Today's NYT:
U.S. Says Arms Link Iranians to Iraqi Shiites
Content aside, the headline galls me to no end. The use of the term "U.S." is, I know, a shorthand way to represent the United States government, its officials, etc.
However, a strict reading would also suggest that the use of the term "U.S." includes yours truly. I have a big problem with that. I propose a new demand on journalists:
Do not use the term "U.S." as a proxy for "the U.S. Government."
Not everyone buys the crap that the U.S. Government is spouting these days. More below the fold.
CNN takes the same lazy shortcut:
U.S. ties Iranian leader to bombs killing U.S. troops
As, unfortunately, does the BBC:
Iran president attacks US claims
Al-Jazeera follows along in the same vein:
US Implicates Top Iranian Leadership in Iraq Bombings
Sadly, Democracy NOW! even uses the shortcut:
U.S. Accuses Iran of Sending Bombs to Iraq
The Washington Post, I'm glad to report does better:
Military Ties Iran To Arms In Iraq
Explosives Supplied To Shiite Militias, U.S. Officials Say
If you read this, and have any influence: Please stop using the standalone term "U.S." to mean the "U.S. Government". Whatever lies this administration cooks up do not represent my views, so the implied cohesion of the term "U.S." is factually inaccurate.
Web space in particular is cheap, and there's no reason to continue to use shortcuts like this. Spread the word!