LMSM, the 'Lying Mainstream Media'- a Robert Parry (of AP &Newsweek) essay

[papau]

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2005/061605.html

LMSM, the 'Lying Mainstream Media'
by Robert Parry
The Consortium for Independent Journalism
June 17, 2005

The Washington Post is reasserting its august judgment over what qualifies as news in the face of citizen complaints that it and other mainstream media outlets neglected leaked British memos about the deceptions behind George W. Bush's war in Iraq.

The Post's lead editorial on June 15 mixed a patronizing tone with derisive comments in assuring its readers that "the memos add not a single fact to what was previously known about the administration's prewar deliberations. Not only that: They add nothing to what was publicly known in July 2002." <snip>


That, of course, was not the judgment of editorialists at the Washington Post, the New York Times or other major newspapers who praised Bush for going to the UN on the advice of supposed moderates such as Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Indeed, looking back to late 2002 and early 2003, it would be hard to find any "reputable" commentary in the mainstream press calling Bush's actions fraudulent, which is what the British evidence reveals them to be. <snip>


Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories in the 1980s for the Associated Press and Newsweek.

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2005/061605.html

[blm]

1. Indeed. The media claims everyone knew Bush was fixing the intel

and so it's old news....well...where are the articles TELLING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE that Bush was fixing the intel at the time the media claims they already knew it?

[papau]

3. The WaPo did not even print letters saying Bush was a liar back then.

Indeed they still do not.

I wonder why they think this new lie by the Post will not just generate scorn - maybe they MUST take this view so as to please a right wing Board of Directors or a right wing set of editors?

[longship]

2. Jesus! What an in depth analysis.

n/t

[acmejack]

4. Parry comes through again!

This guy is consistently at the forefront of not only investigative journalism but of courageous journalism as well.

[papau]

5. I agree - Parry is one of the best out there.

The curious thing is that WaPo's Dana is also usually good - what could have forced him to lie like he did?

[papau]

6. Ray McGovern's letter to Dana Milbank (WaPo liar deJure)

TO the mods - I published in total as the site is under attack from FR at the moment and it can no longer be read there.

Please cut as needed for copyright (I tried to get permission to post whole article but the right wing attack has more or less closed them down)


Dear Dana,

What's happened to you? You were often quite good when you were on the Post's White House beat...perceptive—occasionally even courageous—especially in exposing White House dishonesty. Is that why you were taken off that beat and assigned yesterday to trivialize the historic proceedings in the Capitol basement and Congressman Conyers' courage in convening them?

You used to get your facts straight, at least. It appears that in your new assignment meticulousness is not a requirement. Even your "search of the congressional record" concerning mention of the Downing Street Minutes came up short. Do you not consider Sen. Harry Reid a member of Congress?

It troubles me that you should find it "awkward" that I mentioned Israel and its interests as perceived by the "neocons" as a motivating factor in the Bush administration's decision to launch an unprovoked war on Iraq. That, Dana, is a no-brainer. Let me suggest you simply familiarize yourself with the documents of the "neocon" Project for a New American Century.

I did not say that "Israel should not be considered an ally." I think the transcript will show that I simply noted the fact that Israel is not an ally of the United States. It is a point of fact. And I, for one, object not only to the president's repeated references to such an "alliance," but to his behaving as though there were one. Is it possible that he actually believes there is one? If so, I doubt that any in his shrinking circle of advisers would take the risk of disabusing him of that notion, particularly if his father's national security adviser, Gen. Brent Scowcroft, is correct in saying that our current president has been "mesmerized" by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

I am among the first to defend Israel's right to exist within secure and internationally recognized borders, and to deplore our nation's slowness in recognizing and doing something to stop the Holocaust. (And I deplore violence of all kinds—whether against Israel, or initiated by it.) But, unless I am mistaken, an alliance requires a treaty ratified by the Senate. Have I missed something?

What is saddest of all is your willingness to be enlisted in the cabal against Rep. James Moran (D-VA). The record will show that Moran's question to the panel did NOT, as you write, include "wondering whether the true motive was Iraq's threat to Israel." The thought was all mine, and I stand by it.

What does merit the word "awkward" is that I have to write you this note. I used to look forward to reading your column. Until now, I had thought that your professional standards—like those of an intelligence analyst—ruled out the kind of slant reflected in your column today.

Were I not to have admired your past record, I might even think you are campaigning for a Gold Star from your editors, since your inaccurate, tendentious report dovetails so well with their torturous effort to play down the implications of the Downing Street Minutes. Those minutes are, indeed, a smoking gun. You'll see.

Yours truly,

Ray McGovern


www.afterdowningstreet.org

[LightningFlash]

7. Unbelievable!!! The freepers are running scared.

Everyone blast the whole corporate traitor media!!!!

DEMAND they cover Ray McGovern's statements and the Dana Milbank betrayal, I bet they will be forced into realizing "Hey, you know we've really skirted our jobs....This controversy has some major money in it."

Whatever the case, they must not be faced to DENY the hideous things happening of which they are complicit.

They must be reminded, ALWAYS REMINDED.!!!!

http://www.rumormillnews.com/MEDIA_EMAIL_ADDRESSES.htm

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