By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
As a proud, former reporter for The Associated Press, I know firsthand that as the largest and oldest newsgathering organization in the world, the AP upholds the highest journalistic standards.
That’s why I am incensed to learn from the AP’s great reporting that Iran has attacked more than two dozen U.S. bases in the Middle East, causing billions of dollars of damage to equipment and facilities.
Yes, only a few of our service members have been killed so far in those raids but the destruction of early warning systems, aircraft and sheltered living quarters means that even more Americans will be at risk in future strikes.
The AP independently confirmed that this nation we were supposed to defeat in six weeks – eight months ago — actually hit our strongholds with 115 drone and missile strikes through August that damaged or destroyed structures on 26 military bases and other sites, as verified by satellite imagery.
This undeclared enemy in this undeclared war viciously focused its attacks on airplane hangars and systems that detect incoming strikes, thereby clearing the path for new attacks on troop housing and warehouses where weapons and munitions are stored.
As a result, those clowns now running the Department of Defense have moved many U.S. assets out of the Persian Gulf, including aircraft, air defense systems, communications systems and other technology.
That news further increased my concerns about Mr. Trump’s war which, by the way, yesterday cost me $75 to fill up my Ford Explorer. And it comes on the heels of another experienced general, a war plans expert, being fired this week by Pete (The Pious) Hegseth, the most unqualified person ever to serve in that post.
Failing to disclose the scope of attacks by Iran and their sponsored militias tells us why ole Pete doesn’t want reporters roaming the Pentagon and why the release of satellite photos of damaged American facilities has been delayed or withheld.
I suspect that the Trump folks are trying to treat us like young mushrooms. That means they want to keep us in the dark and feed us BS.
Keith Kappes can be reached at keithkappes@gmail.com.
