David Reinhard Writes the Definitve Line of the Times

Sarcasm can be a dangerous thing in print. The Oregonian's David Reinhard tried it this morning and came up with the definitive statement on the war in Iraq. That's what big-time columnists do. They turn out lines that historians can quote to tap into the true mood of the era. They say things instinctively. In the Reinhard column Thursday about the incident with the Marines at Haditha, David fired off the following sentence: "Never mind the actual facts of the matter." Yes, he was mocking the reaction to the incident, but what a sentence. Isn't that what Steve Colbert has been saying? It's not the truth, but the "truthiness"? David has inadvertently stumbled onto the definitive line of the Bush years: Never mind the actual facts of the matter.

No one should want a rush to judgement on the Marines at Haditha - an incident that happened more than half a year ago. Representative Murtha has tremendous contacts in the military and he seems to believe it was ugly. Of course, David Reinhard thinks Murtha should have waited till the official Pentagon findings were announced - at least their latest version. That sounds fair, unless Murtha felt that if he didn't go public, the chances that this incident would get the proper attention would be greatly diminished. Last November is already quite a while ago, and this White House has been known to cover up a thing or two. But David Reinhard writes like this administration is a determined messenger of the truth. Just allow them enough time to investigate and they will turn over the real story to the American people. See? Now I'm being sarcastic. We all know this administration views the truth as a bigger enemy than Osama. The White House has been engaged in one long spin campaign, complete with fake news stories, deception, and an endless series of lies. Isn't that what they ultimately said about the Iraq War: "Never mind the actual facts of the matter"? That's why people like Murtha go public. That's why Joe Wilson went public. Because if no one says anything, the White House wins. David Reinhard doesn't like the way this incident is being used to make the case that the Iraq plan was flawed. But you know if there was anyway the White House could use it as a PR boost for themselves, they would do it - even if they had to lie. Ask Pat Tillman's family how that works. Maybe David Reinhard should write speeches for President Bush. That would be a great opening line for everything the President says: "Never mind the actual facts of the matter."

THE MARINES IN IRAQ