A downed US Special Forces helicopter with survivors? Forgive me if I’m a bit incredulous. When is the last time you remember a helicopter crash with survivors?

Is it possible? Absolutely. However, passengers on a military helicopter are not sitting in nice cushy chairs with shoulder straps on. These people are laden with equipment – much of which is “loose” in the cabin. When one of these aircraft goes down, it goes down hard.

Consider the headlines and effects on troop moral if, in the first hours of an unsuccessful assault on Saddam Hussein, the US suffered its first combat casualties. It would be devastating.

I believe that in a morning full of misinformation, back-pedaling and political double-speak, we must be vigilant in weighing the validity of information coming from the field of battle. Who set those oil field fires for instance? Why did they ignite 3 or 4? Why not 50? 100?

The history of this war is being written right now. We must be critical in our consumption of information – no source must be accorded any privilege of blind trust.

Equally important is that we, as Americans, keep close watch on what else occurs in our government as this war progresses. Major decisions are being made on several key issues as 24-hour war coverage holds most of our attention. Such as:

"Top White House anti-terror boss resigns"
"US offers Israel billions in aid"
"No-flags order causes a flap along the front line"

As the NSA drills into its employees and conscripts: "In God we Trust. Everyone else, we monitor."

Labels: iraq, media, Shock and Awe