PoLiTiCaLlY CoRrEcT

Recently, entertainer Pat Boone wrote NewsMax editor Christopher Ruddy a
letter regarding his feelings on Abu Ghraib and Iraq, the contents of
which are published here with permission:

Mr. Christopher Ruddy
Editor, NewsMax

Dear Chris,

Hasn't anybody got the guts to accuse the worst perpetrator in this
whole Abu Ghraib prison debacle - CBS and 60 Minutes II?

What do you call it when, in time of war, someone takes military
intelligence and turns it over to the enemy, who in turn uses it to kill
Americans?

Isn't that the definition of treason? Did Benedict Arnold do worse? Did
Julias and Ethel Rosenberg pay with their lives for something like this?

It has already been well established, and CBS certainly knew, that the
military announced to the press back in January that allegations had
been made concerning treatment of prisoners and were being investigated.

In March there was another announcement that the allegations were still
being investigated and certain service personnel at Abu Ghraib were
relieved of their duties and might be court marshaled.

In other words, while America was fighting a war, the military had
already taken the allegations seriously, were investigating them and were
taking steps to correct the situation. In other words, it was being handled, and handeled well.



These things happen in war on all sides, and though they are not excusable
they are kindergarten exercises compared to car bombs, ambushes, rocket
launchings and dangling burning bodies over bridges - and this is what the
interrogators at Abu Ghraib were trying to find ways to stop.

Freedom of the press is precious to us, but you can abuse any liberty and
stretch it out of shape until it becomes license, and concerned citizens
will call for limitations.

In this case, if CBS had really cared about the country, about our
military, about doing the right thing, they would have taken these
pictures, (which they had illegally) and asked the military and the
Pentagon what was being done about the abuses (Although they most likely
knew it, they would have been told that the matter was in hand and being
taken care of).

Indeed, a general implored them not to publish the pictures because of
what he knew would happen as a result.

CBS could have cared less.

In their mad competition for rating points, dollars, and seeing a great
way to blast the President and the war effort in Iraq which they have
continually denigrated and opposed, they broadcast they abhorrent pictures
- and not just to the United States, BUT TO THE WORLD!

Knowing full well that we were walking a tight rope, trying to fight a
war, quell disturbances and build a republic for Iraq in the midst of all
the terrorist resistance, CBS published these abhorrent pictures knowing
they would destroy completely our image and standing in the Muslim world.

And what about Osama bin Laden? What about the terrorists? What about
America's image with all our allies around the world? And what about
America's own self image and confidence in their leaders?

And what did the beheaders of Nick Berg say, just before they callously
sawed his head off while he screamed, "This is in retaliation for what
you Americans did to our people at Abu Ghraib!" And how did they know
about these interrogation abuses?

Though poor Mr. Berg blames George Bush and Donald Rumsefld, it is
incontrovertible that his son would be home with him right now had it not
been for the publication of those pictures. Mr. Berg is pointing his
finger in the wrong direction.

And as a direct result of CBS callous and patently unpatriotic action,
America is suffering great loss of prestige around the world, and will
for decades.

America has lost credibility with Muslims and the Arab world
internationally, perhaps forever; and every American life is in far
greater danger from terrorist reprisal, no matter who and where we are!

Freedom of the press is a cherished commodity, guaranteed by our
Constitution. But freedoms, if they are to be maintained and to have the
original meaning, must be treated with grave responsibility and
restraint.

For me, CBS has become "the enemy within", and I hope never to watch the
network again. I think most Americans ought to reflect on the results of
their irresponsible and unpatriotic behavior and perhaps narrow their
viewing options by one network. The next time America or Americans
suffer at the hands of terrorists, thank CBS.

Pat Boone
PB:jsp

P.S. As of today, May 21St, you can add Brokaw, NBC and The Washington
Post
to the list. Have these media pariahs gone mad?! Who'll be next to
be killed by (friendly) fire?