OH DEAR, OH DEAR - AT 2:58 P.M. ET:  We criticize the mainstream media often here, but sometimes a piece of journalism comes along that is so bad it must be reported.  Consider this, from Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ragtag teams of modern-day Blackbeards are posing an annoying distraction for Barack Obama, forcing him to add Somalia to an already long list of foreign policy challenges.

Add?  Earth to Reuters:  Somalia is a major center for Al Qaeda activity in Africa and was already high on the list.  We've had a naval presence in the region for years.

American presidents are told to expect the unexpected, and Obama is seeing that this week. First it was a North Korean test of a ballistic missile last weekend. Now comes a swashbuckling high-seas standoff with armed renegades.

The unexpected?  The North Koreans have been announcing their test for months.  It was entirely expected.  And there was nothing swashbuckling about this latest, seedy act of piracy.

Obama so far has sent U.S. Navy ships to protect an American-flagged freighter that managed to repel a pirate attack but whose captain was taken hostage.

America's recent experience with Somalia has not been good, making caution a key element of U.S. policy in dealing with the country.

When is caution not a key element in foreign policy?  Name an instance.

COMMENT:  This isn't journalism.  This is padding.  Think before you write.  And research helps as well.

April 9, 2009