June 9, 2003: I have wondered from time to time, as I watch the American justice system in action, whether we are truly concerned with facts – truth if you will – so much as we are in a process. If the process “works,” then on the average we are happy, and assume that justice has been done. … But what is it that guarantees that the process will actually work? How does one check on the process?
April 14, 2003: During a panel discussion I attended recently on the Iraq war, one of the speakers suggested that a problem with the war was that the extended, real-time coverage was making the war seem like entertainment. Contemplating people glued to their TV screens, the speaker described the war as the ultimate reality show.
Self-Deception
April 7, 2003: The battle in Baghdad recently provided a prime example of self-deception. As American tanks surrounded the building where he has his office, the Iraqi Information Minister appeared before TV cameras to announce that the Americans were nowhere near Baghdad. As my wife keeps telling me, denial is not just a river in Egypt!
Media Bias
March 24, 2003: I have heard for years that the media was biased. The claim is sometimes a liberal bias, sometimes conservative, sometimes pro-establishment, sometimes in favor of rebels. One might be led to think that if one is accused of bias in multiple directions, perhaps one is being balanced.
March 3, 2003: Recently there have been repeated calls for our political leaders to come together, to forget partisanship, and to work together for the good of the country. It sounds like a good idea. Who can possibly oppose togetherness? Who would object to politicians putting aside partisanship in order to work together on projects that would be for the good of the country?
February 22, 2003: What is the value of revenge? Revenge rarely achieves an improvement in a given situation. While giving a momentary relief to our frustration and rage, it solves little or nothing. So what is the alternative?