An Idealist Wises Up

Anchor Quits Al-Jazeera English, Cites Anti-American Tone

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From Blackfive: Washington Post Embeds With Enemy

Former al-Jazeera anchor Dave Marash isn't exactly a hero. His decision two years ago to work for al-Jazeera's new English broadcast was naive at best. Yet I can't utterly condemn him; when I was --ahem-- a third of his age, I had similar thoughts.

Friendship has been idealized and idolized in our lifetime. Questions of our friends' characters have been downplayed in favor of "embracing diversity" and a misdirected concept of loyalty. And so when an American finds an insurgent or spokesman to be likable, so often we conclude that he is not getting fair representation or a fair deal. Generous-hearted, freedom-loving Americans are inclined to root for the perceived underdog.

I think this is what Dave Marash did. He wanted to give them a fair deal. And it took him two years, but I think he's catching on.

Our enemies lie to us, and they do it with smiles on their faces.

I remember watching bin Laden footage after 9/11 and getting chills. He smiles. He speaks persuasively. He's a smiling Hitler.

And The Washington Post doesn't understand the game yet.

Dave Marash still has a lot of catching up to do. But he's leagues ahead of Washington Post's Sudarsan Raghavan. The irony is that these reporters, who pride themselves on their open-mindedness and cutting edge reporting, have become what they most despise: unwitting propaganda agents for movements they don't understand.

Any American who is getting involved with the Middle East mayhem needs a special brand of mental toughness. They need principles that can withstand the harsh realities of war and humanitarian crisis. They need to understand that likable people can stab them in the back. And they need to realize that at times, ideals must bow to reality.

It's why American soldiers can make great reporters.

I'll be interested to see what Dave Marash does next, whether he's truly learned his lesson. I hope he has. And maybe then, he can teach the Washington Post a few things about true journalistic integrity.