BCT Editorial – 7/29/08

This page was last updated on August 2, 2008.

Blunder; Editorial; Beaver County Times; July 29, 2008.

As a reminder, a columnist writes opinion. Once again we have the Times using an opinion writer as a data source.

Joseph Galloway has a bit of a credibility problem. You see, back in 2006 Mr. Galloway wrote at least one column asserting the Iraq “surge” wouldn’t work and even today appears reluctant to admit progress.

In the subject column (“Commentary: Back to the future in the war on terror”; July 24, 2008), you’ll note the “outgoing American commander” saying “a total force of more than 400,000 troops — Afghan Army, U.S. forces and NATO troops — would be needed to secure Afghanistan” isn’t named. Also note the comparison of what we’re doing in Afghanistan today with the USSR trying to takeover the country. The USSR tried to subjugate Afghans; we’re helping Afghans defend themselves against subjugators. It’s sad how political partisanship can blur your vision.

Perhaps the Times should have waited a few days to publish this editorial. You see, on July 31^st Mr. Galloway published “Commentary: A top general says more troops aren’t the answer in Afghanistan.” Oops. At least in this column Mr. Galloway named his source (Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Ret.).

Regarding the assertion al-Qaida is involved in a significant way in Afghanistan, I’m not sure that’s true. Every news report I’ve read/seen refers to the Taliban, but not al-Qaida.

In any case, the editorial is just another example of Bush Derangement Syndrome.