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The Pentagon thinks it doesn't need to talk to the press. Here's why they're wrong.
Your friendly correspondent wishes he could boast that no news escapes his cold, dead gaze, but the truth is the Pentagon is turning more opaque than the fetid Potomac River whence our nation's Godforsaken capital sprang.
To wit: It has been more than 300 days since the last time a defense official held its last televised news conference from the Pentagon.
Now, you probably think that this Pentagon reporter is a whiny, self-fellating diva who loves to complain. That may be true, but the crux of the issue is Task & Purpose represents all of the troops, military families, and veterans who can't be in the Pentagon every day to plead their cases.
You deserve answers from the higher ups, who seem obsessed with making your lives more complicated. The Pentagon briefing room isn't big enough for you to hold the military brass' feet to the fire; so by God, they will answer to me.
What 'Jack Ryan' Reveals About How Popular Culture Impacts Our Understanding Of War
The new Jack Ryan reboot that premiered on Amazon at the end of August marked the return of Tom Clancy’s eponymous Marine vet turned CIA super-spook to the forefront of American pop culture. Updated to reflect changing international threats, the series’ generally positive reception illustrates the staying power of Clancy’s vision of the military and national security realm. The New York Times’ Michael Hale observed that Jack Ryan is “still the Boy Scout, which is to say the godlike, morally superior American, stretching out his hand to the rest of the world.”
'New Yorker' Magazine Apologizes To Double Amputee Marine Vet Who Staffer Smeared As Nazi
The New Yorker magazine has apologized to a combat-wounded Pasco County, Florida, veteran about a tweet posted by one of its staffers.
The 'Renegade' Blog That Brought More Veterans Into The Media Is Back
Hearing the sounds of Afghans screaming and looking out at the black smoke of burning tires beyond the perimeter in May 2005, I got my first taste of how poorly researched journalism can have real-world consequences.
Why The Air Force Is Wrong To Freeze Its Engagement With The Media
The recent Air Force freeze on public affairs interactions is troubling for a number of reasons. Among other things, it may counter the Department of Defense’s “Principles of Information,” which state that, “It is Department of Defense policy to make available timely and accurate information so that the public, the Congress, and the news media may assess and understand the facts about national security and defense strategy. Requests for information from organizations and private citizens shall be answered quickly.”
The Air Force Needs A Few Months Of No Press To Get Its Shit Together
The U.S. Air Force needs a little bit of time to get its shit together, so journalists, if you could just do us a favor and stop asking us questions for like, a week or maybe a month or two, that would be great. Thanks.
