Plus the "Un-American," "Loud and Loony Right" Against the Amnesty Bill
By
Clay Waters
June 1, 2007 - 3:34pm
Sophisticated Liberals, Simplistic Conservatives
"Mr. Bush and his allies have faced an important rhetorical disadvantage, particularly from the right. Conservative opponents can use one word, amnesty, against the bill. Supporters, the president included, are forced into the complex weeds of policy and the nuances of legislative language. Mr. Bush tried to offset the difference by discrediting the amnesty accusation." - Jim Rutenberg, May 30.
Book critic Michiko Kakutani, May 22.
" The problem with Mr. Dobbs is that he mixes opinion and untruths. He is the heir to the nativist tradition that has long used fiction and conspiracy theories as a weapon against the Irish, the Italians, the Chinese, the Jews and, now, the Mexicans ." - David Leonhardt, May 30.
"Un-American," "Loud and Loony Right" Against Amnesty Bill
"Congress has taken the week off from the debate, with members going home to districts that have already been inflamed by the loud and loony right, which has decided that the bill is that filthy thing 'amnesty' and that the nation's character would be defiled if it ever forgave illegal immigrants for coming here to do our worst jobs, or let too many more people in to put down roots. You could call that view unkind and uncharitable. You could also call it unwise, given economic realities. I would add un-American." - Editorial Board member Lawrence Downes in a signed editorial from May 27.
Book Editor Sam Tanenhaus, May 20.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, May 29.
Innocent Duke Players Slimed Again
"[Syracuse Professor Robert] Thompson was quick to point out the complexities in the Duke case, which he predicted could be glossed over if the team were to make a run to the national championship. The Duke players hired strippers for their party and were heard by neighbors making racist remarks that night. Reports later surfaced that 15 team members had been arrested in the three years before the party in March 2006. (Most were for misdemeanors like public urination, under-age drinking and violating noise ordinances.)" - Sports reporter Pete Thamel, May 20.
Still in Denial Over "What Role Religion Played" for Fort Dix Six Terror Suspects
"The authorities have called the men Islamic extremists, but have not detailed exactly what role religion played in the plans they are accused of making. There has been no indication of involvement by the mosque here in Palmyra or another one in Philadelphia where four of the men occasionally prayed. - Kareem Fahim, May 19.
Reality Check: - "In Large Immigrant Family, Religion Guided 3 Held in Fort Dix Plot." - Headline over Fahim's May 10 story.