Time Magazine Conflates Destroyed Torture Tapes, 'Conspiracy Theorists'
Referring to the tapes the CIA destroyed of men being tortured by American interrogators, the title of the Time magazine story on the matter is thus: "The Destroyed Tapes: A Boon for Conspiracy Theorists."
Isn't that just special?! The principal crime is torture; the subsequent crime is destruction of the incontrovertible evidence; and the continuing crime is obstruction of justice in not revealing the existence of the tapes, and then not disclosing their destruction. With all of that as backdrop, Time magazine's editors—noses high in the air of preening respectability—frame the whole, monstrously ugly story as the essential nourishment for all those loony 'conspiracy theorists' out there.
In their faux appearance of objectivity, these same mainstream news media outlets—and not just Time—make little or no effort in their own voices to roundly debunk the utterly ridiculous claim by CIA Director Michael Hayden that the video tapes had to be destroyed lest they be leaked and imperil the lives of the torturers who were filmed executing their craft. Instead, the media uniformly leave that task to quotes by outraged Democrats, thereby framing the matter as a politicized controversy rather than as a pattern of criminal acts that, taken as a whole, constitute a conspiracy in the legal sense of that term, a term Time has ensured carries in the matter the lack of seriousness with which "conspiracy theorists" should be taken.
The august editorial ranks of the mainstream media notwithstanding, however, civil and criminal proceedings are likely to result on the separate acts as well as on the acts as part of an overall scheme: the withholding of the tapes from relevant investigatory bodies, including the 9/11 Commission and committees of the House and Senate, the destruction of the tapes in 2005, and the withholding until now of the fact that the heretofore unknown tapes were destroyed may be simply too much for the dismissive wing of the reputable media, still doing what it can to curry favor with the Bush White House, to help sweep under the rug. In the event that serious legal consequences befall those involved, Time magazine and other reputable media outlets may find it necessary to find terminology other than "conspiracy theory" to denigrate those alleging a pattern, scheme, and overall plan to mislead and lie to the American people and investigators. Perhaps Time might want to consider something along the lines of "America-hating terrorist supporters." At the very least, such a description will ensure that the important people at the magazine will retain their access to the White House officials who are, at least in the eyes of Time magazine, more credible than damning evidence and glaring truths.
The Dark Wraith, for the record, does not subscribe to news magazines published and written by shills.
Comments
Wrote My Pet Goat:
Wrote Dark Wraith:
Good afternoon, Mr. Goat.
It looks like the spiders are taking care of it for me. A few click-throughs on the Time article, a couple of news aggregators picking up the story; and eventually, the good people at Time will discover that their rag masquerading as a news magazine isn't loved by everyone.
What's entertaining are the rare, threatening letters I get from legal sorts, every one of whom knows very well that I am well within my protected speech domain as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
It's worth a try for the attorneys, though. Who knows? Maybe I'm as stupid as their paymasters.
The Dark Wraith doesn't think so, though.
Wrote blackdog:
You have to give these assholes credit though, they are getting away with it.
Someone wake me up from this nightmare.
Wrote trog69:
Bravo to you, DW. Far too many have blinked for it to be 'sumpin any guy in yer position woulda done. While those looked fondly upon by the PTB are encouraged to throw everything that comes to mind at the opposition. Keep echoing until it has the consistency of fact, then publish the home addresses of anyone seeing through the shitscreen, and no consequences at all. Great Job! Except for one of the New-Age Journalists that has recently been commissioned to objectively report the news, some guy named Love. NO no no, I think it's Rove. Love, Rove, whatever, as long as he honestly portrays the facts for his audience...who cares if he's a treasonous bastard who should be in front of a firing squad! Old news!
Wrote Cloud:
re: the top sidebar item:
But I thought that leaving the planet was impossible! -- otherwise I would have done it years ago, believe you me. Does the Dark Wraith know something I don't?
Wrote Dark Wraith:
Departure can be physical, or it can be mental, Cloud.
In my case, I consider my apartment to be Happy Planet.
The Dark Wraith's cats agree.
Wrote trog69:
Catnip all around, tarbender!
Wrote Dusty:
It never ceases to amaze me the vile bastards that masquerade as members of the Fourth Estate.
The Corporate Media Whores are well paid for spinning the truth in whatever fashion suits the current powers that be.
Wonderful bitch slap of these farkwits DW ;)
Wrote Lisa Ranger:
Thank you for noting this tendency, DW.
In several instances of criminality so far in this administration, the crime is not the actual crime, but failing to cover it up well. In this case, a pre-emptive strike at lucid thinking: if you question matters, you are tarred with the brush of being a wingnut conspiracy theorist.
Stunning transmogrification of incisive thinking into crazy-making. It smacks of fascist repression of dissent. We have lost our love of freedom when an ostensible news magazine leads with that charge against the populace.
Wrote Dark Wraith:
Good evening, Lisa.
When frustrated beyond a certain point, my mother used to say, "It's enough to make a preacher cuss."
On the bright side, I suppose it's times like these that bring fort from me my most creative work product. To that effect, here's my latest philosophical take:
I cried because my blog had no legitimacy
until I read a news magazine that had no shame.
The Dark Wraith is getting the better end of the deal.
Wrote Dark Wraith:
Good evening, Dusty.
I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
So far, the graphic in this post hasn't caused me the trouble this one did.
Of course, this is the one that not only got me really bad threats, but also prompted several long-time readers to tell me they would no longer visit my blog.
In retrospect, I guess I can see why.
The Dark Wraith should probably put a warning on this blog that staying here too long can get a visitor in rather complicated trouble.
Wrote Phydeaux Speaks:
Good Morning, Dark Wraith.
The current norm in journalism and federal politics is such that good old-fashioned conspiracy theories (and theorists) seem rather quaint, don't you think?
And thanks for linking to those old images, from one who never saw your blog before you escaped the clutches of Blogger.
I thrive on complicated trouble, so I s'pose I'll keep hanging around... until the Blackwater goons knock on the door of the Secret Lair (aka '73 Winnebago).
Wrote Dusty:
Good Morning Dark Wraith,
I filched those two graphics. They aren't for the faint of heart I guess, but no one has ever accused me of being so inclined.
I will of course give proper attribution if the need to use them in a post arises.
Wrote Dark Wraith:
If need be, I will mount a rescue mission for those who have been rendered to Third World countries.
The Dark Wraith will, of course, take the opportunity to stop at some of the local restaurants to try out the native cuisine before attempting the rescue.
Wrote Dark Wraith:
And by the way, along with selling prints as I am of a few of my graphical creations, I've been toying with the idea of publishing some kind of book of all my best graphics. I don't know how well it would sell, but I think it would make a great gift to send to Republican lawmakers and candidates. Sort of a coffee table type of art book for conversation starters at conservative parties and maybe even church gatherings.
The Dark Wraith is trying to assess the potential target market's receptivity.
Wrote trog69:
Somehow, seeing the actors involved in the take-over of our government hanging on my walls would be esthetically pleasing to me and my guests; When will you be making them available, and how much is required to place an advance order?
The checkbook is open...
Wrote trog69:
Hey, my mom used to wear shoes suspiciously like the ones in your cover cover. Knock it off, now!
Wrote Cloud:
Good post today on the subject of the tapes, over at Existentialist Cowboy.
Wrote My Pet Goat:
Of course, this is the one that not only got me really bad threats, but also prompted several long-time readers to tell me they would no longer visit my blog....the graphic of little man bush having a noose put around his neck....
Absolutely the best, and like I said before, after due process of course. Treason is a capital offense isn't it?
Thanks for a little holiday cheer - not that I believe in Santa or that bearded dude nailed to the cross, but this works for me. :)
Wrote Dark Wraith:
Good evening, Mr. Goat.
My holiday cheer factor went into overdrive when my desk got hit by the Washington Pest article about Pelosi knowing in 2002 about the rendition and torture program the CIA was conducting.
I haven't had pain in my temples this bad since the last time I saw someone write, "Go Fitzy!"
The Dark Wraith is definitely recovering nicely from his recent illness.
Wrote Lisa Ranger:
DW,
Your couplet is a good one. And your writing is slap full of legitimacy, don't you worry none 'bout that, honey chile.
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Your host of this Weblog is an award-winning college teacher and writer who specializes in economics, finance, mathematics, business administration, computer hardware and software skills, and English grammar and composition. His extensive writings on the history of the English language appeared on About.com in the avatar of the Selig Wraith in the 
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I hope you sent them a copy of this.