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Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Ending for Bolton
From the New York Times:This is a political appointment, so it will always be in some part about politics. Understanding that, the media should take the politicians at their word on this one. If the Democrats say that Bolton is a bully, the media should do two things. First, explain whether the charge is relevant. If Bolton's a bully, does that mean he'd be a bad ambassador? If so, how. What parts of the job would he be bad at. How would that affect America and Americans. Second, independently investigate the charge to help prove or disprove the charge. Is Bolton a bully? Who says so? What's that person's history? And so on.
I know there's a sense of drama when a Republican senator clears his throat and brings a halt to debate. This is a Fonzie moment for Sen. Voinovich. I know it's easy and fun to replay the mud slinging and the accusations in the morning papers. But this is an important job that needs to be filled by a competent person. If Bolton is competent and able and the Democrats reasons for blocking him are demonstrably specious, let the media present those facts. On the other hand, if Bolton is incompetent and unable to do the job and his appointment recklessly endangers American standing in the world, let the media present those facts. If the facts are muddled and in between, as they usually are, that's okay, too.
There's a better story than petty politics. Take both sides at their word and find out who is telling the greater truth. Print the truth, as near as can be determined, and print the names of those who stood with the truth and against it. There's drama in that. Even the Bible ends by separating the wheat from the chaff, the pure from the damned, the righteous from 3WN readers. It's a good ending to a lot of stories, including this one.
As an added bonus, it even helps to make sure Americans have the best possible government representing them at home and abroad. Imagine that.
