Speaking Truth

Mudville Gazette features an exchange Newsbusters posted between Tim Russert interviewing New York Times foreign correspondent John Burns. Not only does Burns correct Russert by testifying that American troops were greeted as liberators by Iraqis, he also closes the clip with the assertion that there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the chaos that erupted after liberation from Saddam and the previous decades of tyranny.

Burns also supported America's instincts in Iraq to some measure when he said:

“I think that the instincts that led to much that went wrong were good American instincts: the desire not to have too heavy of a footprint, the desire to empower Iraqis.”

Kudos to Burns for speaking what he believes to be the truth in spite of the media culture's incessant carping. He appears to be the real deal, a journalist with an open mind. Maybe it's because he actually goes to the front lines to see for himself.