The lack of context strikes again

Over at Altercation, Eric Alterman points to yet another instance in which the consistent failure of the press to provide context makes it easier for attack ads and smears to thrive. This time, the subject is Afghanistan, the war that nobody reports. As Alterman points out, civilian deaths in U.S. bombing raids has been a consistent problem,one that threatens our relations with Afghanistan and fuels anti-American sentiment. Obama was right when he said that such tragic incidents were tied to inadequate troop levels, but now his remarks are being portrayed in ads and on the campaign trail as evidence of Obama attacking our troops. It's unconscionable for Palin to do so, but the only reason it has a chance to work is because the press has failed to make clear the context of Obama's remarks while continuing to show video of Palin on the stump repeating her distortions and smears.