Today we learn that the New York Times does indeed print corrections if an op-ed writer makes an error:
An op-ed article on Sunday about Arizona and immigration mistakenly suggested that javelinas are pigs. They are peccaries.
Now, if someone were to, say, flagrantly misrepresenta “poll” that is the entire premise of an op-ed–as FAIR documented in this alert–would the paper correct that piece? We’re still waiting to find out….
This is a response I sent to NYT about one of their editorials. I didn’t expect them to print it:
To the Editor:
Thanks for your informative August 2 editorial, â┚¬Ã…“Tribal Law and Order.â┚¬Ã‚Â
I didn’t realize years ago when I was coordinator for the Atlanta Leonard Peltier Support Group, or when I worked one summer at his defense committee, that tribal police were there to fulfill a treaty we had with Indian people.
Leonard Peltier was the leader of an American Indian Movement group that was invited to the Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Indian Reservation by the traditional people and their chiefs to protect them from tribal police. He was convicted of the murder of two FBI agents in a shootout on the reservation in 1975. Since his conviction, his prosecutors have admitted that they fabricated evidence, withheld evidence, coerced witnesses and don’t know who killed the agents. This was during the energy crisis of the 1970’s, when huge subsidies were given to energy companies to search for alternative energy on that reservation.
The Indians’ protests of the rape of their land and other abuses led to oppression and to the election of Dick Wilson, a corrupt tribal chairman. That election was later investigated by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which determined that Russell Means had actually won. The Commission also documented 60 murders and over 300 beatings of Indian people on Pine Ridge in the three years surrounding the shootout, mostly attributed to the tribal police, and supported with arms, training and direct support from the U.S. government. The funding for that investigation was cut when Peltier was convicted.
He is a scapegoat, plain and simple. It’s encouraging that the Obama administration wants to fulfill its obligation to uphold our treaties with Indian people, but they must also take steps to prevent further abuses of those treaties. On February 6, 2011, Leonard Peltier will have been in prison for 35 years. Obama has taken a good first step. A good second step would be to set Leonard Peltier free. America needs to know his story.
Reid Freeman Jenkins
Atlanta, GA 30307
The Peltier case is a shameful example of injustice. The post-trial revelations of impropriety were ample evidence, but they have never been acted on. President Obama should pardon Peltier and issue an apology on behalf of the FBI and the Federal judicial system.
Reid and Emmett.Just spent an hour reading about the case.Anytime Hollywood gets involved with criminals(a certain cop killer in Phila written about by Michael Smirconnish)My eye starts to twitch.So I read about this man who I will also call….a cop killer.If there was done by the FBI and Police things to taint the evidence in one way or another- of course we must investigate.But so far all such charges have fallen before the courts.And one thing is clear.Mr Peltier admitted to shooting at the FBI offcers.He is not sure if he killed them.That is his testimony.Lock him up and throw away the key I say.The FBI should apologize to Mr peltier.Something along these lines.The day you shot at those officers was the day we are sorry you had not died instead of them.
Sorry, Michael. You’re ENTIRELY mistaken. Leonard Peltier has NEVER admitted shooting the agents. In fact, he continues to maintain his innocence. It’s just so amazing… a law enforcement officer is killed and folks just automatically assume things about someone guilt. Gee… You left out that Peltier’s codefendants were acquitted on grounds of SELF DEFENSE. Peltier’s actions were no different that day back in 1975. And how naive can you be? The courts haven’t overturned his conviction? Well, no… Ask why. Last I heard there were something like 20 constitutional violations involved with the case. But what have the courts done? How many cases have you heard of where someone was let go on the basis of a single constitutional violation? Lots. Hey, the appellate courts have acknowledged the misconduct on the part of investigators and prosecutors in the Peltier case. Ask the question… Why hasn’t Peltier been released? Heck, the ballistics evidence PROVED he wasn’t the shooter. So ask why.
Ive read the case.He did admit to shooting… and the evidence is heavy and hard against him.Ballistic evidence .does not in any way exonerate him.The opposite in fact.Short of someone admitting guilt I do not feel his appeals will be successful in any court,at any time
.There is to often a rush to judgment against the courts when the unthinkable happens….A defendant claims he is innocent!And the media jumps on board.Every one in prison is innocent.Never met a guilty man yet.
ABC, I find it disturbing beyond frustration that news programs present supposedly factual news when ABC
World News with Diane Sawyer gives us a facts report on the tax cut debate that was misleading. I am certain ABC and Diane Sawyer can do a better job of checking the facts. The examples you gave were pathetic and non- representative. Please correct this and do a better job for the American people in this very difficult time.