Could the Alternet coverage of Katie stop now? She is a not a journalist, she is a celebrity. Let People magazine cover the Katie stories.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

One of the things that gives the Taliban its edge is that many poppy farmers are running to them for protection from coalition forces who are to keen on wiping out the poppy yields. Although they have failed to make a dent in poppy production and trade, the coalition continues on alienating the very local rural populations they need on their side in the war on terror. British Tories have long advocated the legalization of growing and shipping the crop in order to both undercut Taliban support in the countryside and stem the tide of violence associated with the international drug trade. Anti-drug operations in Afghanistan have been incredibly cost ineffective and have cost the lives of many coalition troops. The tremendous appeal of poppy cultivation reflects both a failure to eliminate the most reactionary and undemocratic forces from social and political life in Afghanistan-the drug lords who comprise much of the outlying landholding shieks who are about 5% of the population in control of nearly half the arable land-as well as to provide enough resources for economic reconstruction so as to replace the drug trade as a means of support.

The Bush Administration's insistance that Iraq and not Afghanistan is the frontline in the war on terror is the real political obsticle to success. It is this stubborn refusal to see the reality that is causing needless suffering.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

taliban back? let's see. that hot item has been reported for about a year now, along with rising US and Canadian casualties. I'm glad Katie is catching up. Golly, it's a mean ol world out there, isn't it K-K-Katie?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Historic? I don't think so. Hiring a former CNN desk assistant to an overpaid newsreader position is only historically dumb. I'm sure Elizabeth Vargas thinks all the 1st female solo anchor stuff is an interesting take. If not for pregnancy an an inopportune time she would still be anchoring ABC's news.

This ditz is getting north of $10 million per year to read a TelePrompTer. Call Pacifica and ask what their entire budget for a year of Democracy Now! is. There is your perspective.

As to her news judgement, I would call it newz judgement. Not a peep about Mexico, but we get pictures of the android Cruise baby. Maybe Americans get the government they deserve...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

She is bringing people back to the evening news. Hate all you want. She has created a market and niche for herself. Be happy some fucking time for someone. Damn!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Little Katie should have said/read "It's easy for Americans to forget that Afghanistan is where that war began". The war was only a television event for us. No Taliban bombs rained down on American towns in this war and the pictures of dead and injured people were rarely seen. Nice and sterile. When the war's crescendo was over, the viewers got bored and forgot the whole thing.

"easy to forget" - wow, what a self-indictment.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]