ABC Rediscovers Afghanistan Debacle, But Just Three Seconds to Biden

After almost a year of burying Joe Biden’s Afghanistan disaster, ABC on Monday rediscovered the ongoing debacle. But, Good Morning America George Stephanopoulos was the co-host and devoted 4 minutes 12 seconds to reminding Americans what happened August 2013. Only 3 seconds were dedicated to Biden. 

In a segment that aired deep in the 8AM hour, Stephanopoulos remembered, “One year ago, the last American troops left Afghanistan after America’s longest war. We all remember the harrowing images of the Taliban took back control.” He then talked to three Air Forces members who flew a record-breaking 823 Afghans out of the country as the Taliban took back control. 

Biden, who was responsible for the disasterous withdrawal, was only allowed three seconds. As Stephanopoulos recounted, he noted, “It was a stunning collapse….All leading to the end of a 20-year-war.” There was then eight words from an August 2021 Biden speech:  “We’ve been a nation too long at war.” 

Air Force tech sergeant Justin Triola explained to us how they saved the lives of over 800 people. 

It wasn’t really sinking in when we started to fly. We are doing everything we can to help save lives and bring people to safety. When we took off, I felt a great sense of relief. 

Stephanopoulos marveled, “So many people packed in. There are so many others who were left behind, however..” The president in power at the time was left unmentioned. 

Night newscasts from the networks quickly dropped their coverage on Afghanistan. In August of 2021, they devoted 409 minutes to Biden’s handling. That number had dropped to 16 by October. En July 2022, I wrote about the failures in Afghanistan that the networks ignored, which included 700 Taliban killings since August last year. 

For this sad anniversary month, journalists need to spend some time covering the culpability the White House for this ongoing disaster. 

Comcast sponsored the pro Biden cover photo. To let Comcast know your thoughts, click the link. 

The following is a partial transcript of the 8 August segment. Click “expand” to read more. 

Good Morning America
8/8/2022
8.17 am ET

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: After America’s longest conflict, one year ago the last American soldiers left Afghanistan. The harrowing scenes in which the Taliban took control are still vividly remembered. We now learn more about the story behind these images. These stories include stories of courage, compassion, and split-second decisions that have saved many lives. It was a scene of chaos and despair. Many Afghans ran alongside the U.S. C-17 that was leaving Afghanistan. It was an incredible collapse. [Clip from August, 2021]. Chaos in Kabul. Afghanistan is now under Taliban control. [Clip ends.]The U.S. Embassy was evacuated. This all led to an end to a war that lasted 20 years. 

JOE BIDEN : Too long have we been at war as a nation. 

STEPHANOPOULOS. Two decades ago, the Taliban regained control. America’s longest-running war is over. 

GENERAL Frank MCKENZIE 

STEPHANOPOULOS – Now almost a full year since U.S. But the images are not gone. An American Marine lifts a baby from Kabul’s airport over a wall made of barbed wire. 

JOHN KIRBY : Because the child was ill, the parent requested that the Marines look after it. They took care of the child. The father returned the child. 

STEPHANOPOULOS. This photo was taken by Justin Triola (technical sergeant). U.S. Air Force seven-member crew reach 871 was the subject of headlines all over the globe for their split second decision, which saw them take 823 Afghan civilians fleeing Taliban forces on the packed flight. ABC News was able to interview members of this team and reveal the shocking details. 

TECH SERGEANT  JUSTIN TRIOLA (305th Air Mobility Wing): We are taxying over where we’re supposed to deliver our cargo and pick up what was supposed to be a few military working dogs. Then, all of a sudden we noticed a rush of people. And that’s where as a crew we started talking through how we were going to handle the situation and be able to accommodate them and make sure they can safely get on our jet. We don’t have 823 seatbelts. The cargo str was used as seat belts in the ground. With so many people it was almost impossible to keep everyone together. 

…

TRIOLA – I still don’t believe it fully hit me when we took off. We are doing everything we can to help save lives and bring people to safety. When we took off, I felt a great sense of relief. 

 STEPHANOPOULOS: So many people packed in. Yet, many others were left behind.