Conflict coverage affects sports coverage

By Bill Bender
Sports Editor

"Welcome to Afghanistan, where we have a prime-time match-up between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Taliban. The United States is looking to avenge last month's loss in New York while Afghanistan is undefeated at home, with previous wins against Russia and Great Britain."

All the television networks need is Al Michaels, Dan Fouts and Dennis Miller to announce the events of the conflict in Afghanistan. Network coverage of the conflict resembles Monday Night Football, and it's ridiculous.

The idea is nothing new. During the Gulf War, networks showed live coverage of Patriot missiles hitting Baghdad and hyped up each detail of a so-called war the United States dominated. Television coverage during war expects viewers to plop down on a chair with a cheeseburger and a six-pack to watch the main-event.

The main event is now the conflict in Afghanistan. Of course, CNN has detailed coverage of each country's "starting line-up." Picture Fouts introducing the teams.

"Team captain Osama bin Laden and the al-Queda are looking to use terrorists tactics and anti-aircraft fire to fend off the American offense. Meanwhile, President George W. Bush brings tough defense backed by the Northern Alliance and an arsenal of Tomahawk missiles in the backfield to combat the Afghan's home field advantage."

Television networks are sacrificing good journalism at the expense of dead bodies. Americans do not need to know every single detail of military operations, especially when bin Laden is probably watching the same program in an underground lair.

The networks also have utilized catchy, slogans such as "America on Edge," and "America Strikes Back." I'm not on edge, and it's best to leave striking back to Darth Vader and the Imperial forces.

In an effort to instill both fear and pride in the American people, CNN has shown pictures of Taliban soldiers sporting AK-47s and anti-aircraft weapons. Imagine Miller fumbling through a commentary.

"Look at this terrorist's gun. It's like five feet long. I wish I had a five-foot gun. The American's have to do something to stop this guy. He's unbelievable."

What's still hard to fathom is that the Twin Towers are gone. On Sunday U.S. armed forces retaliated, and of course, CNN provided up-to-the-minute updates. While the conflict is not a war yet, networks have inflated the battle to epic proportions.

The coverage of the war is in no way entertaining, but U.S. involvement in Afghanistan is quite frightening. The outcome of this conflict could result in an easy American victory or an instant replay of the Vietnam War. And if nuclear weapons enter the picture, neither "team," nor the future of human life, will emerge as victor.

So if the United States wants to fight, we should bring the house and finish the job, not fight another political war. And to the networks, leave the job of fighting to the armed forces.