Amnesty International needs to realize that it's up against sharks and behave accordingly. Bush can get away with sloppy language -- often sloppy in the extreme -- but Amnesty shouldn't expect to. The use of the word "gulag" was a bad idea. It doesn't carry the freight Amnesty expected it to and got shredded in the process. Result: A diverting sideshow about language was just what the White House wanted and Amnesty's William Schultz handed it to them cheap. He is not as articulate and clear as he needs to be.
In a contest with the quiet Nazi, David Rivkin, Schultz bridled and complained (dare I say it) sounded a tad whiny during a segment of Democracy Now! this morning. Not good enough. Part of the battle we are fighting is one of perception. Our leaders and representatives need to be able to effectively demolish the opposition with truth, clarity, firmness and all ducks in a row.
Again: the administration can get away with -- literally -- murder while Amnesty quite unfairly needs to make sure it's i's are dotted. Right is wholly on Amnesty's side. They shouldn't squander the advantage.
