CNN - "The Publicist for An Enemy Propaganda Film"

CNN is getting some serious blowback over their decision to broadcast film shot by an insurgent group of enemy snipers killing Americans. Several Congressmen have called for CNN to lose their privilege of embedding with our troops:

SAN DIEGO — CNN has become "the publicist for an enemy propaganda film" by broadcasting a video showing an insurgent sniper in Iraq apparently killing an American soldier, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said here Friday.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) called for the Pentagon to oust any CNN reporter embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq.

"I think Americans like to think we're all in this together," Hunter said. "The average American Marine or soldier has concluded after seeing that film that CNN is not on their side."...

Tony Snow, President Bush's press secretary, said the insurgents were hoping to "break the will of the American people" by giving the video to CNN. ...

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad), who with Hunter and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, called the film "nothing short of a terrorist snuff film."

Snow, at his regular news briefing in Washington, said the video was misleading because it made it appear that Americans were "sitting ducks" and that insurgents were winning the war. In truth, he said, insurgents "are dying in much greater numbers and suffering much greater damage."

I doubt the Pentagon will restrict CNN from traveling with the troops, but I'm sure CNN won't be getting much cooperation from our forces and won't be getting much of a warm welcome when they show up.

I can see the scene now: A young lieutenant hears the pop of an incoming mortar and shouts to his troops "Everybody down!!", and then looks at the CNNcorrespondentt and says "except you".