Orson Scott Rocks!

SciFi author turned ornery political pundit, Orson Scott Card, generates a high-wattage column on the Newsweek fiasco and what it means:

Our country is at war. And it's a war in which victory absolutely depends on the Muslim world perceiving it as a war between the U.S and its allies on one side, and fanatical murderous terrorists on the other.

If it is ever perceived as a war against Islam, then we have lost. The world has lost.

So during such a difficult time, even people who think the Iraq War or even the whole war on terror is a horrible mistake still have an obligation of loyalty to the nation that offers them protection, prosperity, and freedom.

I mean, what kind of idiot breaks a hole in the hull of his boat during a storm, just because he doesn't like the guy at the tiller and thinks the storm could have been avoided?

Even if the allegations about Quran desecration were completely and absolutely verified, why in the world would you publish the information during wartime? It's not that the Media themselves regard the Quran as sacred.

Absolutely correct. When it's a crucifix in a jar of urine or a feces smeared image of Mary, who does the press disparage for intolerance? The offended believers, of course.

Later Card writes:

After all, who benefits from the publication of such a story at this time?

Only one group: People who want to bring down or weaken President Bush and everything he stands for, no matter the cost

By the way this fact is not lost on our troops. I just returned from my weekly Rotary meeting where our speaker was a young soldier who had been shot through both knees in an ambush in Iraq. He pointed out that while the press was covering the ambush not one of them called in to the American base to report that his unit was under attack.

He also said that the press's consistent slant of news from Iraq, such as covering the death of soldiers and ignoring the positive actions of Americans, could only be explained by the press's bias against the President.

Now, let's assume he's wrong for the moment. So what? That's what he believes. In other words, we are witnessing the creation of a cadre of Americans who believe - based on their experience - that the media is corrupt and biased and at best indifferent to the lives of Americans.

What will the future look like for the media when those soldiers really start having an influence on politics and the culture?

If I was part of the liberal media, I'd be very concerned.

Update: Oops. Linked fixed. Thanks, John, for the "word up".

By the way the link is via Relapsed Catholic who also rocks.