Today’s Best Defense tip: Pay attention when columnists police their own side
Listen up, little grasshoppers, and I will pass on an insider’s rule of journalism: Always pay attention when a columnist goes after someone aligned with his own ideology. First, it tends to be well-informed. Second, it raises the credibility of the columnist, showing a willingness to police the views of his or her own side. ...
Listen up, little grasshoppers, and I will pass on an insider's rule of journalism: Always pay attention when a columnist goes after someone aligned with his own ideology. First, it tends to be well-informed. Second, it raises the credibility of the columnist, showing a willingness to police the views of his or her own side.
I mention this because I often disagree with the views of Michael Gerson, but was impressed by his mid-summer column dissecting the views of a confederate of Sen. Rand Paul who was into celebrating the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Listen up, little grasshoppers, and I will pass on an insider’s rule of journalism: Always pay attention when a columnist goes after someone aligned with his own ideology. First, it tends to be well-informed. Second, it raises the credibility of the columnist, showing a willingness to police the views of his or her own side.
I mention this because I often disagree with the views of Michael Gerson, but was impressed by his mid-summer column dissecting the views of a confederate of Sen. Rand Paul who was into celebrating the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
More from Foreign Policy

Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.

It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.

Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.

Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.