Bryant Park on a chilly November night and what it means to New York City

By J.F. Mezo

NEW YORK, Nov. 20 – As winter draws closer and the days get shorter, by 5 PM every day, Bryant Park transforms into an unlikely winter wonderland with little kiosks blinking welcomingly at passers-by, and an ice rink situated at the centre of the maze of narrow paths that zigzag their way through the park. It doesn’t take long to succumb to the spell of the place – just upon entering the park after passing by the renowned New York Public Library, visitors find themselves walking through a dimly lit terrace littered with cast iron chairs and circular tables. Far from the café-like atmosphere the terrace has during the day, it is now mostly empty with the occasional occupant checking their phone time and time again, quite certainly waiting for a friend or perhaps an associate to join them.

‘It’s a good meeting spot for business people’ says David Stein, while slipping his cell phone into the side pocket of his chic trench coat. ‘It’s really convenient – all sorts of people come here’ he adds, now seemingly lost in thought, just before he turns around on one of those cast iron chairs to point towards a further corner of the park, that is engulfed by darkness. ‘Little kids play bocce over there during the summer; you know, the Italian game when you have to throw plastic balls into a circle – it’s kind of like curling.’

But the park’s popularity amongst kids doesn’t decrease during the autumn months, either. Just a couple of minutes of walking away from the terrace, there is carousel sitting at the intersection of two pathways, going round and round in a mesmerising mixture of mellow lights and accordion melodies. Most visitors seem to stop in their tracks for a while, joining the small crowd seated around the area, getting lost in the fantasy. Amongst them are Israeli-born Noa and her young son who is visibly fascinated by the colourful display.

‘We have been coming here for the past two years. Every evening, he just wants to watch the carousel go round and round – he doesn’t want to go up, though. Just watch.’

But Noa’s son is not the only one captivated by what Bryant Park has to offer. As one wanders closer and closer to the rink, there is a growing number of vendors offering everything from Christmas decorations to fancy jewellery in the shape of a snowflake. People – tourists and New Yorkers alike – are drawn in by the sparkles and the cheery Christmas tunes in the background, doing a fair bit of window-shopping in the process. As one nears the rink, the booths get sparklier and the music gets louder, until they reach a circle of food kiosks surrounding a fountain that is situated right before the ice rink.

The crowd thickens considerably by that point. Aside from passers-by, many are enjoying their hot beverages by the fountain, while others skate to the holiday songs of Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan. This is the true heart of Bryant Park, with families, couples and individuals chatting and snapping pictures wherever you turn. Amongst them is Paul Sanchez, who quickly declares the park the ‘heart of the city’, while also pointing out how safe the Bryant Park is. ‘The true significance of the place lies in that you can just come here and enjoy yourself. It’s extremely safe’ he says with a smile, while pointing towards the Empire State Building which looks nothing short of a gothic castle with purple lights climbing up its walls and the Moon in the background. ‘It’s also very well connected. You can go anywhere – visit the Empire State Building or the Library.’

And with New York’s very own Grand Central Station just five minutes away to offer convenient connections to locals and visitors alike, Mr. Sanchez might just be right. However, this Tuesday night at Bryant Park is not in the least about the rush. It’s about the magic of gingerbread houses selling sparkly holiday must-haves by dimly lit pathways, young adults buying steaming hot chocolate from the kiosks by the fountain, and families skating together on the ice rink. While life in the city keeps rushing by, Bryant Park is truly a place to forget about the hurry, relax, and soak in the holiday spirit.

A Night at the 9/11 Memorial

By Craig Moorhead

NEW YORK, Nov. 17 - The last time I visited the 9/11 Memorial was September the 11^th of 2015, the 14th anniversary of the most devastating terrorist attack to occur on American soil. On that day, the square was packed with the bereaved and lachrymose. Men and women from all walks of life, including those in uniform, had come to commemorate that day of reckoning. Tonight I find a very different scene as I approach the Memorial Square. The night is very cold, and eerily silent for a place that was once at the center of the characteristic hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Tonight those telltale sounds have been replaced with the tranquil calming of the waters of the twin fountains that mark the foundations where the former World Trade Center towers once stood. As I settle in to observe my surroundings I feel a bit of discomfort as a result of the atmospheric conditions. This is perhaps fitting, considering the gravity of what occurred here years ago.

On this evening, the crowd is thin. The recent cold snap may have driven many away, but some still linger. Of the few people present, most stand in solemn silence and respect. The other half are comprised of the polar opposite; the few who would rather smile and take selfies than honor the fallen. I ask a nearby security guard, who wished to remain nameless, about the types of visitors he witnesses each day. He agrees with my assessment, there is a dichotomy between those who come out of respect and those who come for the spectacle. For the latter group, this place which 14 years ago was filled with so much death and destruction is a tourist attraction. That selfie is just one more thing to cross off their bucket list. They do not see the memorial site for what it really represents. A monument to the fallen and a reminder of why we must remain ever vigilant in the ongoing struggle against terrorism.

To my surprise many French flags have found their way to the memorial alongside the more typically seen star spangled banner. Side by side with roses and other flowers, the placing of flags has become an informal tradition. These are frequently found left beside the names of the fallen that form the circumference of the north and south memorial pools. It would seem that for the people of New York, the 9/11 site has become a place where people come to honor and remember lives lost as a result of terrorism. Its role has grown to surpass its original purpose. Unfortunately in my lifetime 9/11 has become just one name in a long list of devastating acts of violence against the innocent. The memorial has become a gathering place to honor them all. Just days ago the One World Trade Center was illuminated with the colours of the French national flag, but as I look skyward this night the colours of its pinnacle spire have reverted to their normal state. I am struck by how quickly the world moves on to the next tragedy.

Of those few sojourners who have made their way here on this frozen evening, most congregate around the 'Survivor' tree, the near mythical piece of foliage that survived the flames and the smoke of that fateful day. It is a single piece of life shrouded in so much darkness and death. I think for many it stands as a symbol of hope and today it is encircled by tokens of condolence, countless bouquets of flowers which obscure the base of two pairs of flags, French and American.

As I wait and watch more people funnel out of the cold into the 9/11 Museum, choosing to pay their respects indoors rather than brave the elements. A group of women wish each other well and go their separate ways. Some passersby do not even stop to observe the monument that stands before them and neglect to interrupt their phone conversations as they pass by what in effect is a mass grave site.. This is 'just another day' for them, and the memorial garden is just part of their commute. Why do they pass by, not sparing a single second to remember and respect something that is bigger than all of us? As I think about what this says about the meaning of the 9/11 Memorial to New Yorkers, I turn to introspection for a potential answer. Personally, I do not like to go to the memorial too often. Though 9/11 was an important moment in my life and in the lives of so many, I find the more often I come here the more desensitized I am to the horror of what this place represents. Things are not always what they seem, and apparent indifference may be a mask for inner turmoil that is simply too great to be expressed on a daily basis. Perhaps, for these men and women who are forced to experience this every day, they have become numb to the tragedy that radically changed the world of today. While understandable, to do so in my opinion risks failing to heed the infamous warning, that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

Down By Bluestockings

By Ian Kessler 

 LOWER EAST SIDE, Nov. 17 - The sun has already set as I walk along East Houston Street. The sky has a streak of hot red clouds on the horizon. Neon headlights and ruddy billboards light the scene of a once grungy neighborhood. 

A turn onto Allen Street brings a gush of golden leaves as they whip around the corner and down the darkening street. I am instantly transported back to a month earlier. A couple of my friends and I were wandering through Chinatown but couldn’t figure out what to do. One had just turned twenty one that week but the other didn’t have an ID. She’s twenty. 

My friend Rachel said we should go check out this “really cool anarchist bookstore!” Apparently it was close by and we couldn’t help but be curious.

We walked through the doors of Bluestockings and it was even better than the cliche I had imagined. This was not just any bookstore. The floor was packed but quiet. An author was on tour speaking the subject her new book, a woman who had given her life for the Cuban Revolution.

On this night a month later, I walk through the doors yet again. The store is calm this time and I’m free to peruse without the hassle of the crowd. A couple members sort books as others work the counter and coffee. The walls are covered in counter-culture and OWS art. The shelves are filled with titles on radical feminism, anarchism, race studies, queer studies, Marxism, smut and even sci-fi. They have mainstream titles too, of course. Many would certainly be banned in a more repressive country. Some authors immediately stick out to me: Naomi Klein, Paulo Friere, Chomsky, Foucault, Marx.

The people here are so strange and beautiful. Some bedazzled with stick-and-poked fingers bedecked by avant-garde rings. Others in plain blue collar clothes. I was glad I took off my tie in the F train. 

I walk to the man at the cash register. He is clothed in black, with thin long hair, gauges in his ears and blue tattoos on his arms. I started asking him about the store—about its history. He directed me to a collective member. As I wait to talk to her they offer me some ceylon tea free.

I ask her name, she replies, “My name is Rachel Levy, my pronouns are she/her/hers.” I instantly respond, “Oh my friend who first brought me here’s name is Rachel!” As we introduce ourselves we quickly discover we’re both Jewish. “Shalom!” “Chag sameach!” “It’s all in the tribe!” Definitely a warm hello.

Rachel has been coming to Bluestockings since 2005 and has been working at the store since 2013. During the day she works as a social worker at an HIV clinic. She begins with her well-practiced elevator speech, “Bluestockings is a collectively-run politically progressive trans-inclusionist feminist bookstore, fair trade cafe and community space. Everything we do here revolves around ideals of social justice.” 

Promptly she asking me if I knew what “bluestockings” meant. Too be honest I had no clue. Rachel illuminated me, “Bluestockings was a pejorative term for women who read back in the early 1900s.” 

Turns out despite the trope on feminist bookstores, there are only thirteen remaining in the US and Canada. In the 90s there used to be hundreds! In fact, although founded in 1989, the store almost closed after 9/11 because of financial reasons and the changing neighborhood. In 2003, Brooke Lehman saved Bluestockings. It was reborn as a collective and expanded well beyond its previous mission.

Rachel explains a collective model is practice—social justice practice: “We’re trying to undo the shitty hierarchies of professionalism that take place in a work place. We’re trying to be an environment where people are respected and affirmed and where there is a lot of mutual learning and growth. As opposed to Capitalism which runs off of the labor of others; like there’s an owner and then there’s employees that work for that owner who are inherently going to be exploited because the owner is making money off of them. In a workers coop there’s even investment and there’s not a boss and employees, there’s an even split which undoes some of the shitty elements of capital.”

If you could please, promptly picture some neocon’s head comically popping like a balloon with a whimsical sound effect as it deflates. 

No one at Bluestockings is paid, all funds go to keeping books on the shelves, keeping the lights on and paying the rent. The roughly 70 volunteers, most working on average three hours a week. The business is run democratically. Collective members must be voted in and number four to six people at anytime, bearing the most commitment and responsibility .

A lot of groups and clubs pop up organically, holding events many nights a week. Some being Black & Pink which is an LGBTQ prisoner support group, Radical Educators, a Feminist Bookclub, a Feminist Masculinities class and Icarus Project which is a radical mental health group offering peer support. The space is free for both presenters and participants at events and will never be turned away for lack of money.

Another volunteer later said, “We’re about being able to challenge hegemony and oppression. That just guides what we do here.” Bluestockings is truly a mecca for radical activism in New York City. Even two members of Pussy Riot have held a clandestine event here! 

Bluestockings just signed a five year lease and continues to grow its revenue every year. It hopefully doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon.

In the words of Betsy, the store’s longest standing member, “I hope that we’re around forever, I hope that we’re around till New York City’s under water.”

An Evening at Brooklyn Bridge

Text and Photography by L. Boshuyzen

Flow on, river! flow with the flood-tide, and ebb with the ebb-tide!
Frolic on, crested and scallop-edg’d waves!
Gorgeous clouds of the sun-set! drench with your splendor me, or the men and women generations after me;
Cross from shore to shore, countless crowds of passengers!
Stand up, tall masts of Mannahatta!—stand up, beautiful hills of Brooklyn!
Throb, baffled and curious brain! throw out questions and answers!
Suspend here and everywhere, eternal float of solution!

115; 83 Crossing Brooklyn Ferry

Leaves of Grass, Whitman, 1900.

 NEW YORK, Nov. 17— For more than a hundred years New Yorkers have walked the Brooklyn Bridge to step from one world into the other, and they have mainly done so because of work; consciously deciding to commute or being forced by circumstance. Whiteman, born and raised in Brooklyn, focused on the commuter’s experience during their daily journey, dedicating several poems to the crossing of the river.

With more than 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians and 3,100 bicyclists crossing this national historic landmark every day[1], but what is left of the experience?  To find this out two and a half hours were spent at the Brooklyn Bridge on a crisp Tuesday evening from 5 till 7:30 pm. During this time the bridge gave passage to countless bikers, and runners, some strolling couples, calling commuters, friends in consultation, police, photographers, musicians hurriedly walking their instruments back to warmth, two scarcely clad girls despite the 46ºF bravely involved in an amateur photoshoot, and a man singing in Hebrew his payots swinging softly at the pace of his walk. And then there are of course the tourists. 

“Take a look New York!” “Let’s go New York, let’s go!” When pointed to the fact that, surely he must be catering to tourists there comes an unexpected response: “Everyone in New York is a New Yorker. People from all over the world—they make up New York.” This astute observation belongs to a street vender who introduces himself as Antoine Williams, but the look on his face suggests something like "If you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you…" Bridges, hats, trinkets postcards… What he sells isn’t specifically tailored to the Brooklyn Bridge, and Antoine explains that he stands at places all over New York, and sometimes he needs to fight for his place to set up.

Picture does not portray Antoine Williams

A new batch of “New Yorkers” eagerly flock to his stand, asking him the price of that ‘selfie-stick’ to which Antoine replies it’s “just five dollars Ms” before continuing his siren call: “Take a look New York!” “Let’s go New York, let’s go!”. Walking towards the Eastern River his calls blend in with the traffic before the bridge slowly lets its pedestrians rise above the tumultuous scene.

Despite the cold wind three ladies take their time to walk this bridge, bright-eyed and with shopping bags in their hands. Niamh, Catherine and Valerie flew in from Dublin Ireland yesterday. Valerie is turning 50—“You never think you’ll actually do it, but we decide to go for it this year!” Valerie says. When asked about their bridge experience they describe it as very scenic: “We especially made sure to walk back from Brooklyn to Manhattan, and not they other way around, because the scenery is best this way.” “We asked many New Yorkers how to do this, it was quite complicated you see, but they didn’t really seem to grasp the concept. I don’t think they still see the beauty of this walk.” Niamh says.  

Leaving the lavish snapshotting behind, it would still be easy to distinguish the tourists from the New Yorkers—their leisurely pace immediately betrays that this is not the city they wake up in every morning. New Yorkers walk with purpose, even when that purpose is fairly undefined.  

So does Anna, who is on her way home from Manhattan to her flat in Brooklyn. Faced with the allegation of the three Irish tourists, she exclaims, (while barely slowing down her pace) “Oh no, the views are definitely the main reason I walk the Brooklyn bridge every night after work, I’ve been doing it for 13 years, it never gets old!”.  Yes, there are days that she doesn’t like it, and there are days when she gets irritated “specially when I can’t walk because people keep cluttering the lane.” What she get out of it? “It’s good exercise.” And after a small pause: “It clears the head.” 

An older man in trench coat doesn’t fit the mould—walking slowly although clearly not a tourist, one can sense he walked this bridge many times. When the light of the bridge glides over his face, turned slightly to the waterside, two wet streaks on his cheeks catch the light.

Elevating her pedestrians above the bustling traffic, with the wind blowing carelessly over the water and the east river flowing freely underneath, this bridge becomes the place to reflect, find, relinquish. The east river seems unclaimed territory between two worlds, the bride every so shortly suspending entry. The Brooklyn Bride becomes a rite of passage—a rite of passage into contemplation. A small repose before plunging into whatever it is that is waiting for them on the other side. 

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[1] source: nyc.gov

Journalists at the Heart of the Ebola Outbreak

By Adrienn Keszei

Nov 2, 2015

I found The Ebola Story very appealing not only because it provided valuable, expert information about the spread of the disease, but because of the human stories that helped the detached foreign readers identify with those suffering through the epidemic. Although these articles are not classic investigative pieces, since the outbreak was heavily publicized, and there was no conspiracy behind it to reveal, the journalists used an investigative approach when they travelled to Ebola-stricken countries to get the full story. 

Access, especially in this particular case, was key to ensuring that readers around the world get credible and insider reporting that is not based on details acquired from other news organizations, but includes the hands-on experiences of those involved in the battle against the deadly virus: the experiences of the doctors and patients in Africa. The journalists involved in the writing of these articles provided an authentic and diverse picture about the Ebola outbreak, often risking their own safety, or to be more exact, their lives. 

The sourcing of these stories is first-class. The journalists used a wide variety of sources that verify the credibility of the stories told. Officials working for the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, or Doctors Without Borders are all quoted. Information was also received from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Guinean Health Ministry, and hospital workers in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. With all the information acquired from the sources above, the journalists could provide hard facts about the disease, the numbers of those who died of Ebola, details about the (insufficient) budgets provided to battle the virus, the magnitude of the outbreak, or the reasons of the delayed response and the failure to track how the virus was spreading. 

However, what made these articles especially fascinating were the stories about everyday people living inside the epidemic, experiencing the cruelty and the unimaginable speed of the virus every second of every day. These people may not be experts, but they possessed first-hand knowledge about Ebola, as most of those quoted in the articles had lost family members, friends, or colleagues within a span of only a few days. The reporting largely relied on the information provided by officials and stories shared by average people, and at no point could I detect opinionated writing or biased commentary. 

The photos were also an important factor in making the writing transparent. When the author talked about how Ebola destroys relationships because people cannot touch their loved ones, this phenomenon is illustrated with photos about patients isolated from others, with the shocking sight of small children lying on the ground in agony, and completely alone. The excellent photo journalism contributed to the credibility and authenticity of the reporting.

I admire the journalists involved in the writing of this series of articles because they did not hesitate to go to hospitals or sit in ambulances where probably hundreds of Ebola patients have died before. This is why I doubt there could be any hidden motive behind these articles. The bravery and integrity of these journalists has been proven by their willingness to go to the heart of the Ebola outbreak and I seriously doubt that they would falsify or omit information to endanger the credibility of the stories that they risked their lives to produce. 

Investigating the killing of Osama bin Laden

By J.F. Mezo

Photo by Seth Anderson: https://www.flickr.com/photos/swanksalot/

NEW YORK, Oct. 31 – Seymour M. Hersh’s investigative essay, ‘The Killing of Osama bin Laden’ offers a clear look into the controversy surrounding the death of Al-Qaeda’s former leader. In order to build a complex picture, Hersh investigates multiple aspects of the story and relies of various sources, ranging from the official statements of the White House to allegation about the mission that resulted in bin Laden’s death.  And while the wide variety of cited sources is undoubtedly one of the main strengths of his work, the transparency of sourcing also makes it generally easy for the reader to put the pieces of the puzzle into place.

            However, Hersh also relies on anonymous sources, a practice that is generally regarded as risky by journalists, since by citing anonymous sources, the author effectively asks his audience to trust that he was thorough in his investigation, putting his credibility on the line. While it might seem like a real gamble to make, there are certain situations when the journalist has no choice but to omit the names of his sources in order to protect them – and, as most would agree, asking a government official to provide details on how taking down the most famous terrorist leader of our time was a premeditated act on the part of the American government certainly calls for precautions.

            On the other hand, Hersh does a good job at establishing his sources’ credibility, since their status or (former) position makes it entirely conceivable that they would have relevant information about the case. His main anonymous source is cited as a retired senior US intelligence official, and (while a bit less transparent) another anonymous source is revealed to be a source within the CIA, while yet another is labelled a former Seal commander. It is easy to imagine that people at such ranks would have insider information about the operation, even more so since their claims seem to be backed up by the former Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, in his memoir, Duty. Their motives for providing information, however, remain largely unclear, which leaves room for speculations .

            In his essay, Hersh also mentions a couple of readily available sources and documents that the public can access, for example the statements issued by the White House and the published personal accounts of two navy Seals who participated in the operation, contrasting them with the information provided by his sources. By doing so, he points those who wish to read about the story in even greater detail towards useful resources, which further increases his credibility.

            To sum up, while the anonymity of some of his most important sources might set the story back on certain levels, Hersh’s efforts to establish the credibility of his sources and provide the reader with the broadest possible scope inspires trust in his audience. Although using materials provided by many different sources allows him to explore multiple aspects of the story, his narration remains clear and easy to follow throughout the essay, making his piece a must-read for those studying investigative journalism.

The 5 greatest risks for 2016

By J.F. Mezo

The 5 greatest risks for 2016 are global in every possible sense. They are not only distributed in different continents and regions of the world but their effects will be far reaching, impacting not only other countries and continents but also the global economy. Although said risks are diverse in nature, nationalism and the lack of international consensus will define the undertone of the upcoming year.

Photo by GotCredit: www.gotcredit.com

Political instability in Europe:

Since the financial crisis in 2008, Europe and especially the European Union have encountered difficulties not only of the financial but also of the political variety. Weak incumbents, competing interests, and the rise of nationalistic sentiments pushed the EU to the point where its structural weaknesses almost resulted in serious conflicts. The Greek crisis, the effects of Russian sanctions on certain EU members, and now the refugee crisis have all contributed to the growing internal tensions, and although in 2016 we can expect an improvement in the economic performance and investment climate of the region, the political dimension can make it difficult for businesses to operate within the EU.

What to be on the lookout for:

-       Weak popular support of the ruling party and its policies

-       Nationalistic policies, heightened sense of national identity

-       Conflicts of interest amongst EU members

The Refugee Crisis in Europe:

In 2015, Europe has seen a staggering number of refugees flowing into the continent, most of them coming from the war-torn regions of Africa and the Middle East. As the second half of 2015 clearly demonstrated, Europe was not and is still not ready to cope with the situation, and as long as a comprehensive framework is not negotiated, no meaningful progress can be expected. The refugee crisis can also become a risk to businesses operating in the region as it leads to internal political and social tensions, tensions between the locals and the immigrants, and interstate conflict (e.g. the Croatian-Hungarian hostility).

What to be on the lookout for:

-       Social and political unrest

-       Interstate tensions

-       Lack of cooperation

-       Terrorism?

ISIS:

Although the expansion of the Islamic State has slowed down considerably recently, ISIS has gained strong foothold in the Middle East. In spite of the joint efforts of local groups, European countries and the US, the rule of ISIS is far from over in the region. Also troubling is the fact that in order to prevent disillusioned followers from leaving the organization, ISIS is willing to adopt an increasingly hostile and aggressive ideology. As the rape of all non-Muslim women is now deemed legal and even encouraged by ISIS, female employees might be in increased danger in the Middle East. In 2016, the business world will need to monitor the situation closely and stand ready to withdraw from the region in order to protect their interests and employees.

What to be on the lookout for:

-       Violence and armed conflicts

-       Potential difficulties maintaining supply chains

-       Female employees in danger

Civil war in Syria:

The ongoing civil war in Syria will be amongst the top risks of 2016 as the disastrous political situation and the devastating armed clashes in the region will not only do further damage to the Syrian economy but will also set other, global risks into motion. One of them is the refugee crisis in Europe, as most of the refugees flowing into the continent have been arriving from Syria and its neighbouring territories. On the other hand, it can also deepen the Russia-West divide, as Russian arms export and military assistance to Syria have been amongst the most fiercely debated topics in the United Nations recently. The United States has been particularly unhappy with the Russian decision to intervene, and now that the Russian campaign in Syria started, we can expect a further cooling of US-Russian relations.

What to be on the lookout for:

-       Unfavourable business climate in Syria and between Russia and the West

-       Violence and armed clashes

-       Radical groups and ideas

South and East China Sea Armed Confrontation:

China’s increasingly aggressive policies have now pushed the Pacific region to the brink of a possibly multilateral conflict. In the South China Sea, China has warned other claimants that if they were to drill for oil in the disputed areas, they can expect Chinese retaliation. In the East China Sea, territorial debate over the Senkaku islands persists, as neither Japan, nor China is ready to compromise. The threat of escalation is present in both cases and it can lead to a disruption of trade and supply chains in the region in 2016.

What to be on the lookout for:

-       Escalation of interstate conflicts in the region

-       Possible US involvement through defence treaties (Japan, Manila)

-       Trade and supply chains disruptions

Too good to be true? Sy Hersh and the Killing of Osama Bin Laden

By Craig Moorhead

NEW YORK - Seymour M. Hersh is one of the most prolific investigative journalists and political writers of our time. This fact is not disputed, but when writing his article "The Killing of Osama bin Laden" Hersh may have let his ambition get the better of him. In his lust to break the next big story he succumbed to temptation and compromised his investigative approach. As a result, Hersh inadvertently damaged his story's credibility with a controversial and unverifiable piece of reporting.

There are many ways to gauge the credibility of a story, such as looking at the number of sources the author uses, and asking questions about the nature of these sources. Is there a variety of sources to show that the author was thorough and complete in trying to obtain the information? Are the sources unnamed and if so does the story explain why they are not identified and how they know what they know? Hersh does well in these regards, he is very upfront about where the information is coming and his intensive effort to get to the bottom of things is well demonstrated.

However the article falls short in some other key areas. Another vital question to ask is the authority of the sources: is the author not only clear about what sources were used but is there information to help gauge their reliability? The authoritative nature of the people giving Hersh his information is made clear to the reader, these sources are current and former Pakistani government and military officials. They are of sufficient stature and responsibility that they would theoretically be privy to the information that they claim to posses. The problem is we have no way of assessing their honesty or integrity. While Hersh is so adamant that officials in the U.S. government are lying he seems blind to the obvious fact that there is just as much reason for his sources to lie as there is for those officials he accused of lying.

Understanding possible motives for why a source is willing to give you highly confidential and inflammatory information is essential to investigative reporting. Hersh all too freely offers up speciation for a motive behind the official story, Obama was in need of a 'win' and sound strategic basis to support his planed withdrawal of American forces from the Middle East. But he fails to make the same appraisal of the 'facts' of his own story.  The nagging question remains, why should we trust these sources and what did they stand to gain by contradicting the official U.S. testimony of the operation. My perception is that for every person he offers up, you can find many more who will tell you the opposite. There are countless U.S. officials who will offer the explanation that the Pakistanis, who were furious that the operation took place without being detected by them, were behind this false narrative as a way to save face. This seems just as likely a scenario as what Hersh suggests.

Documents are key elements of any investigation of this nature. In this case the documents are still classified, and we will probably never know exactly what happened. Until that changes, we are left in a battle of their word against ours. Rather than focusing on the exact details of the operation, I suggest the point to be focused on, is that the man responsible for the most devastating terrorist attack ever to occur on U.S. soil, is gone for good.

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