Why Not Just Flip a Coin?

Dearborn Press & Guide editor Tim Powers wrote a couple weeks ago in a brief editorial, (October 8,“Spotlight on a problem”), that between Israel and Hezbollah, he doesn’t “pretend to know the truth or who is on the right or wrong side of the recent round of war”. He also thinks there has been “very little press about the plight of the people of southern Lebanon.” I find both statements puzzling.

As far as Mr. Powers’s knowledge gap is concerned on “the truth or who is on the right or wrong side,” I would think a confession like that would disqualify him from printing an editorial on the subject, let alone one purporting to shine a “spotlight on a problem.” A spotlight implies light shining in darkness, not just darkness.

Besides, why can’t Mr. Powers just rely on the facts printed in his own newspaper? As editor he has presided over the publication of thousands of words of pro-Hezbollah articles since the beginning of July, and may even have written their headlines. Headlines that all by themselves can tell a story like, “Conflict raises concern for relatives, friends trapped in Lebanon” (July 16), “Prayer vigils mark concerns,” (July 16), “American Jews feel despair over conflict,” (August 9), “UM-D students urge divesting from Israel” (October 8), "Protesters demand peace at City Hall rally," (July 30) , and my favorite example of straight news reporting, "No war," (July 23).

Just recently Mr. Powers has run at least two front-page stories about the return from Lebanon of a publicity tour of local officials sponsored by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, stories running under headlines such as, “Destruction in Lebanon.” (October 15). And both the Detroit Free Press and the News have also given the aftermath of the war (the Lebanese side of it , anyway), lots of coverage, as we at DU have remarked elsewhere. That is, we have remarked on how anti-Israel they are.

So it seems odd that Mr. Powers can’t manage to come to an opinion. Almost without exception articles in the Press & Guide are quite clear that Israel is the bad guy, and that Hezbollah, when it gets mentioned at all, are only in Lebanon to help out, like the Red Cross or the Mennonites.

If Mr. Powers would simply read his own paper, he would soon qualify as an expert on who is on the right or wrong side. Unless he doesn’t believe what gets written in his own paper. Which might explain the merry glint in his eye that you can see in his byline photo.

Then again, as editor of Dearborn’s major newspaper Mr. Powers may feel that the demographics of his market make neutrality the better part of valor. But if that’s the case, he should avoid commenting on his position at all, instead of pleading rather incredibly that he doesn't have one. He may have taken his cue on how to be neutral from U.S. Representative John Dingell, who also stood for a Congressman’s right not to choose, so he wouldn’t have to decide between Israel, America’s faithful ally, and Hezbollah, America’s sworn enemy, officially recognized terrorist army, and war provocateurs. Nobody believes Dingell, either.

I believe the object of Mr. Powers’s editorial comment was sincerely to help the people of southern Lebanon get much-needed assistance, regardless of who started the war. But I’m afraid by refusing to take sides, he is merely playing into the hands of the Hezbollah liars and con men who brought this upon Lebanon in the first place, and will do so again. And that is the problem that needs a spotlight.