Media Matters: Descriptions of Murtha as "Pro-Military Democrat"

[Sparkly]

Media Matters correctly points out that the media's description of Murtha as "pro-military" (or "usually pro-military," as Liz Sidoti and CBS said) implies that calling for an end to the war is somehow "anti-military," whereas keeping troops deployed in Iraq is "pro-military."

The Post's and the others' labeling of Murtha as "pro-military" or a "pro-military Democrat" raises several questions. First, would these news organizations characterize any of the 184 Democrats in the House who voted* to compensate for a $1 billion shortfall in spending for veterans caused by the federal deficit -- but many of whom also voted against the Iraq war resolution -- "anti-military"? What about those 216 Republicans who voted against increasing veterans' benefits, the vast majority of whom voted for the war resolution? Are they pro or anti-military? And what about the 44 Senate Democrats who voted for Sen. John F. Kerry's (D-MA) amendment increasing death benefits to military families -- many of whom also voted against the Iraq war resolution? And the 25 Republicans who voted against the Kerry amendment?

As recently as June, the Post reported that the Senate Republican majority had repeatedly rejected amendments put forth by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) that would have increased spending for veterans. Pro- or anti-military Republicans?

In 2004 Republican Rep. Christopher H. Smith (NJ), then-chairman of a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee, called for such increases; his own party summarily removed him as chairman two years shy of the end of his term. A Media Matters for America search has found no instances of the Post or others reporting that "anti-veteran" Republicans ousted their own Veterans Affairs chairman.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200511180008

[Poppyseedman]

1. Well, he is a "pro-military Democrat" isn't he?

First, would these news organizations characterize any of the 184 Democrats in the House who voted* to compensate for a $1 billion shortfall in spending for veterans caused by the federal deficit -- but many of whom also voted against the Iraq war resolution -- "anti-military"?

Has that happened yet?

The template they are drawing that everything in the media is couched as pro or anti military is not appearing...............yet

Politics are way too complex for all things to be condensed to a Pro- or anti-military analysis.

The fact the Murtha called for a redeployment of our troops is the news. If his news conference was about the gop cutting veterans benefits, the video clip would be on the editors floor.

[Sparkly]

2. The phrase begs the question: "What's ANTI military?" nt

[windbreeze]

3. Anti-Military means....

Treating the Military the way * & Co. do..cutting veteran's retirement and medical treatment promised, when they retired..reducing active troops pay, while more of them are dying every day to fight a "war over there, so we don't have to fight it here"...at the same time, nothing is more ANTI-Military, than using NG troops, who lose financially, and who's families usually require food stamps and are w/o medical care, while their breadwinners risk their lives on a daily basis...there is NO ONE GROUP more ANTI-MILITARY than this cabal in the WH right now......but what I want to know is...

How can the Democrats be seen as weak on National Security issues, and at the same time be called PRO-military..??? The two go hand in hand. You are never going to have good National Security, unless you ARE PRO-Military..which means taking care of your troops, on and off the battlefield. It also means using your troops efficiently, and taking care NOT to put them in harm's way, unless you have NO OTHER CHOICE...I'd say someone has their signals crossed...and I'm about sick from the spinning...

Why is ANTI so hard to understand??? Any action that takes a toll on your troops is ANTI-Military....Putting an end to this illegal damned war, is PRO-military.....and IF this cabal in the WH is so friggin PRO-Military...then why aren't their kids and g.kids lined up at the recruitment centers? Personally, I don't think a man should be allowed to preside over a war, start a war, or send other people's loved ones into a war, unless he's served in one, personally...Having been there and done that, has a tendency to give one a whole new perspective and understanding of the very real horror any "war" entails..
windbreeze