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Nevertheless, let's assume hypothetically that some reporter, anxious to become the next Woodward/Bernstein, were to present the following proposal on his editor's desk. "Sir, there is a disconnect between these two news stories. I want to pursue the matter. I want to get the following questions answered."
How long before June 26 did top-level strategists for Russia and the United States come to agreement regarding a joint anti-Taliban military alliance?
Why was this information made available to an obscure Web publication in India, but not to the news media in the United States?
What were the underlying strategic motivations on both sides of this alliance prior to September 11?
When did the high-level strategists on both sides plan to reveal the existence of this alliance to the legislatures of both nations?
Then there is the question that an experienced reporter would not dare place in front of his editor:
What kind of public event was deemed necessary by the strategists on both sides of this alliance to justify it to the legislatures of both nations?
I predict that no one in the news media will pursue this story. It will be dismissed as not being newsworthy.
In the good old days, it might have been possible for a reporter at a Presidential press conference to ask a question about this. But when was the last time any President held a press conference?
The reason why I came across this story is because of a tip from a reader. Because of the World Wide Web, and because of search engines such as Google, inquiring people can find information like this. Because of Websites like www.freerepublic.com and www.lewrockwell.com, stories like these can get in front of a limited number of people. Finally, because of the Forward and File/Send buttons, these stories do reach a wider audience. But they never reach the general public.
There are perhaps a few hundred thousand Americans who would regard this story as newsworthy. But I suspect that most Americans, now caught up in the war against terrorism, would shrug it off. That's why it is possible for the government and the media to bury stories like this one.
There was a brief report from Jane's on March 15 that India had joined an anti-Taliban alliance that included Russia and the United States. But it did not indicate that the United States would supply anything more than information and logistical support.
If you think this story is worth pursuing, please send a link to this page to anyone you think might understand its significance.
To every reader, I say, if you find additional material on the Web that deals with this story, send the link to me:
[email protected] When I think of the Internet's effect on politicians, I think of Joe Louis's comment to a reporter regarding Billy Conn's quickness: "He can run, but he can't hide." Well, they can still hide, but it's getting a lot harder.
October 12 , 2001
© 2001 LewRockwell.com