Okay, so here's the thing. At the beginning of the week, the White House scolded Newsweek, saying that a blurb they printed incited violence. Today, in the wake of the Saddam photos, the White house says this:
President Bush said Friday he did not believe the photos would incite further anti-American sentiment in Iraq, which is edging toward open sectarian conflict.
"I don't think a photo inspires murderers," Bush said at the White House. "These people are motivated by a vision of the world that is backward and barbaric."
He added, "I think the insurgency is inspired by their desire to stop the march of freedom."
Okay. So, I actually agree that photos and news articles don't inspire murderers. Terrorists may use these things as an excuse, but they're motivated by deeper hatreds.
But this sudden defense of the press just underscores how ridiculous it was to berate Newsweek so harshly...
Of course, this little fact may help protect both The Sun and The Post from harsh criticism:
Both The Sun and the Post are controlled by Rupert Murdoch. Sun managing editor Graham Dudman told The Associated Press in London the newspaper paid "a small sum" for the photos.
I wonder. Had the photos been printed in...let's say Newsweek...I wonder if the White House would still adhere to the stance that photos don't inspire murderers, or if we'd be hearing another harsh rebuke of the so-called liberal media's irresponsible reporting...
The US military has condemned the Saddam photos and even worse, they could potentially be illegal and violate the Geneva Conventions (not that the US cares anymore). Isn't that a worse offense than printing an unsubstantiated claim in Newsweek? Again, I'm waiting to hear the Right-Wingers' indignation at "angering the Muslim world" now. Of course, now that the Muslim world is truly angered by an actual breach of security, trust, and international law...well. There ya go.
PS:
Why would anyone think it was a good idea to print pics of Saddam Hussein in his underwear?! When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to see was Saddam's package. Ugh.
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