Lies, damn lies, and statistics

Have you noticed that the U.S. body count in the 'Raq consistently has its goal posts moved to keep the number low? Originally, they just listed everyone killed, now the figure reported is "killed in action," which excludes suicides, accidents, and possibly dying of wounds inflicted in action.

An Open letter to Sinclair Broadcast Group

David D. Smith, CEO
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030

Dear Mr. Smith,

It was with dismay that I read of your company’s decision to dishonor the memory of our fallen soldiers by refusing to air the 30 April edition of ANC’s Nightline, wherein Ted Koppel will read the names of our soldiers killed in action in Iraq. In this time of national crisis, it is urgent that we support our troops and their families.

You cite a belief in “political motivation” on ABC’s part for your decision to dishonor the memory our troops. Your public statement goes on to say,

Before you judge our decision, however, we would ask that you first question Mr. Koppel as to why he chose to read the names of the 523 troops killed in combat in Iraq, rather than the names of the thousands of private citizens killed in terrorists attacks since and including the events of September 11, 2001. In his answer, you will find the real motivation behind his action scheduled for this Friday.

Mr. Smith, this line of argument is wholly specious, and you know it.

The thousands of citizens killed in the attacks on 11 September 2001 have been honored and continue to be honored. Their names have been read on live radio. It took days to do so. It would be impossible for Mr. Koppel to engage in such a memorial on Nightline. Their names, photos, and obituaries have been written in the New York Times. It took months to do so.

But all the readings and writings of the 9/11 victims do not honor our fallen soldiers. Mr. Koppel is reading their names to honor them. It takes nothing away from those victims to honor those soldiers, and the fact that you think it does makes it perfectly clear that it is you, and not ABC, that has political motivations at heart.

Mr. Smith, as a New Yorker, let me be one of the first to say that by choosing to hide your politics behind the 9/11 victims you succeed only in dishonoring their memory as well. As a New Yorker, as a friend and relative of soldiers, and as an American, I promise you that I will remember your choice to dishonor our fallen.

Sincerely,



Daniel B. Holzman