Coast Guard Fires on Suspicious Boat on the Potomac? Not So Much

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It is extremely interesting for me to read this blog. Thank author for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon. BTW, rather nice design you have here, but what do you think about changing it once in a few months?
Jane Meetington

teen escort of AL 4:43PM July 06, 2010

Great story you got here. It would be great to read a bit more about this matter. Thnx for giving this info.

MarkRight of AL 6:53PM March 09, 2010

Why are you opinion writers here not talking about the big ACORN story? Can't spin it in the right direction? Do you think that if you don't comment on it the issue will go away? Perhaps USNEWS is a biased spin doctor?

Jeff of WI 6:08AM September 15, 2009

the coast guard said that CNN's remarks about gun shots was wrong, and instead they simply heard someone over the radio saying "bang-bang-bang" no joke, I didn't make this up, that is what the coast guard was saying. Rather than saying something along the lines of "CNN mistakenly heard the sound of a boat crashing against the water 10 times" they instead said that CNN mistakenly heard gunshots when in "fact" it was someone saying "bang-bang-bang." Question: is anyone, let alone a CNN reporter, so dumb that they can't distinguish actual gun shots from some guy saying "bang bang" over the radio?

a of AL 11:59AM September 13, 2009

Its a sign of our times that so much of what passes for journalism is so reckless and inaccurate. This episode reflects the sensationalism of the illustrious news numbskulls and political hacks looking to scam some phony rage over nothing.
The Coast Guard was doing its job. The news clowns were not doing theirs.
Pitiful reporting, or the lack of it, has incited fear on our almost sacred day of national morning. Pandering for ratings with wrong information. Sounds familiar, no? No wonder the braindead zombies parade in front of the cable cameras, like a bunch of kids pretending they are on "Dancing with Celebrities." Why do we have to put up with these dandys of the cable realm.
We are in an era of attention hogs willing to say anything or think anything in some devilish bargain for their 15 seconds of almost-celebrity - at the expense of our country.

hank of TN 1:19AM September 13, 2009

The coast guard was doing a drill as they should and other agencies should be doing this at will. CNN should check out the source first before broadcasting on the air, this is what creates havoc. Cnn had people of NY in panic just like the definition of terrorist.
CNN and other news agencies should check out what they hear first.
Hats off to the coast guard.

brandy Scott of KY 12:45PM September 12, 2009

The Coast Guard drill this morning routine in nature. In my experience, harbor and river patrol boat units conduct such exercises every day of the year, whether it's Christmas, Veteran's Day, or 9/11. A couple of things need to be pointed out, of which I haven't seen anything in the media as yet: Were the radio transmissions hailing the suspect vessel made on VHF channels 16 or 9, which are the international calling and distress channels, or were they made on any other VHF channel? If they were made on any other channel, it would be a crystal clear indication that this was a drill from the beginning. Were the calls made on an encrypted radio frequency? Even more evidence that it's a drill. I don't know who monitors the police bands for CNN, but if they got this basic fact wrong, then they have no business calling out the USCG.
Drills like this are conducted on every shift, 24/7 and 365, by every active harbor boat unit of the USCG and the US Navy. They are so routine as to be just another part of the work day. The shift and/or drill supervisor is likely to be a mid grade enlisted Sailor or Coastie, who would not know the itinerary and travel routes of POTUS, nor would he have a need to know. It looks to me like this person ran a good drill, and CNN ran a bad story. Hearing the words 'bang bang bang, 10 rounds expended' on the radio is a clear indiction of a training ex.

Scott Bowser, MAC(SW/AW), USN (Retired) of NY 10:46PM September 11, 2009

As a former CG member I notice the backdrop of what the Service does day in and day out, rescues, environmental response, drug interdiction, etc rarely makes it to the front page, however because some media outlet wants to the first to report without checking the facts, the CG is at fault.
Thanks for nothing CNN

SO of MD 5:31PM September 11, 2009

But does not most media networks have contacts and phones numbers they can call to check the facts maybe even during the report?. I was not there. But if no body was informed would that have not scared people who heard the ships speakers?.
We need to learn We here in America should not be in competition with one another but we need to work together so if something does happen we will already be prepared and know what to do.
So if it is just a exorcise no one will get hurt.
Lets be prepared
Cattle will trample one anther and I hear humans who are much smart will to!
Lets get it together so we do not make ourselves look bad.
Don D. Brock

Don D. Brock of AZ 4:34PM September 11, 2009

I am in the Coast Guard Auxilliary, Has anyone ever realy listened to us on our radio frequancies. When we train there is a staement of a training drill prior and at differant times duting the drill. As usual it is all about ratings and not truth in reporting once again!!!!!!!

RAJ of MI 3:26PM September 11, 2009