No Story Can Avoid A Bush Slam

Look, Bush has some answering to do on some things. But the Lamestream Media seems to find a way to make every Bush criticism part of a story.

In Saturday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Faith & Values section had a cover story on lying. The subject was basically whether we as Americans have lost our outrage over lying.

The bottom fold of the front page of that section had four pictures with captions. The pictures are not reproduced in this web site version, but the captions are. I include them for you:

TAKING THE TRUTH FOR A SPIN

Recent examples of those accused of stretching the truth include:

> James Frey: He was at first defended by Oprah Winfrey despite embellishments in his book "A Million Little Pieces."

> Martha Stewart: Despite doing time for lying about stocks, she's back in the limelight.

> Bill Clinton: He tried to cover up his sexual encounter with Monica Lewinsky but remains active in public life.

> President Bush: Polls show many believe he misled the public about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

That is right. The first three are verified, admitted lies. The last one, President Bush, concerns an unproven (and unlikely) allegation about the intelligence on the Iraq War. Now, never mind if you think Bush lied. I think he didn't on this subject because that would mean that Russia and France, who opposed the war, also lied. Our intelligence was consistent with theirs. But that isn't the point. The examples were not about people "accused of lying." The other examples were admitted and proven liars. There is not dispute. By picturing Bush with them in this context, you equate Bush with them by implication.

This is shotty journalism at best, and bias at the obvious.