The LA Times should be ashamed of itself. Today's front page, A1, shows Obama and General Petreus flying together over Iraq. The caption beneath this picture states that McCain "critiqued" Obama's proposed troop withdrawal plans.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines the word "critique" as a
". . .critical examination ...of a ...situation...with a view to determining its nature and limitations..."McCain did not "critique" Obama's proposal, he vilified Obama and his proposal for withdrawing our troops. The LA Times attributes to McCain powers of thought and discrimination that he does not possess.
McCain, who recently told an interviewer that Iraq's shared border with Pakistan troubles him (revealing his gross geographical ignorance about the Middle East, as Iraq and Pakistan do NOT share a border; they are more than 750 miles apart), and who is unable to describe (in his would-be NY Times op-ed piece) exactly what "Winning the War in Iraq" means, is incapable of critiquing anything. These are just two more of the many misstatements uttered by John McCain as facts, which have been ignored or minimized by the "Main Stream Media" determined to give McCain a "free pass" regardless of how blatant his untruth or gaffe.
McCain's words reveal a disturbing amount of ignorance as well as confirm that he, like Phil Gramm, is an elitist who lacks interest in, or curiosity about, other peoples, their geography and their cultures. For a man who claims that HE possesses the wisdom and experience necessary to be our country's Commander-in-Chief, McCain's ignorance about the larger world in which we all live is both reprehensible and chilling.
Sadly, this morning's LA Times, is caught yet again, minimizing and ignoring McCain's continuing misstatements and gaffes, while subjecting Obama to microscopic scrutiny and cavalier coverage as he continues his historic trip to the Middle East.
Today, the LA Times, in past years an esteemed member of the "Fourth Estate", is once again, found to be MIA.
Good Post, Em! You're right. McCain is among the least qualified to critique anything in foreign or military policy. In view of his record in back the worst calamity in American history. In view of his bumbling confusions with just about everything he says about international borders, and relationships between al Qaida and Iran. He's pathetic. But, the best straw man the GOP could muster this year!
ReplyDeleteObama is putting the horses in front of the cart:
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that security has improved. And there's no doubt that the extraordinary sacrifices of American men and women in uniform have contributed to that success. In terms of, my conversations with General Petraeus, there's no doubt that General Petraeus does not want a timetable. I think he has said that publicly. And he is, and as I said, in his role, he wants maximum flexibility to be able to do what he believes needs to be done inside of Iraq. But keep in mind, for example, one of General Petraeus's responsibilities is not to think about how could we be using some of that $10 billion a month to shore up a U.S. economy that is really hurting right now? If I'm President of the United States, that is part of my responsibility.
Before day one, Obama is serving notice that, as commander-in-chief, he will not be serving as a rubber stamp on military command decisions. He will restore civilian supremacy over the military, which is the American tradition.
My husband calls that photo of Obama and Petraeus the "money shot." There is little the LA Times can do to deflate the power of that image and the success that Obama has had on this visit! I am simply stunned and excited at his campaign for the presidency!! Hooray for this!
ReplyDeleteWhassup, Soros? Does General Betrayus think his feet won't fit in General MacArthur's shoes?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Urban Pink's husband. That is truly one powerful "money shot."
ReplyDeleteIf Obama wins I'd bet money Petraeus all of a sudden files his retirement papers.
ReplyDeleteEmily, you are so right. The L.A. Times used to be a great newspaper, which is now owned by right-wing Tribune, the same company that's taken over our morning news and trying to reinvent it into a Fox clone.
ReplyDeleteAt least I get to spend an hour with Bill Moyer tonight. Wonderful post (~applause~)—depressing and important content.
Can someone wake me up on January 20, 2009? Thank you in advance.
LOL, IP. Excellent list. Not one fallacy that I can see.
ReplyDeleteYes, very funny. I'm tempted to follow the link and second guess what IP deleted, but life is shjort.
ReplyDeleteI like the list indicted plagiarist came up with, but never misunderestimate the power of racism, hatred, greed and ignorance to creep up on an election. And if that fails, then tampered voting machines may do it....
ReplyDeleteBeach is right. If Obama wins, Patraeus will lose -- off he'll go.
ReplyDelete