Transformation needed on NY Times Editorial page
The full letter is worth reading. It is another classic example of the dishonest of the debate over defense issues on the pages of the NY Times. The letter also refers to other editorials that have been factual incorrect that the NY Times has refuse to correct or even publish letters to the editor pointing out the factual errors. How can you have an honest debate on these issues if only an incorrect version of the facts is permitted on the editorial page of the most influential paper in the country?
The Pentagon has again requested a correction for a New York Times editorial. On November 8th, the New York Times wrote that “Truly transforming the military would have meant trading in expensive cold war weaponry, like attack submarines and stealth fighters, for pilotless drones, swifter ships and lighter, more mobile ground forces. Mr. Rumsfeld never had the interest—or the political will—to take on that fight.”
Secretary Rumsfeld has in fact worked hard to do precisely what the Times accuses him of not doing, in order to transform the military to address the threats of the 21st century. This transformation has included, among many other things: the massive increase of unmanned aerial vehicles—there were 132 in 2001, as compared to over 3,400 today; the design and development of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)—part of a new class of warship designed for speed (up to 40 knots) and inland operations in shallow water; and the shift from a division-based to a brigade-based Army—which has created autonomous units that are more agile, lethal, and deployable on shorter notice. Special Operations forces have received significant increases in manpower, funding, and responsibilities.
As the letter notes: “Editorial pages are obviously forums for opinions. But those opinions should be based on facts. In this instance, your editorial is factually incorrect, and I believe you owe it to the public to be honest about the facts and correct the record.”
Read the full letter here.
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