Missing Characters: Who's Responsible? (Lehrer & Weinberger) |
       
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Characters Distribute this handout to students: explain the situation (as
it appears on the top of the handout), assign a student to read
aloud the part of Lehrer and another to read Weinberger. After
they've played out the interview, ask the class what information
Lehrer wants—who attacked the ship and on whose authority—and
why Weinberger wants to avoid giving it out. How does he avoid
giving it out? Talk about the power of missing characters, or of
distracting characters (e.g., the helicopters). Wein.: — Yes, by helicopters. Lehrer: Who decided to engage them? And what was the authority
for — Wein.: — Hostile action was taken — Lehrer: Laying mines? Wein.: — my yes, laying mines in proximity to our ships
is a hostile action, and once the Iranian ship had taken this hostile
action the decision had to be made quickly and it was made and
steps were taken. Lehrer: The decision was made? Wein.: Yes, once there was a hostile action, the decision had to
be made immediately and in response to that action. Lehrer: And the authority for the decision? Wein.: Well, you don't want decisions like this to have to go through
in box after in box. The decision had to be made quickly on the
spot, and it was made, and the right people were notified. . .
and the President was briefed thoroughly. . . . Lehrer: [continuing the discussion of notification ]. . . and the
Congress? Wein.: We are following the notification provisions of the War
Powers Act, notifying Congress in more detail than the act requires.
I notified the Congressional leadership — Lehrer: — Congressional leaders?— Wein.: — the top members. I called four, got two. Other members of the department notified other members. . . .
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