There is a very good article on Real Politics.com written by Ralph Peters describing his recent trip to Iraq and what he found as compared to what is being reported in the Mainstream media (MSM). It seems that many of the media reporters over there never really leave the "Safe" areas but rely heavily on Iraqi assistance in gathering news. Unfortunately many of these Iraqi reporters have their own agenda and tell the MSM reporters what they want to hear for "their" story. "Dependance on the unverified reports of local hires has become the dirty secret of semi-celecbrity journalism in Iraq."
Unfortunately with this type of journalism for "effect" the true story does not always get reported the way it should. There have been numerous reports that the Iraqi citizens do not want the U.S. military in their country. Reports from American soldiers say different and below is a statement by Ralph Peter's and what he found during his visit to Iraq. I also attached the link to his story and it is well worth reading...
"Hatred of the U.S. military. If anything surprised me in the streets of Baghdad, it was the surge in the popularity of U.S. troops among both Shias and Sunnis. In one slum, amid friendly adult waves, children and teenagers cheered a U.S. Army patrol as we passed. Instead of being viewed as occupiers, we're increasingly seen as impartial and well-intentioned."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/03/myths_of_iraq.html
