Read Whats Wrong with the New York Times?

Editor on 12/25/06

This came out as the top headline on Christmas Day. . . it is widely recognized that Iran is the main destabilizing force in the war in Iraq. They are clearly opposed to the US goal of a successful democracy in Iraq.

For months Iran has been destabilizing our efforts by backing the Shia military militia with weapons and money. The Republican Guard has been training terrorist forces that have been killing both American soldiers and Iraqi soldiers and civilians. In the last two weeks Iran has held a highly publicized conference on Holocaust denial and has openly refused to comply with UN sanctions for nuclear determent. Today we find out that the US military has captured Iranian "officials" in Iraq but the way the article reads, it subtly makes the military appear to be the bad guys.

The article appears to be framed as if the US military is acting like a loose cannon, kidnapping Iranian diplomats that were Iraqi government guests, upsetting them greatly. In addition, the Bush administration has not released it's explanation for it's actions as if the military in a time of war must clear it's tactics in time for the media's deadline.

Just unbelievable. Closer to reality would be a lead stating "The US military has captured Iranian agents who were responsible for the sabotage and killing of hundreds of US and Iraqi soldiers and civilians over the past six months? " Perhaps if there was any support of this magnitude, public sentiment would not be as distorted as it is today.


U.S. Is Holding Iranians Seized in Raids in Iraq

By James Glanz and Sabrina Tavernise
Published: December 25, 2006
BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 — The American military is holding at least four Iranians in Iraq, including men the Bush administration called senior military officials, who were seized in a pair of raids late last week aimed at people suspected of conducting attacks on Iraqi security forces, according to senior Iraqi and American officials in Baghdad and Washington.

The Bush administration made no public announcement of the politically delicate seizure of the Iranians, though in response to specific questions the White House confirmed Sunday that the Iranians were in custody.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/25/world/middleeast/25iraq.html?hp&ex=1167109200&en=4e111a821b3118d9&ei=5094&partner=homepage