Posted on 08/06/2007 7:23:23 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned from a military source close to the investigation that Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchamp--author of the much-disputed "Shock Troops" article in the New Republic's July 23 issue as well as two previous "Baghdad Diarist" columns--signed a sworn statement admitting that all three articles he published in the New Republic were exaggerations and falsehoods--fabrications containing only "a smidgen of truth," in the words of our source.
Separately, we received this statement from Major Steven F. Lamb, the deputy Public Affairs Officer for Multi National Division-Baghdad:
An investigation has been completed and the allegations made by PVT Beauchamp were found to be false. His platoon and company were interviewed and no one could substantiate the claims.
According to the military source, Beauchamp's recantation was volunteered on the first day of the military's investigation. So as Beauchamp was in Iraq signing an affidavit denying the truth of his stories, the New Republic was publishing a statement from him on its website on July 26, in which Beauchamp said, "I'm willing to stand by the entirety of my articles for the New Republic using my real name."
The magazine's editors admitted on August 2 that one of the anecdotes Beauchamp stood by in its entirety--meant to illustrate the "morally and emotionally distorting effects of war"--took place (if at all) in Kuwait, before his tour of duty in Iraq began, and not, as he had claimed, in his mess hall in Iraq. That event was the public humiliation by Beauchamp and a comrade of a woman whose face had been "melted" by an IED.
Nothing public has been heard from Beauchamp since his statement standing by his stories, which was posted on the New Republic website at 6:30 a.m. on July 26. In their August 2 statement, the New Republic's editors complained that the military investigation was "short-circuiting" TNR's own fact-checking efforts. "Beauchamp," they said, "had his cell-phone and computer taken away and is currently unable to speak to even his family. His fellow soldiers no longer feel comfortable communicating with reporters. If further substantive information comes to light, TNR will, of course, share it with you."
Now that the military investigation has concluded, the great unanswered question in the affair is this: Did Scott Thomas Beauchamp lie under oath to U.S. Army investigators, or did he lie to his editors at the New Republic? Beauchamp has recanted under oath. Does the New Republic still stand by his stories?
Bush must have ordered the waterboard. /s
Bump!
They never learn do they?
Heh, guess he’ll have to practice being ‘the next Hemingway’ after he gets out.
Remember the old Chuck Connors show “Branded”? That’s what should be done with this a$$. He deserves to live the rest of his life in shame.
“morally and emotionally distorting effects of war”
Not to mention the morally and emotionally distorting effects of bold faced lies - the left seems to be genetically incapable of either telling the truth or recognizing the tsunamis of distortions and fabrications that come from their camp.
The New Republic got sloppy. They forgot that the web gives the people the ability to check out the facts themselves. If only we could get the media housebroken on the first try, or second, or third, their circulation might stop the downward slide.
Just like that Stephen Glass guy, this guy will write a book, go on an apology tour, and get his story made into a movie, making millions in the process.
He could also go the route of a previous TNR fraud, Steven Glass: get a law degree, then have a movie made about his story.
GMTA!
LOL! Ya reckon?
That comment was meant to imply that the military is quashing such communication. The other edge of that sword is that the soldiers feel that reporters can't be trusted, especially those with a TNR press badge.
This creep intended to do this for his entire enlistment and admitted it in print. He deserves a BCD but probably won't get one. He is, however, likely to be quietly transfered out of theater lest someone he slandered (and that was just about everyone in uniform) decide to insert a size 14 combat boot intrarectally. That would only validate TNR's lies.
He’ll just go the Dan Rather route, fake but accurate...
Big ping on this one.
LOL!!
I was expecting a “Section 8” defense out of him.......
The Nation magazine's attempt at recreating the "Winter Soldier" smear against our Vietnam veterans is their box called "Collateral Damage".
Wonder how his girlfriend’s employment future is looking at New Republic.
Stupid liberals, premature ejaculations can be cured. Don’t trust another liberal as a source. Have some other corroborating evidence other than lies out of the mouth of a single liberal.
Is Scott Thomas Beauchamp French for Steven Glass?
Looks like Scotty Beauchamp’s “long march through the institutions” is over as regards the military at any rate.
I’m sure academia will be happy to hire him...
...the New Republic's editors complained that the military investigation was "short-circuiting" TNR's own fact-checking efforts.
TNR wouldn't have this problem if they undertook their fact-checking efforts before publishing the story. Methinks TNR's efforts are aimed at ass covering rather than fact checking.
It's too late now but they should have said that from the start.
The New Republic is a tool of the terrorist propagandists.
No matter how many times it blows up in their faces, we’ll be seeing more of this. The MSM is hungry to affix their “Apocalypse Now” template on our warriors any way it can.
Now auditioning for “psycho vets.” Line forms on the right...
glad to see this
ping
The costume department is busy stitching together ragged ACU’s festooned with fanciful decorations and non-existent unit patches and medals even as we speak.
Good for interviews, panhandling, veterans day marches, etc.
Another black mark of shame for the lying liberal press.
Well at least you can always be sure that they are lying to you
No.....they got caught.
bump
Wonder what would have happened to him in the old Iraq???
Pray for W and Our Real Troops
TNR should go back to their strengths—
Catalogin’ the bitchineth’ of Melrose Place!
Cosmos all aroun’ boys!
= 
Funny how they make that sound all sinister.
ditto ping
TNR has been “Glassed” again. It seems to me that TNR clearly encourages shoddy journalism - all as part of the liberal cause.
OUTSTANDING (FReeper) truths BUMP! Thanks to all posters.
That’s It?
Now Beauchamp serves his time and gets out with an honorable like J’n F’n Kerry?
Too late! Leavenworth for that assclown.
Traitorous, blanket party-inducing, liberal scumbag ping.
or panties on his head...
Sue? No. Prosecute the enemedia for treason in publishing enemy propaganda. It wasn’t like they were reluctant to believe the lies.
WOW! Can’t wait to see my newspaper in the morning! Lookin’ forward to hearing NPR’s take on this! The media will be all over it!
(sarcasm, as if it needs to be said...)
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