Media/Blogs & Iraq: In A Make-Believe World?

This question was raised by a reader in India who takes an avid interest in the American blogs/media. She marvels at the manner the media/blog pundits cling on to the statements issued by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Who is this chap? Do the pundits need to be reminded that Mr Maliki is the creation of the present Bush administration?

The reader then reminds that Mr Maliki would become as irrelevant in a few months time as his mentor and master George W. Bush. Does it really matter whether Mr Maliki agrees with the proposed Barack Obama plan for withdrawal from Iraq or not? The reader wonders whether this approach of media/blogs is because of myopia, or ennui, or sheer laziness, or let-the-world-go-to-hell attitude. “Where are the fresh insights into complex issues?”

These remarks were made in the context of the response in Memeorandum to the ABC story “White House Accidentally E-Mails to Reporters Story That Maliki Supports Obama Iraq Withdrawal Plan”. And that Maliki’s remarks “have stirred up presidential campaign.”

It also occurred to me that the pundits had already made up their minds that the White House “leaked” this news. No one is asking whether this could be an intentional leak. In any case aren’t there other issues to talk about? Do Mr Maliki’s routine flip-flops on this issue to be taken with such seriousness, and analysed so minutely, as if this was a new development or “Breaking News”? (See here..)

The reader adds: “So one is not sure whether the US presidential candidates’ views on important issues are being properly reported/reflected in the media/blogs. This hysterical approach has become typical of media/blogs trivializing important issues and then forgetting about them. The atmosphere thus created resembles that of a fish/vegetable market in an Asian or an African country.”

But then someone could say that at least those fish and vegetable-sellers are earning their bread by putting in hard work, and in an honest fashion!!! (The NYT opinion here…)