SamSaid!

COINCIDENCE

     On Jan 6th, Senate hearings began on the confirmation of George Bush's nomination of Alberto Gonzalez as the new Attorney General replacing John Ashcroft. As expected, Gonzalez received some flak from Democrats Joe Biden, Pat Leahy and Chuck Shumer (among others) over his legal opinions that  captured terrorists are not entitled to the protections of the Geneva Convention. To the Democrats, this translates into legitimatizing torture. It all hinges on whether we are at war with the terrorists (Bush), or whether terrorist behavior is just a matter of law enforcement (Democrats).

     On the same day, January 6th, Anti-Gonzalez articles appeared on the front pages of the NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe and Chicago Tribune. Also, on the same day  — Jan 6th – these same newspapers carried editorial page articles opposing the nomination of Gonzalez –  accusing Gonzalez of finding “torture” as being acceptable when  interrogating terrorists. All five of these newspapers are regarded as being “left of center” in the political spectrum, and their opposition to a Bush appointee was fully expected.

     Newspapers are free to publish and editorialize as they see fit. No quarrel. But how long can the long arm of coincidence be?  Same appointee, same day, same issue, same front page treatment, and same editorial page treatment. Coincidence?? That sort of stretches credibility. A simple review of the 2004 elections makes it clear that the majority of  media outlets (very much including these aforementioned 5) are anti-Bush, and anti Republican. They have properly earned their label as being “left wing”. So is the Jan 6th assault on Alberto Gonzalez just a coincidence? Or was it a COORDINATED  effort to discredit his candidacy. You can decide for yourself, but if you really believe it was coincidental, I have a big bridge I'll sell you cheap!!