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 Wednesday, June 2nd, 2004
NewsMaxRecently, entertainer Pat Boone wrote NewsMax editor Christopher Ruddy
a
letter regarding his feelings on Abu Ghraib and Iraq, the contents of
which
are published here with permission:
Mr. Christopher Ruddy
Editor, NewsMax
Dear Chris,
Hasn't anybody got the guts to accuse the worst perpetrator in this
whole
Abu Ghraib prison debacle - CBS and 60 Minutes II?
What do you call it when, in time of war, someone takes military
intelligence and turns it over to the enemy, who in turn uses it to
kill
Americans?
Isn't that the definition of treason? Did Benedict Arnold do worse?
Did
Julias and Ethel Rosenberg pay with their lives for something like
this?
It has already been well established, and CBS certainly knew, that
the
military announced to the press back in January that allegations had
been
made concerning treatment of prisoners and were being investigated.
In March there was another announcement that the allegations were
still
being investigated and certain service personnel at Abu Ghraib were
relieved of their duties and might be court marshaled.
In other words, while America was fighting a war, the military had
already
taken the allegations seriously, were investigating them and were
taking
steps to correct the situation. In other words, it was being handled,
and
handled well.
These things happen in war on all sides, and though they are not
excusable,
they are kindergarten exercises compared to car bombs, ambushes,
rocket
launchings and dangling burning bodies over bridges - and this is what
the
interrogators at Abu Ghraib were trying to find ways to stop.
Freedom of the press is precious to us, but you can abuse any liberty
and
stretch it out of shape until it becomes license, and concerned
citizens
will call for limitations.
In this case, if CBS had really cared about the country, about our
military, about doing the right thing, they would have taken these
pictures, (which they had illegally) and asked the military and the
Pentagon what was being done about the abuses (Although they most
likely
knew it, they would have been told that the matter was in hand and
being
taken care of).
Indeed, a general implored them not to publish the pictures because of
what
he knew would happen as a result.
CBS could have cared less.
In their mad competition for rating points, dollars, and seeing a great
way
to blast the President and the war effort in Iraq which they have
continually denigrated and opposed, they broadcast they abhorrent
pictures
- and not just to the United States, BUT TO THE WORLD!
Knowing full well that we were walking a tight rope, trying to fight a
war,
quell disturbances and build a republic for Iraq in the midst of all
the
terrorist resistance, CBS published these abhorrent pictures knowing
they
would destroy completely our image and standing in the Muslim world.
And what about Osama bin Laden? What about the terrorists? What about
America's image with all our allies around the world? And what about
America's own self image and confidence in their leaders?
And what did the beheaders of Nick Berg say, just before they
callously
sawed his head off while he screamed, "This is in retaliation for what
you
Americans did to our people at Abu Ghraib!" And how did they know
about
these interrogation abuses?
Though poor Mr. Berg blames George Bush and Donald Rumsefld, it is
incontrovertible that his son would be home with him right now had it
not
been for the publication of those pictures. Mr. Berg is pointing his
finger
in the wrong direction.
And as a direct result of CBS callous and patently unpatriotic
action,
America is suffering great loss of prestige around the world, and will
for
decades.
America has lost credibility with Muslims and the Arab world
internationally, perhaps forever; and every American life is in far
greater
danger from terrorist reprisal, no matter who and where we are!
Freedom of the press is a cherished commodity, guaranteed by our
Constitution. But freedoms, if they are to be maintained and to have
the
original meaning, must be treated with grave responsibility and
restraint.
For me, CBS has become "the enemy within", and I hope never to watch
the
network again. I think most Americans ought to reflect on the results
of
their irresponsible and unpatriotic behavior and perhaps narrow their
viewing options by one network. The next time America or Americans
suffer
at the hands of terrorists, thank CBS.
Pat Boone
PB:jsp
P.S. As of today, May 21St, you can add Brokaw, NBC and The Washington
Post
to the list. Have these media pariahs gone mad?! Who'll be next to fire
at
our own troops?
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