"...most beloved," by dictators everywhere.
From over on Lucianne.com --
An Email From Mitch Potter.. just received
Sir,
Your site is defaming me, although you can't be expected to know that.
I wrote the Jimmy Carter interview currently on your home page.
Please let the record show that:
I wrote:
"At 81, clear eyed and calm, the former U.S. president who yesterday sanctified the process as head of the 950-strong international observer mission took the earthquake in stride."
But my newspaper published:
"At 81, clear-eyed and calm, America's most beloved ex-president — who yesterday sanctified the Palestinian election as head of the 950-strong international observer mission — took the earthquake in stride."
I did not, repeat not, use the word "beloved" in my original file. Carter was a one-term president, after all, and America's overall disinterest in his continuing work is obvious. The reference was added by an editor in Toronto without my knowledge. And a thorough thrashing has ensued.
Please, everyone, redirect your rage and ridicule. If you must resort to personal insults, base it on something I actually said.
Er ... that's all.
Mitch Potter
Middle East Bureau Chief
Toronto Star of Canada
001 416 367 2000
mpotter@thestar.ca