The Anchoress
:SCROLL MIDWAY FOR A RATHER DISORIENTING UPDATE:
President Gerald R. Ford is laid to rest. Pajamas Media has great pics. Betty Ford looks so sad.
On the Jamil Hussein front, Eason Jordan says “If an Iraqi police captain by the name of Jamil Hussein exists, there is no convincing evidence of it and that means the Associated Press has a journalistic scandal on its hands that will fester until the AP deals with it properly.”
Good for Mr. Jordan. You’ll want to read his whole piece. I wonder how many other stories our soldiers have said are “baseless” have traveled the globe and become fixed in the general narration.
Speaking of the general narration and Jamil Hussein – Eason Jordan mentions in his piece that the AP has quoted Jamil Hussein in 60 news stories. Confederate Yankee has done some extensive and arduous “grunt work” and his conclusions, which tie in with Jordan’s piece, may be read here. It’s an eye-opener. The AP’s got some ‘splainin’ to do.
:::UPDATE::: BUT…AP Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll (who is the very model of the modern narrow journalist) has told Editor & Publisher today that, “she had not read Jordan’s latest item, posted Monday, and likely would not. But she stood by the news organization’s previous statements backing the existence of an Iraqi police captain, Jamail Hussein.”
So there. That’s responsible journalism in the 21st century; hands over the ears and “lalala, I can’t hear you! Just read what we write and shut the hell up.”
This is not new, of course. Just astonishingly arrogant and overt.
Curiously, the AP has not used Jamil Hussein as a source once since all of this began. Previously, they’d used him…oh, quite a lot.
Hot Air has more on Jamil and Mr. Jordan. So does Flopping Aces, which started this ball rolling. Ace wonders if this is a “journalistic Enron.” Democracy Project has more links, and AJ spots some AP exaggerations. Imagine that.
Is anyone keeping track of how many promises the Dems have broken before even taking over?* Here’s another one: “We’ll work with the GOP!”
But we all knew that was a lie, right? Please tell me you knew it was a lie. They’ve done nothing but obstruct at every turn – they don’t know how to do otherwise. Even in power, they’re still obstructing. But they’re the party that is going to free us from the lockstep/goosestep nazi-totalitarian thing, right? Aren’t they? Although, let’s be fair. If the Dems were interested in consulting with the GOP, the GOP would likely mumble, “uh…whatever you guys want is fine…got pork?” HNAV wonders if anyone remembers Hillary’s plantation remark.
*I haven’t kept count, but I know someone has…please let me know.
Also, Ed Morrissey says if Nancy Pelosi really wants to “clean house” she needs to look at sweeping up John Conyers. Nice thought but won’t happen, cap’m.
It’s been kind of a bad few days for the press. They’re not happy about this development, either. And Patterico singles out the LA Times for a yearly review.
Meanwhile there is some positive news regarding Iraq in these two pieces. (H/T Curt.) And Wretchard looks at Iraq plans for 2007
Global Warming Hysteria is making room for some sane voices. Blue Crab has the story.
I came under some mild attack for “writing while Catholic” in the matter of the execution of Saddam Hussein. Reader Jim was kind enough to forward this symposium of Catholic thinking on execution – from NRO. Thanks, Jim. Also, here is one Church of England’s bishop, on the matter.
I wonder if Sandy Berger has been anywhere near Rudy Giuliani’s team lately? Stolen stuff…political espionage and intrigue. A “rival” seems to have stolen his campaign battle plans and given them to the press. How eagerly the press shares all this will give you a clue as to exactly who that “rival” might be. But I frankly think Giuliani doesn’t have many “skeletons” in the closet. He’s known to be clean as a whistle – the Clinton’s couldn’t find anything on him in 2000. His weak points will be Bernard Kerik (that’s peripheral), his ex-wife Donna Hanover (she’ll be all over the Huffpo and likely visit The View, but her effect will be minimal because a little of her goes a long way) and his social stands – which will likely be moderated, somewhat.
No, if you think about it, it’s not Rudy but the people around him who will likely be super-snooped on and used for political fodder. His kids, his wife, his friends – especially his gay friends. The Democrats like nothing better than to play the homophobic “isn’t this appalling and shocking” card whenever a gay person gets near, is attached to, or is family of, a Republican or Conservative) or is himself/herself gay. They keep thinking we care and it matters. While most of the folks on the right whom I’ve met really don’t much care, beyond the gay marriage issue. And many, like me, don’t mind the idea of civil unions – if two consenting adults want to form a legal partnership, what do I care – they just don’t want the churches to be forced to comply with “marriage” rules.
Of course, I’m sure we’ll also see some conservatives flipping out because Giuliani has occasionally done skits in drag. But hey, he’s done them very, very well! :-) Meanwhile, Spengler, who is often oddly right in his predictions says (and I cannot believe it) Jeb Bush will win in ’08. I like Jeb. But I don’t believe it.
A milfamily can use your prayers as a young mother dies of cancer, leaving a soldier husband and young children.
Watchers of Weasels hase compiled its year-end list of winners and I am very surprised and happy to find this humble blog included and in such terrific company! Thanks, guys!
UFO’s on Election Day? Heh. Why not?
Finally, for skeeter: Angela Gheorghiu and Bryn Terfel in the breathtaking “church scene” Gounod’s “Faust.”
And something forgotten that I’m glad Dawn Eden made me remember: Cass Elliot singing “Dream a Little Dream.” Lovely.
More Mama Cass: Slimmed down and looking lovely (and having a great deal of fun with Johnny Cash) here, and doing some splendid harmonizing with Julie Andrews here. She really was great – flawless singing and she made it look easy.
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