Worldview

There is little context, only a blow-by-blow account that fragments reality the way the officials wanted. A lot of jawing, mostly inane and repetitive, and much harrumphing for the "race" to Baghdad. One awestruck reporter from a respectable US outlet asked in the first week of bombing: "How much more of the show is still left?" Even the Pentagon briefer was embarrassed.

Spokeswoman Victoria Clarke gently reminded her flock "this is not a show". But it is—for the many TV networks bursting with excitement, having invested millions in the project. The ratings war is fiercely fought, new ways to entertain devised, studio walls covered with photos of marines in battle. Anything to lure viewers—send us a photo of your loved one. Only the sanitised view is allowed in this 24/7, wall-to-wall coverage from the "embedded" reporters—Pentagon’s chosen term for the 529 journalists who are attached to various combat units. But the irony of being in bed with those you are covering is lost in the sandstorms of Iraq.

The fourth estate in France may have rallied behind President Jacques Chirac in his anti-American stance before the war began, but it has been sensitive to the casualties US and British troops have suffered. For instance, Marc Tessier, president of France Televisions—a government-owned holding company that runs four big TV stations—says his company decided to edit pictures of casualties even though the rest of the world beamed it. "We are sensitive and hence we even removed the sound from the horrifying images in order to lessen the shock. But I was surprised that everyone else showed the pictures in all their gruesome details." Some leading newspapers and magazines are beginning to question Chirac’s wisdom in holding out against the US at the UN. "Did they get carried away by the popularity of their anti-American stance?" asks Le Point, a leading newsmagazine in its latest cover.

As the wave of bombings continues, Britain is beginning to see something of a hate wave, directed inevitably against people who look Muslim, Arab or even generally Asian. Leaders of mosques have reported hate incidents, individuals and institutions are beginning to see abusive behaviour. Daily reports of British casualties, even though most have come in accidents or ‘friendly’ fire, are inviting targets for people to aim their anger at. Sadly, there are too many members of ethnic minorities in Britain now. They are beginning to feel a touch of the desert heat.

The inimitable Michael Moore socked it to them at the Oscars, bringing hard politics to a stage held sacred by rich stars, studio godfathers and salivating fans. After collecting the Oscar for best documentary for his piercing look at America’s gun culture, Moore declared his passionate opposition to war. "We live in a time where we have a man who’s sending us to war for fictitious reasons.... We live in the time where we have fictitious election results that elect a fictitious president," Moore said, to many cheers and some loud jeers. The big Moore, bursting out of his tux, was unstoppable, unplugged. "We are against this war, Mr Bush. Shame on you, Mr Bush. Shame on you," he shouted. Others too declared their opposition to war but in more palatable ways. You know, dove pins and peace signs and polite tut-tuts.