A March 20 Boston Globe story, Guantanamo transcripts paint a picture of war's combatants, includes this statement:
The documents offer the most detailed picture yet of whom the U.S. government feels it is at war with, and give a rare glimpse into the psyche of Al Qaeda foot soldiers.
How can The Globe say something like "the US government feels it is at war?" How can it not?
If The Globe admits America is at war, its readers will ask: "Who is the enemy?"
The Globe doesn't want to identify an enemy. It perfers to talk about "insurgents" and "militants." When really pressed it will say, "Bush's war on terrorism" But never "America's war."
If Globe readers really came to believe their country is at war, they might start asking what the Globe is doing to help America win it.
The Globe wants to avoid having to answer that question. So it tells readers the US government "feels" its at war.
The Boston Globe is owned by The New York Times Company.
