Gibbs and the History Lesson

~Cato

From http://victorhanson.com/articles/hanson062509.html


In today’s news briefing, Kinsolving asked, “Historian Victor Davis Hanson cites what he terms, ‘The president’s politically correct canard that the Renaissance was fueled by Arab learning, and the president’s statement that abolition of slavery and civil rights in the U.S. were accomplished without violence,’ as two of seven presidential errors.

Question: Does the White House believe Dr. Hanson is wrong? Or do you believe your speechwriters and the president made some mistakes?” ....

Gibbs' response? “I’m not familiar with the work of the esteemed historian. I haven’t seen it. I can assure you that not knowing who this historian is, I’ll put my money on our speechwriters.”


Cato's Points of Order Here:
1. Gibbs doesn't know who Hanson is????? Only the most well-known historian of the conservative opposition. You'd think Gibbs would know, but, then again, liberals exist in their own insular world, it seems.

2. Not knowing, he does not want to find out, but unthinkingly prefers his speechwriters over Hanson. Political speechwriters over an accomplished historian?

3. But most tellingly, the reputation of this or that historian over this or that speechwriter is irrelevant. No need to appeal to reputation. Find out yourself.

Unfortunately Gibbs does not want to find out the facts -- which are independent of the historian, who merely brings the facts to our attention. The "work of the esteemed historian" that is at issue is not his interpretation, or marshalling of an argument, but pretty cut-and-dried factual information that can be checked -- or at least examined.

But Gibbs wants to "put money on" his speechwriters! What? Are we rolling dice here? This administration is being run by a bunch of ignoramuses who have no idea how foolish they look to those outside the bubble. Just more evidence of inexperience in high places - the "best and brightest" that have no idea what they are doing.

Save us.