Clinton's Lawyers Say Iger Assured "Appropriate Edits" And Hammer Film As "Disgraceful"

TPM Cafe ^ | 9/11/06 | Greg Sargent

[Libloather]

In New Letter, Bill Clinton's Lawyers Say Iger Assured Them Of "Appropriate Edits" And Hammer Film As "Disgraceful"
By Greg Sargent

After watching the first installment of "The Path to 9/11," Bill Clinton's lawyers have written another blistering letter to Disney chief Robert Iger. In the letter -- which we've obtained -- Clinton lawyers Bruce Lindsey and Douglas Band write that they actually spoke to Iger twice and that Iger assured them that he was "personally taking the responsibility to ensure that appropriate edits to the film would be made."

But, the lawyers add: "Having now seen the first night of this fiction, it is clear that the edits made to the film did not address the factual errors that we brought to your attention." The letter concludes that the film does "a disservice to the American people" and is "disgraceful." Full text after the jump.

The full text:

September 10, 2006

Dear Bob,

We are deeply disappointed that ABC and the Disney Corporation chose to air "The Path to 9/11." The final product was fraught with error and contained contrived scenes that are directly contradicted by the findings of the 9/11 Commission Report. The film has undoubtedly cemented in millions of viewers' minds a false impression of critical historical events.

While there is not enough room here to fully document the fiction in your film, attached to this letter is a detailed fact sheet listing the numerous inaccuracies in the film according to the 9/11 Commission.

Nine days ago, we wrote to you asking simply that the miniseries tell the truth, as researched extensively and definitively by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. We asked that your network not present outright fiction as historical fact to the American public. In fact, we took pains to detail sequences in the movie that were plainly invented, based upon the version of the film that was shown to television critics and distributed to many conservative commentators. During our two recent conversations, you assured us that you were personally taking the responsibility to ensure that appropriate edits to the film would be made. Publicly, ABC said that the editing process was ongoing and that it was irresponsible" to condemn the film before seeing the finished product.

Having now seen the first night of this fiction, it is clear that the edits made to the film did not address the factual errors that we brought to your attention. "The Path to 9/11" flagrantly ignored the facts as reported by the 9/11 Commission and invented its own version of history. The result, in our judgment, is irreparable damage to the Commission's work. More importantly, it is a disservice to the American people.

That the film directly contradicts the findings of the 9/11 Commission is troubling. That it defames dedicated public officials is tragic. But the fact that it misleads millions of people about the most tragic and consequential event in recent history is disgraceful.

Sincerely,

Bruce R. Lindsey
Chief Executive Officer
William J. Clinton Foundation

Douglas J. Band
Counselor to President Clinton
Office of William Jefferson Clinton

[Libloather]

*Bubba and his hacks better be putting out some facts to combat what the entire planet watched. Otherwise, they really do need to shut their pie holes...

Chair of the 9/11 Commission Gov. Thomas H. Kean from the series "The Path to 9/11" during a press tour in July 2006. US network ABC aired the 'docudrama' late Sunday, despite angry claims by aides to former president Bill Clinton that it unfairly tarred his record on hunting terrorists.(AFP/Getty Images/File)

Screenwriter/Producer Cyrus Nowrasteh from the series "The Path to 9/11" during a press tour in July 2006. (AFP/Getty Images)

Executive Producer Marc Platt from the series "The Path to 9/11" during a press tour in July 2006. AFP/Getty Images/File)

[BenLurkin]

Not a single mention of Gorelick or the Gorelick Wall.

[golfisnr1]

AAAawwwww! Poor babies.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

You don't get it, folks, Bill Clinton has no power. Disney's chief could care less what Clinton and his Clintonites say or think. That's a fact!!!

[rwilson99]

You didn't see the scene where the CIA guys couldn't share information with O'Neill.

Gorelick wasn't named, but the buck didn't stop with her.

[Yo-Yo]

This sort of slanderous outrage never would have occurred if Michael Eisner were still head of Disney!

</sarcasm>

[OldFriend]

Tee hee. Anyone surprised Iger lied! That is precisely what the dems do LIE LIE LIE and MISREPRESENT.

[sirchtruth]

Why would anyone in tarnation give any credence to what these PROVEN liars for 8+ years of the Clinton adm have said about this movie as not being factual?

Iger to Bruce Linsay...Go pound sand!

[vbmoneyspender]

Apparently Clinton got lewinskied by ABC.

[Earthdweller]

Poor Bill. The world is still all about damage control on his reputation.

[mystery-ak]

How can you defame a rapist!

[tennmountainman]

Thats what I was thinking.

I have some advice for the Clinton lawyers.

Sue ABC and then maybe the producers will put Jamie Gorick under oath.

[Tail Gunner John]

slick should get on his knees and thank the Lord that the film didn't go into more detail regarding his responsibility for the situation his administration put us in relative to terrorism.

[stockstrader]

Their choice of words--"disgraceful",,,is very appropriate, coming from a group that should know the meaning of that word.

There isn't a more "DISGRACEFUL" group of malcontents in the world than the cult of Clinton 'butt-kissers'.

[COBOL2Java]

Poor Bill. The world is still all about damage control on his reputation.

As it will be, for the rest of his life.

[madison10]

Hey, Bubba-pants, those were appropriate edits. You didn't want Iger to lie for you now, did you?

[wouldntbprudent]

Who says Iger lied? He said "appropriate" edits.

I'm sure Brucie et al. took that to mean "edits with which we agree and which paint The Sinkmeister and his staff as the Saviors of the world."

Seems Iger had a different definition of "appropriate," that's all.

[evad]

Not a single mention of Gorelick or the Gorelick Wall.

Well, they did infer it..numerous times.

[kempster]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if you happen to present a different opinion that the "911 Commission" you must keep it to yourself.

I'm following this story to see which of the Clintonites mentioned in the film brings a law suit forward, including the toon. If not, it must have been pretty accurate.

[wouldntbprudent]

Exactly---that's what I want, for these jokers to put their money where their mouth is and sue ABC.

((crickets chirping))