To the Editor:Benjamin Freed's '06 Oct 31 Justice article, "Join the talking heads and criticize the media," was more of a diatribe as to why he hates conservatives than an analysis of current books criticizing the media. It was almost funny to read his article, considering he embodies the type of liberal journalism that authors like Coulter and O'Reilly criticize. The only thing Freed criticizes is that conservative authors are successful.

He seems to believe that the New York Times and CNN are sacred institutions that would never present biased news. He denounces Dick Morris, a former Clinton staffer, for criticizing the liberal media.
However, Freed does not mention that Morris helped Clinton find a middle ground between conservatives and liberals in the 1996 campaign. Even as a Republican, Morris has written columns critical of current Bush policies. Morris's "bloodlust" may be justified, considering Clinton almost punched him in the face. Freed's sole criticism here seems to be about the title: is that because he did not read this book either?

Furthermore, Freed declares that only a "Washington parasite" like Morris would work for Fox News Channel (FNC). Considering that FNC has equaled and surpassed CNN's ratings, is Freed criticizing the millions of Americans that tune in? Maybe Freed has never watched FNC, as he did not even read the books he reviewed, but it is not "unabashedly right-wing." I was not aware that attempting to present news in the fairest way possible made you right-wing. Liberals must then be prejudiced in their reporting. Coulter be happy to hear that.

Freed praises Al Franken as a "focused author" when there is nothing substantive about Franken's book. When Ann Coulter publicly called upon him to defend his claims against her, he could not do so. Franken was probably not aware that, unlike Saturday Night Live sketches, political criticism must be truthful. He enjoys misleading people; as Harvard University learned when, during Franken's fellowship there, he lied to John Ashcroft about an article he was writing and was forced to publicly apologize. Freed seems to think this type of writing is funny and effective; however, it merely supports humor based upon physical appearances and stereotypes. That is not political criticism.

It is because of misleading and untruthful "journalists" like Freed that Coulter and O'Reilly have careers. While Brandeis does have a large liberal student body, I would hope that the Justice would not promote articles that attack people simply for being conservative. I support and encourage all forms of political debate here on campus, and hope that liberals and conservatives can have more opportunities to discuss issues in a proper forum. Political criticism is important and welcomed as long as it is based upon facts and issues, rather than name-calling and false truths.

- Jordana Luks '04
Co-Chair Brandeis Republicans