The Internet is bringing so much information, debate, controversy and coverage of the Iraq war. The Washington Post writer, Howard Kurtz, wrote:
“For all the saturation coverage of the invasion of Iraq, this has become the first true Internet war, with journalists, analysts, soldiers, a British lawmaker, an Iraqi exile and a Baghdad resident using the medium’s lightning speed to cut through the fog of war. The result is idiosyncratic, passionate and often profane, with the sort of intimacy and attitude that are all but impossible in newspapers and on television.”
After the invasion of Iraq, bloggers –who are not always reporters, photographers, translators, and producers, but also soldiers and ordinary people–, have described the effect of the war on the life of Iraqis and the war conditions of the troops.
One of the most popular web logs is “Dear Raed“, which is also under criticism, because some people believe that this site is the work of U.S. or Iraqi propagandists. The popularity of “Dear Raed” has spread via e-mail, online discussion groups, and through the recommendations of other bloggers. In one of his posts, Salam wrote: “What is the right answer? Is it to have driven Saddam out (which requires a war), but with a truly United, worldwide coalition, along with a master-plan for the post-war? Is there another way to move Saddam? Basically, should the issue of Iraq been left 100% to the Iraqis from the beginning (no war)? On another note, is America too powerful?”
Salam Pax, the blogger, has given first-hand accounts of the bombing on Baghdad.
The bloggers have analyzed hard essential questions that have been asked in regard to the war in Iraq. For example, how do we bring our troops home within a reasonable and responsible time frame, while achieving what needs to be achieved in Iraq. In a speech delivered at Georgetown University, John Kerry called on the Bush administration to draw up- and present to Congress- a detailed plan with targets dates for the transfer of military and police responsibilities to Iraqis, so the majority of our combat forces can be withdrawn. Also, Rep. Baird voted with the Democrats in favor of bringing troops home.
Another question: Was the Bush Administration prepared for Iraqi resistance? The bloggers state that the Administration failed to equip troops and to plan adequately for the Iraq war. Unofficial study suggests that one-fourth of casualties in Iraq could have been prevented if troop were properly equipped at the beginning of the war. Newsweek reported: “A breakdown of the casualty figures suggests hat many U.S. deaths and wounds in Iraq simply did not need to occur”.
There was also a lot of blogging on war spending, but the reactions to this issue were mixed: some bloggers emphasized the Democrat’s weakness, while others considered the approval of the war spending as part of a political game.
