More AP "Agenda Objectivity"

Once again, here'swhat AP says its mission is:

AP's mission is to be the essential global news network, providing distinctive news services of the highest quality, reliability and objectivity with reports that are accurate, balanced and informed. AP operates as a not-for-profit cooperative with 3,700 employees working in more than 240 worldwide bureaus. (emphasis added)

And here's the lead of AP's write-up of the president's comments on the third anniversary of the Iraq ... uh ... war:

President Bush marked the anniversary of the Iraq war Sunday by touting the efforts to build democracy there and avoiding any mention of the daily violence that rages three years after he ordered an invasion.

The president didn't utter the word "war."

So, what? Is AP saying that the President copped out and tried to pretend that there wasn't a war going on? If it was a long, detailed speech without the word "war" in it, AP might have a point.

But that's not the case. Here's the text of President's brief, 252-word talk:

This morning I had a phone call with our ambassador to Iraq. And the ambassador informed me of the progress that the Iraqis are making in forming a unity government. I encouraged the Iraqi leaders to continue to work hard to get this government up and running. The Iraqi people voted for democracy last December; 75 percent of the eligible citizens went to the polls to vote. Now the Iraqi leaders are working together to enact a government that reflects the will of the people. I'm encouraged by the progress. The ambassador was encouraged by it.

Today, as well, marks the third anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Iraq. And it's a time to reflect. And this morning, our reflections were upon the sacrifices of the men and women who wear our uniform. Ours is an amazing nation where thousands have volunteered to serve our country. They volunteered to -- many volunteered after 9/11, knowing full well that their time in the military could put them in harm's way. So, on this third anniversary, the beginning of the liberation of Iraq, I think all Americans should offer thanks to the men and women who wear the uniform, and their families who support them. We are implementing a strategy that will lead to victory in Iraq. And a victory in Iraq will make this country more secure, and will help lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.

May God continue to bless our troops in harm's way. Thank you.

If I hadn't shared AP's phoney set-up with you, would you have noticed that the word "war" was missing? Can you find a place where "war" would fit in? Me neither.

Well, as long as AP has decided that its pledge of objectivity isn't worth keeping, they might as well really get into some Bush-bashing:

• "Bush did not mention the insurgent attacks, the car bombs or the mounting Iraqi deaths ..."
  
• "The president only indirectly referred to the violence ..."
• "The White House is trying to remind the disapproving public of Bush's vision for Iraq with a public relations blitz."
• " ... retired Gen. Paul D. Eaton, who was in charge of training the Iraqi military from 2003-2004, called the defense secretary "incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically ..."

And other than a brief quote of the president, not a word about the formation of a democratic government. Not a word about the horrors of Hussein. Not a word about reconstruction.

Talkin' Technorati: Iraq, War, Bush, AP, MSM, Objectivity