The Beauchamp Mystery The Washington Post follows up on the Weekly Standard and reports the Army's claim that the writings of Scott Beauchamp, TNR's Baghdad Diarist, are lies.

But TNR sticks to its guns.


It's worth looking a little more closely at the Army's statement:

An investigation has been completed and the allegations made by Pvt. Beauchamp were found to be false. His platoon and company were interviewed and no one could substantiate the claims.


Now, of course we all know that it's easier to prove that a thing did happen than that it didn't. Still, it's worth noting the logical flaw in the Army's argument: No one could "substantiate the claims"...therefore they are "found to be false."

Well...no. The only conclusion to be drawn from the supposition presented is the same as the supposition: No one can substantiate the claims.

Also, can you imagine those interviews:

"Soldier, did you run around with the skull of a baby on your head?"

"No, sir."

"Did you see any other soldier run around with a baby's skull on his head?"

"No, sir."

And voila—you can't substantiate the claims.......

There's a cover-up going on here, and the press ought to stop being so lazy and start really looking into it. What, for example, has the Army done with Private Beauchamp?

  ¶ 6:34 AM