Iraqi Claims U.S. GIs Beat Wounded Man (Zarqawi)

Newsday ^ | June 10, 2006 | PATRICK QUINN

[tlb]

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An Iraqi man who was one of the first people on the scene of the U.S. airstrike targeting Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said he saw American troops beating a man who had a beard like the al-Qaida leader.

The witness, who lives near the house where al-Zarqawi spent his last days, said he saw the man lying on the ground near an irrigation canal. He was badly wounded but still alive, the man told Associated Press Television News.

U.S. troops arriving on the scene wrapped the man's head in an Arab robe and began beating him, said the local man, who refused to give his name or show his face to the camera. His account could not be independently verified.

[lOKKI]

To the News Editors of Newsday -

Dear Sirs –

I am writing regarding your “news article” which claims that claims that al-Zarqawi was beaten by American troops shortly before his death.

Your source is unidentified, and “His recounting of the aftermath of the airstrike could not be independently verified.”


Have you no shame at all?

How can you report something without any verification in a news (sic) article? What possible purpose or benefit is there to publishing a slanderous story that cannot be verified. I’d have no problem if the reporter had advised U.S. military authorities and then published the story if they refused to investigate, but this approach is repugnant.

I am struggling to resist the temptation to explain the problem with such reporting by giving you a reductio ad absurdum example using unverified stories about your mama.

I’d appreciate it if you could send me information regarding Newday’s standards for reporting stories as they regard verification.
If I don’t receive any response, I’ll just have to assume that you have no standards – which, frankly, appears likely.

I understand that Mr. Patrick Quinn is not an employee of your paper; that you just take anything that the AP sends you and stick it in your paper, because you are purveyors of advertising, and that ‘news’ is simply filler between advertisements, but I would hope that as News Editors, that you at least feel some shame at publishing this ‘piece’.

I await your response regarding your reporting standards, if any exist.

[Riley]

However, his computer hard drives and other physical evidence at the safehouse was/will be a treasure trove of data. In fact, some 50 additional raids have already taken place as a direct result of intel gained from the safehouse.

Outstanding! That's progress!

[livius]

It's definitely bogus. And you're exactly right, they are using our good points - that we treat the wounded, for example - against us. Well, with the willing help of our very own media, that is.

[SMM48]

Can a congressional investigation be expected in the near future?

[bnelson44]

I seriously doubt they beat z-Man, but I wouldn't blaim them one bit if they did.

[Jim Noble]

If only it were true.

Instead of "Imagine if they had to have a bake sale to buy a bomber", how about "Imagine our SF troopers pissing on Zarqawi Pay-Per-View".

Works for me.

[JimRed]

I noticed the requisite teddy bear in the rubble. Similar to the teddy bear found in the rubble in Afghanistan a while back.

MSM photogs must carry a sack of them around, along with a few baby dolls, to toss into the carnage before shooting.

[SlowBoat407]

Dear IOKKI,

Thank you for your interest in advertising with NEWSDAY. A sales representative will contact you soon to discuss rates and options.

As you can see, we generate readership not through solid reporting, but by generating controversy. It's much more effective, don't you think?

Sincerely,
The Editors/Marketing Team at Newsday

[AD from SpringBay]

Like that would be a bad thing?

[LachlanMinnesota]

The seriousness of the charge is all that matters...run with it!

[tupac]

Maybe what this guy saw was our troops bandaging and applying first aid to a dying man. That would be more in character of our fine men and women in uniform.

Covering his head in a robe? That could easily have been a field improvised dressing for his wounds.

Witnessed the troops beating the man? That could have been an attempt to save his life (CPR) and checking for other injuries.

[Allegra]

"I hope you don't mind that I've bookmarked this URL and read it like a blog."

Not at all. I hope you won't mind that sometimes I get carried away on the "silly threads" and that page will occasionally read like something out of a looney bin. LOL

[AmericaUnited]

Ok! I am going on the record and stating that I personally saw a Newsweek reporter take this story, at the scene, from the unnamed witness, and then SAVAGELY BEAT THE SOURCE!!!

[AmericaUnited]

Whoops. It was a Newsday reporter.

[Congressman Billybob]

Thin as it is, let's take this story apart. This alleged "witness" who would not give his name, he "lived near where Zaqarwi spent his last days"? Sounds like he had the condo next door at a resort.

We know from REAL sources of news stories, that the participants in these meetings arrived in Suburbans with the windows blacked over. This is not an ordinary event. And if this "witness" didn't observe that, he is lying through his teeth.

And, of course, the reporter and editor are incompetent to go with a story when they have ample grounds to know it is false.

P.S. Interested kn a Freeper in Congress? Keep in touch with me

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Presbyterians Running Loose in America!"

[Dustbunny]

The witness, who lives near the house where al-Zarqawi spent his last days

said the local man, who refused to give his name or show his face to the camera

Another total BS story put out by Newsday, they make me sick.

[listenhillary]

We should do a check list or a tip sheet for the media photographers to make sure they don't miss anything. Or maybe sell a USA media "USA bombing photo pack" that contains;

Teddy bear
small white baby shoe
furry thing that could be a kitten
Puppy collar
PlaySchool toy label

[LibSnubber]

"Someone posted another article about the Arab propensity to lie."

Seems as if the lamestream media's propensity to lie has just about caught up with the muzzies.

[AmericaUnited]

Are there any other Freepers who witnessed the Newsday reporter savagely beating the source, after he gave them the story?

[kanawa]

Yep