That was a pretty good report on CNN last night about the Pentagon’s decision to not add a brigade to the 3rd Infantry Division. It focused on the affect the decision has had on Hinesville/Liberty County. It was presented as a news story on Wolf Blitzer’s Situation Room. The story was by the network’s Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr and interviewed several local people.

You can watch the story and read a more accurate and broader story at http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/01/fort.stewart.promises/index.html

Here are some of the more interesting aspects of the presentation:

* Hinesville and the developers interviewed are getting little sympathy in the comments being left with the story. Here’s an example from a user named Rumple:

“I just love it when the greedy, money grabbing locals near a military installation get screwed for once.!!! They take advantage of the GI's to the best of their ability. I'm surprised that someone says "I've been around the military for 48 years and never seen this happen". The government not keeping it's word?? What rock have you been hiding under? Suck it up!! Take your loss and move on, find some other warm blooded project to leach off from.

* The video presentation said Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo promised the brigade was coming. He emphasized the need for locals to prepare for the onslaught of troops after taking command here and repeated the DoD’s promise in 2008 (I think). The promise was made through the Pentagon soon after the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, probably in early 2007, well before Cucolo came here.

* The camera work for the video presentation showed some attractive areas, but seemed generally targeted at making the city, especially downtown, look like it is dying. Among the features highlighted was the long-broken window on the old Nottingham Café. The camera operator could have turned 180 degrees and shown construction of the multimillion dollar justice center.

* The locals interviewed were well-spoken in presenting their cases. Mayor Jim Thomas, especially, presented an articulate face for our city.