From the archives: April 22, 2009

Wednesday has turned out to be a day
Marked, weather-wise, by coolness and drizzle,
And lack of any tennis activity--
Efforts to arrange some have been a fizzle.

For most of the day, thus far,
Ken has been engaged in “news” commentary
Concerned with making clear that the New York Times
Of telling it like it is, tends to be chary.

Preferring almost always to tell it
Like they wish it to be
Without regard to the facts
Or to their position’s legit- or illegitimacy.

The result for today….
To: Op-ed@nytimes.com
Eyes always on the prize
By Special K
Disassociated Press
April 22, 2009

Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 -- 10:15 PM ET
U.S. Adopted Harsh Interrogations Without Examining Their Past Use
An examination by The New York Times shows that an
extraordinary consensus in 2002 by cabinet members and
lawmakers embracing brutal interrogation methods was possible
largely because no one involved investigated the gruesome
origins of the techniques.(all emphasis added)
Read More (if the foregoing isn't enough!)
http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na

Act in haste, repent at leisure.
Look before you leap.
Stop, look and listen,
Before you cross the street
Use your eyes and use your ears
Before you use your feet.

Generally good advice, especially so for many of those same lawmakers
Who now strongly embrace "hasty legislation",
And, e.g., without any informed thought or debate
Pass trillion dollar bailouts quite unhealthy for the nation.

But when the country’s fate was on the line
Those favoring firm interrogation
Might be excused at not having conducted basic etiological research
As to the firm-interrogation techniques' origination.

For news gathering organizations such as, e.g., the N Y Times,
That seek still another Pulitzer prize
(Especially one for keeping score on water-boarding competition at Gitmo)***
Some show of impartiality (theoretically at least) would be wise.

However, articles such as the one referenced above
Suggest lack of impartiality
By intimating that organizers of that competition
In doing so acted hastily, peremptorily, and probably sadistically.

Some objective (dispassionate, uninvolved) but naïve observers
Will by Times’ reporting surely be led to believe
That merely agreeing to hold such a competition is something
Of which only uninformed, ignorant (possibly even sadistic) organizers could conceive.

However, objective and realistic observers (none of whom edits and/or reports for the Times)
Recognize that the legitimacy of water-boarding at Gitmo is akin to that of capital punishment:
Governmentally sanctioned for particularly heinous behavior--and, still contested as “brutal” by some--
But something that others (the majority) accept as meet and proper as well as legal, hence view with no outward show of discontent.

That lawmakers who today legislate boondoggles without thought (or research)
Had enough “instinctive” understanding of “imminent peril” back then
To collectively endorse un-researched, but appropriate preventive action
Should be a source of national satisfaction--

But, after all, in water-boarding competition, the Times roots for the dunkees to win;
And is giving aid and comfort to many of the same lawmakers--
Who are seeking political cover, now that the punishment has thwarted the crime,
And wish to distance themselves from their, then, wise behavior--

By saying they did something “wrong” because they weren’t properly briefed at the time.

Editor’s note.

The Disassociated Press seldom endorses reporters’ opinions,
But given the direction in which “news” is being spun in the nation, today,
Readers could do much worse than pay close and careful attention
To the sage observations and opinions proffered here by Special K.
___________
***
The Times Wins 5 Pulitzer Prizes
By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
The five prizes for The New York Times were the second most in its history.
The Las Vegas Sun won the public service prize.

And next year it seems certain
That the N Y Times will add one Pulitzer more
For its series on waterboarding competition at Gitmo
And the two guys who chalked up“266” (dunkings) each, for a record indoor (tie) score.