Forensic Testing On Uniforms?

The first real-time televised war and the first major US combat scenario since the explosion of the Internet is having a perverse effect on American journalism.

The war in Iraq, now 11 days old, is an odd affair. Being the first real-time televised war and the first major US combat scenario since the explosion of the Internet, people can follow -- and become fixated on -- the moment-by-moment developments. There is no fundamental problem with the objectives of the war, but the degree of jingoistic nationalism pervading the American press is disturbing. CNN reported tonight on four bloodied US uniforms "discovered" in a hospital secured by US forces. It is known that wounded US soldiers were treated at the hospital, yet the uniforms are being flown to Texas for "forensic testing."

What's going on here? The obsession with American casualties is revolting. It's not a discussion of the burdens of war or the scope of casualties anticipated. It is, rather, a focus on the so-called "human" face of war. But more than that, it is a sign that the basic rationale for the war itself may be flawed. Having as yet found no evidence whatsoever of Weapons of Mass Destruction ("WMD" in war-speak), the Army is desperately searching for some telltale of war crimes with which to paint Saddam. Maybe they will find some. In the meantime, applying forensic testing to uniforms is not going to show anything, certainly nothing that Europe and the rest of the world would accept. And if even if did, why is this story now? The search for patsies has begun!

 Posted by glenn