You Can Kill A Journalist If You Buy Our Weapons

The US policy seems to be stated that simply - you can kill a journalist if you buy our weapons. Perhaps you can kill more than one. Who knows at this point?

Many times over the past few years questions have been raised about the language and attitude emerging about the press in our own country. We have heard journalists being accused of presenting 'fake news', a term that is now used commonly around the world. We have heard journalists and the media being described as 'enemies of the people'. We have seen various examples of people acting out against the press, from phone threats to graffiti on buildings to shootings at news sites. All of this has been reprehensible and goes against American values as well as the basic concept of free speech and the First Amendment. As we move toward the midterm elections, these and many other issues are being debated openly and freely.

But now we are confronted by our own government and the leader of that government laying out a crass and in my mind, immoral statement about the value of a journalist's life. As the mystery of Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi's death is being investigated it seems that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are working on developing an alternate truth, an agreed upon story about this terrible incident. The alternate truth will not disrupt the economy of the region or of the world. The alternate truth will not stop weapon sales to the Saudi government. The alternate truth will allow Turkey and Saudi Arabia to kiss and make up relative to their recent spats. And at what cost? A good man's life, a truth seeker's life, a journalist's life.

Why though should any of this be surprising based on the attacks on the press that have been strong and ongoing from dictators, presidents and despots all over the world? The messaging is clear. Tell it our way or beware, yes be afraid. Why should it be surprising based on the importance that has been placed on the manufacture and sale of weaponry that spreads across the world and is used against civilians and children in Yemen, the unreported war.

Yes our weapons are touted as the best in the world. The best technology. The best America can sell. Jobs, jobs, jobs are the reasons given, the bill of sales as it were. We shall see. How often and for how long can you sell your weaponry and your technology before someone or some entity uses it on you. The best missiles, the best aircraft, the best drones, the best bombs all out there on the international marketplace. Yes, we shall see where that goes.

I the meantime, journalists, writers, commentators and most likely some poets and musicians will continue to challenge power knowing that they are living in a more dangerous time as a result of Khashoggi's death for a price negotiated by two nations.