Editorial: The missing coverage

In Iraq on May 12th, 4 US soldiers and 1 Iraqi translator were killed. Three soldiers were classified as missing by the US military. The corpse of one of three, Joseph Anzack, was found.

Alex R. Jimenez and Byron W. Fouty. Who are they? The two US soldiers who have now been missing in Iraq for 22 days.



You might have thought they were found because all last week was non-stop coverage of the 5 British contractors who were missing (one is a 'consultant' -- we consider them all contractors). The US military started searching for them (as did the British military). Two Iraqis, a husband and a wife, working for the US went missing as well. No search party. (Their corpses were discovered last week.) Are contractors (who choose to go to Iraq -- and don't give us that crap about serving their country -- four worked for a Canadian company, one for the US) such a huge story in the United States that Americans just don't care about missing US soldiers?



To follow the mainstream press last week, you might think so. With the exceptions of CBS, AP and Richard A. Oppel Jr. (New York Times), it was rush-rush to the contractor story and not even a mention that two US soldiers continued to be missing.



Maria del Rosario Duran isn't press shy. "This is a desperate mother. Stop this thing and bring them home. Every day this is happening. George Bus, please bring them home," is what she told Adam Pincus (Times Ledger) last week. Her son Alex Jimenez is missing. Byron Fouty's family released this statement: "Son, we are so proud of you and for who you are, what you stand for. We know in our hearts, you were doing what you needed to do in Iraq, and we would have never expected any less from you. You are our Hero, our son. We will miss you and love you forever. Love, Mom and Dad."



Alex and Byron haven't raked in the big bucks serving in Iraq. They didn't have the choice of announcing, "I think I'll quit today. I need a flight back." So it was really disgusting to see the press completely drop coverage of them -- couldn't even mention their names -- as they chased after the British contractors day after day. Those living in the United States might as well have been living in London for the way the coverage was geared.



Last Sunday, the US military announced that they had discovered a corpse that might have been one of the two missing soldiers. The rumors out of Iraq last Sunday were that two corpses had been discovered. Might reporters not be interested in following up on that? You better believe the families would have appreciated it.



As it stands, two US soldiers are missing and the press response was to go missing on the subject as well. That's really disgusting.



Barring anymore announcements of US service member deaths in May, the final fatality toll stands at 127. That made May 2007 the third highest month for US troop fatalities. And if you think the coverage of deaths last week overtook the missing contractors, think again.



AP's count for the number of Iraqis who were killed in May (as noted on Friday's The KPFA Evening News) was 2,155. If you think Iraqi deaths overtook the British contractor coverage, think again.



That's really sad. Iraqis and soldiers do not choose to go to Iraq to make some big bucks.



We think it's the height of stupidity to elevate contractors to a higher level of concern than Iraqis and troops. Contractors make the decision to go there. Contractors can leave. Contractors (from Western countries) make a great deal more than troops and Iraqi fortunate enough to find work. In fact, let's note that, Iraq has skyrocketing unemployment. The last thing the country needs is more foreigners coming into it when so many of the people remain jobless.



Now it's sad when anyone's harmed, kidnapped or killed. But the press is supposed to possess the ability of critical evaluation and that should include grasping that, especially at this late date, people choosing to go to Iraq to make big money are making a real stupid mistake. (Again, don't give us the "serve their country" nonsense. None of the five British contractors were working for the UK. And contractors, at least if they're US citizens, should have an easy processing if they wish to sign up with the US military judging by all the press reports of recruiters who have encouraged people to lie about drug use, health problems and more when enlisting.) It is sad that five British contractors are missing. It's just not a more pressing story (in the US) than Iraqis or US troops.