Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Setting the Record Straight
There has been a lot of hoopla over Newsweek's sloppy reporting, even though General Richard Myers and Afghan president Hamid Karzai claim no link between violence and the Newsweek story (and subsequently, the Red Cross and others have documented accounts of desecration of the Koran, with one soldier being arrested on these charges).
But what about "errors" and the sloppy use of evidence that have actually led to bloodshed and loss of life? This journalist gives Bush some suggestions for how he might set the record straight, even though he has yet to acknowledge that "mistakes were made." Here are some examples:
(1) "In 2002 and 2003, my administration made the case for invading Iraq by claiming that nation had weapons of mass destruction. It did not. We regret the error." Or:
(2) "In 2002 and 2003, my administration encouraged Americans to believe Iraq was involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was not. We regret the error." Or:
(3) "In 2003, my administration said Iraq's oil wealth was such that the invasion would pay for itself. It has not. We regret that error too."
See how it works, Mr. President? It's not that bad, once you get the hang of it. OK, granted, it will never be fun. But in my business, we believe owning up to error ultimately makes you better.
You should try it sometime."
Chicago Tribune | Setting the record straight is good policy, even for the president
But what about "errors" and the sloppy use of evidence that have actually led to bloodshed and loss of life? This journalist gives Bush some suggestions for how he might set the record straight, even though he has yet to acknowledge that "mistakes were made." Here are some examples:
(1) "In 2002 and 2003, my administration made the case for invading Iraq by claiming that nation had weapons of mass destruction. It did not. We regret the error." Or:
(2) "In 2002 and 2003, my administration encouraged Americans to believe Iraq was involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was not. We regret the error." Or:
(3) "In 2003, my administration said Iraq's oil wealth was such that the invasion would pay for itself. It has not. We regret that error too."
See how it works, Mr. President? It's not that bad, once you get the hang of it. OK, granted, it will never be fun. But in my business, we believe owning up to error ultimately makes you better.
You should try it sometime."
Chicago Tribune | Setting the record straight is good policy, even for the president
