FOX News on the War in Afghanistan

FOX News has been known to push a very conservative agenda; some considering the Rupert Murdoch affiliate a 'wing of the Republican Party.' Many conservatives argue that there are dozens of news agencies that have a liberal bias, and consider FOX News to be one of the only televised news channels that have a conservative voice. I happen to agree with both. The FOX News agency does act as an extension of the Republican Party, but it also is one of the only conservative voices in televised journalism. Therefore my qualm with FOX News is not that they are biased, but that they mislead people by considering themselves "fair and balanced."

These claims are not new, and have been well known for some time. There have been several articles written and documentaries made about the FOX News bias. President Obama's administration even came out to "wage war" on the network. While there is nothing more that I admire than reputable journalism, I also respect the first amendment.

I have recently read several articles concerning the current situation in Afghanistan, and the effects that President Obama's recent troop increase has had on the war torn nation. More than 15,000 NATO troops swept into Marjah, a Taliban stronghold, earlier today as part of Operation Mashtarak, the largest attack since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The recent attack has gone unexpectedly well. Major-General Gordon Messenger, a spokesman of the NATO forces, said that "the Taliban appeared confused and disorientated" and that "the key objectives have been secured and have been done so with minimal interference." However, he continued to say that the Taliban have a reputation for "sitting and watching" and that they could strike an attack at any time.

War is war. Taking over a single Taliban stronghold is certainly not a win, but it is a victory, and as we know victories under President Obama are not appreciated by FOX News. Like Rush Limbaugh, FOX News would like to see President Obama 'fail.' While BBC News put up headlines such as "NATO Hails Major Afghan Operation" FOX News put up headlines that read "U.S., Afghan Forces Face Bombs, Booby Traps in Push to Take Taliban Stronghold." In all fairness, something the FOX organization is incapable of being, the article did go on to mention that NATO forces were doing well, but not until about halfway through the article after mentioning all the "homemade bombs and mines" that slowed the advance.

These types of misleading headlines come all too often from FOX News. Although the article contained valid information, many people today simply get their news from reading headlines or get through half the article if their lucky. It shouldn't be shocking when FOX News puts out a negative headline about President Obama or the Democratic Party, but I was surprised that they had the audacity to disrespect young men and women that risk their lives to make this country safer for you and me. Our troops don't deserve the type of defamation that comes from FOX News headlines, not when we have a victory. Give their families and our citizens something to be proud of, and don't let the enemy believe that they are winning. Shame on you FOX News.

President Obama, bring our troops home.

If You Haven't Seen It Yet, Here It Is!

Two days after President Obama gave his State of the Union address he did something no President has ever done before in American history. He stood in front of a Republican chamber, and allowed them to ask him a series of questions; no ifs, ands or buts. It was incredibly risky, and incredibly bold. It also seems to have paid off. Not only did it make President Obama look emphatically brilliant when he was able to seemingly answer all their questions without hesitation, but it also was good for Washington. President Obama took a giant step in the right direction towards healing the segregation between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is.