Air Force Times’ Robert Dorr Advocates for Weinstein’s MRFF
There is a mantra many young officers and enlisted troops learn in their first few days of basic training: “The Air Force Times is not your friend.” It is not entirely meant as an adversarial statement; it is simply a recognition of the fact the commercial enterprise (despite its name) has nothing to do with the official Air Force, and its goal is to make money by selling papers.
That said, it is widely quoted when it raises controversial subjects (again, publicity affects the bottom line). It has frequently covered issues of religion in the military — naturally, a controversial subject to a niche group of people. When it has done so, it has rarely been friendly. In a 2008 editorial, for example, the paper registered its support for the ACLU in its bid to end US Naval Academy mealtime prayers. (Four years on, the prayers continue.)
Still, it was surprising to recently see Michael Weinstein’s MRFF, including his research assistant Chris Rodda, so excitedly — and repeatedly — promote the Air Force Times. In one example, referring to an Air Force Times “article,” the MRFF cited Read more