Post Scripts: Divided and dangerous

Some readers may tire of columns about America’s "New War." I will try to vary them but I am carrying a major burden inside me because of this conflict. President Bush jumped into this "war" situation as if he had suddenly sat down on a cockleburr. I am aware terrorists struck our nation without warning, resulting in a terrible loss of human life. Of course I grieve with those who lost loved ones.

What bothers me is how many innocent people we will kill, and have already killed, to satisfy our determination to get Osama bin Laden, and his band of assassins. It bothers me also that of all the nations on earth we have helped, only one or two nations, England most of all, have put their help where their mouth is.

Most of all, thus far, I am greatly disappointed with our response to this emergency. It tells us this administration has misjudged the dimensions of the attack on America (New York and The Pentagon) as well as the determination of the terrorists to destroy us. It appears official Washington believed all we have to do was to bomb Afghanistan, and the Arab renegades would produce a whimpering Osama bin Laden and accept defeat. It’s not going to be that easy.

Saddest of all, as an old newspaperman, and with experience in two wars dealing with reporters and war correspondents. I was not happy when I knew Washington officials, or ranking officers, were not being honest with the American people, which they did then and still are today.

I think it matters that most of today’s journalists do not know what it feels like to stand at attention and be screamed at by a drill sergeant. When it comes to news judgement, the lack of military perspective in the newsroom, or in combat reporting, may be limiting the kind of news the public needs during wartime. Is the coverage of the current "war" affected by the demilitarization of the newsroom? We’ll find out soon.

It matters that few reporters who cover wars and military affairs today, have ever experienced the soldier culture with its mixture of cynicism, boredom, and deep loyalty – plus a profound sense of service. This fundamental ignorance can undermine judgement and make reporters less likely to know the difference between a screwup and a conspiracy to hide something. Remember the"nerve gas" story during the Vietnam war. It never happened, but for inexperienced correspondents it was a "great story." Rumors and misinformation is more common in the military than spit and polish.

If more people knew they were supposed to stand for the National Anthem, more people might understand what they hear from elected officials in Washington is not always factual, nor full of wisdom, sometimes not even the whole truth. The media and the military are different institutions with different responsibilities, both essential to our Democracy. Today, most Americans realize media coverage, or the lack of it during Vietnam, cost the military the support of the American people. Without public support, the war was unwinnable.

This war is dangerous to America. The truth may hurt but lies produce only agony.