Kristol commits major error in NYT column.
By on Mar 17th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Kristol commits major error in NYT column.
Marc Ambinder reports Bill Kristol’s NYT column today contains “a major, prejudicial error.” Kristol asserts that Obama “was in fact in the pews” when pastor Jeremiah Wright blamed the “arrogance” of the “United States of White America” for much of the world’s suffering. Kristol’s “source” for the claim is a story reported by the right-wing publication Newsmax. Ambinder writes:
The error is in trusting the source without checking.
The truth is that Obama did not attend church on July 22.
He was on his way to campaign in Miami.
(Here is some video evidence.) This was before he signed an agreement forbidding himself from campaigning in Florida.
Sadly, this isn’t Kristol’s first error. He misattributed a quote in his first column for the paper.
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Come on. Does ANYONE expect anything RELEVANT to come out of this fool’s mouth anymore?
Gee, I’ll bet the Times is REAl glad they hired Bill now. Money… well… spent.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:36 amLet’s see — I think there is a code of ethics in journalism. Facts are to be checked before publishing. Writers are fired for using other sources without proper credit - writers who repeated spread misinformation with impunity also deserve to be let go.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:39 amWilliam Kristol - like George Bush in politics - would have no place in journalism or the media in any form were it not for the family name, which is one of questionable distinction, but nonetheless sufficiently famous to open doors for the incompetent and worthless son.
The NYT has endured some very hard times in recent years; if they expect to recover, they must include the removal of Kristol among their remedies.
And, of course, Kristol will get a pass on this one. In the meantime, the damage is done. Is Kristol going to be required to print a retraction and admit to his error? I doubt it.
I’m off to write a letter to the NYT.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:45 amIn BillyWorld, NewsMax is an unassailable source. Surely, he shouldn’t have to “fact-check” such a source. The only question that Kristol has to answer before using such “dis-information” is: “Does this ‘fact’ mate happily with my preconceived notion of the ‘truth’?”
Little Billy Kristol is quickly achieving the bombastic status of Rush Limpballs as RWFinC (Right-Wing Fabricator-in-Chief).
March 17th, 2008 at 9:47 amSwiftboating Obama.
Just lie as often as necessary and eventually something will stick in the minds of the willfully ignorant.
Interesting how Kristol and keep his spot on the paper while continuing do pull this crap.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:49 amNot much of and error compared to the ” WMD ” error …
NOTHING compared to “Invading Iraq is a good idea” error.
HOW does this guy even have a JOB ?????
March 17th, 2008 at 9:51 amAs a tried and true NeoClown pundit, Kristol never met a fact he couldn’t ignore.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:52 am‘Truth’ never was important to zealot propagandists.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:53 amDoesn’t matter - MSM no longer cares about accuracy.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:54 amDuring the unfolding of the Watergate scandal, Woodward and Bernstein double-checked everything before it went to print — even if they didn’t reveal their sources (Deep Throat), they had them, and didn’t assert anything on a single source alone, unless that source was unimpeachable. Their editor and the publisher demanded that of them, as that was the journalistic standard of the day.
What a difference a generation makes. Nowadays, the thinking is, “if it makes good copy, it really doesn’t matter if it’s true or not — after all, it’s not like a candidate is going to sue or anything!”
March 17th, 2008 at 9:57 amI’m with Fritz on this. Doesn’t matter how much we rail against traditional media.
Really, now, if we don’t hold the administration accountable for Iraq, Patriot Act, Katrina, Valerie Plame outing, ad infinitum, should Kristol expect anyone to hold him accountable for a little thing like “accuracy” or “truth”?
That horse is so far out of the barn . . .
March 17th, 2008 at 10:04 amSo does this mean that the arrogance of white America isn’t to blame for much of the world’s suffering?
Cause there are several billion people in developing countries earning less than $2 a day making goods for export to the U.S. who’d disagree.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:04 amIs that what Jeremiah Wright said that caused such an uproar?
March 17th, 2008 at 10:07 amSo sad the truth can get one into such hot water these days………
So he’s not Krystol Klear?
March 17th, 2008 at 10:10 amSorry - I forgot to mention all those people living under rightist dictators installed by the U.S. or living with the environmental degradation caused by U.S.-based extractive companies or losing income to dumping of U.S.-produced agricultural products or living under massive IMF debt from loans sold by U.S. economists to pay for infrastructure projects built by U.S. companies that then overcharge local populations for basic services.
I probably left a few things out. But really - what did the pastor say that was untrue?
March 17th, 2008 at 10:12 amBut really - what did the pastor say that was untrue?
Not a thing.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:15 amkristol lied?
iokiyar!
March 17th, 2008 at 10:17 amgood_golly Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 10:02 am
You really expect us to believe that Obama’s close friend, mentor and spiritual advisor only made those hate filled, anti-American comments once? Please.
Criticizing American policy isn’t anti-American. In fact, it’s about the most “American” thing anyone can do.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:19 amWhy do terrorists attack the US and US “interests”?
Why is the “security premium” such a large part of the cost of a barrel of oil?
Because people in the rest of the world are weary of having the US supported multi-national corporations rape, pillage and plunder their lands, natural resources and cultures.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:19 amAnd kill them if they get in the way.
This was no error. This is standard right wing conservative tactics. They live for the Big Lie, the have learned from the Moonies (Washington Times) whose leader says that it it alright to lie for the right ends. We have seen this as a standard tactic. They know that enough dirt whether true or not will eventually stain the victim. It worked against Gore, Kerry and it will work against the current crop of candidates until we seize power back and put an end to these a++holes. We need to organize a response campaign through out the progressive blogosphere demanding that Kristol be fired for his consistent conservative bias and willingness to lie in support of it.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:23 ammeanwhile more from rep. tom davis (r-va.):
“It’s no mystery,” said Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.). “You have a very unhappy electorate, which is no surprise, with oil at $108 a barrel, stocks down a few thousand points, a war in Iraq with no end in sight and a president who is still very, very unpopular. He’s just killed the Republican brand.”
(h/t c&l)
*
March 17th, 2008 at 10:24 amjdc
embrace this:
“The House Republican brand is so bad right now that if it were a dog food, they’d take it off the shelf.”
- rep. tom davis (r-va.)
(lol, dog food!)
*
March 17th, 2008 at 10:27 amThe republican party here in Illinois is so weak they aren’t placing challangers in several key districts.
They used to fight here (and win) but they can’t find candidates willing to run.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:33 am“Which is why Obama should publically embrace the comments and proudly tell America he agrees with them.”
Just like McCain embraced Haggee’s Christofascist comments.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:34 amMaybe the times will realize at some point what they’ve done. If this guy has professional credentials and experience why isn’t he checking his sources? He’s not, in my opinion, because he is a propagandist like his kissin’ cousins at Fix news. He does no favors for classic journalism, he sells.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:35 amFools like you two are the only types of narrowminded bigots and bush defenders left that would say such things. We know who the media works for and that is why they reflect your take on this……you all have and evil agenda.
Problem is most Americans don’t see it that way. This pastor as an American has every right to say what he did and the facts back him up on it.
Too bad for you that the American peoples eyes are opening finally to your agenda of destruction for the United States. Soon you will just be a dark memory for America to live down like Mcarthy, Hoover, Raygun, Nixon, etc.
Don’t you fools find it odd that when some republicans are facing the last few days of their lives that they suddenly have a revelation that what they have been doing all of thier lives was wrong….take George Wallace for example. You never hear of this type of thing happening to progressives…..wonder why?
March 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amGigi makes a good point — because trolls can extrapolate that anyone whom makes a statement once must have made it many times, and therefore one who is acquainted with him must be aware of - nay, wholeheartedly embrace those views, this logical progression, such as it is, renders insignificant Mr. Kristol’s minor error of fact (e. g. asserting Mr. Obama was someplace at a specific time when evidence disproves that assertion).
Obviously, Mr. Obama is just as guilty, whether or not he actually attended the sermon that Mr. Kristol uses to impugn his character and judgment.
Do I have that about right, there, Gigi?
March 17th, 2008 at 10:40 amThe NYT is a pompous, arrogant rag that has no use for truth. That is why the reporters can get away with creating their own news and passing it off as real. Just look at Miller, Cooper, the involvement with pushing Whitewater, and the pundits that are determined to establish one party and one person rule. Jason Blair was punished, but what did he do that the other, bigger names have not done? The NYT is not even to be trusted in local news. Outside of Krugman they have no one that is consistent or consistently correct.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:41 amIt’s a minor error, but the way Kristol emphasizes this “fact” perhaps reveals the actual intent of his column to be an attack piece rather than legitimate political commentary.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:42 amjdc Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Which is why Obama should publically embrace the comments and proudly tell America he agrees with them.
Except that he’s not a complete moron. That’d be political suicide.
What he should do is explain that the minister’s comments reflect a prominent view of America among many people outside the United States as well as by many minority groups within the United States and, while he doesn’t particularly agree with the words the minister chose, he will focus his administration to addressing the policies that have led to such negative perception of America.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:43 amMy letter to the NYT today:
Acting as if competence was his usual companion, Bill Kristol looks a lot like just another flustered solution seeker, settling on the next thought that wafts through his head. Indolence should be a goal, not a starting place, yet Kristol’s lazy and inaccurate journalism continues to reduce The New York Times cachet to soot.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:50 amA basic fact of life, The NYT probably does not pay enough to Kristol-Boy to have a fact-checker, and he ain’t gonna do it, cause he knows if he screwed up, and he isn’t going to change a damn thing, cus he likes acting putting the NYT into being a gassbag show.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:01 amjdc Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I’m sure in 17 – 20 years of close association with the Rev Wright, Obama never knew his mentor and spiritual adviser was a hate mongering racist that hates America.
good_golly Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 10:02 am
You really expect us to believe that Obama’s close friend, mentor and spiritual advisor only made those hate filled, anti-American comments once? Please.
Now we know approximately when the Karl Rove talking point blast-email went out this morning.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:05 amjdc Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am
(more for you to adore)
mcsame supporter “pastor” hagee sez:
No difference between Catholics and Muslims in terms of killing Jews
Crusades were about killing Jews by Catholics
Hitler and The Catholic Church were one
Catholic Church stole money from Jews
(lol, dog food!)
*
March 17th, 2008 at 11:08 amLittle Freep Goofballs Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:05 am
jdc and gg… in bed together?
creepy… really creepy.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:10 amTruth has a liberal bias.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:12 amWhat part of the Constitution involves race, religion & gender?
NONE!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:12 amAs far as I’ve been able to determine, the most controversial of this pastor’s comments are these:
1) he apparantly said that the U.S. is run by “rich, white people”.
Can we all agree that’s true?
2) apparently he said that the U.S. created the AIDS virus to kill African Americans.
Well, that sounds pretty out there, but, that is a not-uncommon belief. Look up Jakob Segal:
“Was it (AIDS) produced in a laboratory? Segal believes he has shown that it was, but he goes further than that. He
also believes he knows who produced it and why. Segal quotes from a document presented by a Pentagon official named Donald MacArthur on June 9, 1969, to a Congressional committee, in which $10 million is requested to develop, over the next 5 to 10 years, a new, contagious micro-organism which would destroy the human immune system.”
this link explores this claim at length:
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/ Urgent_Action/ AIDS_Contract.html
Who knows why the U.S. would want to develop such a thing.
3) he said “the U.S. had brought on the [9-11 terrorist] attacks with its own terrorism.”
A lot of people agree with him on this, but, Obama reportedly responded by saying:
“The violence of 9/11 was inexcusable and without justification.”
Considering that McCain’s new friend Jerry Falwell, thinks that God sent us 9/11 because gays, feminists and abortionists, well…..
March 17th, 2008 at 11:13 amjdc Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I’m sure in 17 – 20 years of close association with the Rev Wright, Obama never knew his mentor and spiritual adviser was a hate mongering racist that hates America.
good_golly Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 10:02 am
You really expect us to believe that Obama’s close friend, mentor and spiritual advisor only made those hate filled, anti-American comments once? Please.
——————————–
Since Obama is being judged by the comments of his spiritual adviser, surely you are also judging McCain by the comments of HIS spiritual adviser, Rev. Rod Parsley (you know, the guy who wants to eradicate the “false religion” of Islam). And has nobody looked up Hillary’s pastor yet? Who is HER spiritual adviser? And does she slavishly agree with everything her spiritual adviser says and does?
This is just another example of “we can’t get any traction in attacking Obama’s positions on the issues, so let’s try to find somebody he’s associated with to bash.” Simple truths here — one, Wright is permitted to criticize this country without being “anti-American” (it’s one of our fundamental freedoms), and two, I don’t agree with everything my pastor says, so why should it be assumed that Obama does?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:15 amMarie March 17th, 2008 at 9:39 am
There should be a new category/genre, entertainment right wing nonsense.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:16 amNot journalism, not news, not reliable, for entertainment purposes only…
jdc Says:
If there are only a few fools left then Obama shouldn’t be doing the rope-a-dope.
Let me just ask you if you think what the preacher said was any worse than what the republican preacher said in the links above…..you surely read them.
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ huffpost/ 20080317/ cm_huffpost/ 091774;_ylt=Aq_lH72YCCxOlaE1vskCJXms0NUE
This is called swiftboating by corporate owned main stream media. They have an agenda….care to deny that?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:18 amZimzone Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:12 am
What part of the Constitution involves race, religion & gender?
Not counting the three-fifths compromise, the 14th amendment, the 15th amendment, the 19th amendment, and the bit in Article VI that says “but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States?”
March 17th, 2008 at 11:25 amA few minutes ago, out of curiosity, I tuned in the local right-wing radio talk host. Want to guess what his topic of the day was?
“Will the anti-American video of Barack Obama’s preacher change the way you vote?”
All talking points, all the time.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:28 amLittle Freep Goofballs Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:28 am
don’t you mean all dog food, all the time?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:35 amWright is more correct than Kristol.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:36 amjoe cantwell Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:35 am
don’t you mean all dog food, all the time?
Yeah, it’s that really really cheap brand that gives your dog the runs.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:37 amThis may seem a little O/T here but it’s not. Just out of curiosity, I’ve been dropping in this morning on some righty-tidy websites to see how they’re covering the current political/fiscal nightmare we’re in.
So I goes to da Heritage Foundation website and what do I see, in the upper right hand corner?
A big box labeled “What Would Reagan Do?”
I kid you not… WWRD…
They’re got a big cardboard cutout of Ronnie standing there, grinning and the words “Timeless principles” , “Fearless Leadership”, and “Visionary” running along side the cut out.
Hope you haven’t lost yer breakfasts yet. It gets better.
The Question of the Week is “Military Strategy”… (you can’t make this stuff up…)
“How did Reagan make decisions about our military strategy?”
‘N then they give ya three choices ‘n ask ya ta vote.
Who says the wingnuttery doesn’t have a sense of humor?
Thas funny… you can’t find Botch’s name ANYWHERE on the page… not… once.
Apparently George W. Botch has ceased to exist as far as the Heritage Foundation, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham are concerned. Sean and Laura have generously allowed their names to be used w/ the WWRD nonsense.
I wonder if they demanded to be paid in Euros?
Remember folks, next time you’re stuck w/ a tough one, just ask yourself:
WWRD?
I guess Jesus wasn’t violent enough for the righties.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:39 ampresidential dog food:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush will make a statement on the economy on Monday following a morning meeting with top economic advisers, the White House said.
The meeting, due to begin at 9 a.m. EDT, was a regular scheduled policy session, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. It comes after the Federal Reserve on Sunday announced emergency measures to stem a fast-spreading global financial crisis and U.S. stock index futures plunged after JPMorgan Chase bought Bear Stearns at a fire sale price.
Bush will be meeting with a group that includes U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and White House senior economic adviser Edward Lazear, Fratto said.
The president, who has been struggling to bolster faith in the economy amid fears of a recession, plans to meet later on Monday with his Working Group on Financial Markets for a status report on volatile markets.
(where did all the trolls go?)
March 17th, 2008 at 11:40 amThe NY Times just moved into new offices on 41st Street near 8th Avenue.
We know their address.
The time is fast approaching, in fact, it is now here, when those New Yorkers of conscience who believe in the vital role of fairness and accuracy in reporting for a democracy to thrive should picket the NY Times.
I’m talking 24/7 vigil re corporate media fascism.
This “liberal media” scam is a red herring.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:42 amLittle Billy Kristol does his job just like the trolls do. Transcribing talking points off Rovian talking points isn’t journalism. And the NYT pays him for that, what a bunch of idiots.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:48 amjoe cantwell Says:
(where did all the trolls go?)
Their last paychecks from the RNC bounced. Something about the Treasurer making off w/ all the money. They’re all demanding to paid in hard cold cash - nickels and dimes, and barring that, at least bottles and cans. No more paper!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:48 amLittle Freep Goofballs Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Yeah, it’s that really really cheap brand that gives your dog the runs.
Ah yes - that’s the one we import from China, right? Now with 10% more antifreeze!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:08 pmSend this video to others: Shame On Joe Scarborough, MSM & Obama Part 1
March 17th, 2008 at 12:12 pmThe American people don”t deserve to be manipulated and lied to
Kristol is shameless. And. shame on the NYT for allowing his ink to dry on their paper. If true, this would be a major story that could turn the Democratic campaign on its head. One would think EVERY editor at the Times would have checked this one out. If the NYT is the paper of record; then the record is scratched!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:21 pmmissmolly Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:15 am
This is just another example of “we can’t get any traction in attacking Obama’s positions on the issues, so let’s try to find somebody he’s associated with to bash.”
missmolly scores again!
It’s an obvious indication that Obama’s opponents have nuttin’.
And imagine my shock at discovering that Gigi is a hit-and-run troll on this thread!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pmjdc Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
joe cantwell Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:40 am
(where did all the trolls go?)
Most of us actually work for a living.
at bear stearns?
March 17th, 2008 at 12:29 pm“Most of us actually work for a living.”
Doing community service does not count as “working for a living”.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:46 pm“Now with 10% more antifreeze!”
_____
And lead… don’t forget the lead, toasterhead.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:47 pmThere is so much inaccurate information in all The Media that most of us who are interested in our political system are finding it very hard to find. I have seen this pattern growing for about a year or so, especially in the campaigns of the viable candidates.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:21 pm