I truly want to believe that those who hold different opinions about the military and the war are just drawing different conclusions from the information before them. Color me naïve in the face of often contradictory evidence, but I know that honest disagreements still exist. Still, at least in the case of TNR, it is increasing clear that not only are they not being honest about their disagreement, they’re just not being honest: period.
If this were almost any other issue I wouldn’t care as much, but they’re maligning a former profession of mine, the practice of which is not only necessary but honorable, even if that honor is tainted on rare occasions by those who succumb to weakness or hold the profession in lesser regard. We should rightfully expose malfeasance and actions that are inconsistent with the spirit and letter of our laws, beliefs, and principles, but given that the military is filled with humans and their accompanying failings, there is no need to fabricate horror or controversy. Believe me, the list of things I’d like to expose to sunlight is a mile long …
So, I reiterate my earlier offer: Real military and intelligence experience (more than almost any correspondent working today), reasonably skilled with the written word, willing to serve as defense/mil/nat’l sec correspondent for any magazine of the left. Ideologically we’re not going to agree on much, but I’ll give you fact-based coverage – and perhaps more important - credibility in these issue areas.
