Mike's America Local Paper Hires Howard Dean?

On the day Iraq became the first Arab nation to elect a free and independent governmenment, my local newspaper ran the following headlines front page and above the fold:
"Vote in Iraq has citizens skeptical: Many already say they think parliament election pointless." Followed up with: "Voting opens with violence."
PDF readable file of front page here.

The main lead went on to list every possible bad thing the reporter could think of in three paragraphs. "Slogans about democracy obscured by crime, violence, poor health care, bad schools dilapidated sewer and water pipes, corruption, electricity shortages, economic stagnation and unemployment.

Not ONE WORD about the unprecendented and astounding progress that has been made.

The newspaper was flooded with letters. Mine is here:

Has The Packet hired Democrat National Chairman Howard Dean to write the headlines?

I rarely have seen a more biased and pessimistic headline than the one you ran on the front page Dec. 15, the day of Iraq's free election for a permanent government: "Vote in Iraq has citizens skeptical" with the subhead: "Many already think parliamentary elections pointless."

"Pointless?" Eleven million people turned out to vote for one of the only free governments in the Arab world, and you describe it as pointless? What does this say about the sacrifice of so many brave Americans and brave Iraqis who have fought and died to make this day possible?

You must have looked long and hard to find an accompanying story that was so front-loaded with bad news and negativity and no counterbalance. I looked at the front pages of both the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, whose service provided the news story to The Packet and neither put up anything approaching the sour and biased tone of your headline, let alone your report.

Are you not aware of the Brookings Institute Iraqi Index? (see www.brookings.edu/iraqindex)

Automobile ownership has doubled in Baghdad. Telephone subscribers have increased fivefold. TV satellite dishes banned under Saddam are everywhere as are independent newspapers. Internet users have increased by 32 times prewar level. Iraq's economy continues to grow in double digits.

Your headline raises serious questions about how you handle the responsibility to inform our citizens on this important issue.

This newspaper serves one of the most Republican areas in all of South Carolina. We are also home to Parris Island, the US Marine Corps training base scant miles across the water from Hilton Head Island. Fort Stewart, home of the Third Infantry Division, known as the Rock of the Marne, whose members are currently securing our VICTORY in Iraq, is a few miles further down the road. Yet we endure an unrelenting stream of negative, biased reporting? Wise up fellow Lowcountry residents! Stop supporting those who so arrogantly and actively oppose the VICTORY of your nation at a time of war.

I would also encourage supporters of VICTORY, no matter where you live, to write letters to your local papers holding them accountable and responsible for their reporting.