On the heels of this post, we get the NY Times’ response.
Well, isn’t this special. And normal for the Times (h/t BigBadHowie):
An effort by the American military to discredit the terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi by showing video outtakes of him fumbling with a machine gun — suggesting that he lacks real fighting skill — was questioned yesterday by retired and active American military officers.
The video clips, released on Thursday to news organizations in Baghdad, show the terrorist leader confused about how to handle an M-249 squad automatic weapon, known as an S.A.W., which is part of the American inventory of infantry weapons.
I wonder how much the Times had to dig to find people to question the video in an un-patriotic manner? But don’t you DARE question the Times’ patriotism, you hear me?
“In Arab and Muslim societies, pride and shame are felt much more profoundly than they are in Western culture,” said J. Michael Waller, a professor at the Institute of World Politics, a graduate school in Washington. “To find video like this that can cut him down to size and discredit him is a real way of fighting terrorism.” A paper written by Professor Waller advocating the use of ridicule against the insurgents has been circulating at the Pentagon and among military commanders with experience in Iraq recently, according to several military officers.
But the retired and active officers said the public presentation of the tape did not address elements that were disturbing, rather than amusing: the weapon was probably captured from American soldiers, indicating a tactical victory for the insurgents. And Mr. Zarqawi looked clean and plump.
So, an expert says it is a good thing to do, basically questioning Zarqawi’s manhood. But, wait a minute, that doesn’t matter, nor does the Times want it to matter. Because providing the enemy with aid and comfort is more important to them, as is slurring the United States military.
What the Times and their defenders fail to see is the difference between providing relevant news and hatchet jobs that support the enemy and their cause.
Confederate Yankee has much more.
