In a week where reporters, in media both old and new, have been dinged for selectively editing their way to a narrative it is only fitting to take a quick look at this entry on the Huffington Post:

Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Rep, Calls Chamber Of Commerce 'Part Of The Problem' For Opposing Reform

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk criticized the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a speech at the National Press Club on Tuesday, calling the lobbying behemoth "part of the problem" for its opposition to parts of health care reform and Wall Street reform. During his remarks, delivered at the Chamber's "Next Steps for the World Trade Agenda" conference, Kirk said that trade policy needs to be crafted with American families -- "real people" -- in mind.

"I say this because as much as I appreciate the Chamber's support on trade -- sometimes it feels like you and me against the world -- you also need to remember some of those affected when you oppose initiatives," said Kirk, according to the text of his remarks. "I'm talking about health care, where many people were calling out for help and in some cases begging for their lives. I'm talking about financial reform, where some hurting Americans are asking for a financial system that gives them a fighting chance.

"There are all kinds of business reasons to want to shape or change health reform or financial reforms," Kirk continued. "But just as you say to trade skeptics -- those who refuse to be a constructive part of the process are part of the problem."

Kirk was not nearly as harsh as Treasury official Neal Wolin, who berated the Chamber for its lobbying efforts in a March speech at a Chamber event.

The funny thing is none of the Chamber employees present felt anything but graciousness from Kirk.  Perhaps because they, unlike the Huffington Post’s readers, were exposed to the line immediately following the ones quoted above:

"So let’s commit to working harder, together, on a range of issues – even as USTR redoubles its efforts on the trade initiatives that mean so much to all of you."

Rather than censure we took Kirk’s comments to be an encouragement to accept that, while reasonable people can disagree, we all needed to get work together for the American people.  On trade, financial reform and health care we agreed with the Administration that action was needed.  Actually, to be more precise, on the first two the Administration agreed with us and on trade action is still needed. Our, quite reasonable, differences on health care and financial regulatory reform were not with the spirit, but rather the letter of the law – and we worked with all comers to craft better letters.

We certainly accept that on the specifics of individual trade agreements there are reasonable people with reasonable positions which differ, quite reasonably, from ours. And we are available 24/7/365 to work harder, together, with those people to constructively work through those differences in order to increase trade and create jobs.

But make no mistake, we will also continue to work with Ambassador Kirk against the world of disinformation spread by unreasonable people who want to isolate America and prevent our workers from selling to 95% of the world’s population. And, I suppose, to contest stale tropes offered by lazy reporters more interested in conflict than cooperation.