encourage her to get out of the Green Zone and maybe visit Camp Corregidor, (shameless plug since I know someone there), or one of the smaller out of the way FOB’s or COB’s. Places that don’t get visitors and soldiers in some cases whose only want in life is soft toilet paper.
Oh I meant to put the link for Corregidor’s message board up and here it is.
Oh, I’m trying…I’m trying…to be good, when every fiber says it will be like the NPR(?) reporter who helicoptered in with a press pool to a danger zone FOB and spent a full 40 of the allotted 60 minutes at the base looking for someone who had doubts about the mission.
Oh, well, I’m not good. But I will recant if proven even a l-i-i-i-i-ttle bit wrong.
I normally don’t pay attention to Couric stories, so I haven’t heard the criticisms, but how do you criticize a network anchor for going to a war zone? That’s the job, sometimes.
Hats off to her for attempting credible reporting on the major issue of our day; I hope that’s what she’s really doing, and give her every benefit of doubt.
Thanks for the links…
Running to the sound of the guns:
http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/gates-of-fire.htm
All,
Katie Couric is in the bag for Hillary Clinton, that said, what has Hillary’s latest position on the Surge been? Mighten Mrs Couric be going to Iraq, to give a first hand account to support whatever Senator Clinton’s latest position might be? You know, confirmation from a credible source, bolsters public opinion of Senator Clinton’s view on defense. I have watched way too much tee vee news, I can’t help but look for the political advantage, during these long, long, hot, dog days of summer. I just can’t get that, purple prose thing down. I wonder if STB, will start giving online classes, Summer Solider Syndrome GRIN.
Perky is a credible source? Hmmm, that’s a stretch for me considering the network. But I do agree that she will be headed there hoping to find some good digs to push their agenda. No one is beyond hope though. There is good in Perky. I can feel it!
Schweggie,
Who is Katie’s boss and Bill Clinton’s dear friend, I will give you a hint he just settled a contract dispute with Don Imus for reportedly 20 Million Dollars.
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70E16FE3F5C0C7B8EDDAB0894D9404482&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Clinton,%20Bill
Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is still doing the right thing. Journalists should go to Iraq.
My issue with Katie Couric is that he has lowered the standards of journalism, which I thought would have been difficult compared to Dan Rather.
I am curious to see if she allows her liberal bias to affect her reporting. Some say we should wait for her to report before making judgments. I agree. We should do that with General Petraeus as well, and he is far more important.
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/dan-rather-and-katie-couric-partners-in-crime/
Respectfully,
eric
P.S. Double-M, I now check the preview button before ever submitting. There will hopefully be no more mistakes on my end, spelling, grammar, url or otherwise.
Michelle:
Your presentation on Katie Couric’s trip to Iraq
exemplifies why I pay attention to you when you
publish here or in print, give an interview on our local KSFO
station with Mel Morgan and Lee Rogers, or
get on the Laura Ingraham Show on our local KBRT
station.
Your ethics, content, and rapier wit,
always place you on the highest attainable ground.
But it is your eagle-altitude vision,
clarity and resolve that set you apart from all of the rest.
Thank-you for telling it like it is consistently
and without fail.
Sincerely,
Bear1909 and his extended Bear clan family
Just saying…
I will give her credit for going, but in the words of Ronald Reagan, “Trust but verify”
I remember Katie Couric’s interview of the Edwards, after Mrs Edward’s breast cancer was announced. It was difficult to watch and I came to the conclusion after watching that interview, that Katie, was doing her part to diminish one of Senator Clinton’s rivals. Tell me again of these journalistic ethics of which Mrs Couric possesses.
Just a grunt…ugh! (head buried in hands).
I am switching screen names with you. You are an eagle eyed proofreader, and I am just a grunt.
I was not insulting her sexuality, no, it was a typo…I have type o blood.
eric aka Tygrrrr Express.
*agrees and claps
Yep, what he said!
So Laree, are you saying that there is 0% chance that Perky McCouric, regardless of the crapweasel CBS boss (man that’s a fun word to say, isn’t it?!) could have a change of heart? I give her 5%. Heh. But not 0%
I think it is a good idea, especially from the platform that she holds, the more news that is reported from Iraq (and Afghanistan) is a good idea.
Though I hope she asks questions that have not been asked before, and maybe interview a parliament member or two, other than Maliki.
Of the US soldiers, ask do you trust the Iraqis? Politicians, Police, Army, people, etc.
Of the members of parliament, ask what are your expectations? Of the US, yourselves, the world, your people, etc.
I could even see her sitting down, at length, with all the female members of parliament and hearing what they have to say.
Ask everyone (soldier, politician, citizen, etc.) how and what things they think could be done differently. What ideas do they have.
But, please no 20,000 feet flyovers pointing out that many Iraqis have satellite dishes. No visits to markets with a squadron of soldiers and a bevy of helicopters just out of camera range. Show some of the schools that have been refurbed. Show whatever people say is not being shown that is positive. And, maybe spend some time in the Kurdish areas.
Just my two cents.
I think it would be very beneficial for Katie Couric to go to Iraq. It may open her eyes to the TRUE nature, benefit, and necessity of this war and it may show her how our troops are (despite what the liberal moonbats and MSM say they, and the war, are like).
I am going to assume that – given her status and celebrity – she already has arrangements made for the care of her daughters in the event tragedy would befall her. Unlike Britney Spears, I don’t doubt Couric’s parenting skills.
I pray for her safety and for a journey that is enlightening.
I disagree with you, MM. Katie is not really a “journalist”, but a photogenic and bubbly (to some) teleprompter reader. Her analysis of the situation in Iraq is trivial and irrelevant. Her most important job is watching out for her kids. As for your January trip, I understood your rationale, but worried and said a few prayers for your munchkins as well.
My question, that I can’t answer, ( maybe someone else can who is ‘in the know’ ) is how much of her reporting from Iraq will be edited and manipulated by her bosses / producer?
One needs only look back at Rathergate and see how much someone behind the scenes can do to a story…..
It will be interesting …..
I will be surprised if the reports come back as showing a few bright spots in a hopeless situation. The familiar line of ‘our troops are performing heroicly’, followed by the gloomy prospects of political reconciliation, which could leave our troops’ efforts all for nothing….
Sorry – make that “I will NOT be surprised….”
The nation is moving toward barbarism when it puts women anywhere near the front line. Period.
Katie’s right hand gal in Iraq is Lara Logan.
She is just hair to the right of Christiane Amanpour.
Katie will be looking over Logan’s shoulder and traveling in some of the well worn pathways.
If Katie ends up donning a helmet it could be another Dukakis moment.
I am assuming this is a build down to Petraeus’ testimony before Congress. Between the helmet and Katie betting on the wrong horse, with a strong showing by Petraeus, Couric’s ratings have just one way to go- below Congress’.
Bullseye!
Hard to take ex-morning show perky persons seriously. Same with Charlie Gibson. Bring back Elizabeth Vargas.
And bulls eye again.
Hey, troops turned one dimocrap on the war after he visited Iraq and saw for himself the great work that is being done. Now, we can hope for some media types to turn as well.
It’s the MSM – baby steps.
Thanks for taking the high road on this one Michelle.
I wish Katie good luck and Godspeed and pray for her safe return. However, I have no plans at all to watch or read any report she may post on this assignment.
I’ll stick with MM and Hot Air for my news.
Wait just a doggone minute…..
If that’s the case,will Katie & CBS turn over the locations of those “leaders” to the military? If not,then can they be accused of collaborating?
22# Schweggie,
There is a way to judge Katie’s er ah performance in Iraq GRIN can’t help myself.
What is Hillary’s position right now on the Iraq War? Hillary, is saying that the Surge is showing results right, she made her statement about being the right Democrat canidate because of the Terrorism issue. Senator Clinton states, she is the strongest on defense, and the one most likely to be able to stand equal to a Republican canidate on the Terrorist threat issue.
Lets see how Katie reports from Iraq…wanna Bet, some of her script is being written right now? I really do like those Forbidden Blasphemous Balls.
CBS and NBC nightly news ratings are down. You would hope that something this high profile a trip to a WAR ZONE, would raise their nightly news ratings. Seems desperate to me, will see.
Schweggie,
This is a link to a write up on CBS 2 Quarterly profits being down.
http://www.supportimus.org/2007/08/cbs_profits_down_in_2q_1.html
Brian Williams isn’t doing so well either.
When Imus was fired it was in the middle of his marathon for his children charties. All his listeners from CBS Radio 70 channels and his viewers on MSNBC watched and listened in disbelief. The networks, couldn’t wait one day, for his children charity marathon, to be concluded and none of us forgot. Before Imus was fired, there was talk about him going to Iraq, alot of fans thought that would be great if his health could take it.
This is the reason for the CBS write up on supportimus.org. Imus left and took his audience with him. And here I am hanging with Michelle, and you all I love it. The only place I can find news, content and substance. News with meat on it GRIN.
And now Katie Couric is going to Iraq. I have learned something over these long months since last April. Perception doesn’t always equal Reality, and Commerce trumps both.
Katie has chosen the banner she marchers under, and I know the banner as it flutters in the wind. It waves in nearly every report she reads. Katie is not a reporter, I consider her a overpaid liberal hack.
I know what to expect of Katie, and likely will not be surprised.
She is of the crowd wanting to raise the white flag, end marriage as ions have known it, take my guns, raise my kids, tax me birth to death, and abort/kill babies.
Nevertheless, I wish her Godspeed.
Gotta agree with Michelle on this one. Katie should go. It’s the right thing to do. I wish her a safe and enlightening journey.
I really enjoyed your posts (and Bryan’s) at HotAir on your Iraq trip.
And, though it may seem unseemly to admit it, your comments about Katie’s impending trip made me tear up a little.
Just don’t expect such generosity of spirit from Katie if she ever finds herself in a position to write an insightfull analysis of one of your decisions.
While I applaud her bravery (as I do Michelle’s and Bryan’s), Ann Coulter was right about Katie, she is the Eva Braun of liberal totalitarian causes.
It’s a nice gesture that she’s headed off to Iraq, I just don’t trust her any further than I could throw a two ton truck.
She has been a mindless blindered shill for Hillary Clinton since before Bill was elected Pres. and I believe she has no limit to the depth she will stoop to see that closet communist installed in the Whitehouse.
Let’s just say I’m not going to be appreciative of service personnel endangerment for political gain.
It is my opinion that Couric is a Marxist tool with two agendas.
Espouse the party line and garner more viewers.
This trip is just another opportunity to accomplish the goal.
I’ll wager it takes her less than thirty seconds to turn this trip into a feminist whine fest about how deplorable the conditions are for Iraqi school girls,the Mothers of terrorists and the female troops, in that order.
I’ll not give her the benefit of the doubt untl she grabs a weapon and fights for our side.
Ethical.
Iraq I understand, but what’s up with Syria? What’s the purpose in giving these terrorists any opportunity to shine?
Katie, I hope you take this opportunity to learn how much good our troops are doing and see the quality of our men and women who serve our great nation. It’s been that way since America was formed. God bless our troops and our veterans.
I’ll reserve judgement until after I see her reporting. I have never seen her as anything but a leftie and will be surprised if she can leave her politics in the hotel room. Her kids have nothing to do with this. Coal miners leave their kids every morning and where they go is much more dangerous than where Couric is going. She’ll be surrounded by heavily armed soldiers.
Well this is a couple of days late, but what say you now? (i.e. Katie makes a thinly veiled accusation that the military is feeding her propaganda).
Katie=leopard=spots=change? Gotta see it to believe it, but wish her a safe one.