Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Sudden Taste for Openness
NY Times ^ | May 18, 2005 | Meathead Editorial

Posted on 05/17/2005 11:09:35 PM PDT by neverdem

Newsweek is under intense criticism for a report it has now retracted about the American prison in Guantánamo Bay. Since we've weathered a journalistic storm or two, we can only say the best approach is transparency as Newsweek fixes whatever is broken, if anything. There is already a debate about journalistic practices, including the use of anonymous sources, and these things are worth discussing - especially at a time of war, national insecurity and extreme government secrecy, a time when aggressive news reporting is critical. But it is offensive to see the Bush administration use this case for political purposes, and ludicrous for spokesmen for this White House and Defense Department to offer pious declarations about accountability, openness and concern for America's image abroad.

It took Newsweek about two weeks to retract its report. It has been a year since the very real problem behind the article - the systematic abuse and deliberate humiliation of mainly Muslim prisoners - came to light through the Abu Ghraib disaster. And the Bush administration has not come close to either openness or accountability. The White House and the Pentagon have refused to begin any serious examination of the policymaking that led to the abuse, humiliation, torture and even killing of prisoners taken during antiterrorist operations and the invasion of Iraq. Meanwhile, the administration has stonewalled outside efforts to accomplish that task. No senior officer or civilian official has been held accountable for policies that put every American soldier at greater risk. The men who wrote the memos on legalized torture and evading the Geneva Conventions have been promoted.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Cuba; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: abughraib; defensedepartment; guantanamobay; newsweek
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-33 last
To: martin_fierro

Oh my sides! Newsweek has joined the NY Times and CBS in the journalism hall of shame, publishing a steaming, stinking pile of lies - and even costing many people their lives in the process - and the Times' response is to criticize Bush. It's truly bizarro world.


21 posted on 05/18/2005 4:56:43 AM PDT by mountaineer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Lord Nelson

The leftists have no logic. If they did, they would realize that they run the media for one thing. Secondly, they know absolutely nothing about the Muslim extremists. If they did, they would realize what agenda they are following, and be as horrified as the rest of us.


22 posted on 05/18/2005 5:06:15 AM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
The idea that the New York Times has any moral credibility to harangue others on journalistic practices, use of anonymous sources, editorial openness and accountability, systematic abuses of responsibilities or proper concern for America's image is absurd.

The Times has consistently, if not obsessively, omitted factual details not supportive of its ideological (read, left-wing nut) positions.

Perhaps, on these issues, the Times might try to set an example for all to follow by publishing the minutes of their editorial meetings in order to prove they carry no biases and have stonewalled no outside efforts to make the newspaper more transparent.
23 posted on 05/18/2005 6:08:48 AM PDT by OESY
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro
.....this clown still has a job.....

Top Newsweek execs arrive for board meeting.

24 posted on 05/18/2005 7:06:46 AM PDT by Liz (A society of sheep must, in time, beget a government of wolves. Bertrand de Jouvenal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
The White House and the Pentagon have refused to begin any serious examination of the policymaking that led to the abuse, humiliation, torture and even killing of prisoners taken during antiterrorist operations and the invasion of Iraq.

Once the war is over, there will be plenty of time for that. Save the "thoughtful reflection" for a time when the relatives and allies of the putative victims aren't still shooting at us.

25 posted on 05/18/2005 7:08:51 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("Violence never settles anything." Genghis Khan, 1162-1227)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Goodgirlinred

Yes, they need to take a look at what is going on in Europe where openly gay politicians have been murdered by Moslem fanatics.

I live in a city full of petty little Marxists. I am part of the union ranks where I work and I can tell you that the mentality of socialists is age 15. That was about the only time in my life I would have identified with them. After that I grew up. These socialists engage with their employer from the point of view that they have to wage an ongoing war with management. Somehow they are downtrodden workers tilting with the evil dragons of management. In meetings they have no class, constantly interrupt and basically bitch about everything under the sun. They ask questions that are just plane stupid and often have nothing to do with their jobs. I may not always agree with management but I know how to show every person wih the respect every human deserves.


26 posted on 05/18/2005 3:48:14 PM PDT by Lord Nelson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Lord Nelson

I know what you mean. We lost the largest employer we had in our little town because the union kept striking. The employer tried to be fair. The last time they entered into negotiations, the union threatened to strike if all of their demands were not met. The management told them that the owners would close down the business and sell out if that happened. The union did not believe them. They went on strike anyway. Guess what? The business closed its doors, was shut down, and went on the selling block. All those people lost their jobs.

It has finally, after several years, been purchased by a German company. They have only hired back a skeleton crew, the best of the best. It will be years before they will have enough business to hire as many people as had formerly worked there.


27 posted on 05/18/2005 7:44:36 PM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Goodgirlinred

Kudos to that company. More should do the same. What I object to is closed shop unions. It is highly unconstitutional to force association. Freedom of Association works both ways.


28 posted on 05/18/2005 9:05:49 PM PDT by Lord Nelson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Lord Nelson

Yep. Thank goodness Virginia is a right to work state. :)


29 posted on 05/18/2005 9:12:31 PM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Goodgirlinred

What does that mean exactly?


30 posted on 05/18/2005 9:19:59 PM PDT by Lord Nelson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Lord Nelson

It means you don't have to join a union to work.


31 posted on 05/19/2005 9:17:57 AM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Goodgirlinred
Despite the hordes of liberals that are trying to destroy your republic, America is really an amazing example of what a free society is all about! If only we could have that type of legislation here. Obviously Virginians are intelligent enough to defend the constitution. Here in British Columbia I have a friend that teaches at a private school. Despite the fact she is NOT part of the public system she has to pay dues to the Teacher’s Union – knowing that part of those dues are sent to the pro-abortion cause.
32 posted on 05/19/2005 1:03:44 PM PDT by Lord Nelson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Lord Nelson

That is awful. My daughter is a teacher. She has worked in both public and private schools. She has not had to belong to a union in either one. I don't even think that they have a teachers' union here.


33 posted on 05/19/2005 6:47:01 PM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-33 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson