NPR last night: Wow! Investigational reporting for a change

[ProfessorPlum]

Did anyone else hear the report about the prisoners who were abused in the view of dozens of prison guards and supervisors?

I couldn't believe my ears. It has been so long since I heard a news story, on NPR or anywhere else, like this one. It

a) required a lot of work and investigation, finding people from different countries, tracking down people in different state and federal government positions, following up
b) reported about the victimization of marginalized people
c) showed that they were most likely never going to get justice
d) showed how abusive people in power could be

I was thunderstruck. If this is something new for NPR, I like where they are going! I have to find the reporter's email so I can let him know how much I appreciated it.

[ProfessorPlum]

1. Here's a link to the story

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4170152

the reporter is Daniel Zwerdling.

Apparently, Homeland Security is starting to follow up, "the day after the story aired". How nice of them. Just goes to show what a difference actual reporting can make.

[AP]

2. Here's a link for the story...

http://www.npr.org/rundowns/segment.php?wfId=4177966

and the reporter's email is probably [e-mail]

[ProfessorPlum]

5. Thanks AP

Did you hear the story? I couldn't believe my ears. Very important, very dogged, and very unusual for NPR.

[AP]

9. Definitely different for NPR. Men of color & foreigners talking about the

shit that happens to them, and it wasn't a story about Iraq.

Very unusual for NPR.

[Buzz Clik]

3. And, not coincidentally...

NPR is, once again, having their federal funding threatened.

I truly wish the management at NPR would tell the feds to take their money and put it where the sun don't shine.

[ProfessorPlum]

4. because of this story?

Or just in general, because of the GOP being in charge?

[11cents]

6. But NPR has the Kroc money now

I've heard they've been hiring a lot of new reporters and putting together a new investigative reporting unit.

Perhaps Mrs. Kroc's legacy will buy NPR some freedom.

All Hail The Whopper!

[AverageJoe]

7. Big Mac

Though I prefer the Whopper. And I really prefer those big angus burgers from Hardees. Man, my mouth is watering.

[ProfessorPlum]

8. You mean the Big Mac

But if it is going to result in more stories like this one (about marginalized people and how people in power are more than happy to overlook abuses), then I am all for it.

[AP]

10. Bet NPR goes easy on the Mad Cow stories though.

[Sabriel]

11. On the other hand, it's a fairly safe story for them

It goes after local law enforcement, rather than the military or the government itself. Nothing earth-shattering there, IMO.

[ProfessorPlum]

13. Well, that's true to a certain extent

It also shed light on the state's AG office, how they weren't going to do anything, and also the department of homeland security (hate that name), and how they weren't doing anything either. So they did go after the government, itself, for inaction.

No doubt, Freepi will be shouting for Daniel Zwerdling to be fragged soon.

[jdj]

12. did they say at the end that Wackenhut should take over?