I dont know what made me cringe more., the Pew Research poll showing Romney ahead of President Obama in the polls, or Lara Logan's speech as a "journalist."
Logan is a 60 Minutes correspondent. She's won Emmy's. She's been throughout the Middle East on assignment and she was the victim of a terrible crime when she was assaulted in Tahrir Square in Cairo during that nation's quest for freedom.
Speaking at the annual Better Government Association luncheon in Chicago, Logan said and did a few things that left me feeling very uneasy; even angry at times.
First, as a journalist I was uncomfortable with her speech considering her role. She is a journalist. And as one who holds such degrees myself, I was always taught that a journalist tells you the story; they aren't supposed to become the story; it's not all about me and it should not be all about Lara Logan. One of the reasons I became a talk host was, formerly as a journalist, I was only supposed to tell the story; report the facts and never inject my opinion.
Secondly, Ms. Logan was spreading fear with her words about the Taliban, Al Qaeda, our role in Afghanistan, etc. Her words such as "Years later they still hate us" (referring to terrorists) "now more than ever" and "they're coming back" were shocking to this audience and to many who heard of her remarks. Now I dont want to be rude, but is this a huge news revelation? Does all of Ms Logan's experience and reporting bring her to the conclusion that the terrorists still don't like us? Wow! Of course they hate us, that's what terrorists do! HATE! Did Ms Logan really believe that invading a sovereign nation like Iraq, or dropping bombs on Afghanistan and then sandwiches, or ridiculing their religion, discriminating against their people, etc. would lead to us standing in a circle holding hands and singing Kumbaya?! And I've got news for Ms Logan when she said "they're coming back" they never went away. The idea that we would go to Afghanistan and the Taliban would simply disappear is ridiculous, and a very unrealistic expectation to place on our military.
Third, Ms Logan feels that our government for the past two years, our military, etc. have basically been lying to us. And those remark made me angry. Never in the past two years have I heard the White House speak of a kindler/gentler Taliban. Has anyone ever heard of Taliban light? Our military is the finest in the world. In some areas of Afghanistan they have wiped out the Taliban. In some, they have not and yes, in some areas of Afghanistan their numbers grow. Perhaps their hatred of us grows while we continue to remain in their country; perhaps it is time our troops came home and ended this longest war. And does Ms Logan really believe President Obama makes such decisions without consulting the top military brass?
Fourth, to call retribution for the murder of Ambassador Stevens and the other embassy workers is irresponsible. America simply cannot attack every country that kills an American. That is an emotional knee jerk reaction; and we saw what reacting in that exact manner after September 11th has left us with the very things Ms Logan was outraged about.
Lastly, although she may have an Emmy, I find it amusing that Ms Logan seems to know more about fighting terrorists, who we should bomb, which countries we should stay and fight in and which we should leave, than the Pentagon, Military, CIA, FBI, White House and our anti terrorism task force who, with all due respect to Ms Logan, I think know a bit more about the military and how to defeat the Taliban and fight terrorists. She's using a computer and a microphone; they use tanks and guns with real bullets.
So although Ms Logan certainly has a right to her opinion; I prefer her role as a journalist and I think she should stick to that.
Listen to The Leslie Marshall Show weeknights at Midnight on WWRL 1600.
