Did you know that all AP reporters can be reached via a single email mnemonic? First Initial, Last Name at AP dot org. I email the people that write the top stories on Yahoo headlines all the time. And they write me back. It's incredibly easy to contact these people. And it's fun! But, don't abuse the power, or they'll shut it off, just like all good things.
Here is what happened Monday morning. That's yesterday to you if you're reading this Tuesday. The AP runs a story about how US CITIZEN (and terror suspect) Jose Padilla was essentially being tortured by OUR GOVERNMENT while being held for YEARS WITHOUT CHARGE!!
Here's a link to the story. (The "US Citizen" Version (Yay Me!))
Here's the email exchange:
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From: Haik Bedrosian [mailto:haikbedrosian@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 10:08 AM
To: Anderson, Curt
Subject: Jose Padilla
Dear Curt Anderson,
Why did you fail to include the fact that Jose Padilla is an American citzen who was held without charges for three years in your story this morning?
Don't you think that's an important aspect of the story, or do you work for the Bush Administration?
Wondering,
Haik Bedrosian
Burlington, VT
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Subject: RE: Jose Padilla
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 10:20:21 -0500
From:"Anderson, Curt"
I believe that information is in the story. Did you read all the way to the bottom?
Thanks for your interest,
Curt Anderson
AP
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Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 07:29:28 -0800 (PST)
From: "Haik Bedrosian"
Subject: RE: Jose Padilla
To: "Anderson, Curt"
I read it to the end. It's not there.
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Mon, 4 Dec 2006 08:21:11 -0800 (PST)
From:"Haik Bedrosian" haikbedrosian@yahoo.com
Subject:RE: Jose Padilla
To:"Anderson, Curt"
Well? Are you going to quote me the part you "believe" is in there. or are you going to admit you were wrong?
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Subject:RE: Jose Padilla
Date:Mon, 4 Dec 2006 11:32:01 -0500
From:"Anderson, Curt"
To:"Haik Bedrosian"
This is our latest version. I have added the words "U.S. citizen" in the third-to-last graf, in case the "Chicago gang member" reference does not make that clear. You obviously are following this case quite closely. I appreciate your pointing out flaws in our stories. It's not necessary, though, to be confrontational about it. I am just a journalist trying to do a job. I have no agenda.
Best,
Curt
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Date:Mon, 4 Dec 2006 09:16:45 -0800 (PST)
From:"Haik Bedrosian" haikbedrosian@yahoo.com
Subject:RE: Jose Padilla
To:"Anderson, Curt"
Thanks for adding "US Citizen." That's extremely important. "Chicago gang member" hardly means "US Citizen." I'm sorry if you don't appreciate my tone, but if the president isn't going to fulfill his oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, then I'm afraid the rest of us have to do it, niceties be damned.
Keep up the good work.
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Date:Mon, 4 Dec 2006 09:23:12 -0800 (PST)
From:"Haik Bedrosian"
Subject:RE: Jose Padilla
To:"Anderson, Curt"
The story is off Yahoo's front page now. It's under "US News" with the following title:
Images show Padilla in chains, goggles
By CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer 9 minutes ago
The word citizen still does not appear. I'll keep watch for it.
By the way, were you born here, Curt, or are you a naturalized Chicago gang member?
That's a joke, obviously, but I think you get my point.
**************
Post Script-
Later Monday Night I caught Brian Williams's Shit eating broadcast version of the 'Padilla Was Tortured' story on NBC. Of course Williams didn't say "Padilla was tortured" and like the first version of the AP wire story, never mentioned the fact Jose Padilla is an AMERICAN CITIZEN which, if I'm not mistaken, is why his story is in the news in the first place.
As a CHILD I learned that America is unique because a king can't just throw you in his dungeon without proving you committed a specific crime. That's what makes America. That's it. Bush should be impeached. He's the madness of king George and he thinks he's all that, but he was lying when he took the oath of office. We don't do kings in America.
Bedrosian, you sir, kick ass.
ReplyDeleteGood work, Haik.
ReplyDelete