Posted on 04/05/2002 6:29:34 AM PST by johnqueuepublic
~ Headline Games – The Left’s War On Truth ~
By William A. Mayer - Editor & Publisher
We were a little more than dismayed by the indelicate writing of headline editors which accompanied Bush’s, rather in depth, April 4 address to the world on the smoldering Mid East situation.
Maybe indelicate is too delicate an adjective – maybe deliberate distortion of the content of the speech is more appropriate.
CNS got it right – “Bush: Middle East Terror Must Be Stopped”
So did Newsmax – “The Future Is Dying”
At the SF Chronicle, where lifestyle reporters in chartreuse boas cavort like fey little Leprechauns, they characterized the 1,700 word speech as - "Bush Demands Pullout"
The AP also chimed in, apparently not have either heard or read the speech in its entirety – “Bush Urges Israel to End Incursion”
The New York Times, once again demonstrating some deep seeded Jewish self-hate penned - “Urging Israel to Stop Incursion”
Reuters, probably the most left leaning of the left dominated media threw a quick combination punch, driving home two vast inaccuracies - in the first case adding blatant editorial comment – “Bush Demands Israeli Withdrawal as Tanks Advance” – and in the second making it appear that somehow American Mid East policy now favors Arafat - “Arafat Accepts Bush Statement Without Conditions”
As usual we are here to provide the antidote.
President Bush’s April 4 address to the nation, clarifying and restating US policy with regards to the Mid East, was a reassuring affirmation of where this country stands on terror.
Elimination of infrastructure of Islamic terror remains the key goal and the speech placed a real emphasis on it, mentioning terror or terrorist 27 times.
The Bush administration clearly places the blame for the current round of violence upon Palestinian terrorists
“terrorist attacked a group of innocent people in a Netanya hotel”
He decried the brainwashing of Palestinian youth by preachers of Jihad.
“When an 18-year-old Palestinian girl is induced to blow herself up, and in the process kills a 17-year-old Israeli girl, the future itself is dying”
He clearly characterized the Palestinian actions as terror, and that it was morally correct for Israel to respond with overwhelming military force.
“Terror must be stopped. No nation can negotiate with terrorists, for there is no way to make peace with those whose only goal is death.”
He once again made clear that you are either with the US or against us.
“Everyone must choose; you’re either with the civilized world or you’re with the terrorists. All in the Middle East also must choose, and must move decisively in word and deed against terrorist acts”
He personally, but diplomatically attacked Arafat
“The chairman of the Palestinian Authority has not consistently opposed or confronted terrorists.”
He continued to hone the edge of the attack, in this instance mentioning Arafat by name and stating that he has betrayed his people and his cause, lifting the veil of diplomacy.
”At Oslo and elsewhere, Chairman Arafat renounced terror as an instrument of his cause, and he agreed to control it. He’s not done so. The situation in which he finds himself today is largely of his own making. He’s missed his opportunities and thereby betrayed the hopes of the people he is supposed to lead.”
He justified Israel’s military response
”Given his [Arafat’s] failure, the Israeli government feels it must strike at terrorist networks that are killing its citizens.”
Mr. Bush cajoled the so-called moderate Arab states, stating that terrorism hurts their own cause
“I call on the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, and our friends in the Arab world to join us in delivering a clear message to terrorists. Blowing yourself up does not help the Palestinian cause. To the contrary, suicide bombing missions could well blow up the best and only hope for a Palestinian state.”
In a clear slap at the Arab world’s characterization of those who carry out terror bombings as somehow being martyrs, Bush said
”They’re not martyrs. They’re murderers.”
This was also a deft slap at the Islamic concept whereby those who engage in Jihad will be give special rewards by Allah.
He once again chided the Arab states to accept the existence of Israel.
“Now other Arab states must rise to this occasion and accept Israel as a nation and as a neighbor. Peace with Israel is the only avenue to prosperity and success for a new Palestinian state.”
The President underlined the reasonableness of the current Israeli position, which fully accepts a peaceful Palestinian entity.
“Israel faces hard choices of its own. Its government has supported the creation of a Palestinian state that is not a haven for terrorism.”
Bush again clearly supported the efforts of the IDF to root out terrorist cells in Palestinian controlled areas.
“Israel is facing a terrible and serious challenge. For seven days, it has acted to root out terrorist nests. America recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself from terror.”
He warned the underwriters of further terror, and put them on notice
“And to those who would try to use the current crisis as an opportunity to widen the conflict: Stay out. Iran’s arms shipments and support for terror fuel the fire of conflict in the Middle East, and it must stop.”
He held Syria to a higher standard, correctly inferring that al-Qaida is no different than other Islamic terror groups.
“Syria has spoken out against al Qaida; we expect it to act against Hamas and Hezbollah as well…It’s time for…for Syria to decide which side of the war against terror it is on.”
In total this was a clear, understandable, plain as nails indictment of Islamic terror within the State of Israel.
It was also approving of Israel’s response to that terror, forthrightly demanding that the Arab cultures must accept its right to exist, and that it has every right to defend itself when attacked.
How anyone could conceivably get the impression that, in this major foreing policy address, Israel was being chastised, called on the carpet or – in the greatest flight of fancy – that now the US is somehow tilting towards supporting Yasser Arafat’s outrages is unbelievable.
So, headline readers, you have been placed on notice, what you see is certainly not what you get – what you see is a smoke screen, what you get is an impression that is often 180 degrees out of phase with the truth.
Of course, it is intentional - as the war of disinformation, by an agenda driven media continues, the truth is always the first casualty.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.