Posted on 05/17/2005 3:22:34 PM PDT by Brian Mosely
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE MAY 17, 2005 18:02:22 ET XXXXX
REVENGE OF THE PRESS: WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS RIP SPOKESMAN OVER NEWSWEEK MESS
Mainline reporters moved into battle-mode today during a White House press briefing -- as one of their own outlets continued to hemorrhage over a now retracted story!
Afghanistan's government said Tuesday that NEWSWEEK should be held responsible for damages caused by deadly anti-American demonstrations after the magazine alleged U.S. desecration of the Quran.
The White House said the United States' image abroad had suffered irreparable damage by the story.
But it was the press's turn to fight back as Bush spokesman Scott McClellan opened his briefing to questions.
[Joined in progess]
Q With respect, who made you the editor of Newsweek? Do you think it's appropriate for you, at that podium, speaking with the authority of the President of the United States, to tell an American magazine what they should print?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not telling them. I'm saying that we would encourage them to help --
Q You're pressuring them.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm saying that we would encourage them --
Q It's not pressure?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, this report caused serious damage to the image of the United States abroad. And Newsweek has said that they got it wrong. I think Newsweek recognizes the responsibility they have. We appreciate the step that they took by retracting the story. Now we would encourage them to move forward and do all that they can to help repair the damage that has been done by this report. And that's all I'm saying. But, no, you're absolutely right, it's not my position to get into telling people what they can and cannot report....
Q Are you asking them to write a story about how great the American military is; is that what you're saying here?
MR. McCLELLAN: Elisabeth, let me finish my sentence. Our military --
Q You've already said what you're -- I know what -- how it ends.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm coming to your question, and you're not letting me have a chance to respond. But our military goes out of their way to handle the Koran with care and respect. There are policies and practices that are in place. This report was wrong. Newsweek, itself, stated that it was wrong. And so now I think it's incumbent and -- incumbent upon Newsweek to do their part to help repair the damage. And they can do that through ways that they see best, but one way that would be good would be to point out what the policies and practices are in that part of the world, because it's in that region where this report has been exploited and used to cause lasting damage to the image of the United States of America. It has had serious consequences. And so that's all I'm saying, is that we would encourage them to take steps to help repair the damage. And I think that they recognize the importance of doing that. That's all I'm saying.
Q As far as the Newsweek article is concerned, first, how and where the story came from? And do you think somebody can investigate if it really happened at the base, and who told Newsweek? Because somebody wrote a story.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think Newsweek has talked about it. They took it --
Developing...
Gee, Elizabeth. Maybe these questions can be answered by Michael Isikoff. Would you like the phone number to Newsweek?
I can't wait for this questioner to be identified!
I don't know for sure; it was only an educated guess. (I'll be shocked if I'm wrong, though). I'm sure someone will post the full transcript at some point.
Well, let's remember that the WSJ ran one article asking questions about Vince Foster, then all of a sudden he was found dead in Fort Marcy Park. If I recall, the press actually tried to blame itself for Vince's death.
Somehow, I don't think they would do that if anyone in the Bush admin were found dead anywhere, even if suicide were alleged.
The freedom of speech was a right for which much blood was spilt; it did not come easily. What the press desperately needs to remember is that it will be much easier to take it away than it will be to ever get it back. If they keep siding with our enemies, they will not find themselves in favor with the type of dictators that will be in charge--Muslim, perhaps, or Communist--either way, if this country is defeated, as they seem to want, they will find their heads first on the chopping blocks.
If you don't believe me, read some books on history--some as recent as the Taliban's rule of Afghanistan, some a little further back, such as Russia's Communist rule.
Translation:
LEGACY MEDIA LIAR: We know what we're printing. What you say to me doesn't matter. Just stand there and shut up.
You sure it wasn't Howard Dean who said that?
This sarcastic question on top of the well covered assertion that Bush murdered 100,000 Iraqis and 1,600 US Troops has caused me to realize that I am so far estranged from the "elite" in this country as to be myself Anti-American if they are ever back in control. Kill the Bastards. (I believe that they themselves have told me I am within my free speech rights in making such a statement -- or is it only when referring to Bush, Chaney, et. al. that I can make such a statement?).
First they came for the reporters and then the attorneys.
" And do you think somebody can investigate if it really happened at the base, and who told Newsweek?"
Hey sweetheart. You're the freaking reporter.
BTW, second source please.
Just remember, MSM now stands for "Muslim Sympathizing Media." http://yankeered.blog.com
With respect, he'd do a hell of a lot better job.
"Freedom of the press does not extend to screaming lies about American soldiers flushing the Quran down the crapper in a crowded Muslim theatre. Got that straight dipshit?"
McClellan on c-span2 right now(replay)
So the mainstream media can't accept any pressure? What a crock. They've just admitted they don't deserve to exist. Almost makes me wish I had more subscriptions to cancel.
Setup?
this is worse than the "M" for intern story
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
The media is America's Al'Qaeda...the question is; what are the American people going to do about it?
I was just going to look at the WH correspondents who had the name Elizabeth. I'm sure there's only one. And the fact that she's from the NYT clinches it, it's gotta be her.
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