Politico published Bauer op-ed that advanced 61-detainee falsehood
SUMMARY: Politico published an op-ed by Gary Bauer that falsely claimed that "a January Pentagon report found that 61 former detainees [of the prison at Guantánamo Bay] had engaged in terrorist activities." In fact, according to the Pentagon, 18 former Guantánamo detainees have been "confirmed" to have "return[ed] to the fight," while an additional 43 former detainees are "suspected" of having done so. Even the Pentagon's "confirmed" figure has been questioned by analysts.
On March 23, Politico published an op-ed by American Values president Gary Bauer that falsely claimed that "a January Pentagon report found that 61 former detainees [of the prison at Guantánamo Bay] had engaged in terrorist activities." In the op-ed, Bauer stated that those numbers were the result of what he called an "extreme religious accommodation" at the prison that he said has created "a culture of Islamic radicalization." In fact, the Department of Defense has stated that 18 former Guantánamo detainees have been "confirmed" as having "return[ed] to the fight," as Media Matters for America has repeatedly documented. During a January 13 press conference, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell announced "updated recidivism numbers of people who have been at Guantanamo": "The new numbers are, we believe, 18 confirmed and 43 suspected of returning to the fight. So 61 in all former Guantanamo detainees are confirmed or suspected of returning to the fight."
Even the Pentagon's claim that it has confirmed that 18 former Guantánamo detainees have "return[ed] to the fight" has been questioned by analysts. For instance, CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen stated on the January 23 edition of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360: "[W]hen you really boil it down, the actual number of people whose names we know are about eight out of the 520 that have been released [from Guantánamo], so a little above 1 percent, that we can actually say with certainty have engaged in anti-American terrorism or insurgence activities since they have been released. ... If the Pentagon releases more information about specific people, I think it would be possible to -- to potentially agree with them. But, right now, that information isn't out there."
Additionally, as Media Matters has noted, Seton Hall Law School professor Mark Denbeaux has disputed the Pentagon's figures, asserting that the Defense Department's most recent "attempt to enumerate the number of detainees who have returned to the battlefield is false by the Department of Defense's own data and prior reports." Denbeaux has written several reports about Guantánamo detainees, including reports challenging the Pentagon's definition of "battlefield" capture and the Pentagon's published detainee recidivism rates.
From Bauer's March 23 Politico op-ed:
Is the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, erected after Sept. 11 to imprison "the worst of the worst" of America's enemies, creating terrorists? With Attorney General Eric Holder's recent announcement that some Gitmo detainees may be released in the U.S., the question has never been more relevant.
After a January Pentagon report found that 61 former detainees had engaged in terrorist activities, several commentators concluded the answer was yes and suggested that conditions at the prison are to blame.
This may surprise you, but as a staunch proponent of the prison, I agree. But while many liberal commentators believe inhumane treatment and religious persecution transforms detainees into suicide bombers and high-level terrorists, I believe the opposite is true: that the unprecedented and extreme religious accommodation granted to Gitmo prisoners has created a culture of Islamic radicalization.
For all the bleating of the "George Soros-funded" Media Matters, I'd love someone to follow th start-up money for Politico. I'm sure some of it can be traced back to CREEP, Woodward and Bernstein breath.
From Wikipedia:
Does that answer your question?
Media Matters for America (or MMfA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2004 by journalist and author David Brock. Media Matters for America describes itself as "a web-based, not-for-profit, progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Media Matters for America defines "conservative misinformation" as "news or commentary presented in the media that is not accurate, reliable, or credible and that forwards the conservative agenda."[
And here is all you need to know about MMFA! Fair? Hardly!!
Nobody has ever claimed that Media Matters was unbiased or fair. It is a conservative misinformation watchdog site, not a general misinformation watchdog site.
At least MMfA can admit to their bias, unlike Fox News, who claims to be fair and balanced.
CaptFoster - got that link again?
When has MMFA admitted to their bias? Why do they not try and be "fair and balanced" by pointing out all the liberal misinformation on MSNBC? The link you speak of is about a LOCAL FOX station, NOT FNC. How come they don't post retractions when they are wrong, Sen. Dodd for instance. The sight does not say "MMFA, dedicated to proving the right is wrong for America". Liberals simply do not like the fact that FNC is the only media outlet where you can at least not be bombarded with LIBERAL bias. FNC does not try to hide the fact that they lean right, unlike MSNBC's blatant left leaning! If FNC is so bad, can you explain to me why their ratings are through the roof? That is the problem with far left liberals, they do not want fair and balanced, they want socialist propaganda.
These are questions you should be asking MMfA, not a commenter. It's not for me to defend or speak for MMfA.
I will say that MMfA is just as fair and balanced as any of the right-wing media sites. In fact, MMfA is a bit more fair in their supervision of the comments, in that MMfA doesn't censor comments it doesn't agree with, like they do over at Freeper.
The link mentioned by CaptFoster, if I remember correctly, was about Fox News winning a lawsuit based on the Court's stance that FNC is allowed to skew, even lie, about the news. When a "news" organization does so, it demeans the real news and the intelligence of those who are looking for the truth. It says a lot that you defend Fox News incessantly.
As for MSNBC, I watch that network for a few hours every evening. I understand that they lean left, and that's one reason I watch it (however, I also get my news from the BBC and Deutsche Welle). MSNBC has never covered up the fact that they lean left. NEVER. They've never claimed to be fair and balanced, as FNC has. At least MSNBC doesn't blatantly LIE on the tv screen with the whole 'Fair and Balanced' BS that every American knows to be untrue. Such actions insult the intelligence of the American public.
Show me where any liberal wants socialist propaganda. Any proof to back up such a blanket claim?
How about giving us some of your own thoughts instead of those right-wing talking points?
Oh my, the very thought of Newt in 2012 makes me nauseous. As they sasy in deep East Texas, I'm fixin to hurl right now." But really, folks, Media Matters is one of the best, most accurate and unbiased news groups in the business. I know it bigs the far right that they are so successful in exposing the right's silliness, but alas, it is so obvious that it needs to be challenged. The far right has had freebies for so long in spreading their swill so no ownder they are out to nail Media Matters. Howevr, they are dreamers if they think they have any credibility in trying to do so. Media Matters have long extablished their dependability in reporting so let the silly guys try to combat MM's long string of fine journalism. At last, we have some group that is unafraid of nuts like Limbaugh and Hannity, eetc. Long live truth!!!!
that the unprecedented and extreme religious accommodation granted to Gitmo prisoners has created a culture of Islamic radicalization
Wow. Try wrapping your brain around that whopper.
Yeah, as opposed to the Tennessee Taliban the lunatic-fringe likes of this schmuck embodies with their Schiavo slop and injustice Sundays.
The gops made a pact with the devil when they sold their soul to the likes of these loons and the gun nuts they kowtow to because they can't win squat without 'em outside of Dixie and the Bible Belt.
I think I got it. These guys are radical Islamists NO MATTER WHAT!
We can bribe them, torture them, let them read their Koran, give them 3 hots and a cot, destroy their countries, liberate their countries, rebuild their countries, kill thousands of their countrymen and they still want to kill us, in Bauer's bizzarro world.
You're seeing the same nonsense I am.
Contrary to the claims of the coalition of the clueless cretin community, George Soros is an American Citizen and as free to exercise his First Amendment rights as any other US Citizen. Funny how the gops always leave that part out.
Let's tally up the contributions of George Soros to MMFA or MOVEON or any other individual or entity and stack 'em up against the contributions of Rupert Murdoch to faux, the nypost, the wsj or any other pro-gop individual or entity in total and as an overall percentage of financial underwriting and overall dollars spent and let the chips fall where they may.
I'll take my chances. Any of you gutless gops, shrub-shills and gopologists wanna give the fact-based wheel a spin and see just who and what comes up money?
Always a pleasure.
When you really look at what Gary Bauer says and writes, you'd think that he considers lying an "American Value". This little creep needs to go away .... just go away....
but the Army of Rush needs as many loud, obnoxious, soldiers telling lies as often as possible.
The right wing has built an echo chamber that allows them to gin up scandals at will and have them repeated ad nauseum on right wing radio
-- as Media Matters has noted, Seton Hall Law School professor Mark Denbeaux has disputed the Pentagon's figures -- mmfa
Once again mmfa fails to include all the facts...failing to identify Denbeaux's connection to Gitmo.
-- Professor Denbeaux's interest in the conditions of detainment arose from his representation of two detainees there. -- SHLS
mmfa was made aware of this omission last week. Their continued omission this week means it was not a simple mistake...but a planned effort to shield its readers from pertinent facts...commonly referred to as cherry picking facts for a partisan agenda.
In other words, you're sayin' they stole your act.
NO, in other words he's saying MMfA was busted misrepresenting the facts, "liberal misinformation" if you will, and once made aware they CHOSE to ignore it and not print a retraction.
As for the "So what" crowd, remember MMfA picks nits about disclosure on this forum all the time.
Duh!!!! Media Matters did an excellent job of this story. There is no need for them to apologize for not adding that detail to the story. It does not change the plain and clear statement that this person made about the horrors of the place. In fact, this person who made this expose had first hand information and was able to give the details in living color. The facts are the facts no matter what connection this guy had with Gitmo. His close contact with the prison made him a much more informed person. After all, he has been there and he has observed first hand, the disgusting evidence of our Country's brutality to the Gitmo prisoners. You can feel great about America's brutality toward these prisoners but remember, the claim that so many of the Bush era released prisoners have returned to combat is a mark against the Bush prison treatment, not the Obama Adminstration's planned humane approach. Really folks this is sort of one of those "DUH" things that no thinking person can challenge.
How does Denbeaux's connection to Gitmo affect the point of this article? Also, how can Denbeaux not criticize the numbers from the Pentagon because he represented two detainees? Because he represented detainees, he cannot have a dissenting opinion?
I fail to see how MMFA not mentioning Denbeaux's connection to Gitmo makes this article cherry picking.
The fact of the matter is Bauer is a lying little weasel. That's the point of this article. MMFA could have left Denbeaux out of the article and Bauer would still be a lying weasel.
You can choose to use Denbeaux's info any way you want. But it is hypocritical of mmfa to not inform the readers of Denbeaux's legal affiliation with Gitmo detainees.
A few recent examples from mmfa:
-- At no point in the report did Wilson note that Layne-Farrar's testimony was based on the results of a study conducted by Layne-Farrar and funded by industry groups that oppose EFCA. -- mmfa
-- However, at no point did Fox News disclose Diaz's affiliation with the Workforce Fairness Institute, an organization whose website states that it "is funded by and advocates on behalf of business owners" -- mmfa
-- The Washington Post identified the group's president, David Bossie, only as "a former congressional aide whose battles with the Clinton administration are legendary." -- mmfa
Get the picture?
I see your picture and raise to you my original question:
Even if MMFA were to have left out some sort of "important" information about Denbeaux, how does it not make Gary Bauer a lying weasel?
But see, it doesn't matter. The article isn't about Denbeaux. It's about Bauer. Looks to me like you're trying to pull one of those "Quick, look over here!" pranks to pull our attention away from the true intent of the article.
Finally, the Bush Administration couldn't even get their numbers straight about the Gitmo detainees. Why does it matter about Denbeaux? And WTF does that have to do with Gary Bauer being a lying weasel?
You mean like the "quick look over here" the DEMS are doing about AIG bonuses, while they are "outraged" over the bonuses, they are preparing to spend TRILLIONS!
So are you going to discuss the question at hand, or do a troll-by, off-topic, worthless response like the above?
-- Why does it matter about Denbeaux? --
I didn't think you would get it.
-- WTF does that have to do with Gary Bauer being a lying weasel? --
Nothing...you're the one choosing to argue about Bauer...not me.
(1) So enlighten me - why does it matter that Denbeaux doesn't agree with the Pentagon's numbers?
(2) The article in question here is Gary Bauer's op-ed that advanced the 61-detainee falsehood. I'm not choosing to "argue" about Bauer. The article IS ABOUT BAUER (not Denbeaux).
Okay, let me see here: 520 Detainees have been released (not sure of when it started so I'll be safe and say over the past six years), and out of this number 8 is what CNN has found. Whereas, Bush's Administration said that a "WHOPPING" total of 61 Detainees (18 confirmed, 43 Suspected) have engaged in 'terroist activities' (again, playing it safe so I'll say over six years). Too funny with how embarrassing this whole story has become for the Republicans. Ouch.
Btw, on Morning Joe this morning Joe Scarborough said the "WHOPPING" big number was (drum roll please) "F-I-V-E" (5) in how many Detainees were brought to justice. (Joe was answering a news clip from 60 minutes with Pres. Obama responding to VP Cheney's remarks last week.) So, six years of war in Iraq and the Republicans "proudly" boast about only "5" Detainees brought to justice and "18" (confirmed) Detainees engaged in 'terrorist activities'. Wow, say it ain't so Joe, say it ain't so - please.
Gary Bauer is one of the founding members of the project for a New American century, the group that organized and got the Bush Cabal elected. he also runs another 501(c) 4 org called American values and is one of the Bush Administration's boys of the band.
Currently he is bleating about islamofascists and how they are out to destroy the American way but his cohorts Cheney and friends are the ones who actually created the mess after 9/11 that led us to where we are now...one of the most despised countries in the World. The Neo-Con agenda as part of the PNAC created the War on Iraq but 30 years ago were part of the sale of arms to Saddam Hussein under Iran Contra....He is a hack and a cretin and a liar. He and the rest of the boys in the PNAC need to be brought to task as the Amero-Fascists that they are
ive said this numerous times before and will continue to do so as long as this lie is perpetuated.
if those released were so bad.....why were they released?
i have a couple of scenarios id like to posit. and they range from complete optimisim to complete cynacisim.
#1. W. and Dick had a bout on conscience realizing that there were alot of guys who didn't belong there and never should have been take in the first place. but holding guys with those who do deserve to be locked up and having them all together where they could mingle and all be tortured innocent or no, turned those who were not terrorists, into terrorists.
#2. W. and Dick knew there would be guys who couldn't be held at all and figured better release them before War Crimes Trials begins against them. (i feel this may be the most likey)
(ok here is where i get satirical, sardonic, and comedic all at once, if you can't take a joke too bad.)
#3. Darth Cheney and his Council of Sith Lords (given the recent revelation of what he was running out of his office, this actually may not be far off the mark) had communed with the dark side of the Force and saw in the future how they could stir up trouble by releasing detainees so they could go back and cause more death and destruction. (my satire ends here)
either way....this fundemental question remains here.......if these guys who were released and returned to go back to terrorisim......why were they let out.....they couldn't have put on that good an act to convince all the gitmo personell that they would behave.
if that was the case. well.....that speaks to at the very least a detention center whose personell are at the very least very niave. and if that personell could tell that these guys were oblivious enough to what was going on then at worst the personell of gitmo is at worst the most incompentent group of people in the world.
i pray im wrong on the incompetence thing....like i said thats the worst case.