Helen Thomas Speaks

It's only too bad she doesn't write for the New York Times. But then, humankind cannot bear very much reality:

One reporter asked McClellan what further, beyond an apology, Newsweek could do.

He had no suggestions except that the magazine should "move forward and do all it can to help repair the damage that has been done by this report."

Sorry, Scott. The damage was done with the unprovoked invasion of Iraq in defiance of all international law.

For some time the administration has been worried enough about its current standing in the world to appoint yet another woman to conduct a "public diplomacy" campaign to repair the U.S. image. The newcomer, Karen Hughes, takes the job after two other women quit.

My suggestion is to allow reporters to go to Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, as well as the U.S. prisons in Afghanistan, and let them question prisoners about their treatment. Then we may get a truly impartial picture of the situation.

But don't hold your breath on that happening.