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Arnett and Geraldo

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

• TITLE: "Arnett and Geraldo " I think Arnett's action was malicious. Geraldo's was a lapse - perhaps serious lapse - in judgement.

• "... Subscription Drive ..."
  Here's the pitch for the Subscription Drive: Go here to read it.

• "... Talmudic ..." From the bibletools.com website:

  Commonly the Talmud is declared to be the Jewish code of Law. But this is not the case, even for the traditional or "orthodox" Jews. Really the Talmud is the source whence the Jewish Law is to be derived.

  Whosoever wants to show what the Jewish Law says about a certain case (point, question) has to compare at first the Shulchan 'arukh with its commentary, then the other codices (Maimonides, Alphasi, etc.) and the Responsa, and finally the Talmudic discussions; but he is not allowed to give a decisive sentence on the authority of the Talmud alone (see Intro, 116, 117; David Hoffmann, Der Schulchan-Aruch, 2nd edition, Berlin, 1894, 38, 39).

  On the other hand, no decision is valid if it is against the yield of the Talmudic discussion.

  The liberal (Reformed) Jews say that the Talmud, though it is interesting and, as a Jewish work of antiquity, ever venerable, has in itself no authority for faith and life.

  See what I mean?

• "... Arnett ..." Here's a link to the first London Mirror analysis filed by Peter Arnett .

• "... GROUND RULES ..." Here are some of the acronyms included in this document:
  CENTCOM - Central Command
  AOR - Area of Responsibility
  PA - Public Affairs
  OPSEC - Operational Security
  MEF - Marine Expeditionary Force
  NOK - Next of Kin

  4. GROUND RULES.
  For the safety and security of U.S. forces and embedded media, media will adhere to established ground rules. Ground rules will be agreed to in advance and signed by media prior to embedding. Violation of the ground rules may result in the immediate termination of the embed and removal from the AOR. These ground rules recognize the right of the media to cover military operations and are in no way intended to prevent release of derogatory, embarrassing, negative or uncomplimentary information. Any modification to the standard ground rules will be forwarded through the PA channels to CENTCOM/PA for approval. Standard ground rules are:

  4.a. All interviews with service members will be on the record. Security at the source is the policy. Interviews with pilots and aircrew members are authorized upon completion of missions; however, release of information must conform to these media ground rules.

  4.b. Print or broadcast stories will be datelined according to local ground rules. Local ground rules will be coordinated through command channels with CENTCOM.

  4.c. Media embedded with U.S. forces are not permitted to carry personal firearms.

  4.d. Light discipline restrictions will be followed. Visible light sources, including flash or television lights, flash cameras will not be used when operating with forces at night unless specifically approved in advance by the on-scene commander.

  4.e. Embargoes may be imposed to protect operational security. Embargoes will only be used for operational security and will be lifted as soon as the operational security issue has passed.

  4.f. The following categories of information are releasable.

  4.f.1. Approximate friendly force strength figures.

  4.f.2. Approximate friendly casualty figures by service. Embedded media may, within OPSEC limits, confirm unit casualties they have witnessed.

  4.f.3. Confirmed figures of enemy personnel detained or captured.

  4.f.4. Size of friendly force participating in an action or operation can be disclosed using approximate terms. Specific force or unit identification may be released when it no longer warrants security protection.

  4.f.5. Information and location of military targets and objectives previously under attack.

  4.f.6. Generic description of origin of air operations, such as "land-based."

  4.f.7. Date, time or location of previous conventional military missions and actions, as well as mission results are releasable only if described in general terms.

  4.f.8. Types of ordnance expended in general terms.

  4.f.9. Number of aerial combat or reconnaissance missions or sorties flown in CENTCOM's area of operation.

  4.f.10. Type of forces involved (e.g., Air Defense, Infantry, Armor, Marines).

  4.f.11. Allied participation by type of operation (ships, aircraft, ground units, etc.) After approval of the allied unit commander.

  4.f.12. Operation code names.

  4.f.13. Names and hometowns of U.S. military units.

  4.f.14. Service members' names and home towns with the individuals' consent.

  4.g. The following categories of information are not releasable since their publication or broadcast could jeopardize operations and endanger lives.

  4.g.1. Specific number of troops in units below Corps/MEF level.

  4.g.2. Specific number of aircraft in units at or below the air Expeditionary Wing level.

  4.g.3. Specific numbers regarding other equipment or critical supplies (e.g. artillery, tanks, landing craft, radars, trucks, water, etc.).

  4.g.4. Specific numbers of ships in units below the Carrier Battle Group level.

  4.g.5. CENTCOM area of responsibility, unless specifically released by the department of defense or authorized by the CENTCOM commander. News and imagery products that identify or include identifiable features of these locations are not authorized for release.

  4.g.6. Information regarding future operations.

  4.g.7. Information regarding force protection measures at military installations or encampments (except those which are visible or readily apparent).

  4.g.8. Photography showing level of security at military installations or encampments.

  4.g.9. Rules of engagement.

  4.g.10. Information on intelligence collection activities compromising tactics, techniques or procedures.

  4.g.11. Extra precautions in reporting will be required at the commencement of hostilities to maximize operational surprise. Live broadcasts from airfields, on the ground or afloat, by embedded media are prohibited until the safe return of the initial strike package or until authorized by the unit commander.

  4.g.12. During an operation, specific information on friendly force troop movements, tactical deployments, and dispositions that would jeopardize operational security or lives. Information on on-going engagements will not be released unless authorized for release by on-scene commander.

  4.g.13. Information on special operations units, unique operations methodology or tactics, for example, air operations, angles of attack, and speeds; naval tactical or evasive maneuvers, etc. General terms such as "low" or "fast" may be used.

  4.g.14. Information on effectiveness of enemy electronic warfare.

  4.g.15. Information identifying postponed or canceled operations.

  4.g.16. Information on missing or downed aircraft or missing vessels while search and rescue and recovery operations are being planned or underway.

  4.g.17. Information on effectiveness of enemy camouflage, cover, deception, targeting, direct and indirect fire, intelligence collection, or security measures.

  4.g.18. No photographs or other visual media showing an enemy prisoner of war or detainee's recognizable face, nametag or other identifying feature or item may be taken.

  4.g.19. Still or video imagery of custody operations or interviews with persons under custody.

• "... Public Affairs Guidance ..." The entire document - Public Affairs Guidance- is available as a Word document here.

• Mullfoto of the Day:
  
  
  
  
  This, from outside the front door of Mullings Central, presages better times ahead. .
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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