Geraldo Rivera, a syndicated commentatory for the Fox-TV News Channel, recently told viewers buildings AREN'T burning in Iraq. "They have a saying in the news business," Rivera related this week, "Reporters don't report buildings that don't burn." And, with that introduction, he told a TV audience the story he believes is being systematically denied to our nation: the success story of post-Saddam Iraq.

First of all, we must look to the source. Rivera was severely reprimanded during the initial phase of the Iraqi war for revealing U.S. troop positions to a live television audience. Since that time, his reports have been heavily "pro-war."

Second, Rivera appears to believe there is a concerted effort to "mis-report" the facts about the Iraqi situation. "I'm not into conspiracy theories, but there's just more bang for your buck when you report the GI who got killed rather than the 99 who didn't get killed, who make friends, who helped schedule elections, who helped shops get open for business, who helped traffic flow again."

The Reality About Television News
It appears many Americans don't understand modern TV news -- it consistently plays (and replays) images of bloody bodies, tragic killings and sad stories. Rivera and his followers would like to suggest that ONLY the reporting in Iraq is slanted. The images at the top of the page come from the lead stories in this morning's MSNBC programming... "Nine dead bodies found in a Fresno, Ca. home; shooting near a college campus in Battle Creek, Mi.; and, more about the Madrid terrorist bombings."

If we apply Rivera's comments about Iraqi news to other national and international stories, we easily conclude that our media are missing the "success stories about our nation." In my opinion, Geraldo is correct. News is slanted toward the negative. Studies conducted by InfoImagination researchers have found that people who watch the most nightly news, particularly prior to going to bed, are more fearful and pessimistic in their attitudes toward life than those who turned the box off or watch other types of programming.

The Solution
For many years, doctors have been telling people who are overweight to try one simple exercise: lift your arms to near waist level -- and, push back from the table! Those of you who agree with Rivera should do the following -- push away from TV news! The question I have for all of you is, "Why are you watching Fox, CNN, MSNBC et al? Why aren't you reading, so you get a more complete story?"

The Rest of Rivera's Story
Let's review other claims made by Rivera: "The vast majority of Iraqis are very happy to have us there. I would like to see a bit more balance [in the coverage]."

This is a lie. Do I need to make it any clearer? The vast majority of Iraqis are not happy that we are there. They want the United States out of their country as soon as possible. What does Ambassador Paul Bremmer say about our presence? "Ending the occupation is key for Iraqis and Americans." He repeats this constantly. We are not wanted in Iraq. Thanks for deposing Saddam, but don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Second, Rivera used the following to demonstrate part of our success, "You have over 30,000 Iraqi cops and militiamen already on the job." Now, let me ask you the following: In our best schools in America (FBI Academy at Quantico, for example), which is generally well funded and operates in a stable environment, how many qualified officers can we train in less than one year? I don't know this answer, but I know it isn't 30,000. It is problably more like 5,000 -- or 500!

How many of you truly believe these "cops" are ready for duty? Do they have the necessary training to make "right" decisions under fire? Are they loyal to the "people of Iraq" or to families, clans, tribes, political parties or religious leaders? Only time will tell, but the undercurrents now suggest we have created a "mafia-style" militia across the country.

[Wed., 3/10/04] Coalition officials are questioning six suspects on Wednesday believed to have killed three civilian workers, Iraqi police said, adding that five of the attackers were dressed as Iraqi police officers. Two U.S. civilians and an Iraqi translator working with the U.S.-led coalition were killed near Karbala in Iraq on Tuesday night. The victims were driving from a women's rights center in Karbala when they were ambushed in Abi Gharaq, about a mile away, Iraqi police said. It is not clear if the suspected attackers were members of the Iraqi police force or wearing the uniforms as a disguise.

Finally, Rivera wants us to focus on the success stories of post-Saddam Iraq. Personally, I would love to -- solely for the sake of the Iraqi people. In the mid-50s, Iraqis threw off the yoke of a corrupt monarchy that had been imperialistically supported by the British. The popular uprising eventually disintegrated into a brutal socialist and totalitarian regime. The Iraqi people have never known "self-rule." What Americans take for granted, these people can only dream about.

The facts are clear that Iraq rests on the edge of an extremely slippery precipice today. To use either the words, success or failure, at this time is incredibly immature. There is no dispute that terror, violence and uncertainty grip each Iraqi 24/7. Approximately half of males, ages 18-40, remain unemployed. These disenchantened men are angry, hostile, confused, and can easily be turned to the "dark side." The international community remains hesitant to invest in jobs, economic development and nation-building due to the uncertainty. How much of your life savings are you willing to dedicate to Iraq at this time? Exactly...

With the signing of the temporary constitution, a state of Kurdistan was officially recognized. This has angered both Shiite and Sunni leaders. How did Rivera spin the situation? "Where Kurds and Arabs have been battling for decades, things have been settling down." This is undeniably false.

[Fri., 3/12/04] Thousands of supporters of a hardline Iraqi Shia group have gathered in Baghdad to denounce the country's new interim constitution. The protestors on Friday were mostly supporters of the "Group of the Virtuous", a Shia group calling for the direct implementation of Islamic law in state affairs and for the establishment of a theocratic political system similar to Iran's. "They want Iraq to split into many countries, and they want us to be their subjects," they chanted. "We will never accept a constitution written by the Jews."

Shaik Muhammad al-Yaaqubi, a self-proclaimed Ayat Allah who heads the group, accused Iraq's occupiers of ignoring Shia rights. "This law has lots of gaps that can bring evil. Whatever is said to justify this document...is false," he said in a statement. Iraq's Shia have protested that the recently signed interim constitution gives minority groups like the Kurds too much influence over the country's future.

The nation of Iraq is poised to collapse into a civil war. With nearly 200 Shiites killed only a week ago, there appeared to be retaliatory killings this week between Shiites and Sunnis. Iraq is a long way from finding a settling point.

If success is defined as evicting a brutal, third-rate dictator from power, then the war was successful. There is no doubt this occurred. Yet my hope is that Americans, living in such a blessed and wealthy country, have greater empathy with our brothers and sisters in Iraq. I hope each of us defines success as ensuring that the Iraqi people are given the tools to stabilize their country. This is going to mean a "lot of money," and a "significant military force" in-country for a long time.

Rivera scolds those who compare Iraq to Vietnam. "As some dare to wonder if this might become a Vietnam-like quagmire, I'll remind whoever needs it that most of our 58,000 Vietnam war toll died between 1966 and 1972, during which we lost an average of about 8,000 per year. That's about 22 per day, every day, for thousands of days on end."

Rivera might be best to remind Americans that the war in Vietnam didn't begin in 1966. Historians know the foundation for this excursion developed during the Eisenhower administration -- in the late 50s. It seems premature to discuss the "end of the Iraqi" story at this time.

My anger at this time (and, yes, I am not afraid to say I am angry) is with Americans who supported the war, yet now do not want to pay the price. We cannot accept tax breaks, run up record budget deficits, and pass the debt burden to our children and future generations. I adamantly opposed the war in Iraq. I do not believe we are safer today, and I believe we are bogged down in a "hornet's nest."

Yet, as an American, I support our troops, and now request that we fund this project completely. Do you agree? If so, then write the President, as well as your legislative officials, and demand this nation act responsibly. Americans must not pass the financial burden to their children, and they must not shuffle responsibility for the current quagmire in Iraq to others. Let's not allow Iraq to become Vietnam -- which, as we know, ended up being a loss for American prestige.