Beauchamp Recants

Weekly Standard ^ | August 6, 2007 | Michael Goldfarb

[West Coast Conservative]

THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned from a military source close to the investigation that Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchamp--author of the much-disputed "Shock Troops" article in the New Republic's July 23 issue as well as two previous "Baghdad Diarist" columns--signed a sworn statement admitting that all three articles he published in the New Republic were exaggerations and falsehoods--fabrications containing only "a smidgen of truth," in the words of our source.

Separately, we received this statement from Major Steven F. Lamb, the deputy Public Affairs Officer for Multi National Division-Baghdad:

An investigation has been completed and the allegations made by PVT Beauchamp were found to be false. His platoon and company were interviewed and no one could substantiate the claims.

According to the military source, Beauchamp's recantation was volunteered on the first day of the military's investigation. So as Beauchamp was in Iraq signing an affidavit denying the truth of his stories, the New Republic was publishing a statement from him on its website on July 26, in which Beauchamp said, "I'm willing to stand by the entirety of my articles for the New Republic using my real name."

The magazine's editors admitted on August 2 that one of the anecdotes Beauchamp stood by in its entirety--meant to illustrate the "morally and emotionally distorting effects of war"--took place (if at all) in Kuwait, before his tour of duty in Iraq began, and not, as he had claimed, in his mess hall in Iraq. That event was the public humiliation by Beauchamp and a comrade of a woman whose face had been "melted" by an IED.

Nothing public has been heard from Beauchamp since his statement standing by his stories, which was posted on the New Republic website at 6:30 a.m. on July 26. In their August 2 statement, the New Republic's editors complained that the military investigation was "short-circuiting" TNR's own fact-checking efforts. "Beauchamp," they said, "had his cell-phone and computer taken away and is currently unable to speak to even his family. His fellow soldiers no longer feel comfortable communicating with reporters. If further substantive information comes to light, TNR will, of course, share it with you."

Now that the military investigation has concluded, the great unanswered question in the affair is this: Did Scott Thomas Beauchamp lie under oath to U.S. Army investigators, or did he lie to his editors at the New Republic? Beauchamp has recanted under oath. Does the New Republic still stand by his stories?

[2ndDivisionVet]

I had forgotten “Branded” with Chuck Connors. Here’s a song we used to sing, based on the theme song:

Stranded, stranded on a toilet bowl, what do you do when you’re stranded without any roll? To prove you’re a man, you must wipe it with your hand! Stranded!

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Go to your room. ;)

[Checkers]

Your picture reminded me of this Conrad (Comrade) cartoon:

[MEG33]

Indeed..LOL!

[mkjessup]

"....Paging Colonel Nathan Jessup!!!"

Hey, I resemble that remark! ;)

[mkjessup]

Beauchamp needs a CODE RED!

But he'll probably get the seal of approval from CODE PINK.

[Recovering_Democrat]

LEFTIST=LIAR

A simple formula, easy to keep in mind. Apply to Hitlery, B. Hussein Obama, et al.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

to quote Bill Quick "The biggest mystery to me is why the mainstream media has any credibility left at all. Maybe its users aren’t looking for credibilty any more. Just reinforcement. Perhaps the MSM has become a cult, supported on faith alone, little more than the latest incarnation of the Holy Church of the True Believer.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

Eason Jordan

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Geeze, he’s gonna get bust all the way down from PTV-2 to junior senator from Massachusetts.

[PogySailor]

Why I’m shocked! Just shocked that TNR bought what he was selling hook, line and sinker.

Feh....

[MEG33]

"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!"
Sir Walter Scott

[OKIEDOC]

Apologies accepted from those who flamed me for not believing that Beauchamp was a stand up soldier for accepting blame with his self outing in the Skew Republic magazine.

I said back then he was a scumbag and will say it again.

Nothing this guy did was short of treasonous.

As with a majority of liberals, lying is a part of their mental makeup.

Just as Muslims have no qualms lying to naivete infidels, neither do liberals and the MSM have any problems skewing the news to Americas citizens.

I still say this guy broke military rules and deserves a long vacation in the Six Bar Motel located at Fort Leavenworth.

[Enchante]

"When this thing blows, there isn’t going to be a magazine anymore"

Gee, we can only hope!! Unfortunately, liberals seem to have an unlimited supply of "Get out of jail free!" cards from fellow 'rats........ this will blow over quickly b/c the MSM cannot afford to highlight any more scandals of journalistic deception and incompetence. Anyway, look at how Dan Blather and Mary Mapes were pretty well rehabilitated in no time, so that both are regularly treted with respect and still able to publish, etc. TNR will try to quietly backpeddle after their vacation and given that it's August it will be even easier for the rest of the MSM to let it slide. Only some conservative bloggers will care after this week, mark my words. BUT, in a sane world, TNR would get the kind of public grilling and execution that any conservative publication would get if caught in such a major fraud. The double standards continue......

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

No Problem. The best scene was when Stephen Glass killed his editor with his lightsaber.

[Marine_Uncle]

There has to be some way to keep this clown in some real bad duty for his remaining time in the army. Better yet, try him for aiding the enemy, and then hang him.

[Shqipo]

Those engaged in Anonymous Sedition must be exposed and face charges of treason.

[prairiebreeze]

bump

[Jonah Hex]

Anybody proficient on Wikipedia? I’m not a Wiki-phile, but I noticed the “Scott Thomas Beauchamp Controversy” article still shows him as fake but accurate...

[bray]

His articles were no different than the rest of TNR’s anonymous sourced material.

The only reason he was exposed is that the internet found out who he was and pointed out his lies. The New Press revealed more lies from the Stone Age Press.

Pray for W and Our Troops