American Views Abroad

 
On the opinion page of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung today there is a commentary on the US election campaign 'Words and Truth.' In short it describes the campaign as a magnificent spectacle of rhetoric with one important exception --- a refusal to abide to the normal rules of debate and allow sharp logic and concrete facts to cut through the contradictions and unclarified points. The author goes so far as to say that Bush, his team and his Iraq policy personify contradiction. Irregardless of how many commissions state the reasons for going to war were not based on fact, Bush continues arguing half lies, one on top of another, and drawing conclusions based on these and, more to the point, he doesn't pay a price for doing this. Bush ignores the latest report by CIA inspector Duelfer and argues --- in order to frighten the voters --- that Kerry would not protect America and it would be a danger for America to elect him. Bush intensifies the debate, bringing it into another sphere altogether, by ignoring the facts and drawing conclusions that have nothing to do with the facts. His style is difficult to swallow, but could lead to him winning. Bush's permanent refusal to play by the rules is more-or-less accepted in the US because the historical memory of its citizens is short and there is a wider acceptance of a coarse battle of words than on an honest reckoning with history. Under these circumstances what the commissions are saying about the Iraq war might not be enough to turn the tide and win the election

- posted by Gloria @ 6:35 PM