Mark Steyn worries, as I do, that the Bush administration is giving up on the war. I’ve done my level best to look on the bright side, but the omens are awful.
RAINES WATCH: Howell’s most reliable liberal flunky, Rick “DNC” Berke, has now become Washington editor. The Guardianization of the New York Times continues.
JOURNALISM’S NEW LOW: The always cogent Bill Powers nails the media’s “Bush Knew” hype of last week. It’s about the supremacy of scandal over truth.
KRUGMAN’S CLAIM: I know it’s an aside, but it’s a revealing one. Paul Krugman, whose criticism of the Bush administration on trade is largely right, still can’t resist this cheap shot:
The administration insists that it is simply standing up for U.S. interests. Robert Zoellick, the trade representative – who used to be a genuine free-trader, but these days sounds like a broken man – declared that “Uncle Sam is not going to be Uncle Sap for these people.” But if you believe that this is about the national interest, I’ve got a terrorist threat against the Brooklyn Bridge you might be willing to buy.
Is he saying that the administration made up a threat to Brooklyn Bridge? For domestic political reasons? That’s an extraordinary claim, a Michael Moore-type claim. Here’s a challenge to Krugman and his editors (does he have editors?). Back that up or withdraw it. Or is the Times op-ed page now a place where Chomsky-like smears are now de rigueur?
BOOK CLUB UPDATE: I’ll be posting the latest emails about Bjorn Lomborg this holiday weekend. Crack open a beer, munch a hot dog and get stuck into CO2 debates! We should have Bjorn’s answers to your questions some time next week. Next month: real summer reading. I promise.
MICKEY’S WEIRD VENDETTA: I guess he’s just being honest, but Mickey Kaus says it’s “intensely disappointing” that Condit might be legitimately cleared in the Chandra Levy investigation. Excuse me? Wouldn’t it be better, if facts warrant it, for the real killer, whoever he is, to be identified? But give the Mickster points for candor. Like many in the media, Mickey loathes Condit for other reasons and simply wants to nail him for murder. But doesn’t Chandra deserve a little better than that?
The Dish 