Scare Tactics Pass for News

In the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, America has been attacked from every conceivable angle--not by bioterrorists but by its own news organizations. Under the guise of “America’s need to know,” the media have saturation-bombed our minds with images of “what if,” as in, “What if the terrorists attack the water supply?” or “What if the terrorists target the nuclear power plants?” Is this reporting or terrorism in the name of ratings?

In the days following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, taking the long view of history, the consensus is that we were truly fortunate that the Japanese high command did not know how much devastation it had caused. If today’s media approach had been in place then, how much more devastation could the Japanese have inflicted upon us? Perhaps the true “day of infamy” was the day network news decided to replace reporting news with the importance of selling deodorant. Maybe it’s time for the media to ask themselves if this approach is working because, deodorant or not, something “on air” is catastrophically malodorous.

Garner Simmons

Westlake Village

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There is something terribly lacking in the quality of domestic news coverage in light of the recent tragic events. It seems I can’t open a newspaper or watch my local news station without hearing “all anthrax, all the time.” Wolfpack journalism has taken our attention away from serious issues happening in our own backyard, and we will seriously regret the consequences of our misdirected attention.

I just hope people are aware that knee-jerk reactions often leave us with legislation that we will regret many years from now. Please be aware that there are legislators who will take advantage of our inattention and quietly pass bills that the public is not aware of. Democrat or Republican, Green or independent, these issues affect us all.

Every time there is a tragedy, I guarantee you there are special interest groups and politicians with ulterior motives who will try to advance their causes. The Democrats will try to take our guns away and the Republicans will try to drill for more domestic oil in our pristine, protected environments. I guarantee you that flag-burning bill will rear its ugly head again. Liberal or conservative, pay attention, folks!

Alan Garner

Burbank

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Thanks for a breath of fresh air. Your Oct. 29 editorial (“A War Barely Begun”) was absolutely on point. The media frenzy developing over the last week to somehow come up with a new angle on the war has been unseemly at best. Maybe all those reporters needing their fix of instant gratification should try a latte instead. But make it a decaf, please.

Keith A. Lueke

Troy, Mont.

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Your comment, “We’re surprised that he was surprised,” in the editorial, was well-chosen and much needed. Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem did something that a Taliban spokesman never would have. During a war, you never give psychological freebies to the enemy. The admiral’s expression of surprise at the resistance of the enemy makes me doubt his qualifications for his present assignment.

Also, thank you for your excellent coverage on the ground with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. While much of the American print and electronic media are obsessed with the anthrax threat, you have not lost focus on the overseas war front.

George Blishak

Toluca Lake

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I am weary of The Times publishing speculation and non-news items on the front page. The Oct. 30 front-page article on Afghan “garbage” kids is a prime example of non-news. The same picture could be taken in Mexico, where garbage-picking is a regulated industry, or in many other Third World countries. Just because the children are from Afghanistan doesn’t make this topic worthy of Page 1 of any major newspaper.

Susan Toman

Brea

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I am a patriotic American who is confused about our current policy in Afghanistan. Why are we dropping food and bombs out of our airplanes? Is it our intention to give the Afghan people a proper last supper before our stray bombs land on their homes?

Rob Schneiderman

Irvine

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About the Red Cross warehouses that have been “accidentally” bombed twice, has anyone thought to ask why the warehouses were stacked to the roof with food supplies when it is reported that millions of Afghans are near starvation? Could they be Taliban-controlled warehouses feeding the enemy?

Robert J. Calvert

Palos Verdes Estates