The real Ramadi

We have reached the stage in Iraq where you see the war you want to see. There are some people who I respect that will take a rare blogg'n moment to mention the goings on in Anbar, and will use as an example this photo from Reuters. (BTW, it is from a whole 'string' of them. You can see 'Ramadi man' in the back right here, and the same two guys in the same intersection here, and here). Take a look at it.

Yes, that is from a Reuters stringer. Do we really need to discuss the complete lack of crediblity of stringers in the Arab world, especially from Reuters or the AP? Do we really? If you want to report about Ramadi, go by Bill Roggio or Michael Fumeneto's place (good bit in The Weekly Standard too). They have pictures there as well. Ones that don't look staged. Ones that actually have the name of the photographer attached.

If you want to put a picture of what is going on, why not one like at the right? (Quiz time for Argghhh!!! readers, what is that "obsolete" weapon you see there - bonus points if you tell me what it buys you that nothing else does; also that is Mike Mansoor on the right).

That photo of the "insurgent" is so staged as to be silly. No one stands around with a crew-served weapon on their knee. Not only does it hurt after awhile, you are one shot away of having no control. Given 10 seconds, you could do the same thing in Times Square. It is about as credible as the additional security for the First Lady the below.

Heck, it has about as much crediblity as "Ramadi Man" guarding the Disney Land, keeping photographers away from Britany's nether regions, or providing security for NASA. Harumph.

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