Letters to the Editor
SusanMc
Published Letters: 462 Editor's Choice: 1
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House of Games
[Read the article: Al-Qaida does it, too]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]epeoples:
Haven't we just taken the bait here?
I see what you're saying, but since nothing in Glenn's post relies on these manuals being genuine, and he makes several larger points about the depravity our government has sunk to-- if any "bait" was taken, I'd think they'd be sorry by now they put it out.
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Torture
[Read the article: Al-Qaida does it, too]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Iokannan in the Well:
Solitary confinement and/or deliberate sleep deprivation are amongst the most damaging and debilitating forms of torture known; they're also not as frequently mentioned as the damage is largely psychological and physical effects are far more subtle (though no less severe).
Quite right, and this answers prunes question:
Are you a Christian, anonymous coward? You cannot support torture.
It doesn't provide them any moral standing, but it is consistent for a "pro-life" Christian to support torture-- since, to force a woman to endure a pregnancy she does not want (or which is killing her), is torture.
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Beauty School
[Read the article: Mike Allen, consummate Beltway "journalist"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]GG:
Investigation and reporting on whether the White House's statements are true is not his role. That's what a journalist does.
But it's all in a day's work for the Hairstyle Rag! Thanks for another great takedown, Glenn. I save links to all your pieces on these "journalists" who often get quoted by people I argue with; then, I just send them the link to your column and tell them, "I'll listen when you can cite someone who's credible and has a scintilla of integrity." I like having the photo, too-- I know you were torn about doing that, but man does it bolster the image of smarminess he's (apparently) desperate to convey.
Thanks for the Frum link, Worst. President. Ever. I, too, wonder who pays these people, and why. It sure isn't for their mad journalism skillz.
Also, Valentinian: LOL!
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Performance Review
[Read the article: Various items]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]GG:
Bartlett was the truth teller, the one who bravely stood up to Bush and demanded greater candor.
Even if he did do this, he was obviously totally ineffectual. Why are they praising him for doing such a spectacularly bad job?
On anonymity, I remember Time Magazine's deconstruction of Newsweek's gaffe in the Koran-flushing non-incident, "When a Story Goes Terribly Wrong":
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1064416,00.html
You'd think they'd have learned that gambling on whether an anonymous source is telling the truth or not can end up making you look like bad journalists, and that they would have instituted some standards of their own.
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Pro Bono
[Read the article: Joe Klein's stirring defense of Lewis Libby]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It's so nice when the pundits and PTB can take some time out of their busy days to come to the aid of their friends (and convicted felons). I enjoyed the footnote by Judge Walton that Bitch PhD pointed us to:
(1) It is an impressive show of public service when twelve prominent and distinguished current and former law professors of well-respected schools are able to amass their collective wisdom in the course of only several days to provide their legal expertise to the Court on behalf of a criminal defendant. The Court trusts that this is a reflection of these eminent academics' willingness in the future to step to the plate and provide like assistance in cases involving any of the numerous litigants, both in this Court and throughout the courts of our nation, who lack the financial means to fully and properly articulate the merits of their legal positions even in instances where failure to do so could result in monetary penalties, incarceration, or worse. The Court will certainly not hesitate to call for such assistance from these luminaries, as necessary in the interests of justice and equity, whenever similar questions arise in the cases that come before it.
http://howappealing.law.com/060807.html#025905
(Third link in the top blurb.)
I hope he does indeed call on them again! Perhaps in some similar cases to the ones you've listed, Glenn. Thanks, once again.
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Peacemakers
[Read the article: Joe Klein's stirring defense of Lewis Libby]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Scientician:
Wilson has a fantastic resume on his own, as an accomplished diplomat
My husband and I attended a Physicians for Social Responsibility event last week in Los Angeles, at which Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson were honored and both spoke. Wilson gave an amazing speech. [Sample (paraphrased from memory): "How many of you here know the name of the person who inserted the 16 famous words into the President's speech-- lies that he used to justify a war?" (A scattering of hands are raised.) "How many of you know the name of a covert C.I.A agent?" (Everyone raised their hand.)] Afterwards, my husband said, "You know, if you're going to pick on someone, you really shouldn't choose someone with 23 years of foreign service experience who is that eloquent." I think Wilson has been giving a similar speech around the country and I really hope someone transcribes it at some point; it is a scathing, detailed take-down of Bush and his thugs.
Anyway, the Wilson-Plames have two lawsuits proceeding, including a civil suit against the Administration, that sound as if they will bring lots of fun stuff to light. I'm looking forward to that:
http://www.wilsonsupport.org/home
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Civilities
[Read the article: Joe Klein's stirring defense of Lewis Libby]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]UsedtobeKristin:
I saw Joe Wilson speak in October (he was stumping for Charlie Brown, the Democratic challenger to John Doolittle), and I was blown away.[...]it takes a lot of chutzpah (and courage) to go up against the likes of Dick Cheney.
Yes. Although, last week he said he cannot wait to see Cheney being questioned by his lawyer, Erwin Chemerinsky:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Chemerinsky
He said Cheney may act like a tough guy, but he's totally not, and the formidable Chermerinsky is gonna rip him to shreds on the stand. I'm looking forward to the FireDogLake coverage. The decision on whether that case can proceed is due sometime this summer.