Yesterday the New York Times
headlined a story: "Bush Aides See Failure in Fight With Al Qaeda in Pakistan."
Bill The O'Reilly was rightly upset. "The (Times) makes it seems that we have failed as a nation," reported the No-Spinster. I'd be upset too...if that's what the Times reported. It was only what Bill told the Folks™ it "seems" like they reported. That is until you actually read the story. It never says anything about failing as a nation. It says that the Bush administration has failed as an administration in its fight against Al Qaeda in Pakistan.
A natural mistake by anyone interested in confusing the electorate. Commingling Bush, his administration and its policies as a condemnation of the collective "we...as a nation," has long been a killer tactic by those on the Right. You know, like questioning Bush's failed policies is "underming the troops." Crazy, huh, that Independent" Bill has fallen into the moon-bat Right-wing trap.
But still, where would the Times get information that Bush aides would see failure in its fight with Al Qaeda in Pakistan? Howzabout from Bush aides. That's right. They got it from Bush's own National Intelligence Estimate (NIE). In fact, the report from the NIE represents the view of all 16 agencies in the American intelligence community.
Following Bill's reasoning, Bush's own aides themselves have made it seem as if we've failed as a nation.
But if you listened to Bill's radio show and/or watched his TV Factor on Wednesday, you might find something very curious...besides Bill. In condemning the Times, "who everyone knows its goal is to get a Democrat in the White House," Bill forgot(?) to mention that the report the Times was reporting on came from Bush's own NIE. In fact, Bill never uttered the NIE word(s) - or letters - at all. Not once. Not during a full hour on the Times story - the story about the NIE report - on the Radio Factor; not during his TV Factor Talking Point Memo - on the story about the NIE report - and not even during and entire segment following the TPM - a discussion of the Times story reporting on the NIE report.
How's that for giving the Folks™ all the facts?
But who else said that the Al Qaeda battle hasn't worked in Pakistan?
"I can't get clear answers," said Bill.
Well, Bill. I know you've overworked your cracked research team ambushing hate-smear site corporate supporters, but how about checking Bush's own head of the White House Homeland Security Council, Frances Townsend, who said, "(The strategy for fighting Al Qaeda) hasn't worked for Pakistan," and "It hasn't worked for the U.S."
Still, Bill said that he didn't know whether to believe the White House - which Bill said denied the story-or the Times? I know who it might be wise for Bill not to believe...Bill.
During last night's Factor mail bag, responding to a writer who sent a letter that questioned Bill's veracity, the "Watching Out For You" Guy said that he believed that "some are too stupid to watch this program."
My guess is that they got that way by watching the program - and believing that it's nonfiction..
Steve Young is the author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful"and his "All The News That's Fit To Spoof" appears in L.A. Daily News opeds every Sunday, right next to Bill's...really.