Mike Janis posted the following to FRODO, Front Range Objectivism’s discussion list on Tuesday. I thought it deserved a wider audience, so I’m reposting it here, with his permission:

The news coverage of the current conflict in the Middle East says a lot about the state of our culture, especially considering that the news agencies, being businesses, cater their stories to their audiences.

I’m looking at today’s story on MSNBC.com, U.N. official: ‘There’s nowhere safe in Gaza’.

First of all, the tone makes it sound like the evil empire is closing in on the helpless, innocent rebels (made me think of Star Wars). “Tanks rumbled closer to the towns of Khan Younis and Dir el Balah in south and central Gaza but were still several miles outside…”

Second, is it the U.N.’s official job to tally the civilian casualties? It seems that whenever the U.N. is mentioned, it’s so they can mention how many ‘innocent’ Palestinians are being killed. “More than 500 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 100 civilians, according to United Nations figures.”

Third, they can’t seem to mention enough that Israel isn’t bowing to international pressure for cease-fire. “Israel, which has already encircled Gaza City, the area’s biggest city, ignored mounting international calls for an immediate cease-fire.” Why are ‘international calls’ so quick to support the aggressors?

And lastly, if the article doesn’t get its point across with words, there are two links to slide shows with pictures of injured Palestinians and international protestors (most appear to be Muslim, and there’s even a picture of Muslim children in France standing next to a sign proclaiming Israel to be the terrorist nation).

I recently read William Tecumseh Sherman and the Moral Impetus for Victory by John Lewis in the The Objective Standard, Vol 1, No 2 and highly recommend it for anyone else who needs to hear a rational and sane voice about the moral duties/rights of a nation under attack and the role of civilian casualties.

Thank you, Mike!