Newsweek’s May 9 issue contained an article citing Quran abuse at Guantanamo that inflamed the Arab streets, produced violence and killings, and deepened, if that is possible, hatred for America.

Questioned on “Nightline,” Newsweek’s editor, Mark Whitaker, stated that no one at Newsweek at any time expressed concern that the story might fuel a violent response within the Islamic community.

Further, he suggested that Newsweek might expect a degree of exoneration given that they submitted the complete text of the article, before its publication, to high-level Pentagon officials. The Pentagon did not flag or even question the veracity of the Quran abuse claim.

Given that this scenario is true, two things are patently clear. First, Newsweek is clueless to any understanding of Arab culture and its foundation in the Islamic religion. Second, the Pentagon is still replete with bureaucratic morons at all levels.

Following 9/11, the non-Arab world viewed America and its citizens as innocent victims of a unwarranted, vicious terrorist attack. Today, through countless blunders, miscalculations and real or perceived callous acts, many of these same people now view us as a warmongering, unprincipled bully and the former “bad guys” as the victims.

My question is the same as that asked by Casey Stengel when he addressed the performance of his 1962 Mets: “Can anyone here play this game?”

Michael J. Keogh