February 15, 2007

Officers
National Public Radio
635 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20001

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have noticed that, by the wording of questions they ask guests, your newscasters continue to propagate the outrageous lie that cutting off funds for the Iraq war constitutes a failure to support and protect our troops. As you should know, there are bills in Congress that would cut off funds for the war, but which make clear that funds nonetheless can be used to protect the troops during the period of withdrawal. To word questions in a way which posits that a fund cut off is a failure to support and protect the troops is outrageously irresponsible and contributes to the lie being spread in this regard both by Republicans and by Democrats who, for political purposes, don’t have the courage or desire to cut off funds.

What your newscasters should be asking of various guests, if the newscasters are to be responsible and honest, is the following: “How can you claim that a cut off of funds for the war undermines the safety of the troops -- is a failure to support and protect the troops -- when bills calling for a cut-off specifically say that funds can nonetheless be used to protect the troops during the period of withdrawal? Your claim is false, isn’t it?” That, and not the lie being propagated by your newscasters, is the appropriate question.

Sincerely yours,

Lawrence R.Velvel
Dean, Massachusetts School of Law

cc: Various Parties