Thor
07-02-2004, 03:28 PM
>
> Subject: Pat Boone's Letter to CBS
>
>
> Refreshing that there is at least one entertainer who has his head
>screwed on right!
>
>
>
> CBS and 60 Minutes Modern Benedict Arnolds > NewsMax Monday, May 24,
>2004
>
> Recently, entertainer Pat Boone wrote NewsMax editor Christopher Ruddy
>a letter regarding his feelings on Abu Ghraib and Iraq, the contents of
>which are published here with permission:
>
>
>
> Mr. Christopher Ruddy Editor, NewsMax
>
> Dear Chris,
>
> Hasn't anybody got the guts to accuse the worst perpetrator in
>this whole Abu Ghraib prison debacle - CBS and 60 Minutes II? What do you
>call it when, in time of war, someone takes military intelligence and turns
>it over to the enemy, who in turn uses it to kill Americans? Isn't that
>the definition of treason? Did Benedict Arnold do worse? Did Julias and
>Ethel Rosenberg pay with their lives for something like this?
>
> It has already been well established, and CBS certainly knew, that
>the military announced to the press back in January that allegations had
>been made concerning treatment of prisoners and were being investigated.
>In March there was another announcement that the allegations were still
>being investigated and certain service personnel at Abu Ghraib were
>relieved of their duties and might be court marshaled.
>
> In other words, while America was fighting a war, the military had
>already taken the allegations seriously, were investigating them and were
>taking steps to correct the situation. In other words, it was being
>handled, and handled well. These things happen in war on all sides, and
>though they are not excusable, they are kindergarten exercises compared to
>car bombs, ambushes, rocket launchings and dangling burning bodies over
>bridges - and this is what the interrogators at Abu Ghraib were trying to
>find ways to stop.
>
> Freedom of the press is precious to us, but you can abuse any
>liberty and stretch it out of shape until it becomes license, and concerned
>citizens will call for limitations. In this case, if CBS had really cared
>about the country, about our military, about doing the right thing, they
>would have taken these pictures, (which they had illegally) and asked the
>military and the Pentagon what was being done about the abuses. (Although
>they most likely knew it, they would have been told that the matter was in
>hand and being taken care of.) Indeed, a general implored them not to
>publish the pictures because of what he knew would happen as a result. CBS
>could have cared less. In their mad competition for rating points,
>dollars, and seeing a great way to blast the President and the war effort
>in Iraq which they have continually denigrated and opposed, they broadcast
>they abhorrent pictures - and not just to the United States, BUT TO THE
>WORLD! !
>
> Knowing full well that we were walking a tight rope, trying to
>fight a war, quell disturbances and build a republic for Iraq in the midst
>of all the terrorist resistance, CBS published these abhorrent pictures
>knowing they would completely destroy our image and standing in the Muslim
>world. And what about Osama bin Laden? What about the terrorists? What
>about America's image with all our allies around the world? And what about
>America's own self image and confidence in their leaders? And what did the
>beheaders of Nick Berg say, just before they callously sawed his head off
>while he screamed, "This is in retaliation for what you Americans did to
>our people at Abu Ghraib!" And how did they know about these interrogation
>abuses?
>
> Though poor Mr. Berg blames George Bush and Donald Rumsefld, it is
>incontrovertible that his son would be home with him right now had it not
>been for the publication of those pictures. Mr. Berg is pointing his finger
>in the wrong direction. And as a direct result of CBS callous and patently
>unpatriotic action, America is suffering great loss of prestige around the
>world, and will for decades. America has lost credibility with Muslims and
>the Arab world internationally, perhaps forever; and every American life is
>in far greater danger from terrorist reprisal, no matter who and where we
>are!
>
> Freedom of the press is a cherished commodity, guaranteed by our
>Constitution. But freedoms, if they are to be maintained and to have the
>original meaning, must be treated with grave responsibility and restraint.
>For me, CBS has become "the enemy within", and I hope never to watch the
>network again. I think most Americans ought to reflect on the results of
>their irresponsible and unpatriotic behavior and perhaps narrow their
>viewing options by one network. The next time America or Americans suffer
>at the hands of terrorists, thank CBS.
>
> Pat Boone PB:jsp
>
>
>
> Subject: Pat Boone's Letter to CBS
>
>
> Refreshing that there is at least one entertainer who has his head
>screwed on right!
>
>
>
> CBS and 60 Minutes Modern Benedict Arnolds > NewsMax Monday, May 24,
>2004
>
> Recently, entertainer Pat Boone wrote NewsMax editor Christopher Ruddy
>a letter regarding his feelings on Abu Ghraib and Iraq, the contents of
>which are published here with permission:
>
>
>
> Mr. Christopher Ruddy Editor, NewsMax
>
> Dear Chris,
>
> Hasn't anybody got the guts to accuse the worst perpetrator in
>this whole Abu Ghraib prison debacle - CBS and 60 Minutes II? What do you
>call it when, in time of war, someone takes military intelligence and turns
>it over to the enemy, who in turn uses it to kill Americans? Isn't that
>the definition of treason? Did Benedict Arnold do worse? Did Julias and
>Ethel Rosenberg pay with their lives for something like this?
>
> It has already been well established, and CBS certainly knew, that
>the military announced to the press back in January that allegations had
>been made concerning treatment of prisoners and were being investigated.
>In March there was another announcement that the allegations were still
>being investigated and certain service personnel at Abu Ghraib were
>relieved of their duties and might be court marshaled.
>
> In other words, while America was fighting a war, the military had
>already taken the allegations seriously, were investigating them and were
>taking steps to correct the situation. In other words, it was being
>handled, and handled well. These things happen in war on all sides, and
>though they are not excusable, they are kindergarten exercises compared to
>car bombs, ambushes, rocket launchings and dangling burning bodies over
>bridges - and this is what the interrogators at Abu Ghraib were trying to
>find ways to stop.
>
> Freedom of the press is precious to us, but you can abuse any
>liberty and stretch it out of shape until it becomes license, and concerned
>citizens will call for limitations. In this case, if CBS had really cared
>about the country, about our military, about doing the right thing, they
>would have taken these pictures, (which they had illegally) and asked the
>military and the Pentagon what was being done about the abuses. (Although
>they most likely knew it, they would have been told that the matter was in
>hand and being taken care of.) Indeed, a general implored them not to
>publish the pictures because of what he knew would happen as a result. CBS
>could have cared less. In their mad competition for rating points,
>dollars, and seeing a great way to blast the President and the war effort
>in Iraq which they have continually denigrated and opposed, they broadcast
>they abhorrent pictures - and not just to the United States, BUT TO THE
>WORLD! !
>
> Knowing full well that we were walking a tight rope, trying to
>fight a war, quell disturbances and build a republic for Iraq in the midst
>of all the terrorist resistance, CBS published these abhorrent pictures
>knowing they would completely destroy our image and standing in the Muslim
>world. And what about Osama bin Laden? What about the terrorists? What
>about America's image with all our allies around the world? And what about
>America's own self image and confidence in their leaders? And what did the
>beheaders of Nick Berg say, just before they callously sawed his head off
>while he screamed, "This is in retaliation for what you Americans did to
>our people at Abu Ghraib!" And how did they know about these interrogation
>abuses?
>
> Though poor Mr. Berg blames George Bush and Donald Rumsefld, it is
>incontrovertible that his son would be home with him right now had it not
>been for the publication of those pictures. Mr. Berg is pointing his finger
>in the wrong direction. And as a direct result of CBS callous and patently
>unpatriotic action, America is suffering great loss of prestige around the
>world, and will for decades. America has lost credibility with Muslims and
>the Arab world internationally, perhaps forever; and every American life is
>in far greater danger from terrorist reprisal, no matter who and where we
>are!
>
> Freedom of the press is a cherished commodity, guaranteed by our
>Constitution. But freedoms, if they are to be maintained and to have the
>original meaning, must be treated with grave responsibility and restraint.
>For me, CBS has become "the enemy within", and I hope never to watch the
>network again. I think most Americans ought to reflect on the results of
>their irresponsible and unpatriotic behavior and perhaps narrow their
>viewing options by one network. The next time America or Americans suffer
>at the hands of terrorists, thank CBS.
>
> Pat Boone PB:jsp
>
>
>