Newsweek Fiasco

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As people get stirred up over the Newsweek article of last week about the alleged flushing of the Korean at the Gitmo Detention Center, I think it is important to remember that while many in the Islamic world are outraged over this story and the level of violence that it has sparked, I feel it cannot be placed solely at Newsweek's feet. What has occurred is a global erosion of US prestige in the world. These riots are a result of a long series of wrong steps in both the media and the government. This one story, in and of itself isn't the cause. Those in that part of the world believe that we would do such an act. The facts to them are of no relevance. They see it as a part of a greater pattern of our actions. We have failed to counter the propaganda of the Jihadist in that part of the world. And our actions in Iraq have only fed into their point of view.

Now we have the US government asking for a retraction. Rightfully so, but the damage has been done and those who would believe this type of story will not believe a retraction. I get back to the the point that this is endemic of a greater problem. US credibility. People around the world used to believe the statements of the US government on the world stage. Now they look for the "Wag the Dog" effect in almost every word uttered. This is very damaging to the US.

Newsweek should have been more careful about it's stories. In this new world of global communications words have true power on the world. We have known this for some time, but have not seen this type of reaction to a news article printed in this country having such an immediate reaction in a place on the other side of the world viewed as cut off from the main stream of world opinion.

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