WiredOpinion: Jonathon's Journal

Jonathon is obviously not a Bush supporter. His sharp criticism of the Iowahawk parody, (he included a link to the parody), was very reasonable but it is an entry for the previous day titled "Professionalism" that caught my eye.

I've been rethinking my earlier post that criticized Don Rumsfeld for his quote about whether or not activities in Abu Ghraib constituted torture. Yes, what he said was pretty ridiculous. Clearly, the descriptions of activities inside the prison constitute TORTURE.

But I fell into the same easy trap into which journalists, pundits, and columnists fall every day. Rather than paying attention to the substance of what Rumsfeld was saying and then disagreeing or agreeing with his opinion based on intelligent, factual points, I skimmed what he said until I found a satisfactory sound bite. I then proceeded to trash it and, in the process, tried to trash his entire premise and message.

He follows this "self admonishment" with an honest critique of the entire statement by Rumsfeld, giving him credit where it was due and criticizm as he saw fit.

I can respect this guy. I may not agree with him but at least he has the intelligence to perceive a person of differing views not as a demon or a war criminal but someone with good thoughts and bad thoughts and maybe even good intentions.

Contrast this with the guy who has all the answers but in fact can't hold a moral or intellectual candle to most of the public servants he wants to crucify.

Jonathan calls it professionalism. It is also integrity.