WSJ, Washington Times capitalize on tsunami tragedy.

[cal04]

Joshua Holland

As jaded as I am, it's still surprising to catch an American newspaper--even an ideological rag like the Washington Times--blatantly fabricating a story out of whole cloth. But that's just what Bill Sammon did in today's edition.

His headline reads: 'U.N. official slams U.S. as 'stingy' over aid.' But if you think somewhere in the piece there'd be a comment criticizing the U.S. for being, I dunno, 'stingy over aid,' you'd be wrong. Sammon couldn't pull a quote because the 'slam' simply never occured.

Here's the jist of the Times story:
U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised. "It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, how rich we have become."

Note how 'stingy' is in quotes in the first graph and 'the United States and other Western nations' is not. That's because Egeland referred to 'wealthy states' and 'donor states,' but at no time did he single out the United States. In fact, when a reporter asked Egeland to name the countries he believed to be "stingy," he pointedly declined to do so (you can stream the 48-minute press conference with RealPlayer and see for yourself). (link at site)




http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200453#1326

[amber dog democrat]

1. If the shoe fits....

I think we ARE stingy. But how much credibility does the Moonie Times have anyway?
I don't believe any of this.

[nine23]

2. Typical US response: "Slag the UN, slag the French, ...

...slag anybody who speaks out about anything..."

I saw the interview IN IT'S ENTIRETY when it was first broadcast. HE NEVER MENTIONED THE US ONCE; HE CONTINUALLY USED THE TERM "WE", AS IN "ALL OF US"..."

If the guy was French rather than Norwegian, they'd be pulling out the Freedom Francs and the other petty, immature bullshit they rely on when the term "failure" is even remotely suggested.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. Bill Sammon is nothing but a right wing shilling piece of shit!