They Even Lie About the Weather
by Alan Bisbort

July 17, 2003 -- HARTFORD (apj.us) -- The following is yet another indication of the lengths to which the Bush White House will go to deceive and confuse the American people. To wit, they are apparently blocking all meteorological data that comes from Iraq, so that the American people will not know that our bravest men and women are roasting like rotisserie chickens in the 110F-plus heat in order to protect the Bush cartel's oil.

This is a letter from the Weather Editor at the Los Angeles Times to a friend of mine who lives in LA, the great artist and satirist Charles Bragg. Charlie had inquired about why the temperatures from Baghdad were not noted on the world weather page. And this is what they sent him in response:

Just days prior to the opening offensive strikes on the city of Baghdad, the two official overseers of international weather information -- The International Weather Source, and the World Meteorological Organization -- ceased listing actual temperature reports on their respective web-sites from the city of Baghdad. We are not certain as to who is directly responsible for holding back this information -- the U.S. Government, the U.S. Military, the CIA, NOAA -- or why.

Nonetheless, it has been a long standing practice of The Times to only publish actual temperature data that is managed by organizations that are recognized as legitimate providers of weather information by the National Weather Service. As of today, Tuesday, July 15, the Baghdad reports were still unavailable. Be assured, however, that if the data does become attainable for publication we will resume publishing the Baghdad reports.

Again, thank you for your comments. Your interest in The Times weather page is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Mark Phillips
Weather Editor

Chilling, isn't it?

Alan Bisbort is a columnist for the Hartford Advocate. His most recent book, written with Parke Puterbaugh, is California Beaches, 3rd edition (Avalon/Foghorn Outdoors).