APOLOGY not good enough: NEWSWEEK just RETRACTED

[nashville_brook]

Is today the exact day journalism died?

I think it is.

It's been gasping for air, but today it straight-lined.

I knew it was going to be a bad day for it when I woke up to the news that Newsweek was "apologizing" for their reporting on the desecration of the Koran by Americans detaining at Gitmo. They were in fact "questioning a source," rather than "retracting" the story. There a difference. And the story has many sources. It's actually an OLD story if you keep up with war news.

So, effectively, Newsweek is backing off the story because Newsweek thinks THEIR MAGAZINE is to blame for riots that lead to the death of 15 people so far.

I didn't know Newsweek is widely read in Afghanistan. Whaddya know. Learn something new everyday.

I call bullshit and I'm pretty certain I won't have to chug this beer -- this WHOLE STORY is a fucking lie.

What Newsweek is doing is every journalist's worst nightmare: being hung out to dry by your organization. It can happen for all sorts of reasons, but in this case it's the most COWARDLY and DISPICABLE reason: to placate the White House.

Today Newsweek let the world know that no one has our back. No one is on the side of TRUTH as long as the TRUTH gets in the way of the White House. The riots that happened this weekend, don't you think they are more likely the result of the GESALT of bombing the hell out of their country and not picking up the pieces...in addition to everything else, INCLUDING our cultural bullying. Flushing the Koran is might be necessary to cause this violence, but it's not sufficient. We don't know what caused those riots. This is madness.

Newsweek just sacrificed a reporter as if to send a message to anyone with any information, "Watch out or Georgie's Boyz will have your head."

But here's the thing: anyone can prove the veracity of this story by checking RAWSTORY right now.

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/newsweek_koran_report_516.htm
Newsweek report on Quran matches many earlier account

They have, oh it looks like a half-dozen citations of this in stories that date back as far as a couple years.

As I was learning more about this story I hear on the radio that "the White House is DEMANDING a retraction from Newsweek." Now this is REALLY stupid. They already had their way. They got the apology. Fear has been instilled in anyone risking their life to report the truth. Now they demand genuflection! Now an apology isn't enough -- make it DISAPPEAR.

Today journalism died regardless of where Newsweek takes it from here. Not that we had much hope for it, but when a publication apologizes for printing the truth (and a widespread truth at that), we've gone beyond the point of no return.

More puzzling why Rummy and his minions would even care about this story. Since when do we give a hoot about the Koran? or anyone's cultural sensitivities. What are you? GIRLYMEN? Angry dogs -- okay; holding citizen without representation -- not a problem; without the backing of INTERNATIONAL LAW? -- who cares; oopsie, some suffocated under "interrogation" -- they were probably guilty anyway.

Since when do these assholes give a shit about THE KORAN.

Bush thinks he's on a personal mission from GOD, and not that one. His followers would desecrate all over the Koran if it came down from Colorado Springs that it's God's will. They've already desecrated the Constitution. They would like to make it "disappear too." And freedom of speech is where they've started.

I thought freedom was on the march? I thought we were bringing DEMOCRACY to the ancient world. Isn't freedom of speech a cornerstone of democracy? What when our titans of that freedom (Newsweek) roll over for Rove? What then?

I'll tell you what -- all those "trend pieces" on the ruffian Bloggers -- better get acquainted, because we aren't going away.

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. I wasn't going to have wine with dinner tonight.

I think I may have to change my mind. Today is calling for some self-medication. This is beyond ridiculous. I completely agree with you. Definitely bullshit.

[nashville_brook]

3. as i was writing on how absurd it would be to RETRACT, they do just that!

i'm on that wavelength too... it's gonna be a long night on the porch. me and the hubby got some bitchin' to do. jeez. i can't believe this.

yes i can.

these people are out of control.

[beam me up scottie]

38. Doesn't it seem a little odd

(at least to thinking people) that Newsweek didn't say WHY they were retracting?
Almost like they had a gun to their head...

Seems like short of revolution, there isn't a damn thing we can do to stop them.

[Cha]

39. "We Retract."

[beam me up scottie]

41. LOL!

Exactly!

[FinallyStartingToWin]

2. Actually I don't think it's that puzzling at all....

The story turned into a huge global clusterfuck. It was a huge blow to commander cuckoo bananas and his legions, so they had to force newsweek to take it back. I don't think anyone, newsweek included, had any idea the story would be as much as a clusterfuck as it was.

And let's be real, Commander Cuckoo Bananas also could use this to further discredit media so that all the recent and future stories starting to break will be questioned by the ignorant public as well.

....But fear not my comrades, we will NOT LET THEM WIN. We are starting to educate the commoners, slowly but surely.

[nashville_brook]

4. this is so transparent -- i hope you are right

sleepers awaken -- wakey wakey.

MEDIA BLAST! get this out there. lets let the rest of the media know we call bullshit!

[AP]

5. It's interesting that flushing the Koran down the toilet isn't the problem

The problem is that people found out about it.

If this government spent half the time behaving like human beings that they spend keeping the press from reporting on how they behave...

[DesEtoiles]

6. fuck Bush

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. I do think there is a concerted effort to discredit the media.

It makes it a hell of a lot easier to do whatever the hell you want if no one will believe it when it becomes public. Shame on the media for taking it. Wouldn't have expected more though.

[Donailin]

18. effort?

they have been effectively doing this since Bush took office. Their position has always been that the media does not represent the inquiry of the people. They have effectively labeled the media liberal so that it's intregity is forever in question. It's all part of the plan to get away with whatever they do. Delegitimize the media so that they can get away with murder and highway robbery.

But it won't last forever, you can't fool all the people all the time.

[Pacifist Patriot]

19. effort in the connotation that it is on-going.

[Just Me]

17. There have been far more horrific stories about torture,....

,...and I believe the accusation that the protests were triggered by one squib in one magazine is complete and utter bullshit intended to distract from the real facts surrounding the deaths of civilian protestors.

[nashville_brook]

23. amen -- this is WEAK!

[beam me up scottie]

7. RIP journalism, truth and sanity

if you doubt it, look at the polls showing most sheeple believe nw is responsible for the deaths in the me. not the evil empire, but a mag.

[nashville_brook]

10. magazines don't kill people, governments do

[Beetwasher]

8. Why Do They Care?? It's Obvious, This Is A Deliberate Attack on the Press

By Bushco. They will say "Well, we really didn't want to CENSOR the press, but this recent spate of irresponsible reporting FORCES us to crackdown."

[Generator]

13. And where is the fucking outrage from the rest of the press

Have they merely aquiesed to the fact that they are paid mouthpieces for the administration? Do NONE of them care that they are irrelevant?

It's like being a doctor and not being able to treat the sick. If you are a reporter and can't report what's really happening-then the only point is the PAYCHECK. As I said in another thread, it's not like their lives are being threatened. (some tinfoiler will say that's next-but fine-LET one of them be a martyr for truth-we can put him on a stamp as the man/woman that saved America)

[nashville_brook]

24. and if you're a journalist who still believes in your trade

you would standfast right there!

there's a place where we have to say enough's enough!

i guess that's why i'm unemployed.

[Just Me]

33. Eventually, only those with integrity will be left standing.

I firmly believe that a,...I don't know how to describe it, this period we are living in, as anything other than a growing awareness or conscientiousness of humanity being led down a path that fails our race,...the human race.

We are in difficult times, my friend. I acknowledge the integrity and courage it takes to be in your position. I believe the fact that you are taking a stand makes a greater difference in our future than either of us can imagine.

Hang in there! :hug:

[ReadTomPaine]

31. "Reporters" for the MSM are now essentially corporate lawyers.

They are given a position to defend and paid/judged based on their ability to promote it and deflect or eliminate criticism.

The only outrage you'll hear from the press is when they are pulled, screaming and red faced, from the teat on which they have grown obese.

RTP

[laura888]

36. AGREED! Surely journalists don't go into the profession for job security

Ya wanna make a difference, guys/gals?

Now's your friggin' chance!

[Just Me]

43. Do CM journalists hold their own interests above the rest of us?

Are they willing to oppose corporafascists on behalf of their moral duties to their profession and their people?

Are they not only unwilling to sacrifice their "success" but also willing to risk being cast into poverty in order to LIVE as honest, integral, honorable and morally principled citizens who will take a stand for the values of "freedom", "equality", "justice", and TRUTH?

Are they examples of the sacrifice necessary to maintain the experiment called "democracy"?

Are they willing to STOP BEING WILLINGLY BLIND long enough to take a damned hard look at what part they are playing in what is happening,...what did happen on 9/11?

I rarely give up on people (except the obvious, hopelessly self-involved and shallow ones),...although I do get royally frustrated and disgusted and angry.

[understandinglife]

9. Major BU$H error. Forcing Newsweek to retract is going to expand ...

.... and intensify the anti-American anger in the Muslim world.


Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[nashville_brook]

11. yeah, the diplomatic thing to do would be to INVESTIGATE, take it

seriously. if i were an Iraqi or an Afghan hoping for a free country, I would be sadly disappointed today. this would enrage me further.

it makes ZERO sense. it's not rational. it's a bizarre, knee-jerk reaction.

[understandinglife]

15. Yes, yes, yes, yes, and it is also a major strategic opportunity for US ..

.... if we use it to do the following:

1. Demonstrate, using every possible venue, to the entire Muslim world that Americans will not tolerate torture of any form, including desecrating a prisoner's religion; and,

2. Become unrelenting in calling for BU$H to start answering questions about HIS torture policies, in his illegal war, and remain unrelenting in demanding answers from HIM and no one else in his administration.

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[Donailin]

20. preaching to the choir

everyone who visits places like this on the web are the main players in the activism scene. It's those folks who don't do anything on the computer but shop and play poker or the folks who don't even use the computer -- there are a LOT of these people who are going to have to get pissed enough to care and start informing themselves better.

It can't just be us.

[understandinglife]

45. "It can't just be us." Correct. And, it's not.

Keith Olbermann: "How do you proceed given Republicans control both houses of congress, you can't hold hearings...."

Congresswoman Slaughter: "Oh yes we can, even if we have to hold them on the lawn of the Capitol."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3668481#3668651

Yes, we have a long way to go, but some folk are determined to get the message to those who play poker, to those who don't have computers (though, many of those folk already know Bu$h sucks).

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[nashville_brook]

25. yep -- if we haven't already done so... to our blogs, dear scribblers

"we're here"

bush doesn't represent US. this isn't OUR way.

[Walt Starr]

14. That's what they want

Gives the perfect excuse to implement conscription.

[Donailin]

26. that would actually be the best thing that could happen

the only way this country is going to wake up and smell the coffee is when it's affects the lives of EVERYONE they know. This country does not FEEL at war. A foreigner coming here to visit does not notice that America is at war in two countries, there is no evidence in any given hometown USA that people are fighting and dying. In WW2, everyone knew it and was a part of the effort, the same with Viet Nam. The American culture refelcted it. Our culture now reflects self absorbtion and continued indulgence mixed with complacency and apathy. Summer is coming. . vacation plans and the price of gas are our major complaints. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

[Just Me]

34. I think they are more complex manipulators than that, Walt.

They look way ahead in terms of manipulating history. I'm not saying your guesstimate at what they seek to accomplish is incorrect,...but rather, the scapegoating is the trigger of events leading to more complicated strategies.

For example, it is possible that the the neoCONs are anticipating increased anti-Americanism (and dissent within their own nation) and seek to advantage themselves of it by planting a "trigger" (Newsweek article) which leads to growing Muslim anger around the globe, ultimately resulting in the next major terrorist act on US soil. Meanwhile, the neoCONs can simultaneously distract from their own hand in creating the environment, oppress anyone who reveals facts, perpetuate the right-wing bullshit MYTH that the media is possessed with a liberal bias; and provide cover for the next terrorist attack used to justify conscription, further invasion and the incitement of the "final conflict" by the last empire.

Criminal minds work on multiple manipulative levels.

[understandinglife]

49. Correct. They seek perpetual war. All aspects of the torture meme ...

... is primarily to incite attacks.

Non-violent application of the law and of any mechanism to withhold financial support for Bu$h and his neoconster war criminal buddies is our only hope of stopping the escalation of carnage and destruction of civilization.

All focus belongs on BU$H because he is the root evil.

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[gollygee]

16. We saw this on the news last night

and my husband and I both said, "Someone's leaning on them pretty hard." We have no free press in this country. We have become what we used to make fun of behind the iron curtain in that regard.

[Vinca]

21. It's only a matter of time before they confirm

they not only flushed it, they wiped with it first. I'll put money on that bet.

[understandinglife]

22. Email to Newsweek: "your cover-up, roll-over on behalf of BU$H ...

.... is going to fail."

The desecration of the Qur'an has been documented by others.

The already outraged Muslim world will now view Newsweek, correctly, as a propaganda tool of the war criminal BU$H and his neoconster regime.

Nice job, NOT.
xxxxx


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[fooj]

27. Truth is our most powerful weapon...

These thugs lie and deceive every chance that they get. They have NO CREDIBILITY...that's why the Muslim world believes this to be true. Has this administration taken RESPONSIBILITY for ANYTHING since they've been in power? Oh that's right...spreading peace and freedom in the Middle East! :spray:

peace.

[Hubert Flottz]

28. The Idiots have stirred up more of a circus trying to shut this up...

than the story probably would have caused to begin with! We need a congressional hearing on this newest form of torture and maybe even an independent counsel! This prisoner abuse thing IS BACK in another form! Hot seat time for Rumbo Inc. and the private Intel contractors(GESTAPO)again!

How do we expect people in other countries to believe that this is just a Newsweek blunder and not a REAL STORY, if we here in the US don't believe it! The damage is done! Bushco comes off looking like the GESTAPO AGAIN! MORANS!

[rodeodance]

40. bet the msm DROPS this story now that newsweek retracted. The WH

got what they wanted. story is dead now (oh maybe a story here and there)

[noamnety]

29. Oh Thank God

That whole charade of a free press was getting tiresome.

[Hubert Flottz]

30. NEWSWEAK!

NOW That's more like it!

[Just Me]

37. WHAT FREE PRESS!!!! THERE IS NO FREE PRESS!!!!

Is that the charade you're referring to?

:shrug:

In Bushco world, a world of bribes and threats and lies and betrayal and fear fear fear fear fear of being scorned into poverty,...THERE IS NO ROOM OR SPACE FOR FREEDOM. None. Zip. Zilch.

In Bushco world, only the rich and powerful are free,....free to oppress the rest of us.

[bpilgrim]

46. look at this protest poster ---------------------> IMAGE

http://images.globalfreepress.com

peace

[tavalon]

48. LOL

but painfully, so painfully. It's hard to have rubbed in our collective faces day after day just how much we don't have exactly that.

[Tinoire]

32. Excellent rant. The Reich Ministry of Propaganda runs things now. n/t

[cyberpj]

35. Here are Newsweek emails if you desire to let them know your feelings:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[RetroLounge]

42. Thanks for the emails. My letter:

Thank you for your retraction on the Qur'an story. You erased any doubts I had about you.

You went from being doubted as a real news source to proving you are Karl Rove's Bitch.

Fools...

xxxxx

RL

[cyberpj]

50. Sent mine earlier -

Before the retraction. Yours is the short but sweet version I think.


Date: Mon, 16 May 2005 11:11:23
To: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
From: cyberpj email here
Subject: Stop apologizing for telling the truth!
Cc: [e-mail]

Yes, the information may have informed the rioters but Newsweek is NOT THE FIRST to report it!

"Detainees also complained about the interference with their ability to pray and the lack of respect given to their religion. For example, the British detainees state that they were never given prayer mats and initially were not provided Korans. They also complained that when the Korans were provided, the guards “would kick the Koran, throw it into the toilet and generally disrespect it.”

http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/usa/gitmo1004/3.htm#_ft...

Your apology will not be believed by the rioters and served only two purposes - first, that the Bush administration can now point to yet another media "blunder" causing them trouble and second, showing intelligent citizens just how much power US government continues to hold over our "free press" (pardon me while I laugh)!

You should either reveal your source or refuse to apologize, then work with other media outlets to put an end to this information suppression that is hurting the U.S. and the world! Americans are living behind our own Iron Curtain and it's happening not only with your permission but with your assistance.

In sadness and anger,
signed with my name, address and phone number

[oxbow]

44. I'll take odds on a Congressional Investigation of Newsweak being next

Goddamn but these people are pusses

My letter to various media:

Hello. I just wanted to say that the Newsweek report on guards desecrating the Quran was not based on one anonymous source alone. Former detainees, The BBC, The Washington Post, The Center for Constitution Rights and many other sources have verified that just the kind of abuse that Newsweek reported on did in fact happen multiple times. They reported on this years before the Newsweek story ever broke. Given this history, I think it's very hypocritical of the free press to take part in this scapegoating of Newsweek. You have a duty to stand up for facts and cut through the hype to the truth of the matter. Instead, many in the media are complicit in cannibalizing one of their own in order to avoid the wrath of the far right-wing. Our free press was once the envy of the world. Please consider returning to those roots once again, because I fear the neutered beast that this new media machine has become.

Sincerely,
Milad Meamarian

P.S. I found this piece to be helpful in sorting out fact from fiction in this debate:
http://rawstory.com/exclusives/newsweek_koran_report_516.htm

[preciousdove]

47. Printing and retracting all part of the plan

In November 2000 the editor of Newsweek Zuckerman got out of his limo in front of a hotel in Manhattan, made a cell phone call in view of e hundreds of terribly ill patients, in wheel chairs or hooked up to IVS were protesting an award a Drug Company lackey researcher was getting and made it all disappear from every one of the 20 news outlets that were there covering it.

This was all set up far in advance, the story and the take down. DO NOT subscribe to Newsweek. This is a setup, perhaps even the advice to subscribe.

[jwirr]

51. So they apologize, they retract, does anyone

really think that the Muslims are going to believe this after the fact turn about? The Muslim people across the world are going to think that would be exactly what the bushies and right wing religious followers would do. And they have reason to think that. Sorry bushie my dad said it is too late to close the barn door after the horse is out.

[Ksec]

52. Does truth mean anything to these people anymore?

Its bad enough that you have major newsmags being bullied into changing a legit story , but when they fix a truth, its beyond me.