My open letter to the media

[soggy]

"The As-yet Unmentioned Point of the First Debate"

I've read quite a bit today about yesterday's debate, and while most pundits give a slight edge to Kerry, they all point out that there were no serious gaffes from either candidate. I'd pretty much agree with that...

save one.

There were three words that left me simply stunned... shocked... awwed...

"Bin Laden's contained", said the president after repeated attacks from Kerry about diverting attention from the real terror threat-- Osama Bin Laden.

Yes, I heard all day about Kerry "looking presidential" and Bush's facial expressions. Call me old-fashioned, but when exactly do we get to the substance? These debates aren't beauty pageants, and this election will have a very real effect on the future of our country and the world.

Yesterday was about which candidate was better suited to defend our country from terrorism. When I think terrorism, I think "Osama bin Laden", and when I hear from the incumbent president that "bin Laden's contained", I simply can't believe I actually heard it.

"Contained?" I think aloud, "don't you actually have to know where something is to have it contained?" The fact is we don't have a flipping clue where he is, and after last night I'm left with the very disturbing thought that this administration might not actually care...

Finally, I'm left wondering about why Bush says "containment" wasn't a viable option for Saddam Hussein after 9/11. Just stop there. Think about that for a second. You're very sharp journalists, so I think I can just leave it at that.

I won't take any more of your time, but please don't "dumb down" the news for the nation. I'd love to have a national discussion on who we should actually be fighting in this "war on terror", and I trust the American public is smart enough to have it. So please, if you're writing about the debate, let's talk about this.

Josh Marshall at www.talkingpointsmemo.com already is....

Thank You,

Jonathan
Dallas, TX

[ClintonTyree]

1. VERY good....................

the containment question should have them mumbling for a while. They'll probably have to call KKKarl to find out what they should think.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Time to make media, hoe the row

We need to indict the spins,and see them for what they are, a form of lies.

[MatrixEscape]

3. Good point!

That is an inspiration. We need more of that kind of insight and detail expressed openly.