So, are we being wagged by the dog here? News that doesn't have to do with Iraq is impossible to come by from U.S. outlets. On CNN's webpage you actually have to click on a link called "OTHER NEWS" to get to headlines not concerned with the War. I realize it is important, but is it important enough to disregard everything else? Some interesting news stories that I came across that I hadn't heard of at all...

Cuban Plane hijacked
Who was it that said that all hijackers were arabs? I can't remember...

War Protests from D.C. to West Coast

Senate Rejects Arctic Drilling
Guess the Shrub administration was hoping for a little war-zeal to squeek this one through.

FBI granted expanded immigration enforcement powers
This passage disturbs me:

1,000 US Troops Raid Afghani Towns

Is anyone else disturbed that all these issues are being thrown on the backburner?

War is the front page news. It is not surprising or disappointing to me other than the fact that I am saddened that we have begun a war.

While it wages it is simply louder than other news. It is available for those who read beyond the headlines.

I tend to agree with Eeyore on this one. I saw all of those headlines yesterday, and I didn't have to look very deep for them. They were playing them on CNN last night right along side the war coverage. The war is just the major news of the moment, so it's getting more air time.

eh, not really. I think it will wear off. The actual war is brand new. It will get old after a while. It will always be front page news, but won't dominate the pages indefinately.

Those who have overstayed their welcome in America, have no constitutional rights. The FBI should hold them as long as necessary to deport them, question them, etc etc. whatever they need to do... Get them the heck outta here, so that legal immigrants and native citizens can benefit from their own hard work and contributions, without worries that those contributions are going to benefit someone who does not deserve them.

--cheers

Ultimatejoe,

I've always been ticked at how the crisis du jour takes most of the media's attention but not to the point of being disturbed.

I had heard about the ANWR vote. That one will be an especially difficult hard sell now that it looks like Iraqi oil will definately be flowing freely. In fact, this may be a positive fallout of the Iraq war: The push to open public lands for exploration could sputter out.

And could this lead to less dependency on fossil fuels all around? The movements in this direction are hardly covered by any media, mainstream or independent/underground.

I aim to change that situation

Meanwhile, I guess we dig for other news. So it goes.

Which one of those stories might be the reason for 'wagging the dog'?

The "crisis du jour" always dominates the headlines. But all the usual stories are still being reported, you just have to read past the headlines. Drudge is good for a quicky summary of the rest, as are many other sites.

Like Cyan, I too saw the news on the 1,000 troops engaging in Afghanistan raids for Al Qaida and Taliban forces along the Pakistan border; the Cuban hijacking reportedly for political asylum (not terrorism); and the continuing protests in America and throughout the world. Even now there are bars running along the bottom of my screen on various channels detailing some 50k protesters in Germany, another large group in Italy, etc.

The war is hogging the lime light, but the other news is there if you want it. News taking a backseat isn't necessarily a sign of the public being wagged... though it's not to say we shouldn't keep our eye on it.

war coverage brings in ratings not airline hyjackings that were resolved

If there was no war, Fox News would be playing the hyjacking to death

9/11 was the best thing to happen to Gary Condit because he was buried in reporters