I wrote a few weeks ago about an article I read in The Nation that describes a series of stories by Iraq war veterans that are to be the basis of a book called Collateral Damage.

I was unaware until last week that another series has appeared in the New Republic, written by an infantryman by the name of Beauchamp who is still serving in Iraq.

I was also unaware until last week that Beauchamp’s veracity has been challenged by Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard, and that Kristol has charged both the New Republic and The Nation with “betraying the troops” by printing these soldiers’ stories.

The Weekly Standard has quoted an “anonymous military spokesman” who claims Beauchamp has recanted and that his stories were “exaggerations and falsehoods,” and the New Republic has countered with a statement that other members of Beauchamp’s unit have corroborated his stories. (You can read all about it here.)

There is no explanation as to why Kristol has painted the veterans’ stories in The Nation with the same brush; he simply charges both publications with betrayal and even “slander” of the troops.

If it was journalistic integrity about which Kristol and the Weekly Standard were concerned, it would be one thing, but the fact that Kristol has included The Nation in his swipe suggests that what he is really after is using the Beauchamp case to discredit any and all soldiers who give us a less than rosy picture of what is happening in Iraq.

To be sure, journalistic integrity is essential when reporting on and writing about war, and one hopes those who fight in and cover this war will resist any urge to exaggerate or fabricate, for their stories can be meaningful only if they give an honest account.

But if Bill Kristol truly supports our troops, he should give them the benefit of the doubt; they have earned at least that. He certainly shouldn’t use one questionable circumstance to color all of them as liars.

Moreover, it is not a betrayal of our troops to give them a venue by which their voices may be heard; it is a betrayal for Kristol to try to discredit them in an effort to whitewash a dirty war he continues to support.

Rebecca Vasko's blog | login or register to post comments