Johnny Apple – barely drawing breath after declaring absolute military disaster – now proclaims stunning political and military success, “taking the heat off” president Bush for his conduct of the war. Ta-da! Only on 43rd Street, of course, could anyone believe president Bush was in political trouble at any point in the last couple of weeks because of his conduct of the war. But there you have it. This is the newspaper, remember, that once declared the Enron scandal would have more historical salience than 9/11. On second paranoid Kausian 2am thought, of course, this Apple piece cannot but ne very bad news. The general rule in American journalism is that R. W. Apple (bested only by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.) is always, always wrong. God help the armed services in the next few days. Couldn’t Howell have restrained Johnny until we’d actually won?
MUST READS: Bill Keller brings closure, to my mind, to the debate over the war-plan. The first half of his piece reads awfully similar to the arguments in this blog over the past week. The second is really smart. And Ken Ringle’s appreciation of Mike Kelly in the Post also told me things I’d forgotten or didn’t know.
TOUGH ENOUGH: “I’m not tough. I thank God everyday that there are tough men and women out there who are willing and able to protect the way of life I enjoy so much. I’m 26 and kids my age right now are living in the desert with the realities of war all around them, so that I can go home tonight, kiss my wife, throw the tennis ball for my dog, and fall asleep … free. Free from fear, free from tyranny, free to enjoy my life and pursue my happiness. They are all heroes and patriots in the truest sense of the word and I just wish that I could express my gratitude to each and every one of them.
But I can’t, so I did the only thing I could think of to really help. I found a blood donation center that is sending blood to the military and I gave what could arguably be the most precious thing I have — my blood. It was not a fun experience (note the first sentence of this letter), but as I walked to my car, for the first time since this whole debate started, I felt good. Sure, it could have just been the lightheadedness from being a couple pints down; but more likely it’s because on the off-chance that my blood ends up saving the life of someone fighting to protect my country, well, that would just fucking rule.” – more reader comment on the Letters Page.
The Dish 