By: Jay DeFoore When an Italian TV documentary revealed that U.S. forces might have used the incendiary chemical white phosphorus on Iraqi civilians, a quiet uproar began. Readers respond to the issue, and to E&P Editor Greg Mitchell's column on the subject, in today's letters. Other topics of discussion include reaction to a recent Cindy Sheehan book-signing photo (scroll down), Web readership, and another entry in our ongoing " Absurd Political Journalism Awards."
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Knight Ridder Had It FirstRe:
Journalists Report Evidence of Hundreds of Sunnis Executed in IraqYou should note that these stories are many months late. We reported this in June. See this
report.
Yasser Salihee was shot to death by U.S. troops in a tragic accident shortly after he shared a byline on that story with Tom Lasseter.
Our follow Monday
takes it further.
Steven ButlerForeign Editor
Knight Ridder Washington Bureau
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Red, White and Blue Cattle Prods Still Cattle ProdsRe:
White phosphorus, a California Embed, and 'The TimesAs a veteran, I am sickened by the actions of Bush/Cheney and gang in Iraq. Even though I am well aware of the fact that "liberation" was excuse #6, hoisted up the flag pole to save face after the previous 5 lies got proven to be lies, they can't even make excuse #6 seem even remotely true. Their version is, "we had to remove Saddam because he killed his people, he tortured his people, and he used chemical weapons on his people." Lovely. Now we kill his people, torture his people, and use chemical weapons on his people. That's the better choice for the people of Iraq? Maybe Bush considers it better because we use Red, White & Blue cattle prods to torture them with. As long as this man remains in power, I am ashamed to admit I am American.
Aaron RowlandAkron, Ohio
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Where's the Investigative Reporting?I watch the big three -- ABC, NBC, and CBS -- for news (don't pay for cable, too cheap). I don't recall which one, or if it was more than one of the three, but during the attacks on Fallujah they carried clips showing the use of phosphorous.
I of course cannot recall the narrative, but I do recall that I was aware that it was being used as a weapon. I was shocked by this. The media seems to respond to these issues only when forced to, such as by Italian TV. Nothing we do seems to shock our media or inspire them to do investigative reporting.
Bob ReynoldsOrange Park, Fla.
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Re:
Dispelling the Myth of Readership DeclineGreat article but there is another facet as well. I, as well as a few others I know, not only read newspapers online only, we also read multiple sites for news in different cities. On an average day I read the KUSA [local ABC affiliate], the Denver Post, New York Post, Houston Chronicle; CNN.com and NOLA.com [New Orleans Picayune]; in addition to blogs that also filter out news from multiple sources. I think it would be interesting if someone would study that. Just a thought.
Brandon Lovato***
Terrific article. This is the type of article the newspaper industry needs more of.
Michael De RobertisRegional Manager
Newspaper National Network
New York City, N.Y.
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Semantics DebatedRe:
Rumsfeld Says Don't Call Them 'Insurgents'Rummy's right. They're not insurgents. They're resistance fighters. You know, when your country's invaded and occupied?
Tom MarshallN Fort Myers, Fla.
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More Nominations for the Absurd Political Journalism AwardYesterday we got our first nomination for the fictional "Absurd Political Journalism Award," and today another reader offers his nominations. If you have more, send them to
letters@editorandpublisher.com.
Judith Miller, NY Times and Bob Woodward, Washington Post (equal).
When journalism becomes self-serving, above the law, and the public interest and finding out the truth, becomes political, journalism and journalists (possessing God-like feeling that rules don't apply to them) start to become completely absurd. The above two are the best examples for that.
Hannele Karhu***
And Now for the Cindy Sheehan Letters?Re:
Cindy Sheehan Claims Photos Falsely Implied Her Book Signing was a FlopI saw through AP's misleading caption under the photo of Cindy Sheehan, but I'm sure most people got the intended impression. It's another example of why you folks desperately need a code of ethics. Intentionally misleading the reader should be considered journalistic malpractice.
Stephen FournierHartford, Conn.
Ed's Note: Interestingly enough, The Associated Press today released a new policy on news values and principles. It can be viewed here.***
Face it folks, she is a flop. Get over it
Gary Weigel***
Re:
"At the time the photos were taken 'maybe 5 people had come in,' Vucci says, and Sheehan was waiting for more to stop by, which they did individually as well as in very small groups. Therefore the wording of the caption is accurate in that Sheehan was waiting for people to show up at her signing."It begs the question: Why did he choose that photo to publish? Why not a photo of her signing her book?
The photo and caption obviously give the impression, whether false or not, that her book signing was a failure. That can't be argued. Was it deliberate? Only they know for sure.
Mike PupisNewtown Square, Pa.
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Just when I thought Cindy's MSM life support plug had been permanently pulled...
Nice shot ,Evan.
BTW, never did read who Cindy's $$ angel has been.
Storrs Warinner PilotLas Vegas, Nev.
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Looked like a big tent, lots of chairs, lots of banners, lots of balloons, lots of cover-up.
Did the tent rental eat up the book sales? Or more?
David CameronIncline Village, Nev.
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The circulation of those Reuters and AP pictures of Sheehan sitting alone at what she claims was a successful book signing should make her happy. I would guess that she'll sell more books now that the people that support her realize how sad she is for not making much money from the death of her son.
Ralph SuchomelPeachtree City, Ga.
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Re: Cindy's Book signing or anything she does?
Who cares?
Dorothy Carter
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