Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Media Log recently flagged this Weekly Standard piece about the recent Islamic Society of Boston libel suit against the Boston Herald, Channel 25, and their sources. While I noted that I was not in a position to judge which party was telling more of the truth, I noted that the Standard piece was "completely tilted to one point of view."

That generated a response from its author, Dean Barnett saying:

For what it's worth, I wrote the story in the Standard. In preparing it, I interviewed all of the protagonists or their attorneys and read all of the court documents, including the plaintiff's complaint which, including exhibits, was almost 400 pages.

What was published was no knee-jerk reaction. I assure you that.

First off, I appreciate Dean posting a response and continuing the conversation. I also don't doubt his assertion that he did a significant amount of reporting. My point is that the story sees absolutely no shades of gray and doesn't even allow for the possibility that the ISB and the mosque project might be acceptable.

Here's the nut graph:

But even though this is a story framed by two lawsuits, it is not a tale of legal intricacies or lawyerly hairsplitting. It is, instead, a case study in how the leadership of a large American Islamic group woos and works with politicians, attempts to intimidate its adversaries, and claims to champion moderation--all while keeping company with prominent proponents of hatred and violence.

Here's another simple declarative sentence that says it all:

In short, the ISB's lawsuit is nearly as contemptible as it is ludicrous.

I stand by my original critque.

12/20/2005 2:53:00 PM by MJ | Comments [0] |  
Tracked by:
"Ohio liver damage lawsuit attorneys" (Ohio liver damage lawsuit attorneys) [Trackback]
"Wedding event" (Wedding event) [Trackback]
"celtic sea salt" (celtic sea salt) [Trackback]
"Ford C6 Transmission Shifter Parts" (Ford C6 Transmission Shifter Parts) [Trackback]
"precious metals prices" (precious metals prices) [Trackback]
"Sydney Bristow" (Sydney Bristow) [Trackback]
"FM Jammer Rf" (FM Jammer Rf) [Trackback]
"us state department" (us state department) [Trackback]
"www.derma-smoothe%2Ffs eczema oil" (www.derma-smoothe%2Ffs eczema oil) [Trackback]
"service desk software" (service desk software) [Trackback]
"40-Hour External Li-ion Battery for iPod" (40-Hour External Li-ion Battery for ... [Trackback]
"direct mail magazine insert printing" (direct mail magazine insert printing) [Trackback]
"difference brand synthroid vs generic synthroid" (difference brand synthroid vs... [Trackback]
"generator wheel kit" (generator wheel kit) [Trackback]
"Phone Number for Symantec Customer Service" (Phone Number for Symantec Customer... [Trackback]
"What Is Vasotec Used for" (What Is Vasotec Used for) [Trackback]
"George Washington High School Guam deca" (George Washington High School Guam de... [Trackback]
"realestate listings" (realestate listings) [Trackback]
"lynn daily item" (lynn daily item) [Trackback]
"Bernardo Miami Sandals" (Bernardo Miami Sandals) [Trackback]
"acne remedies" (acne remedies) [Trackback]
"surgical treatment of obesity" (surgical treatment of obesity) [Trackback]
"copywriter vancouver BC" (copywriter vancouver BC) [Trackback]
"bartender guide" (bartender guide) [Trackback]
"los angeles jail twin towers" (los angeles jail twin towers) [Trackback]
"womens lingerie online shopping" (womens lingerie online shopping) [Trackback]
"Float Sink Submarine" (Float Sink Submarine) [Trackback]
"numb linkin park" (numb linkin park) [Trackback]
"psychic network" (psychic network) [Trackback]
"vacuum cleaner bags" (vacuum cleaner bags) [Trackback]
"georgia tech football" (georgia tech football) [Trackback]
"supper solutions" (supper solutions) [Trackback]
"fax cover sheet" (fax cover sheet) [Trackback]
"liquid siding" (liquid siding) [Trackback]
"kauai accommodation" (kauai accommodation) [Trackback]
"Michaels Craft Store" (Michaels Craft Store) [Trackback]
"HIV symtom eczema" (HIV symtom eczema) [Trackback]
"ferrari owners club" (ferrari owners club) [Trackback]
"car audio magazine" (car audio magazine) [Trackback]
"rs232 vs. rs485" (rs232 vs. rs485) [Trackback]
"colorado river rafting trips" (colorado river rafting trips) [Trackback]
"sun city self storage" (sun city self storage) [Trackback]
"nickel deep draw stampings" (nickel deep draw stampings) [Trackback]
"info on provigil" (info on provigil) [Trackback]
"giapponesi frei" (giapponesi frei) [Trackback]
"blue mountain coffee" (blue mountain coffee) [Trackback]
"cisco networking equipment" (cisco networking equipment) [Trackback]
"burns security ToCo" (burns security ToCo) [Trackback]
"cable descrambler program" (cable descrambler program) [Trackback]
"dog diseases" (dog diseases) [Trackback]
"embryo adoption" (embryo adoption) [Trackback]
"hotel 5 stelle strasburgo" (hotel 5 stelle strasburgo) [Trackback]
"Ceramic Wall Masks" (Ceramic Wall Masks) [Trackback]
"Asset Tracking Software" (Asset Tracking Software) [Trackback]
"coffee shop franchise" (coffee shop franchise) [Trackback]
"school signs" (school signs) [Trackback]
"online grocery coupons" (online grocery coupons) [Trackback]
"cat gift lover unique" (cat gift lover unique) [Trackback]
"india adoption" (india adoption) [Trackback]
"low cost promotional pen" (low cost promotional pen) [Trackback]
"south park Butters" (south park Butters) [Trackback]
"caldissimo osare padre" (caldissimo osare padre) [Trackback]
"incredible pizza springfield" (incredible pizza springfield) [Trackback]
"Cable Descrambler WOW" (Cable Descrambler WOW) [Trackback]
"notice me" (notice me) [Trackback]
"sisters dirty panties" (sisters dirty panties) [Trackback]
"will smith movies" (will smith movies) [Trackback]
"child abuse attorneys Los Angeles" (child abuse attorneys Los Angeles) [Trackback]
"adult dating game serial code crack" (adult dating game serial code crack) [Trackback]
"Nortel %2B Earnings" (Nortel %2B Earnings) [Trackback]
"whirlpool cooktop" (whirlpool cooktop) [Trackback]
"medication cost" (medication cost) [Trackback]
"mars snickers sydney" (mars snickers sydney) [Trackback]
"beach babe" (beach babe) [Trackback]
"atv helmets" (atv helmets) [Trackback]
"Sentence Generator" (Sentence Generator) [Trackback]
"cable descrambler" (cable descrambler) [Trackback]
"Monthly Pollen Forcast for Central Pennsylvania" (Monthly Pollen Forcast for Ce... [Trackback]
"hood insert gasket barracuda" (hood insert gasket barracuda) [Trackback]
"corvette car cover" (corvette car cover) [Trackback]
"truth locks" (truth locks) [Trackback]
"Blackhawk helicopter model" (Blackhawk helicopter model) [Trackback]
"sausage stuffer horns" (sausage stuffer horns) [Trackback]
"gt ollie hardshell" (gt ollie hardshell) [Trackback]
"alaska fishing lodges" (alaska fishing lodges) [Trackback]
"Download Grand Theft Auto 3" (Download Grand Theft Auto 3) [Trackback]
"fax numbers" (fax numbers) [Trackback]
"wire quilt hangers" (wire quilt hangers) [Trackback]
"foods high in protein" (foods high in protein) [Trackback]
"convict leasing" (convict leasing) [Trackback]
"computer networking" (computer networking) [Trackback]
"contract cleaning company" (contract cleaning company) [Trackback]
"disegnodisney" (disegnodisney) [Trackback]
"comfortablelesbichefottilo" (comfortablelesbichefottilo) [Trackback]
"alternative window shapes roller blinds" (alternative window shapes roller blin... [Trackback]
"access terminal server postlsning" (access terminal server postlsning) [Trackback]
"russian roulette hotei" (russian roulette hotei) [Trackback]
"consumer research corporation scam" (consumer research corporation scam) [Trackback]
"jewelry" (jewelry) [Trackback]
"New York male laser hair removal" (New York male laser hair removal) [Trackback]
"designarchitettura" (designarchitettura) [Trackback]
"company engine miami optimization search" (company engine miami optimization se... [Trackback]
"annunziataberlusconi" (annunziataberlusconi) [Trackback]
"yyoavventuraydonomar" (yyoavventuraydonomar) [Trackback]
"temisvoltimaturita" (temisvoltimaturita) [Trackback]
"amatorialispogliarelloinpace" (amatorialispogliarelloinpace) [Trackback]
"incontrocattolica" (incontrocattolica) [Trackback]
"Cigar Smoking Woman" (Cigar Smoking Woman) [Trackback]
"pros and cons of smoking" (pros and cons of smoking) [Trackback]
"asteinternet" (asteinternet) [Trackback]
"autonoleggiobarcellona" (autonoleggiobarcellona) [Trackback]
"hp psc 1300 series printer drivers download" (hp psc 1300 series printer driver... [Trackback]
"dvi a/i female to svga male adapter" (dvi a/i female to svga male adapter) [Trackback]
"too long daft punkbass guitartabs" (too long daft punkbass guitartabs) [Trackback]
"extracting alizarin dye" (extracting alizarin dye) [Trackback]
"buy ox-eye daisy herb seed online" (buy ox-eye daisy herb seed online) [Trackback]
"leesville daily leader" (leesville daily leader) [Trackback]
"gelcore ps3" (gelcore ps3) [Trackback]
"wine bottle opener dairyland" (wine bottle opener dairyland) [Trackback]
"sony dcr hc21 mini dv camcorder uv filter" (sony dcr hc21 mini dv camcorder uv ... [Trackback]
"game cheats for ps2" (game cheats for ps2) [Trackback]
"wausau daily herald" (wausau daily herald) [Trackback]
"dwele rize" (dwele rize) [Trackback]
"dwemer magic book" (dwemer magic book) [Trackback]
"3-a-day of dairy" (3-a-day of dairy) [Trackback]
"bedford dwi lawyer" (bedford dwi lawyer) [Trackback]
"hair dye" (hair dye) [Trackback]
"stackable multilple dvd burners" (stackable multilple dvd burners) [Trackback]
"multi region dvd players" (multi region dvd players) [Trackback]
"jutsu hand seals" (jutsu hand seals) [Trackback]
"shadow vs dyablo la batalla iii el ultimo capitulo" (shadow vs dyablo la batall... [Trackback]
"daiwa td surfbreaker" (daiwa td surfbreaker) [Trackback]
"daiwa beefstick fishing rods" (daiwa beefstick fishing rods) [Trackback]
"dyed blue drusy agate silver ring size 7" (dyed blue drusy agate silver ring si... [Trackback]
"jamestown tn aug.19, sat ps4" (jamestown tn aug.19, sat ps4) [Trackback]
"yellow daisy festival" (yellow daisy festival) [Trackback]
"daft racehorse names" (daft racehorse names) [Trackback]
"pubic hair dye" (pubic hair dye) [Trackback]
"dell 4700 3 2ghz 512mb 160gb dvdrw dvd 19 lcd" (dell 4700 3 2ghz 512mb 160gb dv... [Trackback]
"katie daggett wedding" (katie daggett wedding) [Trackback]
"castle dake pan" (castle dake pan) [Trackback]
"daigunder character profile" (daigunder character profile) [Trackback]
"brother of hide hiroshi matsumoto" (brother of hide hiroshi matsumoto) [Trackback]
"houston daiquiri places" (houston daiquiri places) [Trackback]
"dwayne harty color study" (dwayne harty color study) [Trackback]
"multi region dvd players" (multi region dvd players) [Trackback]
"protable dvd players protable dvd players" (protable dvd players protable dvd p... [Trackback]
"pickalotto" (pickalotto) [Trackback]
"acneonlineguide" (acneonlineguide) [Trackback]
"rvwebguide" (rvwebguide) [Trackback]
"tearcrop" (tearcrop) [Trackback]
"perennial-profit" (perennial-profit) [Trackback]
"cogla" (cogla) [Trackback]
"noamobile" (noamobile) [Trackback]
"infolondyn" (infolondyn) [Trackback]
"hghstripsonline" (hghstripsonline) [Trackback]
"caymanislandsshorediving" (caymanislandsshorediving) [Trackback]
"assemblecommunications" (assemblecommunications) [Trackback]
"dancyking" (dancyking) [Trackback]
"hypnoticdesigns" (hypnoticdesigns) [Trackback]
"yamanefsy" (yamanefsy) [Trackback]
"swivsweep" (swivsweep) [Trackback]
"dinorelli" (dinorelli) [Trackback]
"choppermike" (choppermike) [Trackback]
"cellrelated" (cellrelated) [Trackback]
"x-netonline" (x-netonline) [Trackback]
"saleshed" (saleshed) [Trackback]
"cornwallagilityclub" (cornwallagilityclub) [Trackback]
"assembleonline" (assembleonline) [Trackback]
"betlivesms" (betlivesms) [Trackback]
"caymanautorentals" (caymanautorentals) [Trackback]
"caymanstingray" (caymanstingray) [Trackback]
"blueksafari" (blueksafari) [Trackback]
"metw" (metw) [Trackback]
"tgifcoffeehouse" (tgifcoffeehouse) [Trackback]
"noidahomesales" (noidahomesales) [Trackback]
"levonne" (levonne) [Trackback]
"paulbocquet" (paulbocquet) [Trackback]
"pukko" (pukko) [Trackback]
"april78" (april78) [Trackback]
"cp3o" (cp3o) [Trackback]
"e-creativitat" (e-creativitat) [Trackback]
"razzamataz.com" (razzamataz.com) [Trackback]
"cybershoestore.com" (cybershoestore.com) [Trackback]
"pixelrhino.com" (pixelrhino.com) [Trackback]
"analistic.com" (analistic.com) [Trackback]
"kpcas.com" (kpcas.com) [Trackback]
"diverz.com" (diverz.com) [Trackback]
"theshoppersoutlet.com" (theshoppersoutlet.com) [Trackback]
"boatgems.com" (boatgems.com) [Trackback]
"teelix.net" (teelix.net) [Trackback]
"phillipsworks.com" (phillipsworks.com) [Trackback]
"metahyip2.com" (metahyip2.com) [Trackback]
"domainrhino.com" (domainrhino.com) [Trackback]
"stuffed-animals-sources.com" (stuffed-animals-sources.com) [Trackback]
"imagineuniversal.com" (imagineuniversal.com) [Trackback]
"crystals-sources.com" (crystals-sources.com) [Trackback]
"snowboarding-sources.com" (snowboarding-sources.com) [Trackback]
"eckohost.net" (eckohost.net) [Trackback]
"lachiqa.com" (lachiqa.com) [Trackback]
"dishnetworkminnesota.com" (dishnetworkminnesota.com) [Trackback]
"realworldsportsbetting.com" (realworldsportsbetting.com) [Trackback]
"omnitecproducts.com" (omnitecproducts.com) [Trackback]
"joanneswedding.com" (joanneswedding.com) [Trackback]
"revengeofthefreaks.com" (revengeofthefreaks.com) [Trackback]
"youareherenow.com" (youareherenow.com) [Trackback]
"bookstorm.net" (bookstorm.net) [Trackback]
"swansingles.com" (swansingles.com) [Trackback]
"interiorrobotics.com" (interiorrobotics.com) [Trackback]
"kargear.com" (kargear.com) [Trackback]
"aboutlos.com" (aboutlos.com) [Trackback]
"digitalannex.com" (digitalannex.com) [Trackback]
"newclearproductions.com" (newclearproductions.com) [Trackback]
"imagineitministries.com" (imagineitministries.com) [Trackback]
"translucentpictures.com" (translucentpictures.com) [Trackback]
"trinityaero.com" (trinityaero.com) [Trackback]
"garuda2.com" (garuda2.com) [Trackback]
"vintageteddybears.net" (vintageteddybears.net) [Trackback]
"secretwebhost.com" (secretwebhost.com) [Trackback]
"microdownloads.com" (microdownloads.com) [Trackback]
"foundtips.com" (foundtips.com) [Trackback]
"queensknightpublishing.com" (queensknightpublishing.com) [Trackback]
"arcticfeaver.net" (arcticfeaver.net) [Trackback]
"ukjoyride.com" (ukjoyride.com) [Trackback]
"brayoandp.com" (brayoandp.com) [Trackback]
"ventureindia.com" (ventureindia.com) [Trackback]
"wolffweb.com" (wolffweb.com) [Trackback]
"speedymedicine.com" (speedymedicine.com) [Trackback]
"bejornest.net" (bejornest.net) [Trackback]
"mainstreetmemphis.com" (mainstreetmemphis.com) [Trackback]
"hidefpr.com" (hidefpr.com) [Trackback]
"freashxbabes.com" (freashxbabes.com) [Trackback]
"wynnresortsltd.net" (wynnresortsltd.net) [Trackback]
"discount-plumbing-heating.com" (discount-plumbing-heating.com) [Trackback]
"check-n-go.net" (check-n-go.net) [Trackback]
"allmodelcars.com" (allmodelcars.com) [Trackback]
"surety-online.com" (surety-online.com) [Trackback]
"eespecs.com" (eespecs.com) [Trackback]
"coolmactool.com" (coolmactool.com) [Trackback]
"doctorrussell.com" (doctorrussell.com) [Trackback]
"procartuning.com" (procartuning.com) [Trackback]
"personalinjurylawfirms.com" (personalinjurylawfirms.com) [Trackback]
"flagstarbanking.net" (flagstarbanking.net) [Trackback]
"tulsaengines.com" (tulsaengines.com) [Trackback]
"cd00100.com" (cd00100.com) [Trackback]
"whoisa10.com" (whoisa10.com) [Trackback]
"shrinkon.com" (shrinkon.com) [Trackback]
"krocstock.com" (krocstock.com) [Trackback]
"everblinded.com" (everblinded.com) [Trackback]
"easyaspie.com" (easyaspie.com) [Trackback]
"everhighest.com" (everhighest.com) [Trackback]
"graftoncables.com" (graftoncables.com) [Trackback]
"doctorgarcia.com" (doctorgarcia.com) [Trackback]
"upscaleandclassystores.com" (upscaleandclassystores.com) [Trackback]
"neusats.com" (neusats.com) [Trackback]
"wynnresortsintl.net" (wynnresortsintl.net) [Trackback]
"birdieyager.net" (birdieyager.net) [Trackback]
"justin-deb.com" (justin-deb.com) [Trackback]
"superbowlticketsonline.com" (superbowlticketsonline.com) [Trackback]
"viscaelbarca.com" (viscaelbarca.com) [Trackback]
"hoajs.com" (hoajs.com) [Trackback]
"printsthatsell.com" (printsthatsell.com) [Trackback]
"tournamenttown.com" (tournamenttown.com) [Trackback]
"windsynth.com" (windsynth.com) [Trackback]
"wemakeitsecure.com" (wemakeitsecure.com) [Trackback]
"trustyellowpages.com" (trustyellowpages.com) [Trackback]
"doctorweinstein.com" (doctorweinstein.com) [Trackback]
"lobbyamerica.com" (lobbyamerica.com) [Trackback]
"doctorrubin.com" (doctorrubin.com) [Trackback]
"trickedboned.com" (trickedboned.com) [Trackback]
"tropicalrainforest.net" (tropicalrainforest.net) [Trackback]
"saffariballs.com" (saffariballs.com) [Trackback]
"campuspropertymgmt.com" (campuspropertymgmt.com) [Trackback]
"doctorrobinson.com" (doctorrobinson.com) [Trackback]
"whitepagesphonedirectory.com" (whitepagesphonedirectory.com) [Trackback]
"gallaudetfootball.com" (gallaudetfootball.com) [Trackback]
"vitamins-world.com" (vitamins-world.com) [Trackback]
"utravelcwt.com" (utravelcwt.com) [Trackback]
"gochamp.com" (gochamp.com) [Trackback]
"fishtankpros.com" (fishtankpros.com) [Trackback]
"mazel.net" (mazel.net) [Trackback]
"ftmyersfloridavirtualconcierge.com" (ftmyersfloridavirtualconcierge.com) [Trackback]
"tmp1" (tmp1) [Trackback]
"alitraders.com" (alitraders.com) [Trackback]
"arbdev.com" (arbdev.com) [Trackback]
"arblink.net" (arblink.net) [Trackback]