President "straw man" redux and the complicit media
From Bush's statement today on this morning's regarding the discovery of the plot to blow up airplanes:
This country is safer than it was prior to 9/11. We've taken a lot of measures to protect the American people. But obviously, we're still not completely safe, because there are people that still plot and people who want to harm us for what we believe in. It is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America. And that is why we have given our officials the tools they need to protect our people.
I emphasize his statement: "It is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America." … who exactly is it that is saying that there is not a threat posed by terrorists? No one of course. Yet again Bush makes a straw man argument to try and make people believe that his approach is infallible and the only one true course of action, and the comment passes through the media with no challenge or comment. I've posted on this tendency before.
It is great that the powers that be in Britain are "on the case" and have apparently thwarted this plot. They are doing their jobs, and any responsible government would be doing the same. And it deserves attention in the news. But really now, where is the perspective. I have looked at CNN and MSNBC this morning and it appears to be the only news that is happening in the world. This is a disturbing and all too familiar phenomenon. Just like the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah has pushed the civil war in Iraq (which was already sorely under-reported) out of the media's attention, now today's event has pushed everything else out of view.