The inability to communicate information in an easily accessable way is a terrible terrible failure of the Bush administration. From Bush's stammering, robotic speeches to the vague press releases to the inevitable declarations, this administration shoots itself in the foot every time they try to communicate.
That is not to say I don't think they're right. I agree with this administrations policies more-or-less. But the wealth of misinformation or outright lies in the media that are not countered by this administration makes me tear my hair out.
How many times did you hear "smoking gun" or "find out if they are in material breech" on the news when the inspections were underway? Resolution 1441 had already declared Iraq in material breech and demanded they -actively- show us the proof that they were innocent. Not that we had to find it - but that they had to prove to us they were complying. But even today NOBODY KNOWS. It's obvious when you read the resolution (and the corresponding earlier resolutions)
(READ them! These are "INTERNATIONAL LAW")
that we were not hunting down the clue that would convict at all - but in fact were completely within our rights to (brace yourself) respond to the total failure to comply with INTERNATIONAL decisions.
But all of this is lost in the media storm of Hans Blix saying "Iraq seems to be nicer today.. not as nice as yesterday but a little nicer than last week." and a focus on whether or not "the international community" loves us or not.
The problem is not that the facts don't exist. The problem is not that the facts are wrong. The problem is that a vast majority of the people watching this are completely unaware of the facts. It has been a terrible failure of this administration that they have not managed to broadcast these truths with any success.
Even now we're protesting to stop a war that looks likely to be relatively low in damage and death (and high in removal of a murderous dictator) and the administration continues to make proclamations about our intent. I wish the British foreign minister could address our nation instead of Bush. He at least can make a compelling speech - and frequently cover the facts at the same time.
Posted by Matt at March 20, 2003 02:03 PM