[antimedia] antimedia: Session III - MIlblogging Conference....

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Posted by antimedia:
Session III - MIlblogging Conference....
http://www.antimedia.us/posts/1178393343.shtml


   ....During lunch Chuck Ziegenfuss talked about how the Valour IT
   project got started. It was absolutely hilarious.
   I'm excited about this year's upcoming fund raiser. Last year we
   raised $235,000. I threw out the number $1,000,000 as a goal for next
   year. I really believe it's possible if we prepare well enough.
   The afternoon began with the rapid-fire session, and a reporter was on
   the panel. He gave his argument for why he thinks the media isn't
   biased against the US and/or the military. He spoke about a bias
   toward sensationalism, a bias toward the negative and a bias toward
   skepticism toward the government. (More on that later.) But he
   insisted that the media was not biased against America or the troops
   and that they are not aiding and abetting Al Qaeda. I'm sure he was
   sincere.
   The main discussion centered around blogging, opsec and the military
   public affairs system. The online conference attendees were blistering
   the PAO system over the slow response, according to John of Castle
   Arghhh, for the failure to offset the Al Qaeda media blitz and the
   byzantine rules they use for approving press releases.
   A DoD official stood up, strode to the mike and said they're trying to
   learn, they're eager to engage milbloggers and they want the story to
   get out. Then a PAO officer came up and spoke about the efforts
   they're making to engage and the difficulties of providing real time
   reports without violating op-sec and with accuracy.
   We'll see.
   Regarding the reporter, I got a large round of applause when I
   confronted him about his bias. I pointed out to him that his claim of
   skepticism about the government doesn't seem to apply to anonymous
   leakers and people with an agenda against the government. Afterwards,
   several people thanked me for what I had said and claimed that they
   had thought the same thing when he spoke.
   The final session is about supporting the troops in real, tangible
   ways. Appropriately, Chuck Ziegenfuss is moderating and Patty Bader
   and other Soldiers Angels folks are on the panel. It's amazing how
   many different groups have arisen on an ad hoc basis to provide
   support for troops; care packages, mail, email, support for wounded
   warriors and those with long term disabilities, support for spouses
   and families of deployed soldiers, support for the bereaved family
   when a soldier dies in theatre.
   All these groups need financial support, but they also need physical
   support. If you can help, consider finding a way to get involved in
   your area. Go to America Supports You or any of the other
   organizations in the right sidebar and find a way to help doing
   something you enjoy.