Losing the war on cynicism
Chris Hondros/Getty Images I’ve seen a fair bit of commentary and newspaper coverage shining a skeptical light on dire claims by federal and local authorities as well as some press outlets about the four men who were charged Saturday for planning to blow up fuel lines at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. My ...
Chris Hondros/Getty Images
I’ve seen a fair bit of commentary and newspaper coverage shining a skeptical light on dire claims by federal and local authorities as well as some press outlets about the four men who were charged Saturday for planning to blow up fuel lines at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. My how times have changed since 2001 and 2002, when such critical coverage would have been much more timid or in marginal media outlets.
As for me, I’m certainly glad these guys were caught, and the law enforcement folks involved in foiling this embryonic plot deserve kudos. Even if—as seems clear from the details that are emerging—the plan was half-baked, it’s impressive that the plotters were monitored and busted before they had time to cause any real trouble. Isn’t that the way these things should work? A fizzled attack at a key transportation node such as JFK might not kill thousands, but it could still cause severe disruptions and make people afraid to travel.
The problem though, is the temptation among law enforcement officials to go beyond the evidence and make wild statements about “unfathomable damage, deaths and destruction,” as the United States attorney in Brooklyn did in her statement announcing the arrests. That kind of exaggeration just raises the level of cynicism in the United States about terrorism, making people wonder if it’s all just a political game by the Bush administration. Stick to the facts, I say.
More from Foreign Policy
At Long Last, the Foreign Service Gets the Netflix Treatment
Keri Russell gets Drexel furniture but no Senate confirmation hearing.
How Macron Is Blocking EU Strategy on Russia and China
As a strategic consensus emerges in Europe, France is in the way.
What the Bush-Obama China Memos Reveal
Newly declassified documents contain important lessons for U.S. China policy.
Russia’s Boom Business Goes Bust
Moscow’s arms exports have fallen to levels not seen since the Soviet Union’s collapse.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
