Gen. Brooks

[Ishmael]

The CentCom briefer is one impressive individual.

Watching him handle the press is like a well orchestrated ballet. He handles the most inane and idiotic questions with dignity and precision. So much so that the older more experienced reporters don't even try to pull and end run on him anymore.

He has not editorialized, or allowed the press to do so with his words. He's two or three strides ahead of them at all times. More importantly, he's been utterly truthful. It's the press that has invariably ended up with egg on it's face in this conflict, not the military.

His command of the English language and diction are without fault. Unlike a couple of the other briefers, he doesn't stumble or search for words. He knows the tool he's using and uses it well indeed.

I have no idea what Gen. Brooks future may hold as far as high military command, but I do predict that Gen. Brooks could have a very long and very successful political future ahead of him.

I wish him the best.

Ishmael

 

[Lancecastor]

Watching him handle the press is like a well orchestrated ballet.

Ishmael

That pretty much describes the way the Pentagon handles the release of information about its activities.

Orchestrated.

 

[Lasher]

There's an article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jack Kelly who is sitting around Doha waiting for his embed with 1st Armored when they arrive in a few weeks in today's paper with a couple of interesting things to say on the briefings

Jack Kelly: My war is not hell

First, about Brooks:

"The briefings usually are conducted by Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, a star who is likely to wear more stars on his collar points before his career is over. Brooks is a good briefer. But he treats information -- good and bad -- as if it were sterling silver handed down to him from a beloved grandmother, and he is reluctant to part with it....

Because Brooks clutches the silver so tightly, good questions are required to pry information from him. Some reporters routinely ask good questions. Some do not. The public affairs officers remember the howlers and chuckle about them after the briefings."

And, second, about our buddies with Al Jazeera:

"The gang from Al Jazeera have gone into a funk. They lie to their audience. But they know the truth, and the truth is giving them indigestion."

 

[Alvin Brickrock]

The CentCom briefer is one impressive individual.

Watching him handle the press is like a well orchestrated ballet. He handles the most inane and idiotic questions with dignity and precision. So much so that the older more experienced reporters don't even try to pull and end run on him anymore.

He has not editorialized, or allowed the press to do so with his words. He's two or three strides ahead of them at all times. More importantly, he's been utterly truthful. It's the press that has invariably ended up with egg on it's face in this conflict, not the military.

His command of the English language and diction are without fault. Unlike a couple of the other briefers, he doesn't stumble or search for words. He knows the tool he's using and uses it well indeed.

I have no idea what Gen. Brooks future may hold as far as high military command, but I do predict that Gen. Brooks could have a very long and very successful political future ahead of him.

I wish him the best.

Ishmael

...and he doesn't pronounce the word 'ask'... "axe".

 

[Saint Peter]

I agree with you Ish. It seems that this time around the military has used the press instead of running from the press. Embedded journalists and snappy updates on events gives the appearance of credibility to the military. Stories of troop's family members unable to turn off the coverage are understandable.

With all the time, effort, and money put into the media it only is smart to put a smoothie like Brooks in the big chair.

 

[Lasher]

IWith all the time, effort, and money put into the media it only is smart to put a smoothie like Brooks in the big chair.

He's good... but imagine if they had been able to give Bob Costas a commission?

How soothing would it be to have Costas sitting in front of a fireplace anchoring reports about Baghdad just like it was 2 man luge??

 

[70/30]

Advise your leader to fire ARI then. Maybe the Syndicate will do the same thing with Brooks as they did with Powell--string him along for 30 years, then when desperately needed--capitalise on his popularity and the trustworthy persona he developed.

 

[Lost Cause]

I'm waiting for the "UncleTom" replies...

They've begun slowly, and concealed in public....

Wolff said: "I mean no disrespect by this question, but I want to ask about the value proposition of these briefings. We're no longer being briefed by senior-most officers." The press pool applauded the question, which drew a rapier-quick response from Brooks who said, "I've gotten applause already. That's wonderful. I appreciate that."

Can you believe the audacity of complaining that Brigadier General Brooks isn't good enough for the press? If this had been a reporter from a conservative news source, the press would point out the fact that Brooks just happens to be the only African-American general on the scene. Charges of racism would be made, because this question's underlying meaning is clearly that Brooks can't possibly know anything.

By the way, Donald Rumsfeld nominated Brooks for appointment to the rank of brigadier general in June 2002.

Just another example - like Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas and Condoleezza Rice - of African-Americans advancing more under GOP administrations than Democratic ones.

 

[BlueDaisy]

Re: Re: Gen. Brooks

That pretty much describes the way the Pentagon handles the release of information about its activities.

Orchestrated.

LOL! Yeah, that's about right. But Brooks is doing a good job. Plus he is photogenic, which helps, and personable in a no-nonsense way. OK, and yes, he is kinda cute, too (what do you expect? I'm a hot-blooded American woman!). I predict more stars in his future.

Lance: I still want to know...whose face are you using in your AV?

 

[70/30]

How does anyone even know he's a Republican? Or are military personnel programmed to politically think a certain way? Maybe those that have an independent mind get demoted instead of promoted

 

[Ishmael]

How does anyone even know he's a Republican? Or are military personnel programmed to politically think a certain way? Maybe those that have an independent mind get demoted instead of promoted

Please find the quote where that was so stated Mr. "First to Play the Race Card."

Ishmael

 

[70/30]

Answering Lost Cause, he doesn't deserve to be quoted. Also with the multitude of known righties in this thread and the talk I've heard in other threads, it was easy to draw the conclusion I did.

 

[Gil_Favor]

Answering Lost Cause, he doesn't deserve to be quoted. Also with the multitude of known righties in this thread and the talk I've heard in other threads, it was easy to draw the conclusion I did.

Hi WD40, I see that you're still an idiot.........

Consistancy, is a good quality

 

[EllieTalbot]

The CentCom briefer is one impressive individual.

Watching him handle the press is like a well orchestrated ballet. He handles the most inane and idiotic questions with dignity and precision. So much so that the older more experienced reporters don't even try to pull and end run on him anymore.

He has not editorialized, or allowed the press to do so with his words. He's two or three strides ahead of them at all times. More importantly, he's been utterly truthful. It's the press that has invariably ended up with egg on it's face in this conflict, not the military.

His command of the English language and diction are without fault. Unlike a couple of the other briefers, he doesn't stumble or search for words. He knows the tool he's using and uses it well indeed.

I have no idea what Gen. Brooks future may hold as far as high military command, but I do predict that Gen. Brooks could have a very long and very successful political future ahead of him.

I wish him the best.

Ishmael

Agreed with enthusiasm! I don't see a lot of the coverage these days, but try to make a point to watch the CENTCOM briefings. The information is always clear, concise, and Brooks never makes any statement that hasn't been thoroughly checked and confirmed. He's not afraid to say that he doesn't know the answer; he doesn't guess. What a presence and dignity that man has!

I just may become a General Brooks groupie!

Swooning in Siberia,
Ellie

 

[Small town girl]

I like watching brooks on the CENTCOM briefings too, but i still get a kick out of Rumsfeld when he briefs the pentagon reporters.

 

[]ooooo(chained)]

Everything about this Administration has that comfortable, "The Adults are Back in Charge," feel to it. Saw Elain Chow on television today talking about SARS. Very credible woman.