New York Times reporter Steven Lee Myers's "news analysis" on Tuesday's front page, "Trial's Focus To Suit Bush" (on seeking the death penalty for six Guantanamo detainees for the 9-11 attacks) could have more accurately been labeled "one reporter's anti-war opinion."
Note the strangely precise excorations that Myers elicited from unnamed "critics."
Mr. Bush never sounds surer of himself than when the subject is Sept. 11, even when his critics argue that he has squandered the country's moral authority, violated American and international law, and led the United States into the foolhardy distraction of Iraq.
"Six and a half years ago, our country faced the worst attack in our history," Mr. Bush said late last week, speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference. "I understood immediately that we would have to act boldly to protect the American people. So we've gone on the offense against these extremists. We're staying on the offense, and we will not relent until we bring them to justice."
The 9/11 candidate, Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York, may have dropped his bid for the White House. But the 9/11 presidency is far from over.
....
Only a year ago, Iraq appeared to have deflated the president's popularity and eroded his standing even among Republicans and the Pentagon's generals. But Mr. Bush now appears to have laid a foundation to keep more than 130,000 American troops on the ground in a mission he has justified as part of a broader fight against terrorism, despite an overwhelming groundswell against an unpopular conflict. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on Monday essentially endorsed a "pause" in further troop withdrawals once those troops sent in last year as part of a temporary buildup go home.
Tuesday's story reads much like Myers's "White House Memo" from August 27, which also put words in the mouths of unnamed "critics" in order to forward his own opinions about Iraq, like this:
Critics have called Mr. Bush's ever upbeat message delusional. His rationale for the war has shifted so much since 2003 that any new pitch will have skeptics. His analogy last week between the war in Iraq and the epic struggles of World War II, the Korean War and, especially, the Vietnam War was ridiculed by some as revisionist or simply inaccurate."
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
if at the first 21,000
February 13, 2008 - 12:33 ET by TruthMongerif at the first 21,000 times you don't succeed
try try try try again, msm:)
"squander" away GWB!
Critic's Say
February 13, 2008 - 12:48 ET by allanfWell the New York Times is full of critics. Apparently these "reporters" lack the moral courage to take credit for their criticism or feel their names lack the weight to be believed.
As to the substance, the election of Sarkozy in France and Merkle in Germany is ample proof that our "moral authority" has not been squandered. Seeking approval from one's enemies (or for that manner the bourgeois elitists of the New York Times) is not a sign of moral clarity.
totalitarian regimes are
February 13, 2008 - 13:05 ET by TruthMongertotalitarian regimes are dropping like flies, capitalism is sweeping the globe, American culture from clothing to sky-scrapers are prized symbols of national success
we've never enjoyed so much moral authority in our entire history
just pathetic NYT
only hollywood along with the public school system's multi-decade curriculum of ignorance could make your lunatic publications possible
Moral clarity scares libs.
February 13, 2008 - 14:22 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltMoral clarity scares libs.
I'm gonna agree with TM and allanf -
February 13, 2008 - 13:02 ET by FastEdcowards hiding behind cowards.
Here in the NEW MEDIA that the msm(Lsm) keeps telling us is insignificant, we (behind our screen names) say where we stand. This seems hypocritical on the face of it, but we don't run away, nor do we have the "credentials" that the OLD media seem to revere.
However, the sponsors and masthead names, here at NB, usually have the same thoughts, ideas and feeling, that we present, and if WE were being PAID to for our expressions, I am of the belief that everyone here would print their names, for all to see, with whatever criticism or pat on the back we would express. THAT is the difference between a cowardly press and a free one.
Agree or disagree with whatever somoebody here says, WE want the free press, not the sanitized, agenda driven drivel of the mam(Lsm).
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
War
February 13, 2008 - 13:13 ET by iveseenitallThe war has kept us safe. By all accounts (including Dimocrats) it was necessary. "Liberals" make one sick with their Monday morning quaterbacking. Clinton did nothing to protect us for 8 years. And how "moral" was his behavior? He made the office a laughing stock around the world. And this clown Obama---a modern day Elmer Gantry, he makes Chris Matthews weak in the knees, but he surely won't protect this country. Thank you President Bush, the Lincoln of our time.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
ives - gotta watch what you visualize
February 13, 2008 - 13:16 ET by FastEdcan't say knees and clinton in the same para - THAT is a moral behavior image that sears the brain.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Chris Matthews, along with
February 13, 2008 - 14:24 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltChris Matthews, along with the rest of the MSM will soon do anything for Obama, so much so that their collective legs will be so far apart they'll be in different zip codes, if you get my drift...
By what accounts was the
February 13, 2008 - 15:46 ET by balboaBy what accounts was the war necessary?
The Lincoln of our time? WOW.
I define the center of
February 13, 2008 - 15:56 ET by BDI define the center of Gravity in the current GWOT conflict as the ideology of Islamic Fascism itself. It must be defeated in the key terrain that is the Islamic population itsellf.
Therefore, we as a culture must have access to the population of the middle east in order to inculcate it with a competing ideology - that of democracy.
In order to do that we have to secure basis ffrom which to spread the competing ideology, and if you will please now look a tthe map, you will find that Iraq is dead center in the key area. Much more suitable for this purpose than a cultrual backwater of Afghanistan.
Therefore the invasion of Iraq was critical to securing the Strategic Cente rof Gravity.
I might say that it is more key to the War effort than the FDR endorsed campaigns in North Africa
You back?
February 13, 2008 - 17:17 ET by planetrepublicanBalboa, your back? Did you enjoy the Obama rally?
He's still swooning....
February 13, 2008 - 17:19 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltHe's still swooning....
Bal got Obama. He's lucky.
February 13, 2008 - 23:59 ET by RESTLESS 1Bal got Obama. He's lucky. We had Hillary in San Antonio today. The funny thing is, she was at a local Catholic university, and there were protests against her pro choice stance. The local Archbishop said he wasn't consulted as to the place of the rally, but that her pro choice stance went against Catholic teachings. Still, would rather she continue to fly right over us. Houston is nice this time of year.
Terrorism
February 13, 2008 - 19:03 ET by iveseenitall9-11 and terrorism may be o.k. with you Balboa, not with me or my family. Ungrateful, blind "liberals" like you need a walking stick. Sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Blah blah blah is all I
February 13, 2008 - 19:03 ET by balboaBlah blah blah is all I hear when you start with the ridiculous posts.
"9-11 and terrorism may be o.k. with you Balboa, not with me or my family." Sheesh...
Ridiculous?
February 13, 2008 - 19:36 ET by iveseenitallYour pathetic cheap shots always sound like ridiculous "blah blah blah" to me, Balboa.
NEVER.EVER trust a "liberal"
What cheap shots? Where?
February 13, 2008 - 19:59 ET by balboaWhat cheap shots? Where?
Blah
February 13, 2008 - 20:35 ET by iveseenitall"Blah, blah, blah" is a cheap shot. But you are are never wrong, are you Balboa? And you think snark is the way to go in any exchange. Typical "liberal".
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
You have no idea what a
February 13, 2008 - 20:38 ET by balboaYou have no idea what a cheap shot is.
And you do
February 13, 2008 - 20:48 ET by iveseenitallAs I said --you are never wrong, are you? Ignorance is bliss.Sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Nah, I'm wrong all the time.
February 13, 2008 - 21:15 ET by balboaNah, I'm wrong all the time. I've had lots of ideas and opinions challenged on this site. But "9-11 and terrorism may be OK with you" is not a comment worth the pixels it appears on.
Bal
February 13, 2008 - 21:21 ET by Free StinkerBy what accounts was the war necessary?
Going after terrorists and the governments that harbor them. (see list below)
The Lincoln of our time? WOW.
True. Bush is no Lincoln. Best he can hope for is to be rated "Above Average".
Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!
Cripes, Free Stinker! I only
February 13, 2008 - 21:31 ET by balboaCripes, Free Stinker! I only have so much time, fella! But still whether or not war was the only answer? Hard to say.
Too much?
February 13, 2008 - 21:38 ET by Free StinkerToo much? ;-)
Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!
A bit. I've got to get
February 13, 2008 - 21:44 ET by balboaA bit. I've got to get through at least 5 chapters of the manifesto tonight, the liberal MSM newsletter...
LOL
February 13, 2008 - 21:47 ET by Free StinkerLOL. :-)
Come on. I agreed with you about your point re. Lincoln.
Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!
I kid! Good stuff.
February 13, 2008 - 21:50 ET by balboaI kid! Good stuff.
;-)
February 13, 2008 - 21:55 ET by Free Stinker;-)
Yes, indeed it has.
February 13, 2008 - 17:16 ET by planetrepublicanI agree with you and have been saying a personal thanks to President Bush since 9-11. He has kept us safe. These shrill liberals might just get what they wish for, and they might find it to come up short: that is, a Dem president who gets out of Iraq and finds that the Islamo's start attacking us more than ever. Words are cheap, balls are not, Bush has them, Obama or Hillary? We will see. 1st major attack the Dems will blame on W; 2nd major attack they won't be able to. The rubber will hit the road and if the new president is not up to stuff, his or her short-comings will be glaring and dangerous. All this wishful crap talk by liberals is just that. When people in this country start getting killed, that's another. The myth that Bush & Co. are responsible for war and increased terror will soon come to an end and we will see, in black and white, who protects us and who doesn't; those that don't will be shown the door. Impeach Obama/Hillary, anyone? Why not, these lefty pinheads have been screaming impeach Bush for years now. Maybe finally they will shut the f--k up! By they way, I tried to get www.impeachobama.com and for some reason, could not. I wonder why?
Time and unfolding
February 13, 2008 - 22:29 ET by JerTime and unfolding historical realities will be the ultimate judge of the war's "necessity", and the degree to which our nation was made more or less safe as a consequence.
And, inasmuch as large numbers of conservatives have joined Democrats in the "sickening" Monday morning quarterbacking, I suppose you've been purchasing Pepto-Bismol by the case in order to keep your stomach settled.
Finally, the claim that Clinton "did nothing to protect us for eight years" is laughably absurd. In fact, it was the Republican congress which rejected, stalled, or watered down a number of his anti-terrorist proposals. Still, Clinton was able to put in place important safeguards to protect us from terrorist attacks.
Robert Oakley, a counterterrorism expert in Reagan's state department made this observation:
"I give him [Clinton} high marks....The only criticism I have is the obsession with Osama...." [emphasis mine]
http://www.xent.com/pipermail/fork/Week-of-Mon-20031027/026664.html
Jer
Huh?... "Still, Clinton was
February 13, 2008 - 22:37 ET by Clear thinkerHuh?... "Still, Clinton was able to put in place important safeguards to protect us from terrorist attacks."
Tell that to the people that died on 911.
Set the GOP back on the right course. http://gopteaparty.com/
To be effective, the
February 13, 2008 - 22:58 ET by JerTo be effective, the protective framework required the continued focus, strong support, and unwavering attention of the succeeding administration.
It didn't get it, and that failure is no doubt recognized by the majority of the 9/11 families.
Jer
What color is the sky in
February 13, 2008 - 23:01 ET by Free StinkerWhat color is the sky in your world?
Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!
Free.... High five
February 13, 2008 - 23:04 ET by Clear thinkerFree....
High five bro.
SMACK!
Set the GOP back on the right course. http://gopteaparty.com/
It's the only way to react
February 13, 2008 - 23:05 ET by Free StinkerIt's the only way to react to such an acute case of BDS!
;-)
Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!
Gray...with a patch of blue.
February 13, 2008 - 23:31 ET by JerGray...with a patch of blue.
Jer... Have you been
February 13, 2008 - 23:02 ET by Clear thinkerJer...
Have you been seeing a therapist concerning your BDS?
Set the GOP back on the right course. http://gopteaparty.com/
I don't think it's possible
February 13, 2008 - 23:12 ET by balboaI don't think it's possible to pin 9/11 on solely Clinton or Bush.
Bal... Do you blame any
February 13, 2008 - 23:34 ET by Clear thinkerBal...
Do you blame any of it on the terrorists?
Set the GOP back on the right course. http://gopteaparty.com/
Well duh. You know what I
February 14, 2008 - 00:19 ET by balboaWell duh. You know what I mean.
It's possible...just not
February 13, 2008 - 23:38 ET by JerIt's possible...just not proper.
Jer
I spend enough on real
February 13, 2008 - 23:36 ET by JerI spend enough on real afflictions. I can't afford to waste money on ones you imagine.
Jer
Be happy, MSM
February 13, 2008 - 14:20 ET by YahooWatcherSince Bush has squandered away the country's moral authority, it will now be easy for you and your minions to step in with your immoral authority and get a Planned Parenthood on every corner.
Bush 'Squandered the
February 13, 2008 - 15:50 ET by BDBush 'Squandered the Country's Moral Authority'?
Huh? We have 16,000 troops deployedinto third world hell-holes protecting citizens from lesser developed nations who are regularly rounded up and executed by tyrants.
We have 24,000+ troops deployed to the North Asian continent defending second world countries from being overwhelmed ly tyranical regimes who have starved and summarily executed millions.
We still have troops deployed to GERMANY, a first world country in an effort to play ball with a batch of euro's who need our financial support more than they need our security aid in the first place.
And SOMEHOW we have squandered our moral standing??????
The only moral standing those people seek is that of VICTIMHOOD. They felt GOOD while people around the world were patting us on the back and saying "There there, its okay" following 9/11. But now damn few are willing to hold our coat while we thrash the bad guys.
who cares?
February 13, 2008 - 16:38 ET by seaniepwhy should I give a crap if some eurotrash thinks poorly of America? I like America, and I am an American!
the NYT does not care what I think, but they worry about whether a french muslim loves this country? does that not seem backwards to anyone?
liberalism
February 13, 2008 - 23:26 ET by iveseenitallRight on, Seaniep. Liberal philosophy is backwards, upside down, all screwed up. At this juncture, the NYT is bleeding customers. As more people see the light and discover the true nature of those who hate our nation and its heritage, rags like the NYT will find it difficult to stay afloat. "Liberalism" is a disease not many well-informed people want to catch.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"