The New York Times has an editorial, Vladimir Putin’s Outlaw State, denouncing Mr. Putin for, among other things, lying about the fate of the Malaysian airliner shot down over Ukraine in July 2014 and for continuing to support Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in that nation’s ongoing civil war.
With regard to the downing of the Malaysian airliner, the Times remarks indignantly “Some Western officials have accused Russia of war crimes, charges that could be pursued through international channels, even if Moscow blocks a formal referral to the International Criminal Court. New sanctions against Russia also should be considered. Mr. Putin will undoubtedly fight any such action, using his veto on the Security Council, but whatever his response, the United States should lend its support to Ukraine’s quest for accountability.”
What did the Times have to say about the downing of Iran Air Flight 655, shot down by the American naval vessel Vincennes, an incident about which the Reagan administration lied repeatedly and vociferously? Did the Times advocate prosecution of Mr. Reagan for war crimes? And what about the Times’ sorry record in promoting our own sordid, unprovoked, and entirely unnecessary invasion of Iraq? Mr. Putin’s record is sorry indeed. But it’s hardly unique.
More New York Times whoppers (and occasional non-whoppers) here and here.
