In what looks like an editorial authored by one of the more extreme members of the Democratic Underground, the New York Times ended the year with a rabid leftwing rant that among other things accused American soldiers of war crimes on a large scale:
In the years since 9/11, we have seen American soldiers abuse, sexually humiliate, torment and murder prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq. A few have been punished, but their leaders have never been called to account. We have seen mercenaries gun down Iraqi civilians with no fear of prosecution. We have seen the president, sworn to defend the Constitution, turn his powers on his own citizens, authorizing the intelligence agencies to spy on Americans, wiretapping phones and intercepting international e-mail messages without a warrant.
If you think these assertions are outrageous, the Times' editorialist was only getting warmed up:
There are too many moments these days when we cannot recognize our country. Sunday was one of them, as we read the account in The Times of how men in some of the most trusted posts in the nation plotted to cover up the torture of prisoners by Central Intelligence Agency interrogators by destroying videotapes of their sickening behavior. It was impossible to see the founding principles of the greatest democracy in the contempt these men and their bosses showed for the Constitution, the rule of law and human decency.
No mention in the editorial about Nancy Pelosi and other congressional Democrats being briefed on waterboarding way back in 2002. The main point of this editorial was to attack the Bush administration and Republicans with absolutely no anger directed against actual terrorists:
We have read accounts of how the government’s top lawyers huddled in secret after the attacks in New York and Washington and plotted ways to circumvent the Geneva Conventions — and both American and international law — to hold anyone the president chose indefinitely without charges or judicial review.
Those same lawyers then twisted other laws beyond recognition to allow Mr. Bush to turn intelligence agents into torturers, to force doctors to abdicate their professional oaths and responsibilities to prepare prisoners for abuse, and then to monitor the torment to make sure it didn’t go just a bit too far and actually kill them.
The White House used the fear of terrorism and the sense of national unity to ram laws through Congress that gave law-enforcement agencies far more power than they truly needed to respond to the threat — and at the same time fulfilled the imperial fantasies of Vice President Dick Cheney and others determined to use the tragedy of 9/11 to arrogate as much power as they could.
So according to this New York Times editorial the real problem isn't the terrorists themselves but the fear of terrorism that was used to fulfill the "imperial fantasies" of Vice President Cheney and other EVIL Republicans in their drive to acquire power. You can almost hear the violins playing as the Times laments the fate of the poor little terrorists at the hand of the Bush administration:
Hundreds of men, swept up on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, were thrown into a prison in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, so that the White House could claim they were beyond the reach of American laws. Prisoners are held there with no hope of real justice, only the chance to face a kangaroo court where evidence and the names of their accusers are kept secret, and where they are not permitted to talk about the abuse they have suffered at the hands of American jailers.
The editorial concludes with a plea to in effect elect a Democrat as president to correct all the horrible misdeeds committed, according to the fantasies of this editorialist, by the Bush administration:
These are not the only shocking abuses of President Bush’s two terms in office, made in the name of fighting terrorism. There is much more — so much that the next president will have a full agenda simply discovering all the wrongs that have been done and then righting them.
We can only hope that this time, unlike 2004, American voters will have the wisdom to grant the awesome powers of the presidency to someone who has the integrity, principle and decency to use them honorably. Then when we look in the mirror as a nation, we will see, once again, the reflection of the United States of America.
Reading this warped editorial, one has to wonder what the DU screen name of this author is over at the Democratic Underground.
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Wow
January 1, 2008 - 12:39 ET by allanfThe New York Times executive offices are in a prime location for a weapons of mass destruction terrorist attack. Yet these people would rather see hundreds of thousands perish than violate the "sacred" civil rights of one terrorist bent on their mass destruction.
Those who bare no responsibilty for the security of a nation and its people are free to stand on "principle". What irony it is that so many of these princpled self immolaters are New Yorkers. Though in total denial, they are the prime targets. Let's hope responsible people stay in control of our government so these folks don't get to live the ideals they preach.
I have often thought that
January 1, 2008 - 12:53 ET by BDI have often thought that all of the detainees from Guantanamo should be taken to the NY Times building and set free in the corporate offices and editorial office. First of course, they would be well armed.
Naturally we would have the NYPD cordon off the building as part of a civil defense exercise.
It is time to make the NYT live up to their actions.....
Return of Property
January 1, 2008 - 15:50 ET by allanfI guess you want the property that was seized and taken from them without a search warrant returned?
So typical.
January 1, 2008 - 12:34 ET by SactoGuy88This type of commentary is good reason why people are increasingly distrustful of the MSM in the first place. That editoral does sound like something you'd see on Daily Kos or HuffingtonPost.
This editoral
January 1, 2008 - 14:00 ET by pagarsounds like something Al-Qaida put out in one of their press releases.
Digusting!
January 1, 2008 - 12:39 ET by iveseenitallVicious anti-American propaganda. Disgusting! "Liberal" Garbage! Get angry, America.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Another NYT editorial staff coward
January 1, 2008 - 12:39 ET by RJDU? That was more like Ted Rall. But even he stands behind his vile writings. The author of that despicable rant is an anonymous coward.
Thank goodness for our brave soldiers.
"They are the new greatest generation." -Gen. David Petraeus
Right on!
January 1, 2008 - 12:46 ET by iveseenitallRight on! We may never know the name of this puke - faced, ugly poltroon. But you can bet he/she is a (dis)honorary member of the media "elite". And maybe even an America-hating foreigner, of which there are too many in the "media" today.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
RJ -- you hit the nail
January 1, 2008 - 12:48 ET by Jack BauerRJ -- you hit the nail right on the point.
ANONYMOUS -- the person who wrote this (PAUL KRUGMAN??) hasn't the GUTS to sign her name.
And yeah, I know I use a pen-name online...
But then I'm not writing for the "paper of record" which every other subservient news outlet in the US follows slavishly in setting their news agends for the day.
People, it doesn't matter
January 1, 2008 - 13:57 ET by motherbeltPeople, it doesn't matter who wrote it. It's not "anonymous." It's an unsigned editorial, which means that no matter who did the actual scribing of the words, this is the opinion of the editorial board of the New York Times; the official position of the paper on this issue.
Right now I wish I subscribed to the NYT just to have the pleasure of cancelling my subscription.
And just the other day, lefty Steve Benen, upset that the NYT was hiring Bill Kristol, called it the most valuable media real estate in existence?
More like an inner city slum, IMO.
Anonymous means Sulzberger
January 1, 2008 - 14:18 ET by KC MulvilleRemember, this is the guy who gave the speech to graduating college students, "apologizing" for leaving them the country in such a depraved moral state. The idea that America is depraved begins with Sulzberger.
Anonymous means Sulzberger
January 1, 2008 - 15:26 ET by motherbeltAnonymous means Sulzberger -KC Mulville
I agree; the rot starts at the head....but I'm guessing the whole editorial board had a hand in this.
Sulzberger wouldn't be
January 2, 2008 - 03:31 ET by JerSulzberger wouldn't be writing editorials...most likely Andrew Rosenthal, possibly Bill Keller.
Jer
GREY LADY
January 1, 2008 - 12:42 ET by Der AlteHere's a New Year Wish. That the Grey Lady is taken off life support and finally expires!
Right!
January 1, 2008 - 12:51 ET by iveseenitallRight! DROP DEAD, NYT!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
I have fixed the Headline for all to see...
January 1, 2008 - 13:41 ET by Clear thinker>> American Soldiers Accuses NYT Editorial of War Crimes <<
This is much closer to the truth.
Rush Limbaugh stated that of the top 5 Republicans running for the presidency, only one was a true conservative. http://www.fred08.com/
New York Times Editorial,
January 1, 2008 - 12:55 ET by Jack BauerNew York Times Editorial, January 1, 2008.
More proof the left doesn't
January 1, 2008 - 12:57 ET by wiwfMore proof the left doesn't support our troops, nor have they once checked out the facts of the war at www.patdollard.com
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
I agree with the New York Times
January 1, 2008 - 13:19 ET by Lame CherryI will agree with this goofy New York Times writer IF it means the simplest of justice starts equally.
By this I mean as George Bush and Dick Cheney have been investigated and their cabinet ceasely with NO WRONG DOING FOUND.........and the military has been hauled into court on trumpted up charges........
It is time treason, murder, slander and all the New York Times has been up to the past 7 years comes into federal courts.
The fact is people have been murdered and the costs have been billions in what the Times has been publishing in leaking information which is secure.
So as Bush and the military have been investigated it is time the Times and it's writers are hauled into court and executed when found guilty.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
All the News That's Fit to Spin
January 1, 2008 - 13:23 ET by Kirk TurnerIt is strange how the New York Times takes itself so seriously when no one else does (except its 100,000 or so subscribers). New York Times "editorials" are analygous to semester finals in which eager college students regurgitate what they have heard within the pages of the Times in a more explicit manner. These "editorialists" are usually loser "consultants," "filmmakers," "activists," or other unemployed characters desperate for their fifteen minutes of fame.
As with a lover who holds no surprises, it is difficult to work up any passion over anything the Times publishes any longer.
Same song, diffferent verse.
I was scrolling through the
January 1, 2008 - 13:30 ET by DaBirdI was scrolling through the comments section of this editorial, holding my nose of course, and have found all but one comment so far completely agrees with this editorial. Of course I haven't read through all 400+ comments. I did come across an interesting one though:
December 31st, 2007 7:51 am
If we believe in the liberal democracy as set up under our constitution, then we start reforming the integrity of our federal government locally. The failure of American integrity centers in the House and Senate. It is they who have given tactic approval to the repulsive conduct of not only this Administration but also that which came before. When we in New Jersey or where ever else we vote, place representatives in Congress that fill obligations as members of the White House staff or the public relations department of a foreign government or corporation; as entitlement benefactors for selected supporters; as inside traders of the national franchises or treasuries; or, as applauders to uniformed tin generals who can only deceive but can not win, then worldwide we are perceived as a dangerous cabal of no content but with the power to hurt - a once useful Orion that now employs scorpions. Our first step in recovery will occur when we in 2008 purge the Capitol of its occupants that have so aggregiously betrayed us all.
— Bill Keller, Basking Ridge
Could this be "the" Bill Keller? Does anyone know if he lives in NJ?
Joisey?
January 1, 2008 - 13:35 ET byby what i hear they have their own corruption to worry about
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"-Syrius
Good Find
January 1, 2008 - 13:53 ET by P.J. GladnickI checked the web but couldn't find out if THE Bill Keller lives in NJ. However, it would be verrrrry interesting if the author of that comment did turn out to be THE Bill Keller.
I did some searching but
January 1, 2008 - 13:58 ET by DaBirdI did some searching but also couldn't find anything on Bill Kellers whereabouts. But the comment sure reads like something Bill Keller would rant about at say, some college or something.
Another Bill Keller
January 1, 2008 - 14:04 ET by P.J. GladnickI think this is another Bill Keller who is sometimes a guest columnist for the Delaware County Times. I think Basking Ridge is near Philly which would make it a long commute from NYC.
No, It's Near NYC
January 1, 2008 - 18:57 ET by Del DolemonteI just finished a great book (non fiction, too) set in Basking Ridge, which is actually part of some other township in NJ. The head of the family in the book was a rich publisher, and he commuted daily to his job in NYC.
It's a rich suburb (90% white) and is located southwest of Newark.
which the bill
January 1, 2008 - 14:02 ET bykeller?
keller?
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"-Syrius
We can only hope that this
January 1, 2008 - 13:35 ET by MidAmericaWe can only hope that this time, unlike 2004, American voters will have the wisdom to grant the awesome powers of the presidency to someone who has the integrity, principle and decency to use them honorably. Then when we look in the mirror as a nation, we will see, once again, the reflection of the United States of America.
The writer doesn't know much history. Take a look back at the Kennedy administration and look at the stuff we used to do. We used to do all kinds of James Bond type actions, including assassinations of foreign leaders, speading misinformation, wrecking economies, spying on individual Americans and other things the left only imagines Bush is doing. I have no beef with JFK, it would be a refreshing to see a democrat like him again. We at least knew he was on America's side.
I totally agree. Both
January 2, 2008 - 02:53 ET by mostlymoderateI totally agree. Both Democrats and Republican's have their share of skeletons in the closet. Heck, look at the "small scale" domestic stuff that happens. Waco anyone? That was Clinton and HIS "goons" that went in and annihilated women and children for practicing their religion.
mm....You're absolutely
January 2, 2008 - 03:37 ET by Jermm....You're absolutely right about skeletons in both closets. You're absolutely wrong about Waco.
Jer
}}---> Slowly I turned. Step by step
January 2, 2008 - 04:00 ET by Cool ArrowI know you're not still trying to defend Janet Reno, Jer.
I ♣ My Seal
Afraid so, Cool...and I
January 2, 2008 - 04:23 ET by JerAfraid so, Cool...and I suppose you're still trying to defend Koresh.
Jer
That's unlike you, Jer
January 2, 2008 - 09:56 ET by RJAccusing someone of "defending Koresh" because he believes Reno over-reacted?
RJ...you're
January 2, 2008 - 18:22 ET by JerRJ...you're right....ordinarily I wouldn't be making that type of deductive "leap", but there is some past history between CA and me on this subject whereby he essentially accused me of not being bothered in the least by the deaths of innocent kids at Waco since they weren't the children of liberals.
True, it may be more accurate to suggest his position represents an "implicit" defense of Koresh, but, under the circumstances, I don't believe my comment is out of line.
Jer
You see there liberal's,
January 1, 2008 - 13:37 ET by BlazerYou see there liberal's, no need to get all shook up about Kristol being hired at The Grey Lady, the ship is once again lefted,...err I mean righted.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
I applaud the
January 2, 2008 - 04:27 ET by JerI applaud the addition...wish they would hire a couple more. David Brooks must have felt pretty lonely.
Jer
Step 1
January 1, 2008 - 13:54 ET by acumenHi. I'm Gray Lady and I'm a BDS addict...
I reported on this blog in
January 1, 2008 - 13:57 ET by jdhawkI reported on this blog in the past on the debacle that is the NYT's financial situation (plunging stock price, increasing debt, spotty and erratic earnings, etc).
Today, let's review the last year in terms of circulation and other changes to the paper:
daily circulation down 4.5% (the latest 6 months reported)
Sunday circulation down 7.6% (the latest 6 months reported)
Sunday other circulation down 29.7% (includes hotel, Newspapers in Education, employee, and third party copies)
Paper size was reduced to 12 inches (this had the effect of reducing the amount of news that the paper could contain by about 10%)
NYT abandoned its web site subscription model for a advertiser driven model due to a miserable lack of customers signing up for it
Yeah, keep publishing your far left wing crap, NYT, and we will continue to watch as your paper slowly disappears from the face of the planet.
Good riddance . . .
NYT Stock Price - 11 Year Low
January 1, 2008 - 14:02 ET by zeestephenThanks, NewsBusters.
I'll be shorting another 1000 shares of NYT stock first thing Wednesday morning.
Who ever dreamed a guy could make a nice living by betting against left wing extremists?
Author? Author?
January 1, 2008 - 14:06 ET by P.J. GladnickI'm wondering who the author of this editorial is. Bill Keller? Pinch Sulzberger? Hugo Chavez?
This is their way of
January 1, 2008 - 14:04 ET by RMRThis is their way of "adding balance " to the other article thrashing Al Gore and his global warming disciples.
This is the New York Times, after all.
Is it wrong?
January 1, 2008 - 14:24 ET by OldSailor88Is is wrong that I've stopped being angry about this? As a Military member, a lot of this stuff is pointed directly at my Brothers in Arms. It used to make me fume, and I would post facts to prove them wrong. I guess I just got used to smacking my head against concrete and I'm just numb to it. Is that a bad sign? Why doesn't the public know as common knowlege that there isn't a "wiretapping" program. Believe it or not folks, you talking to your grandma isn't what they are looking for. However, if your Uncle from the Hindu Kush is calling twice a week via sat phone, we'd like to hear that. Why doesn't the publc know as common knowledge that the prisoners we have in Gitmo WANT TO KILL YOU! I have personal friends who have done temporary duty stints as guards at Gitmo. They have spent time with the enemy, and have had personal conversations with them. Trust me when I say that some of these guys can't wait to be released so that they can kill more infidels. And you know what? They KNOW that their ticket out rides on the American media. They KNOW that our government is soft because of the words of Pelosi, Reid, Murtha and their ilk. My question at the end of another satisfying rant is this. What is it going to take to make the Libs understand this? Must we let them be killed?
Ecce potestas casei!
They haven't 'seen' crap!
January 1, 2008 - 14:25 ET by kg"we have seen American soldiers abuse, sexually humiliate, torment and murder prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq"
They haven't 'seen' crap! Half of the stories are false. The majority of stories is is nothing more than reporters jumping to conclusions and in return getting the public and congress all worked up over nothing.
The media is quick to 'judge' without facts in this 'land of the free' yet they want terrorists and criminals treated as innocent until proved guilty. The liberal think they are judge and jury and might as well skip the trial and go straight to the execution. Of course this applies only to the military and conservatives.
If they despise the United States so much, this country would be allot better off if they moved to the government of their choice.
My first thought reading
January 1, 2008 - 14:29 ET by Free ThinkerMy first thought reading this a that it was an al queda press release. For the so-called "paper of record" to betray this country by running a piece straight out of bin Ladin's mouth is disgusting and shows why its circulation has dwindled and appeals to only the far left who cannot think for themselves. Its tough enough to fight our enemies abroad, but for terrorists to have a propaganda machine like this on our own shores really makes me realize how this country is being attcked everyday.
What is even more amazing
January 1, 2008 - 14:47 ET by Gary P JacksonWhat is even more amazing is all of the nimrods on the 10 or so comment pages that cheer this kind of crap on, believing what is printed is true.
I know it's a slippery slope, but isn't it time these kind of "writers" be investigated? If this editorial doesn't border on treason, then nothing does.
They're on the side of the
January 1, 2008 - 16:16 ET by Atomic CrusaderThey're on the side of the terrorists and hate America, its expected.
Al Newyorkia
January 1, 2008 - 16:38 ET by c5thenIt's obvious that the NYT, whom I'll refer to from now on as Al Newyorkia, is sympathetic to and in league with the terrorists of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. All the press' lies and the politically motivated criminal charges against armed service members doing their duty is causing hesitation and soldiers and sailors to die who otherwise would live.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
It the NYT truly yearns for
January 1, 2008 - 17:04 ET by JerIt the NYT truly yearns for the restoration of the principles which made America the "greatest democracy" [presumably by rejecting any Republican presidential candidate], the editors would do well to avoid such sweeping libels against the U.S. military. Disgraceful and infuriating.
Jer
The NYTimes? "F" `em and the busted down donkey they ride.
January 1, 2008 - 17:42 ET by drillanwrOh, we silly humans ... We minuscule Earthlings in a vast and ceaseless churning Universe ... Every year eagerly welcoming a new year by expecting the best ... and some of us ... some of us wise enough to prepare for the worst. Many people around the world, whether they realize it or not, owe their lives and their ability to "expect the best" to those wise, and often maligned, people who prepare for the worst.
Bless our brave military for their strength and fortitude in the continued mission ... and bless our leaders who make the tough decisions and hold to their resolve when it is not popular. May their New Year see more success and victory, recognized or not ... and may the enemy's new year bring failure and doom upon their own heads.
Wow Is Right
January 1, 2008 - 19:03 ET by Del Dolemonte"We can only hope that this time, unlike 2004, American voters will have the wisdom to grant the awesome powers of the presidency to someone who has the integrity, principle and decency to use them honorably."
LOL! Whoever wrote this tripe must have had someone slip a hit of acid into their champagne.
They're implying here, of course, that not only did Jean-Claude Kerry have more "integrity, principle and decency" than Bush, but that the 3 leading Democrats also do.
When was the last time anyone said Hillary Clinton had those 3 traits? On this planet, that is?
Somewhere in a cave half
January 1, 2008 - 19:19 ET by BlazerSomewhere in a cave half a world away, a certain tall, slender, bearded man, has a shit eating ear to ear grin on his face and say's " Praise Allah, I couldn't have written it better myself "
If only these crapweasel's in the media would get it through their thick socialist skull's that.........
" It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
A protest raged on a courthouse lawn,
Round a makeshift stage they charged on,
Fifteen hundred or more they say,
Had come to burn a Flag that day.
A boy held up the folded Flag,
Cursed it, and called it a dirty rag.
An OLD MAN pushed through the angry crowd,
With a rusty shotgun shouldered proud.
His uniform jacket was old and tight,
He had polished each button, shiny and bright.
He crossed that stage with a soldier's grace,
Until he and the boy stood face to face.
"FREEDOM OF SPEECH," the OLD MAN said,
"Is worth dying for, good men are dead,
So you can stand on this courthouse lawn,
And talk us down from dusk to dawn,
But before any Flag gets burned today,
This OLD MAN IS GOING TO HAVE HIS SAY!
My father died on a foreign shore,
In a war they said would end all war.
But Tommy and I wasn't even full grown,
Before we fought in a war of our own.
And Tommy died on Iwo Jima's beach,
In the shadow of a hill he couldn't quite reach,
Where five good men raised this Flag so high,
That the WHOLE DAMN WORLD COULD SEE IT FLY.
I got this bum leg that I still drag,
Fighting for this same old Flag.
Now there's but one shot in this old gun,
So now it's time to decide which one,
Which one of you will follow our lead,
To stand and die for what you believe?
For as sure as there is a rising sun,
You'll burn in Hell 'fore this Flag burns, son"
Now this riot never came to pass
The crowd got quiet and that can of gas,
Got set aside as they walked away
To talk about what they had heard this day.
And the boy who had called it a "dirty rag,"
Handed the OLD SOLDIER the folded Flag.
So the battle of the Flag this day was won
By a tired OLD SOLDIER with a rusty gun,
Who for one last time, had to show to some,
THIS FLAG MAY FADE, BUT THESE COLORS DON'T RUN. "
On a down note here's the socialist-progressive, DNC, NYT version:
" It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom to be gassed
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has taken freedom leached.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to be poisoned
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who makes protestors burn the flag. "
Now I wonder how many Democrat's or those on the left who will come out and protest this article ?
Nope, from the DNC, to DKOS, to the NYT and back again they'll all just all nod in collective agreement.
Spinless, gutless, scum the whole lot of them.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Good post Blazer
January 2, 2008 - 01:36 ET by well99The NYT yutt that wrote this needs to crawl back into his septic pool and wallow in it.I am actually stunned that NYT's would let this regurgitated vomit to be printed.This poor excuse for a human being needs to get help.