'Critics' (and NYT Reporters?) Say Bush 'Squandered the Country's Moral Authority'

Photo of Clay Waters.
By Clay Waters | February 13, 2008 - 12:28 ET

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.

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if at the first 21,000

if at the first 21,000 times you don't succeed

try try try try again, msm:)

"squander" away GWB!

Critic's Say

Well 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

totalitarian 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.

Moral clarity scares libs.

I'm gonna agree with TM and allanf -

cowards 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

The 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

can'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

Chris 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

By what accounts was the war necessary?

The Lincoln of our time? WOW.

I define the center of

I 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?

Balboa, your back? Did you enjoy the Obama rally?

He's still swooning....

He's still swooning....

Bal got Obama. He's lucky.

Bal 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

 9-11 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

Blah 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?

Your pathetic cheap shots always sound like ridiculous "blah blah blah" to me, Balboa. 

NEVER.EVER trust a "liberal"

What cheap shots? Where?  

What cheap shots? Where?  

Blah

"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

You have no idea what a cheap shot is. 

And you do

As I said --you are never wrong, are you? Ignorance is bliss.Sad.

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

Nah, I'm wrong all the time.

Nah, 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

By 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".

 

 

  1. Abu Niddal, Rome Airport Massacre: National Review - Dead Terrorist in Baghdad
  2. Abu Abbas (#1): CNN - U.S. captures mastermind of Achille Lauro hijacking
  3. Abu Abbas (#2): BBC - Cruise ship hijacker dies in Iraq
  4. Ayman al-Zawahiri: CNN - Pentagon: Bin Laden deputy complains about money, Iraq tactics
  5. al-Zarqawi: Kaleejtimes.com (running an AP story) - Saddam refused to hand Zarqawi to Jordan: King Abdullah
  6. al-Zarqawi: Free Republic - Zarqawi in Iraq Long Before the War Started
  7. Saddam had contacts with Al Qaida: Slate - A Loser's History
  8. Saddam had contacts with Al Qaeda: Weekley Standard - Saddam's al Qaeda Connection
  9. Saddam had contacts with Al Qaeda: Weekley Standard - Case Closed
  10. Saddam had contacts with Al Qaeda: Weekley Standard - Yes, There Is a Connection
  11. Saddam worked with Terrorists: NY Sun - Saddam, Al Qaeda Did Collaborate, Documents Show
  12. Saddam worked with Terrorists: CNN - On tape, Hussein talks of WMDs
  13. Saddam worked with Terrorists: Free Republic - Saddam Regime Document: Iraqi Intelligence met with Bin Laden in 1995 (Translation)
  14. Saddam recruiting Terrorists: Free Republic - Saddam Regime Recruits Suicide Terrorists to Hit US Interests (Translation)
  15. Saddam worked with Terrorists: Free Republic - Saddam Ordered To Treat The Arab Feedayeen Terrorists The Same As Iraqi Soldiers
  16. Saddam worked with Terrorists: Free Republic - Iraqi Intelligence To Train Arab Feedayeen Terrorists In the Year 2000 (Translation)
  17. Saddam worked with Terrorists: Free Republic - Saddam Regime Training and Using Foreign Arab Terrorists As Suicide Bombers. (Translation)
  18. Saddam worked with Terrorists: Free Republic - Afghani Taliban Consul Spoke of a Relationship Between Iraq and Bin Laden
  19. Saddam paid Terrorists: Free Republic - Saddam Ordered 25,000 Dollars for Each Suicide Terrorist Against Israel
  20. Saddam recruited Terrorists: Free Republic - Iraqi Intelligence Asks Hamas To Conduct Terrorist Attacks Against The US
  21. Terrorist camp in Iraq: Foxnews - Marines Discover Terror Training Camp Near Baghdad
  22. Terrorist camp in Iraq: Weekly StandardSaddam's Terror Training Camps
  23. Terrorist camp in Iraq: MSNBC - Positive test for terror toxins in Iraq
  24. Terrorist camp in Iraq: PBSInterview: Sabah Kodah
  25. Terrorist camp in Iraq: GlobalSecurity.org - Salman Pak / Al Salman
  26. Terrorist camp in Iraq: Guardian - Al-Qaida running new terror camp, say Kurds
  27. Terrorist camp in Iraq: Intelmessages.org - Salman Pak - Iraq's Own Terrorist Training Camp

 

Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!

Cripes, Free Stinker! I only

Cripes, Free Stinker! I only have so much time, fella! But still whether or not war was the only answer? Hard to say.

Too much?

Too much? ;-)

 

Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!

A bit. I've got to get

A bit. I've got to get through at least 5 chapters of the manifesto tonight, the liberal MSM newsletter...

LOL

LOL. :-)

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. 

I kid! Good stuff. 

;-)  

;-)

 

Yes, indeed it has.

I 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

Time 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

Huh?... "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

To 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

What color is the sky in your world?

 

Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!

Free.... High five

Free....

High five bro.

SMACK! 

Set the GOP back on the right course. http://gopteaparty.com/

It's the only way to react

It'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.

Gray...with a patch of blue.

Jer... Have you been

Jer...

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

I don't think it's possible to pin 9/11 on solely Clinton or Bush. 

Bal... Do you blame any

Bal...

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

Well duh. You know what I mean.

It's possible...just not

It's possible...just not proper.

Jer

I spend enough on real

I spend enough on real afflictions.  I can't afford to waste money on ones you imagine.

Jer

Be happy, MSM

Since 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

Bush '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?

why 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

Right 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"