War coverage — not what it used to be

We’ve offered our impression that MSM coverage in Iraq differs markedly from normal war coverage. At one time, such coverge included reports about battles, territory lost and gained, and the like. Now, it tends to be only about death counts. And since the administration, afraid of comparisons to Vietnam, doesn’t like to provide enemy death counts, the reporting is almost always adverse.
Today, however, AP reports that Iraqi troops attacked insurgents plotting to kill pilgrims (AP says “allegedly plotting”) near Najaf, and that Iraqi officials estimated that approximatley 250 militants died in the ensuing daylong battle. In addition, 10 insurgents were captured, including one from Sudan. Iraqi forces, backed by the U.S., fought the battle, during which a U.S. helicopter was shot down and the two members of its crew were killed.