My Brother's Letter to Bob Woodward

Dear Mr. Woodward:

Please allow me to express my sadness and regret that the Washington Post -- the newspaper of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein -- has apparently decided that it's better to stay "on message" on behalf of the Bush administration than it is to dig for the truth about America's run-up to war with Iraq.

In heaven's name, sir, where is your newspaper's coverage of the so-called "Downing Street memo"? So far, there's been but a single news story about this item in the Post -- written by Mr. Pincus, two weeks after the story first broke in Europe, and absolutely buried by Post editors on page A-18. (One blogger noted that "it was right after 'Marmaduke.'")

Your individual silence on this story is absolutely deafening. Even if you personally believe the contents of the memo aren't of "smoking gun" quality, could I at least get you to acknowledge that -- at an absolute minimum -- some questions are now warranted? If so, then why aren't they being asked? Is Jeff Gannon covering this story for the Post?

It simply infuriates me that the U.S. news media has lost its interest in pursuing the truth. While President Clinton's two terms in office were highlighted by scandal after scandal -- all accompanied by formal congressional investigations, the hiring of independent counsels, the expenditure of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars and an incredibly willing media that was more than thrilled to publish every salacious detail -- critical, investigative journalism during George W. Bush's time in office is apparently as dead as Elvis.

Whether we're talking about secret energy meetings, male prostitutes masquerading as journalists at White House press conferences, the administration paying columnists to shill for its policies, the outing of CIA agents or the fabrication of grandiose claims of impending attacks from Saddam Hussein, offered in the name of justifying an illegal war that (to date) has sent more than 1,600 American soldiers to their graves, the message seems to be clear: News that might be unfavorable to this administration is not going to be handled with any enthusiastic investigative tendency or intellectual rigor.

Please, Mr. Woodward. It's already a disgrace the way the Post has handled the memo story. Please don't make a bad situation worse by continuing to ignore this compelling, insightful document. George Bush has enough waterboys as it is. Please get involved.

In closing, Mr. Woodward, since I'm not one to offer criticism without a solution, please let me extend an offer to you: While my journalism background is primarily rooted in sports and rock music, I would be willing (assuming the Post can arrange for me to attend a White House briefing) to attempt to ask Mr. McClellan, or even the president himself, the crucial questions that you and your staff are cowering from. Please consider my idea. I could always use the extra work -- and there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Post could use the help. My contact information is below.

And please know that I hold you and your remarkable achievements in the highest regard, your current silence notwithstanding.

Sincerely,

(name)