Sometimes (or often) you read headlines in the press and wonder to yourself, “How did the editor not catch the idiosyncrasy?” Such are the standards, or lack thereof, of the contemporary American press. I have often criticized the quality, of lack thereof, of American reporting on the Middle East.

But recently two headlines catch my attention for the absurdity. First, this gem from - who else? - the New York Times:

Tunisian Leader Poised to Win Another Term

Really, Ben Ali - the Tunisian, U.S.-supported tyrant in power for 22 years who has amended the constitution twice to prolong his term is expected to be reelected? Please, do not tell Tunisians who are expecting a close election and it will spoil the surprise. Because no one saw this headline coming true. I mean Tunisian elections are usually nail-bitters that are narrowly decided. Incredibly, the prescient nature of the Times.

But this one from the Wall Street Journal - which has excellent reporting - takes home the cake:

Arabs See U.S. Tilt to Israel

Now, a projected Ben Ali victory is one thing, but Arabs see a U.S. tilt toward Israel? Come on! Really, I had no idea that Arabs saw a U.S. “tilt” - JUST A TILT! - toward Israel. When did the Wall Street Journal discover this? I am dying to know when this understanding of U.S. policy in the region was established by Arabs. Did Arabs start to see U.S. bias only two weeks ago? Because, I mean, up until then Arabs all believed that the U.S. supporting the Palestinians. This clearly is new thing - and truly unfounded - by Arabs, because until now there was no perception of U.S. “tilt” toward Israel.

Why is such a headline considered news? The U.S. has long supported Israel and the Arabs know it. And, furthermore, the U.S. does not “tilt” toward Israel but bends over backwards for that apartheid, arrogant, terrorist usurping entity.

The idiocy of American headlines!