The New York Times has chosen a new way to show its utter disdain and disrespect for the American military. While never short of space to describe and hype abuses and embarrassments caused by a handful of US military personnel as such sites as far—off Abu Ghraib and Bagram, the Times refuses to spare even one word covering the annual Fleet Week right here in its own home town.

Today (Wed) marks the beginning of the event with a parade of naval vessels, including the famed super aircraft carrier, USS Kennedy, past the Statue of Liberty. Noted in a report in the New York Sun:

As the ships pass the World Trade Center site, the crews will pay tribute top the men and women who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Many of the ships have been deployed in either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Then it's on to the George Washington Bridge and a course reversal to steam back down to dock at piers along the Hudson and at Staten Island. A Navy flyover is planned between 11:00 and Noon. During the week, which includes the Memorial Day holiday, public access will be available to the Kennedy and other vessels for tours.

Moreover, in a show of international cooperation, on Saturday, the fleet will be joined by eight more ships from the United States, France, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom; and military personnel will join parades in all five NY boroughs for Memorial Day.

Although reported in New York's other dailies — the New York Post even publishing an eight—page special section on the Fleet Week events — the New York Times has chosen to completely ignore the event, printing not a work about it either yesterday (so that interested New Yorkers could be prepared to watch the parade of ships, which began early this morning) or in today's edition.

For New York readers who may wish to observe or participate in Fleet Week events, a schedule of them may be accessed at: www.fleetweek.navy.mil . Don't bother checking for information in the Times.

Richard N. Weltz   5 25 05