Saving Lives or Spinning Facts?

Improvised Explosive Devices—IEDs—are responsible for killing over 60% of the Americans lost in action in Iraq over the past year. Appropriately, the U.S. has made a top priority out of combating this dangerous threat to American troops.

David Gregory of NBC News, however, in his March 13 story from the White House, oddly treated the President’s interest in countering IEDs as a public relations gambit. Here’s Gregory’s full report (emphasis added):

Today, Mr. Bush boasted of new technology he claims has reduced the threat of roadside bombs, known as IEDs, responsible for so much carnage.

[Clip of President speaking:] “Today nearly half the IEDs in Iraq are found and disabled before they can be detonated.”

IEDs are a major source of the violent images Americans see on their television screens so often. That’s why the White House hopes highlighting the battle against that threat may actually move opinion on the war. David Gregory, NBC News, the White House.