National Review: ABC News FABRICATED Ashcroft "Cover the Statue's Breasts" Story!!

National Review ^ | February 25, 2002

[Timesink]

From the February 25, 2002 issue of National Review, page 8:

The story line proved irresistible: Justice Department's Top Prude Drapes Naked Statue. Two large semi-nude statues adorn the department's Great Hall, where the attorney general holds big press conferences. In the past, a large blue curtain was rented to provide a TV-pleasing backdrop. An aide responsible for staging such events, on her own initiative, hoped to economize by requesting the purchase of a curtain. She may have been admirably conscious of costs, but she was definitely oblivious to the ways of Washington. A phony story then ran on the website of ABC News attributing the decision to the straitlaced attorney general, who supposedly couldn't bear the bare breast of Ms. Spirit of Justice. Other reporters happily echoed the fabrication, many no doubt lamenting that a permanent curtain would end their fun in going for the "gotcha" shots that framed the breast and the beast.

[Timesink]

The original story in question is here. Notice how Lumpkin specifically crafted it so that the truth of the matter was buried at the very bottom of the story, where nobody - at least, no other journalists - would read it. And thus it was guaranteed that dozens of other reporters would repeat the rumors as facts, and the GOP attorney general would be appropriately demonized far and wide ... while Lumpkin could still claim "Hey, I printed the facts!" if she was ever called on it.

Anyway, that's my view of it. So what say you, Freepers? Is Lumpkin off the hook for burying the truth all the way at the bottom - a truth that would seem to indicate she should never have written the story in the first place - or did she do this intentionally to embarrass the Bush Administration?

And if so, should we take any Freeping action?

[Free the USA]

The advantage goes to the propaganda, we will be hearing this lie repeated for years.

[Post Toasties]

In make amends for her snide waste of her reader's time, Ms. Bumpkin should walk, dressed as the statue in question, along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. That is, unless she looks like Helen Thomas. Gotta admit though, Bumpkin really gave the Lefties orgasms in a forum I sometimes frequent with her smutty little lies.

[GeronL]

reporters have been burying facts for years

[Amore]

Not just the journalists. Leno jumped on it with both feet. And I dare say as many folks heard it from him as elsewhere.

[okie01]

Lumpkin is a liberal. She makes things up. It's what they do!

[CyberAnt]

"she did this intentionally to embarrass the Bush Administration?"

Absolutely!! Why else would she even bother with something so petty! These people will stop at nothing to persecute Mr. Ashcroft. Actually, they're really afraid of his faith and commitment to God - because they don't understand it. And ... the only way they can deal with it is to ridicule him.

[Savage Beast]

Just when you thought those newsguys and newsgirls couldn't sink any lower, they drop below used car salesmen and ambulance-chasing lawyers. What a bunch a trash!

“I have nothing original or profound to say.”

--Dan Rather

“We pride ourselves on being classy.”

--Dan Rather

"I think you can be an honest person and lie about any number of things."

--Dan Rather

And they wonder why respect for so-called "journalists" is deep in the sewer--because that's where they are.

[HHFi]

I used this story on the radio comedy service we write, and I got it right from day one. Even quoted a spokesperson for Ashcroft as saying he knew nothing about it and couldn't care less. Proof positive that a topical comedy writer (me) routinely provides more balanced and accurate news coverage than ABC. But then, all my client stations already knew that. ABC News is only good for providing unintentional comedy.

[Free the USA]

BTTT

[windcliff]

you wasted a rant for nothing.

[RAT Patrol]

Thanks, Timesink for the flag. This does not surprise me but it's good to have my facts straight on all the media lies.

[onedoug]

Well...at least something happened at Justice.

'Seems like most of my rants have been wasted lately. I guess my horse is just too damned high.

[Hacksaw]

Not just the journalists. Leno jumped on it with both feet. And I dare say as many folks heard it from him as elsewhere.

Many people here jumped on it as well.

[Dat]

Most of the libertarians on here used it too.

[Timesink]

Afternoon bump!

I can't believe this only got 15 responses.

[ValerieUSA]

I knew the story was fabricated. It was obvious.

[ValerieUSA]

The "cover up the obscene statues" story played right into every godless liberal reporter's prejudices against Christians. They couldn't resist running with it before verification.

[counterrevolutionary]

The advantage goes to the propaganda, we will be hearing this lie repeated for years.

Yep. Just like the NYT's "George Bush and the price scanner" lie.

[Spiff]

Did you post the full National Review article? I can't find it on their website. I want to forward it to a socialist here at work that made a big deal about this.

Also, anyone heard anything about the Ashcroft & Calico Cats thing? She loves to harp on that. Is there any truth to what sounds like a leftist fabrication?

She's a regular salon.com reader. In fact, when I started talking to her about the latest campaign finance "reform" infringement on freedom of speech fiasco - she initially agreed with me that it sounded bad but that she had to check salon.com to see if she could continue to agree with me. Talk about mind-numbed socialist robot....