Cowards, Damned Cowards and White House Staffers

To: Timothy Noah
Re: Malek's List, Cont'd

When you first wrote about Malek, my reaction was: Give the guy a break. The incident is on Nixon, not him. Who's going to say 'No' to the President?

But then I asked myself, honestly, if I had been in Malek's place, would I have counted Jews? I wouldn't have told Nixon off to his face, if I could have avoided it -- I just would have 'forgotten' his request, but there's no way I would have provided him with the list, even if called on it by the President. The request was beyond the pale. And, for context, I'm a coward, not a hero.

So, I'd have those who want to cut Malek slack ask themselves the question. If they wouldn't have compiled the list, they shouldn't feel they're holding Malek to an overhigh standard by opposing him. If they would, they shouldn't be in a position of public trust themselves.