Conservative Author Richard Miniter: ‘There’s Zero Factual Basis’ For Key Scene In Path To 9/11
Conservative Author Richard Miniter: ‘There’s Zero Factual Basis’ For Key Scene In Path To 9/11
Today on CNN’s Situation Room, Richard Miniter — conservative author of “Losing bin Laden: How Bill Clinton’s Failures Unleashed Global Terror” — confirmed that scenes in ABC’s Path to 9/11 are based on “Internet myth.”
Miniter singled out a key scene in the film involving former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger as having “zero factual basis”: “If people wanted to be critical of the Clinton years there’s things they could have said, but the idea that someone had bin Laden in his sights in 1998 or any other time and Sandy Berger refused to pull the trigger, there’s zero factual basis for that.” Watch it:
Full transcript below:
BLITZER: Let me ask you about Sandy Berger specifically. Was he defamed by this scene as depicted — none of us, at least I haven’t seen it, you haven’t seen it.
MINITER: I’ve seen the scene. You’ve seen this scene too. This scene is based on an Internet myth. I did extensive reporting into the Clinton years, and as you say, I’m not afraid to take a few shots.
BLITZER: Hold on one second. We’re not hearing you. Start again. Was Sandy Berger defamed in this scene?
MINITER: That’s a legal question. But certainly if I was the producer I wouldn’t have gone with this scene because there’s no factual basis for it. It seems to be drawn from an Internet myth. From a profound misunderstanding of what actually happened. If people wanted to be critical of the Clinton years there’s things they could have said, but the idea that someone had bin Laden in his sights in 1998 or any other time and Sandy Berger refused to pull the trigger, there’s zero factual basis for that.
BLITZER: You’ve heard other 9/11 commission members saying it wasn’t Sandy Berger who pulled the trigger, it was George Tenet the CIA director. Based on what you know, is that accurate?
MINITER: Even that’s not accurate. We just never had eyes on bin Laden in the pre-9/11 situation. The 9/11 commission investigated this. The House and Senate joint committee investigated this and published a 1,000-page report. I looked into it extensively. Most of the sources for my book are Clinton administration officials. There’s just no basis for this at all, none.
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Wow, when even the right-wing pundits come out and call ABC on their lies…
And to dismiss issues about defaming Sandy Berger as a “legal question.” - technically correct, but then to follow it ups iwth “there’s no factual basis for it.”
Gotta keep hittin’ ABC and Disney hard - its just a people trap owned by rats.
September 7th, 2006 at 7:11 pmOK, this is the second conservative writer/pundit to weigh in on the side of reality.
Can this show DIE ALREADY??
How many more will it take? Does Drudge have to come out wearing nothing but a stupid fu*kin’ hat, screaming LIE LIE LIE, in order for this ugly piece of revisionist history to GO AWAY?
….
I feel better now.
September 7th, 2006 at 7:27 pmI don’t know exactly what happened, but it is not “Internet Rumor.” It is as written by Buzz Patterson, Senior Military Aide to Clinton who was with Clinton at the time Berger was trying to making the decision. In fact Berger was calling Clinton, and couldn’t get in touch with him. Clinton apparently refused to take the call, because he was in the middle of an important round of golf.
Now is he telling the truth, I don’t know, but that is a source pretty darned close to the situation. It is not “Internet Rumor”
September 7th, 2006 at 7:44 pmCan this show DIE ALREADY??
Word
September 7th, 2006 at 7:48 pm“…he was in the middle of an important round of golf.” - - Without booze and betting, golf is hiking. But important? Pfffffft.
September 7th, 2006 at 7:48 pmThere are discussions about libel making the rounds…yikes. It seemed like a little lightheartedness might be in order. To view a tongue-in-cheek visual primer on the Bush administration’s “A Guide to the ABC’s For Dummies”…link here:
http://www.thoughttheater.com
September 7th, 2006 at 7:54 pmYou can expect this kind of propaganda from Fox, but ABC? Et Tu?
Maybe we should all email ABC to get them to put farenheit 9-11 on.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:00 pmAs disgusting as this whole mess is there’s been equally disgusting stuff on tv “news” the past couple weeks.
Today CNN, MSNBC CBS, NBC and CBS are running ad nauseum this never seen before Bin Ladin video. Isn’t it convenient that the video appeared just now.
All day long the networks are running terror filled stories that I’m sure are fresh from the desk of Karl Rove.
Tomorrow they’ll have another story to scare us. And the next day another one. Until the election.
And its all Bullsh*t.
Yes, Path to 9/11 is GOP Propaganda. But they’re running GOP Propaganda all day long. Don’t just focus your efforts on this one film. Save some energy and complain about the out of control Karl Rove ordered fear mongering happening on all the newschannels!
September 7th, 2006 at 8:00 pmOk, John,
Where do you get your facts?
Where did you read this alleged quote?
Give us a link or some other facts to back up your claim, so that we may all research it.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:03 pmHow incredibly offensive to all the victims of 9/11 this rewriting of history must be.
All concerned should be ashamed of themselves.
There’s a new round of 9/11 conspiracies, and they’ve got the full backing of the right-wing pundits and the GOP.
There’s a name for these kind of people : 9/11 Revisionists.
And congrats to the Think Progress, Prison Planet, Raw Story and all the other sites who hammered these lies until ABC was forced to make the changes.
The power of the internet as a force for truth-telling revealed once again.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:12 pmLarry,
It’s just not going to work this time.
People are onto the “boogey man” scam.
It’s not flying this year.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:14 pmWe need this victory, to show the population at large that WE are the party!
John has no links, has no facts, is just repeating the same bullsh!t that is causing ABC and Disney trouble right now. In fact, I would bet that John doesn’t post again and is just a hit and run troll who is just repeating the lies he heard Limbaugh and Hannity spewing today. Good job John, way to think for yourself. It is very regressive of you.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:16 pmSaw this when it aired. Luved it.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:18 pmOkay… I got confused on the golf part… any way, it is from his book. You can read excerpts here:
http://www.usnews.com/ usnews/ politics/ whispers/ documents/ excerpts.pdf
As I said, he may not be telling the truth, but it ain’t Internet Myth. It is the writings of the guy who carried “the football” for Clinton.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:18 pmI love how this just keeps on growing. When even conservative authors are speaking out against it, then you know you’ve done something wrong.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:18 pmAmerica’s Least Wanted
Well, this wasn’t exactly what he was saying on Scarecrow, but at least he’s got the guts to admit that the dreku-drama is a far cry from truth about 9/11.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:20 pmHey John… you mean THIS Buzz Patterson? http://www.buzzpatterson.com/
Yeah, he looks to be a real credible source. No agenda or ANYTHING! (snark)
September 7th, 2006 at 8:25 pmI appreciate our passion aboiut this but all the major blogs are virtually consumed by this story. There are other things going on in the world, you know. This TV mockumentary story does not involve actual life and death.
“Bush’s speeches are rhetorical reacharounds that are designed solely to jerk you off to divert any suspicion that you’re being taken on a Benzedrine-soaked, piston-pounding, Neal Cassady stolen car joy ride up the Hershey Highway.
And as you’re spitting out another mouthful of your memory foam pillow with grim enjoyment, think of every adroit thrust that you’re getting from these Republican ass weasels…†- My Other Deus ex Machina is a Cadillac.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:29 pmMy blog has links to advertiser sites: http://seminoledemocrats.blogspot.com
We have to keep the pressure on. Several have pulled out!
September 7th, 2006 at 8:29 pmI appreciate our passion about this but all the major blogs are virtually consumed by this story. There are other things going on in the world, you know. This TV mockumentary story does not involve actual life and death.
“Bush’s speeches are rhetorical reacharounds that are designed solely to jerk you off to divert any suspicion that you’re being taken on a Benzedrine-soaked, piston-pounding, Neal Cassady stolen car joy ride up the Hershey Highway.
And as you’re spitting out another mouthful of your memory foam pillow with grim enjoyment, think of every adroit thrust that you’re getting from these Republican ass weasels…†- My Other Deus ex Machina is a Cadillac.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:30 pmI appreciate our passion about this but virtually all the major blogs are completelyly consumed by this story. There are other things going on in the world, you know. This TV mockumentary story does not involve actual life and death.
“Bush’s speeches are rhetorical reacharounds that are designed solely to jerk you off to divert any suspicion that you’re being taken on a Benzedrine-soaked, piston-pounding, Neal Cassady stolen car joy ride up the Hershey Highway.
And as you’re spitting out another mouthful of your memory foam pillow with grim enjoyment, think of every adroit thrust that you’re getting from these Republican ass weasels…†- My Other Deus ex Machina is a Cadillac.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:31 pmThe fact is that he was up close and personal with Clinton for a long time. as his military aide. He wasn’t a “pundit” at the time. I think the question should be, why did he turn into such an Anti-Clinton figure? Hmmm… it might have something to do with the fact that he spend so much time with him and realized the kind of guy he was.
Or he could just be a huge jerk. Who knows… I’m just showing you that it isn’t an Internet Myth
September 7th, 2006 at 8:32 pmOf course the Sandy Berger scene isn’t true, it’s lifted from a Tom Clancy book.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:32 pmOh, crap. Sorry for the multiple postings. The comment software’s acting kinda squirrely tonight and not posting comments immediately. Again, my deepest apologies. I’m not intending to spam anyone.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:33 pm14. Well, that’s an interesting excerpt…but he doesn’t actually claim that he was involved in the specific incident. Indeed, it reads like he’s recounting a story he’s heard, rather than witnessed.
For instance, if he carried the football, wouldn’t he be with Clinton? The story he recounts reads as if he’s in the “Sit Room”.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:36 pmMedia Matters would like to weigh-in on good ol’ Buzz too.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200407210003
Lie to me once and you’re a liar. Sorry, that’s just the way it works.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:38 pmDear TP posters……
OK, yes I think we can all (minus a few trolls) agree that this documdrama is a blatant polically motivated bull.
Can now we go on to some more pressing issues?
September 7th, 2006 at 8:40 pmAccording to a link on Raw Story, the Democratic Leadership Council just wrote a letter to Disney. It’s really quite good,full of anger, and pretty intimidating.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:42 pmThe more I read about this story, the more troubled I become. Why would a major American Corporation spend $40M of its own money to produce a show to be aired commercial free with such glaring discrepancies of fact? Funny thing is, this American Corporation didn’t spend their own money, someone else is footing the bill. The key question is WHO is paying for this propaganda to be shown? WHO is trying to rewrite history? Follow the money.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:47 pmOkay, it is a book myth, you win.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:49 pmHey Larry, Jurassicpork and Eargy:
The reason this is so important right now is that they are trying to push this into our schools as fact rather than the fiction that it is.
If they are allowed to propagandize our children, it’s all over for this democracy. The Kristian Nationalists will have completely taken over.
There is nothing more important now than assuring the education of America’s young. They must be taught to look at the facts and not rely on what they’re being told.
This is an attempt to poison the minds of the next generation and that cannot stand!
September 7th, 2006 at 8:53 pmjohn,
your post exemplifies why this episode is appropriately called “an internet myth”. first you erroneously associate the event with clinton playing an “important” golf game, only to belatedly correct yourself later.
i have now read at least FIVE different versions of this same event on the web.
this, my friend, is exactly what makes it an internet myth.
and jurassicpork, i have to agree with you. i have a feeling this — whether it succeeds or not — could serve to help enraged conservatives get out the vote in november. the only thing that helps democrats is the fact that there are some honorable conservatives that are willing to stand up and say, no, in fact, this is not true.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:54 pmI believe Dubya was in office on September 11, 2001. I may be wrong but I think Clinton had left office almost nine months prior to the attack and I believe I remember Richard Clarke saying that the new administration was more concerned about invading Iraq or maybe it was Paul O’Neill…or maybe both. Dubya was at the wheel when this happened and to try to lay blame on the previous administration only shows how incompetent this bunch is…one more example.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:54 pmJudd Legum is on MSNBC at this moment, with Scarborough.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:55 pmvia crooksandliars, again:
September 7th, 2006 at 8:58 pmTell Walt Disney president Robert Iger that you hold his company responsible — and that this community demands that ABC tell the truth.
http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/pathto911/
Judd Legum is on MSNBC at this moment
is he talking about 9/11 conspiracy theories?
September 7th, 2006 at 9:00 pmTruth tellers are literally coming out of the woodwork now. This single faux pas of ABC/Disney has done more to fire up the american people than any democratic campaign could possibly do in this short a time. If I had even a shadow of a doubt before about how the mid-terms would go, I certainly do not now. Bush did say he was a “uniter” - little did he know the veracity of that statement as it would come to pass. Yes, american is becoming united thanks to this mockumentary.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:00 pmTraitors, cowards, Bin Laden lovers, appeasers, retreaters, defeaters…Is there any smear I have left out.
-Osama Bin Rove Talking Points
September 7th, 2006 at 9:01 pmWE WILL NOT BE SWIFTBOATED AGAIN!
RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE LYING OF THE RIGHT!
September 7th, 2006 at 9:01 pmThis is more political bs from the GOP. Bush, Cheney and Rove are terrified that they could lose control of Congress. They have good reason to be worried after what they have done to this country.
This goof-ball Miniter (sp) was on with Joe Scabo on MSNBC on Tuesday night along with Roger Cressey. Cressey shot him down and laid him out in spades. Considering that Cressey is a former NSC person and has a contract with NBC on terrorism issues who are you going to believe? My money is on Cressey.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:05 pmtesting testing
September 7th, 2006 at 9:07 pmMarie, Thanks beyond I just caught the show. I owe you a beer at the Berghoff!
September 7th, 2006 at 9:09 pmI know quite a few Republicans and this ‘rage’ built on internet myth is not gonna happen, as you see many Christians value truth and only a small handful are these ‘nationalists’ as mentioned above. There are other people besides this agent, below whos testimony was basically ignored.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:11 pmThe net-root ‘nationalists’ are a different breed of ‘christian’ and are quite extremist, and racist and they hate the government Such as Tim Mcveigh and the Elohim group that operated out of Oklahoma
==
Dick Stoltz, Retired Special Agent; ATF- Mr. Stoltz, a veteran undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, had played an important role in Operation Diamondback between 1998 and 2001. The sting operation involved a group of Middle Eastern men living in New Jersey who were caught on tape in an ATF weapons sting conspiring to buy millions of dollars of weapons including components for nuclear bombs. The case came to a screeching halt with the arrest of only a handful of suspects in June of 2001 even though there was ample evidence that some of the people who were attempting to buy these weapons had connections with the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden himself. The 9/11 Commission refused to contact Agent Stoltz despite all attempts made by several witnesses from the intelligence & Law Enforcement Communities, and the 9/11 Family group, Jersey Moms.
==
Buzz Patterson, looks like whoring his own books and playing patty cakes with Marxist turned fascist, David Horowitz is on his agenda now.
-GSD
September 7th, 2006 at 9:11 pmFahrenheit Path To 9/11
Where was the Clinton administration outrage when Fahrenheit 9/11 was released - which was eventually ripped to shreds. Let Fahrenheit Path To 9/11 stand on its own. And by the way - where are all those documents that Sandy Berger stuffed down his shorts?
September 7th, 2006 at 9:13 pm*note that the case came to a halt in 2001 and not when Clinton was in office
September 7th, 2006 at 9:14 pm==
“The case came to a screeching halt with the arrest of only a handful of suspects in June of *2001 even though there was ample evidence that some of the people who were attempting to buy these weapons had connections with the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden himself.”
Kasinca,
Rightwing logic 101.
Bill Clinton was responsible for the first WTC bombings one month into his term in 1993.
Bill Clinton was responsible for the 9/11 attacks 9 months after he left office too.
Get it straight.
-GSD
September 7th, 2006 at 9:14 pmOooohh! A bigger list from FDL!
(and you know what they say!… ;)
Robert Iger - CEO - robert.a.iger@disney.com
Rich Ross - President of Disney Channel Worldwide - rich.ross@disney.com
Sean Cocchia - VP/Business Development, Disney Channel Worldwide- sean.cocchia@disney.com
Gary Marsh - Disney Channel Worldwide President of Entertainment - gary.marsh@disney.com
Sarah Shelton - Assistant to Gary Marshsarah - shelton@disney.com
Scott Garner - SVP/Programming, Disney Channel - scott.garner@disney.com
Karen Myer - Assistant to Scott Garner - karen.myer@disney.com
Meredith Metz - Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs, Walt Disney Television Animation - meredith.metz@disney.com
Lisa Salamone - The Head of Animation Production, Disney Channel - lisa.salamone@disney.com
Joanna Spak - The Head of Finance, Planning, etc., Disney Channel - joanna.spak@disney.com
Mark Kenchelian - The Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Disney Channel -mark.kenchelian@disney.com
Jewell Engstrom - CFO and Executive VP for Disney-ABC Cable Group - jewell.engstrom@disney.com
Olivia Stafford - Assistant to Jewell Engstrom - olivia.stafford@disney.com
Albert Cheng - EVP/Digital Media, Disney-ABC Television Group - albert.cheng@disney.com
Karen Hobson - Digital Media Communications Office, Disney-ABC Television Group - karen.hobson@disney.com
George Bodenheimer - Co-Chairman Media Networks Group - george.bodenheimer@disney.com
Nicole Nichols - Senior VP of Entertainment Communications, Disney-ABC Television Group - nicole.nichols@disney.com
Aime Wolfe - Assistant to Nicole Nichols - aime.wolfe@disney.com
Patti McTeague - VP of Kids Communications - patti.mcteague@disney.com
Siobhan Kenny - Acting Head of International Communications - siobhan.kenny@disney.com
Paul Lee - ABC Family Channel - paul.lee@disney.com
Annie Fort - ABC Family Media Relations - annie.fort@disney.com
Alex Wallau - President of Network Operations & Administration - alex.wallau@disney.com
David Westin - ABC News President - david.westin@disney.com
Mike Shaw - ABC Sales and Marketing President - mike.shaw@disney.com
Fred Kuperberg - Disney/ABC Executive VP of Business and Legal Affairs - fred.kuperberg@disney.com
Kara Rousseau - VP of Ad Sales Marketing for Disney/ABC Kids Networks - kara.rousseau@disney.com
Kim Harbin - Buena Vista Media Relations - kim.harbin@disney.com
Anne Gates - Disney Consumer Products Executive VP & CFO - anne.gates@disney.com
James Fielding - Senior VP, Retail Sales and Marketing for DCP - james.fielding@disney.com
Deborah Dugan - President of Disney Publishing - deborah.dugan@disney.com
Graham Hopper - Senior VP and General Manager of Buena Vista Games - graham.hopper@disney.com
Angela Emery - Director of Public Relations, Buena Vista Games - angela.emery@disney.com
Chris Bess - Buena Vista Home Entertainment - chris.bess@disney.com
Peter Murphy - Senior Adviser to Mr. Iger - peter.murphy@disney.com
Judy Estrin - Board of Directors - jestrin@packetdesign.com
John Bryson - Board of Directors - john.bryson@edisonintl.com
Monica Lozano - Board of Directors - monica.lozano@laopinion.com
John Chen - Board of Directors - john.chen@sybase.com
Gary Wilson - Board of Directors - gary.wilson@nwa.com
Leo Odonova - Board of Directors - leo.odonovan@mbna.com
Thomas Staggs - CFO/Senior V.P. - tom.staggs@disney.com
September 7th, 2006 at 9:20 pmAnd by the way - where are all those documents that Sandy Berger stuffed down his shorts?
Comment by notwaff
September 7th, 2006 at 9:20 pm==
Another myth in the making, Sandy Berger took home some ‘COPIES’ he did not take the originals, my guess is that he wanted them for his personal records..The originals are stiil there.
I don’t know what they pertain to and if someone says they do know what they pertained to I would be quite cautious in taking it as truth in an effort to stem internet myth.
Why is the papers of Dan Rather on Bushit Military career that raised such a stink for being counterfit but factual any different than path to 911 which is counterfit but presented as factual smell like a Rose or should that be ROVE.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:23 pmI think the label “mainstream media†should be rendered inoperable. The media has a well documented right-wing bias now, and should be labeled as such, to reflect reality.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:29 pmmarie - thanks! caught the tail end of it - from the “berger” clip on…
(so disappointed in keitel…) … i think judd did just fine - so did joe!
hey judd - w00t!
September 7th, 2006 at 9:31 pm…
…and the documents “stuffed down his shorts” story is untrue as well, notwaff.
from the washington post:
“Berger put a copy of the Clarke report in his suit jacket. He did not put it in his socks or underwear, as was alleged by some Republicans last summer.”
and incidentally, michael moore offered a reward to anyone who could prove a single falsehood about fahrenheit 9/11. the reward went unclaimed.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:33 pmHow the hell can you say Clinton unleashed global terror? I watched the 1968 olympics while terrorists killed Israeli athletes in Munich. All through the late 60’s and early 70’s planes were being hijacked and people killed.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:39 pmAfter Jimmie Carter left office the repugs blamed everything that they screwed up on him and still do.
Why is the papers of Dan Rather on Bushit Military career that raised such a stink for being counterfit but factual any different than path to 911 which is counterfit but presented as factual smell like a Rose or should that be ROVE.
Comment by Navy Vet
==
I guess because no commission was ever created to look into the Bush AWOL claims, which to me really don’t matter. The man signed up for a six year stint and bailed out when Harvard B School accepted him.
Bush never completed the 6 years he signed up for. Bush didn’t fulfill his 6 year contract…Business school was apparently more important than serving his country.
The AWOL issue is a dead horse to me..and as Bush will retire after his Presidency, is not really important.. and only serves to divide the people in a time where the people need to stick together and not be divided by political subversives.
But you Navy Vet, you finished, that is you fulfilled your promise to America. And that is commendable =)
September 7th, 2006 at 9:39 pm“Let Fahrenheit Path To 9/11 stand on its own. And by the way - where are all those documents that Sandy Berger stuffed down his shorts?”
Yes, let Triumph of the Shills, I mean Path to 9/11 stand on its own. Make it a movie that people have to pay for. You know, the marketplace of ideas.
-GSD
September 7th, 2006 at 9:41 pmMineter says Clinton wasn’t concerned with bin laden before 9/11. I wonder why he met with and brought Richard Clarke, the counter intelligence point man onto the cabinet, getting daily reports on terrorist act. around the world, including bin laden. App. Bush et al didn’t feel it served a purpose as they discontinued that immediately, refusing even to take a meeting with him though he felt it was urgent. Plus the bin laden unit of CIA–s’pose Clinton convened that just to have something to do though he really wasn’t interested. These Repubs. are still furious at Clinton, not because of anything he did but he actually won the election and they were all primed for Bush I second term to get these middle east wars going. Things haven’t worked out exactly as they anticipated in the war games at the Pentagon, but they’re anxious to get on with Phase II, bombing Iran. Even I could tell them, “if you think things didn’t exactly go the way you planned in Iraq, just send a few bombs over Iran. The moderates are not going to rise up against the Mullahs–that’s a fantasy that has no basis in reality.” I know Chaney is just hankerin’ to use some of those nuclear weapons we’ve got ready to go. What he hasn’t considered are the numbers of nuclear weapons in countries across the world and we have very few friends among them. How can people who are so utterly short sighted and, frankly, stupid have risen to such positions of power?
September 7th, 2006 at 9:45 pmWhat he hasn’t considered are the numbers of nuclear weapons in countries across the world and we have very few friends among them. How can people who are so utterly short sighted and, frankly, stupid have risen to such positions of power?
Comment by Elisabeth Ham
September 7th, 2006 at 9:48 pm==
I think you answered your own question Elizabeth =8^]
Miniter had his fat ass handed to him on Scab Country on Tuesday night by Roger Cressey who was a deputy at the NSC at the time of 9/ll. He also testifed before the commission and he set Miniter straight in about 30 seconds. The wing nuts will believe what they want to believe–however, facts are facts!! If the trolls on this blog are so smart–why did Bush, Cheney and Rice refuse to be put under oath before the 9/11 commission and more importantly, why did they fight so hard to prevent the commission from ever seeing the light of day???? Only those with something to hide would protest so much.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:49 pmMiniter had his fat ass handed to him on Scab Country on Tuesday night by Roger Cressey who was a deputy at the NSC at the time of 9/ll. He also testifed before the commission and he set Miniter straight in about 30 seconds. The wing nuts will believe what they want to believe–however, facts are facts!! If the trolls on this blog are so smart–why did Bush, Cheney and Rice refuse to be put under oath before the 9/11 commission and more importantly, why did they fight so hard to prevent the commission from ever seeing the light of day???? Only those with something to hide would protest so much.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:49 pmMineter says Clinton wasn’t concerned with bin laden before 9/11. I wonder why he met with and brought Richard Clarke, the counter intelligence point man onto the cabinet, getting daily reports on terrorist act. around the world, including bin laden.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:52 pm==
Please read my previous post, here above, about operation diamond back which began in 1998…Apparently he was concerned.
the 9/11 commission wasn’t appointed until 411 days after the event. compared to other events: titanic - 6 days; pearl harbor - 9 days; jfk assassination - 7 days; challenger - 7 days.
bush administration dragging their feet? what ever gave you that idea?
September 7th, 2006 at 10:07 pmsome other interesting information about the 9/11 commission report.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:09 pmAnother piece of fine work by ABC:
Following form, the mainstream media also continued to downplay those procedures to which our Torturer-in-Chief referred, such as waterboarding, a mock execution in which a prisoner, bound and gagged with his feet raised above his head and a wet towel covering his nose and mouth, has water poured over his head to simulate drowning. A lovely torture method that dates back to the Spanish Inquisition. Yet ABC News, for instance, described this practice as simply “pouring water over victims to make them feel as if they were drowning.” Though still no picnic, this description hardly captures the barbarism of this act. For a mainstream media overly obsessed with details of criminal behavior that have no substantive impact on American lives, such as, say, a man accused of murdering a little girl who, in the end, winds up being innocent, it’s unconscionable how little interest it shows in this White House’s felonious decadence.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:10 pmWhere was the Clinton administration outrage when Fahrenheit 9/11 was released - which was eventually ripped to shreds. Let Fahrenheit Path To 9/11 stand on its own.
Comment by notwaff — September 7, 2006 @ 9:13 pm
—————
Fahrenheit 9/11 was never shown on national television without commercial interruption. I have no problem with putting “Path to 9/11″ in a theater with a $10 cover charge. Though I doubt “Path” would bring in nearly as many viewers. But that is up to the free market. What ABC is doing is not the same.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:15 pmComment by progressaurus rex
Hey, prog. Is there any link you can refer me to about Bin Laden´s saying he planned 9/11? Or at least that he is responsible?
September 7th, 2006 at 10:30 pmComment by progressaurus rex
Do you have any link where OBL affirms he was responsible for 9/11? I would like to read that. Thanks.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:32 pmWhat about all the FBI, CIA, Pentagon, former White House staff, police, firemen, 9/11 families, etc who have all come forward and said the official story of 9/11 is a total fraud?
WHY ARENT LIBERALS ASKING ABOUT THE REAL 9/11 TRUTH? The one that proves 9/11 was NOT “Incompetence”???
September 7th, 2006 at 10:33 pmYou know, I think it does not matter any more. When 38% of Americans still think Sadam was directly involved in 9/11 I just want to curl up in a cave. Think about it. More than 1 out of every three people believe that. The boy king has even said that Sadam had nothing to do with 9/11 and still they believe he did. This is a nightmare that I can’t wake up from. That 38% will support “anything” this corrupt and evil administration wants to do-Anything. So what does that say about the human race? Like the Mayans in a four day period killed nearly 40,000 people to appease the sun god-cut out their hearts and severed their heads with thousands watching and cheering. Oh what the heck, more important how did Katie Curic do?
September 7th, 2006 at 10:38 pmWhere was the Clinton administration outrage when Fahrenheit 9/11 was released - which was eventually ripped to shreds.
Comment by notwaff
Ya got a link for that shredding? I’d be real interested to see it. Red State and Newsmax not acceptable sources — you understand…
September 7th, 2006 at 10:45 pmSo Clinton is chastised for not having perfect hindsight and predicting 9/11, while Bush gets away w/ saying OBL isn’t important AFTER 9/11?
September 7th, 2006 at 10:47 pmHmmmm…..
I think it’s kind of neat that there is such a large group of “Educated”, “Fact checking” people who research things for themselves, that have seen the movie already.
I think I will reserve judgement on ABC/Disney’s guilt till I actually watch it, but I’m a little crazy like that.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:48 pmTundra,
You should do a critique of the movie and post it here afterward. I know you’re not a gullible sheep, and it would be interesting to see your take on the movie — if you feel you must watch it.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:55 pmTrinary:
Where did you get the quote in your comment #43? Just curious.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:01 pmZoo,
I would be happy to if I actually decide to watch it (I never bothered with Fehrenheit 911 either though). Perhaps one day I should rent them both (Assuming this one gets to go to video), get some popcorn and check out all the hype. Since I’m more use to watching CSPAN, I’m guessing they will offer a nice condensed version of what I normally see (Perhaps a few more explosions too!).
How you doin Zoo?
September 7th, 2006 at 11:03 pmhey juan,
well, aside from the new obl video released today, with him supposedly meeting with a couple of the hijackers, there’s the alleged ‘confession video’ (where a right-handed bin laden takes credit).
of course, we know the fbi admits they have no hard evidence linking obl to 9/11.
but the clincher, of course, is that obl initially denied any involvement.
and i know of no instance where he claims he actually planned the event. that is normally attributed to khalid sheikh mohammed.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:04 pmtundra - reserve judgement about what?
this isn’t about a movie review.
it is about purposeful LIES and DISTORTION …
AND the fact that they wanted to pass it on to kids as a history lesson.
there is nothing can compare with this latest attempt of brainwashing the populace with propoganda aimed at skewing an election.
but you know that.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:07 pmHey Juan C:
http://www.rawstory.com/ news/ 2006/ Tape_shows_Qaeda_leaders_planning_911_0907.html
Thanks for playing… Please accept these fine parting gifts.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:07 pmHow you doin Zoo?
Comment by Tundra
TP is driving me bat shit crazy, but otherwise, good.
How did the golf tournament go?
September 7th, 2006 at 11:13 pmit is about purposeful LIES and DISTORTION …
Please quote where in the movie you watched that these lies are at? I have read letters from a couple of ex-high up people who specifically state that they have not seen it. They also state that they have heard the events are not accurate. Since they didn’t state their sources, I am hoping that you aren’t using the “fact” that someone, who heard from someone that something is in there as your basis for that claim.
If that is your source for calling this movie false, perhaps you can understand the 30% of the populations reasoning.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:13 pmpersonally, i would like to see the video or pictures of mohammed atta and 2 of the other hijackers partying down and gambling on one of jack abramoff’s suncruz boats, september 5, 2001 (scroll down to this date).
that would be interesting.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:15 pm“Like the Mayans in a four day period killed nearly 40,000 people to appease the sun god-cut out their hearts and severed their heads with thousands watching and cheering.”
I know this is a sidenote, but “Joefriday”, from what source did you get this from? As a scholar in this field it’s always interesting to hear where people get these stories from.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:17 pmHow did the golf tournament go?
Pretty good. Not as many people as I would have hoped, but at a first run at it, I can’t complain. we learned alot so next year we can hopefully double attendance (things like sponsors, gifts/raffles etc).
The food was pretty good cause I did it (LOL), I had a Legion Post donate the kitchen so we could cook there and move it to the golf course.
Overall I am pretty happy with the results.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:19 pmc’mon tundra,
we happen to be on a thread where a conservative author is telling us there is no factual basis for a crucial scene, we know that abc have refused to supply review copies to certain organizations and even person depicted in the film, we have the author admitting events were fictionalized.
it’s really quite simple, and this is what has me angry: don’t fictionalize, dramatize, improvise or otherwise mangle facts about 9/11. the event is not entertainment.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:22 pmThanks, Prog. So, It is not known whether OBL in fact planned 9/11. But, how about Al-Qaeda? Or it is a pleonasm?
September 7th, 2006 at 11:23 pmWell, one thing is clear. They knew where he (Atta) was.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:28 pmTundra,
I’m glad it turned out well. Next year should be a breeze…..ya right.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:29 pmWhy do I have to write my name and e-mail, everytime I post? I wrote another one but its gone.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:29 pmDoes anyone else having problems to post?
September 7th, 2006 at 11:30 pmDoes anyone else having problems to post?
Comment by Juan C
Yes. One of the reasons I am bat shit crazy this evening. :)
September 7th, 2006 at 11:41 pmYes Juan I am also having that problem with posting, things were more haywire today, like cookies being passed around I saw other peoples names and e-mail addresses, someone saw mine also. I did not, unfortunatly see any “good” ones, if ya know what I mean.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:42 pmAlright this sucks, (trying to post).
September 7th, 2006 at 11:46 pmPost
September 7th, 2006 at 11:48 pmPost
Post
Post
Toast
I know this is a sidenote, but “Joefridayâ€, from what source did you get this from? As a scholar in this field it’s always interesting to hear where people get these stories from.
Comment by John @ Ariel — September 7, 2006 @ 11:17 pm
1487-The Aztecs- some reports 97,000 but the math does not work out so good in just four days. However, there is no doubt that they rountinely captured and scarificed thousands. The point being “Mans inhumanity to man” Their artwork for years was thought to be abstact untill they found ruins that proved the large stacks of heads -one on top of the other was real. Right now the over whelming majority of “Americans” don’t give a crap about the over 1500 Iraqis killed each month–”it is just a number”.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:55 pmFor Truth,
No “good” ones here, either. Some guy named Al. If I put the first letters of “Al” and the email address in the boxes, the address still comes up. That’s a scary thought.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:56 pmZooey, its like we got other people’s browser cookies. Well anyone here can e-mail superpants2 at hotmail, Its probably defunct, I don’t use it as my primary e-mail. So there.
September 8th, 2006 at 12:08 amFor Truth,
superpants…2? That’s got to be a great story. Catch up with me sometime and tell me, ok? Apparently no kook got my email address, at least I don’t have anything weird in my inbox.
You are protesting a bit too much, you know. So there.
September 8th, 2006 at 12:38 amZooey I’ll catch you up for sure.
Gonna go now, see you later!
September 8th, 2006 at 12:41 amFriday on Antiwar.com
http://antiwar.com
- Aug. Baghdad Body Count Nearly Triples
September 8th, 2006 at 4:35 am- US Continues to Raise Iraq Troops Levels: Now at 145,000
- Iraq al-Qaeda Chief Threatens New Attacks
- Poll Finds Waning Faith in Intervention
- Video Shows bin Laden Meeting 9/11 Hijackers
- Euro MPs Demand Locations of CIA Prisons
- Bush Calls for Greater Wiretap Authority
- Military Lawyers Slam Bush Plan to Hide Evidence in Tribunals
- Annan Promises UN Troops in Days for Lebanon
- Israel Lifts Air Blockade but Navy Stays
- US Rebukes Israel Over Expansion of Settlement
- NATO Gen. Needs More Troops to Fight Taliban
- Pakistani Leader Denies Interference Inside Afghanistan
- Justin Raimondo: The GOP, RIP
- Matthew Rothschild: Bush Wheels Out Lenin and Hitler
- Tom Engelhardt: 9/11 in a Movie-Made World
- Jonathan Cook: How Human Rights Watch Lost Its Way in Lebanon
- Joe Conason: Media Misses Point on CIA Leak Story
- Brian Doherty: Where’s the Terror?
- Ray McGovern: The Torturer’s Apprentice
- Jonathan Freedland: Blair’s Legacy: A Reckless Adventure
and much more
You know where else Miniter said this in addition to CNN ?
In his freaking book which was published 3 years ago. The title of it is more significant than the scene you refer to.
I mean FFS. 14 of your last 19 stories are dedicated to this movie and this is what you are complaining about. How bad it makes Sandy Whothehellcares Berger look. Couldn’t you just put a banner up that says “f##k it we are taking a week off, complain about something pointless for the duration” ?
September 8th, 2006 at 5:54 amWhat has happened to this country? Do we educate people and then elect them to office to lie and blame others. Does anybody do their job anymore;damn what about the people you are supposed to represent. As the saying goes–EYES WIDE SHUT!!!
September 8th, 2006 at 6:48 amit is unacceptable for abc to broadcast such pernicious and slanted lies.
however, i’m disturbed by the implicit assumption that assassinating bin laden was or would have been the correct course of action. it would be a shame if the result of this controversy were a policy of “if in doubt, kill”.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:20 amWhat is it with these fat Right wing morons (take your pick) that figure they have the right to make stuff up, present it as truth, and then hope like hell no one with an IQ bigger than their shoe size picks up on it? When the truth no longer has value, we have already lost. Way to go.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:45 amThree comments:
September 8th, 2006 at 9:45 amFirst, conservatives have come out against the film, including Bill Bennett and E.D. Hill.
Second, where was the liberal outrage over Fahrenheit 9/11?
Third, where is the liberal outrage over the Democrat Senate Leadership’s threatening letter to Disney corp? I thought liberals opposed censorship?
Liberals in America sound more an more like Fascists and Trotskyites, and less and less like the liberals of old.
I wouldn’t like to see if the facts are way off, but it will also show how “Hitlerisque” the Bush Administration behavior. “Trick the stupid”. People still believe Iraq planned and executed 9/11 and had stock piles of nuclear weapons. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, but Iraq is a victim. Maybe they could put that in the movie.
September 8th, 2006 at 11:42 amResponse to Comment by Joefriday — September 7, 2006 @ 11:55 pm
Joefriday, thank you for varifying that you meant Aztec and not Maya - two different cultures, in two different areas, and at their apex in two different time periods. Yes, there were definitely sacrificial offerings to the gods and in bad times the numbers grew. The numbers you cite from “reports” are more in line with the overblown numbers (as you said the numbers don’t add up) reported by the Spanish during the Conquest (giving them a sense of moral authority to slaughter the “savage” Aztec population). But then your 1487 date becomes problematic. And, I did understand the point you wanted to make about recent history. I just don’t think using random/inaccurate information about the history of other cultures is the best way to make this point. Anyway, thanks for clarifying.
September 8th, 2006 at 12:45 pm[…] Richard Miniter, conservative author of “Losing bin Laden: How Bill Clinton’s Failures Unleashed Global Terror”: If people wanted to be critical of the Clinton years there’s things they could have said, but the idea that someone had bin Laden in his sights in 1998 or any other time and Sandy Berger refused to pull the trigger, there’s zero factual basis for that. [CNN, 9/7/06] […]
September 8th, 2006 at 3:44 pmmark says:
where was the liberal outrage over Fahrenheit 9/11?
altogether different. a pay-to-enter documentary shown in movie theatres (f911) vs. a free to public airwaves “docudrama” (pathto911).
and once again, please name the falsehoods in fahrenheit 9/11. list them. name even one thing that is demonstrably false. if you can, one wonders why you didn’t claim the cash michael moore was offering for anyone that could disprove any of the facts his film presented.
trying to accuse others of wanting to have it both ways is a bit much coming from those who are continually guilty of that: republicans.
September 8th, 2006 at 5:04 pmI thought liberals opposed censorship?
i would think most here do. however, it is simply wrong, especially less than 2 months from an election, to use the public airwaves to air a politically-slanted and factually-challenged “docudrama” about a serious event that should never be fictionalized, dramatized, improvised or otherwise mangled. 9/11 is not entertainment.
there are rules for the appropriate use of the public airwaves. the irony is, the right-wing will completely freak out about a breast being shown on tv, but it seems many from that end of the political spectrum are quite alright with mangling the truth for craven attacks on their political enemies in a public forum.
people are getting wise to the truthiness of the republican party.
September 8th, 2006 at 5:18 pm[…] Conservative Author Richard Miniter: ‘There’s Zero Factual Basis’ For Key Scene In Path To 9/11 […]
September 8th, 2006 at 6:11 pm[…] This is not a partisan issue. Numerous conservatives – including Brent Bozell, former Reagan aide Bill Bennett, author Richard Miniter, and others – have said that ABC should correct the factual errors in the series. […]
September 8th, 2006 at 7:57 pm[…] This is not a partisan issue. Numerous conservatives – including Brent Bozell, former Reagan aide Bill Bennett, author Richard Miniter, and others – have said that ABC should correct the factual errors in the series. […]
September 8th, 2006 at 7:57 pmI know where John got the info: However, I think much like the guy who got a first class ticket from Thailand for claiming he killed Ramsey when he was actually with is family that Christmas, I think “Buzz” Patterson (ok, first the name sounds made up, but I am willing to believe he is real) is an ad hoc source. He had the “nuclear football.” Doesn’t that mean you are several feet underground most of the time? I hope this is the beginning of the tipping point, I am ready for the nation to focus on things that will improve the quality of life and the world.
September 9th, 2006 at 2:23 amBLITZER: You’ve heard other 9/11 commission members saying it wasn’t Sandy Berger who pulled the trigger, it was George Tenet the CIA director. Based on what you know, is that accurate?
MINITER: Even that’s not accurate. We just never had eyes on bin Laden in the pre-9/11 situation. The 9/11 commission investigated this. The House and Senate joint committee investigated this and published a 1,000-page report. I looked into it extensively. Most of the sources for my book are Clinton administration officials. There’s just no basis for this at all, none.
I guess the text below from the 9-11 commission report must then be a figment of my imagination.
http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Ch4.htm
By early 1998, planners at the Counterterrorist Center were ready to come back to the White House to seek formal approval. Tenet apparently walked National Security Advisor Sandy Berger through the basic plan on February 13. One group of tribals would subdue the guards, enter Tarnak Farms stealthily, grab Bin Ladin, take him to a desert site outside Kandahar, and turn him over to a second group. This second group of tribals would take him to a desert landing zone already tested in the 1997 Kansi capture. From there, a CIA plane would take him to New York, an Arab capital, or wherever he was to be arraigned. Briefing papers prepared by the Counterterrorist Center acknowledged that hitches might develop. People might be killed, and Bin Ladin’s supporters might retaliate, perhaps taking U.S. citizens in Kandahar hostage. But the briefing papers also noted that there was risk in not acting. “Sooner or later,” they said, “Bin Ladin will attack U.S. interests, perhaps using WMD [weapons of mass destruction].”19
In Washington, Berger expressed doubt about the dependability of the tribals. In his meeting with Tenet, Berger focused most, however, on the question of what was to be done with Bin Ladin if he were actually captured. He worried that the hard evidence against Bin Ladin was still skimpy and that there was a danger of snatching him and bringing him to the United States only to see him acquitted.
September 9th, 2006 at 6:38 pmImpressions vary as to who actually decided not to proceed with the operation. Clarke told us that the CSG saw the plan as flawed. He was said to have described it to a colleague on the NSC staff as “half-assed” and predicted that the principals would not approve it. “Jeff ” thought the decision had been made at the cabinet level. Pavitt thought that it was Berger’s doing, though perhaps on Tenet’s advice. Tenet told us that given the recommendation of his chief operations officers, he alone had decided to “turn off” the operation. He had simply informed Berger, who had not pushed back. Berger’s recollection was similar. He said the plan was never presented to the White House for a decision.30
On December 20, intelligence indicated Bin Ladin would be spending the night at the Haji Habash house, part of the governor’s residence in Kandahar. The chief of the Bin Ladin unit, “Mike,” told us that he promptly briefed Tenet and his deputy, John Gordon. From the field, the CIA’s Gary Schroen advised: “Hit him tonight-we may not get another chance.” An urgent teleconference of principals was arranged.117
The principals considered a cruise missile strike to try to kill Bin Ladin. One issue they discussed was the potential collateral damage-the number of innocent bystanders who would be killed or wounded. General Zinni predicted a number well over 200 and was concerned about damage to a nearby mosque. The senior intelligence officer on the Joint Staff apparently made a different calculation, estimating half as much collateral damage and not predicting damage to the mosque. By the end of the meeting, the principals decided against recommending to the President that he order a strike. A few weeks later, in January 1999, Clarke wrote that the principals had thought the intelligence only half reliable and had worried about killing or injuring perhaps 300 people. Tenet said he remembered doubts about the reliability of the source and concern about hitting the nearby mosque. “Mike” remembered Tenet telling him that the military was concerned that a few hours had passed since the last sighting of Bin Ladin and that this persuaded everyone that the chance of failure was too great.118
Some lower-level officials were angry. “Mike” reported to Schroen that he had been unable to sleep after this decision. “I’m sure we’ll regret not acting last night,”
Early in 1999, the CIA received reporting that Bin Ladin was spending much of his time at one of several camps in the Afghan desert south of Kandahar. At the beginning of February, Bin Ladin was reportedly located in the vicinity of the Sheikh Ali camp, a desert hunting camp being used by visitors from a Gulf state. Public sources have stated that these visitors were from the United Arab Emirates.151
Reporting from the CIA’s assets provided a detailed description of the hunting camp, including its size, location, resources, and security, as well as of Bin Ladin’s smaller, adjacent camp.152 Because this was not in an urban area, missiles launched against it would have less risk of causing collateral damage. On February 8, the military began to ready itself for a possible strike.153 The next day, national technical intelligence confirmed the location and description of the larger camp and showed the nearby presence of an official aircraft of the United Arab Emirates. But the location of Bin Ladin’s quarters could not be pinned down so precisely.154 The CIA did its best to answer a host of questions about the larger camp and its residents and about Bin Ladin’s daily schedule and routines to support military contingency planning. According to reporting from the tribals, Bin Ladin regularly went from his adjacent camp to the larger camp where he visited the Emiratis; the tribals expected him to be at the hunting camp for such a visit at least until midmorning on February 11.155 Clarke wrote to Berger’s deputy on February 10 that the military was then doing targeting work to hit the main camp with cruise missiles and should be in position to strike the following morning.156 Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert appears to have been briefed on the situation.157
No strike was launched. By February 12 Bin Ladin had apparently moved on, and the immediate strike plans became moot.158
Kandahar, May 1999
It was in Kandahar that perhaps the last, and most likely the best, opportunity arose for targeting Bin Ladin with cruise missiles before 9/11. In May 1999, CIA assets in Afghanistan reported on Bin Ladin’s location in and around Kandahar over the course of five days and nights. The reporting was very detailed and came from several sources. If this intelligence was not “actionable,” working-level officials said at the time and today, it was hard for them to imagine how any intelligence on Bin Ladin in Afghanistan would meet the standard. Communications were good, and the cruise missiles were ready. “This was in our strike zone,” a senior military officer said. “It was a fat pitch, a home run.” He expected the missiles to fly. When the decision came back that they should stand down, not shoot, the officer said, “we all just slumped.” He told us he knew of no one at the Pentagon or the CIA who thought it was a bad gamble. Bin Ladin “should have been a dead man” that night, he said.173 Replying to a frustrated colleague in the field, the Bin Ladin unit chief wrote: “having a chance to get [Bin Ladin] three times in 36 hours and foregoing the chance each time has made me a bit angry…. [T]he DCI finds himself alone at the table, with the other princip[als] basically saying ‘we’ll go along with your decision Mr. Director,’ and implicitly saying that the Agency will hang alone if the attack doesn’t get Bin Ladin.”174
[…] If ABC pulls the movie it won’t only be because of the actions of the left wing but also because of the actions of these folks. We didn’t support them when they needed it. Thanks to ThinkProgress. John Podhoretz, conservative columnist and Fox News contributor: The portrait of Albright is an unacceptable revision of recent history and an unfair mark on a public servant who, no matter her shortcomings, doesn’t deserve to be remembered by millions of Americans as the inadvertent (and truculent) savior of Osama bin Laden. Samuel Berger, Clinton’s national security adviser, also seems to have just cause for complaint. [NYPost, 9/8/06] James Taranto, OpinionJournal.com editor:The Clintonites may have a point here. A few years ago, when the shoe was on the other foot, we were happy to see CBS scotch “The Reagans.†[OpinionJournal, 9/7/06] Dean Barnett, conservative commentator posting on Hugh Hewitt’s blog:One can (if one so chooses) give the filmmakers artistic license to [fabricate a scene]. But if that is what they have done, conservative analysts who back this movie as a historical document will mortgage their credibility doing so. [Hugh Hewitt blog, 9/6/06] Chris Wallace, Fox News Sunday anchor:When you put somebody on the screen and say that’s Madeleine Albright and she said this in a specific conversation and she never did say it, I think it’s slanderous, I think it’s defamatory and I think that ABC and Disney should be held to account. [Fox, 9/8/06] Captain’s Quarters blog:If the Democrats do not like what ABC wants to broadcast, they have every right to protest it — and in this case, they had a point. [Captain Quarter’s blog, 9/7/06] Bill Bennett, conservative author, radio host, and TV commentator:Look, “The Path to 9/11? is strewn with a lot of problems and I think there were problems in the Clinton administration. But that’s no reason to falsify the record, falsify conversations by either the president or his leading people and you know it just shouldn’t happen. [CNN, 9/8/06] Seth Liebsohn, Claremont Institute fellow and produce of Bill Bennett’s radio show: I oppose this miniseries as well if it is fiction dressed up as fact, creates caricatures of real persons and events that are inaccurate, and inserts quotes that were not uttered, especially to make a point that was not intended. [Glenn Greewald’s blog, 9/7/06] Richard Miniter, conservative author of “Losing bin Laden: How Bill Clinton’s Failures Unleashed Global Terrorâ€:If people wanted to be critical of the Clinton years there’s things they could have said, but the idea that someone had bin Laden in his sights in 1998 or any other time and Sandy Berger refused to pull the trigger, there’s zero factual basis for that. [CNN, 9/7/06] Brent Bozell, founder and president of the conservative Media Research Center:I think that if you have a scene, or two scenes, or three scenes, important scenes, that do not have any bearing on reality and you can edit them, I think they should edit them. [MSNBC, 9/6/06] Bill O’Reilly, Fox News pundit:Ok, we’re talking about the run up to 9-11 and this movie that they’re re-cutting now — and they should because it puts words in the mouth of real people, actors playing real people that they didn’t say and its wrong. [O’Reilly radio show, 9/8/06] […]
September 9th, 2006 at 8:07 pmUnfortunately for Mr. Minter, the CIA agent referred to as “Mike” in the 9/11 commission report, who was part of one of the missions, says it did happen. He didn’t know specifically who it was that scrubbed the mission, but that’s really not the point. Does it really matter which one scrubbed it? The point is they refused to take bin Ladin out time after time after time, after he openly declared war on the U.S., and backed up his declaration by attacking America and its interests on several occasions.
“Most of the sources for my book are Clinton administration officials.”
That should tell you all you need to know about his book.
September 10th, 2006 at 6:31 amExcuse me, but why would anyone believe anything that Sandy Berger says anyway? He pretty much blew his credibility when he stole and then lied about stealing classified documents.
September 11th, 2006 at 1:38 pm[…] Bill Clinton, Scholastic has withdrawn support, Harvey Keitel (who appears in the program), Richard Minter, and […]
March 15th, 2007 at 8:43 pm[…] Bill Clinton, Scholastic has withdrawn support, Harvey Keitel (who appears in the program), Richard Minter, and […]
March 31st, 2007 at 4:50 pm[…] Bill Clinton, Scholastic has withdrawn support, Harvey Keitel (who appears in the program), Richard Minter, and […]
March 31st, 2007 at 5:00 pm[…] Bill Clinton, Scholastic has withdrawn support, Harvey Keitel (who appears in the program), Richard Minter, and […]
March 31st, 2007 at 5:07 pm[…] Bill Clinton, Scholastic has withdrawn support, Harvey Keitel (who appears in the program), Richard Minter, and […]
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