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June 03, 2003
MSNBC Learns to Google

This really seems to be catching on:

Key statements on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq

Following are some key statements on Iraq's weapons programmes -- the main justification for the March 20 invasion of Iraq -- in the runup to and aftermath of war:

etc. etc.

You will note that MSNBC -- perhaps feeling that its readers aren't qualified to draw their own conclusions in these matters -- decided to "package" their quotes with a little explanatory material, instead of letting them stand on their own:

March 30 - Rumsfeld says the United States has found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq because troops had not yet reached the area where they are stockpiled. ''We know where they are, they are in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north of that.''

In an effort to explain why no banned weapons have been found, Rumsfeld tells New York-based Council on Foreign Relations think-tank: ''It is also possible that they decided that they would destroy them prior to a conflict.''

MSNBC, which once hailed itself as the pioneer in interactive journalism, also doesn't provide any links, so that readers can reach their own conclusions about the fairness of their reporting.

Ah, to be a corporate media giant -- now that's the life.

Posted by billmon at June 3, 2003 12:35 PM
Comments

Ah, to be a corporate media giant -- now that's the life.

A few more good columns and you'll be a media giant yourself. Then you can buy as many local TV stations as you want, thanks to the freedom-loving folks at the FCC.

Posted by: Matt Davis at June 3, 2003 12:47 PM

....You will note that MSNBC -- perhaps feeling that its readers aren't qualified to draw their own conclusions in these matters....

Well, if ya ask me - which you didn't but who cares - I'd say anyone who considers MSNBC news probably isn't qualified to draw their own conclusions...hmmm maybe like those folks over at the FCC?? !! Yeah, I'd have to go with MSNBC on this one ;-)

Posted by: a bit angsty today at June 3, 2003 01:07 PM

I'd say anyone who considers MSNBC news probably isn't qualified to draw their own conclusions.

Well at least there aren't too many of them, judging from the latest Nielson ratings.

But unfortunately, most the ones who aren't watching MSNBC are watching Fox News . . .

Posted by: Billmon at June 3, 2003 01:53 PM

In defense of Rumsfeld, if you go far enough East (or West for that matter) of Tikrit you eventually find yourself in Ft. Dietrick, Maryland...

Posted by: doesn't matter at June 3, 2003 02:47 PM

Much as I like to see MSGOP trashed (if it is indeed possible to trash trash), that's a Reuters story. Check the copyright at the bottom.

I can just picture Steve Hatfill right now, slaving away in a fake beard and turban in an improvised lab outside of Baghdad, thinking "maybe prison *was* the better choice..."

Posted by: Irfo at June 3, 2003 04:12 PM

As your attorney I advise you to change your copyright to the following:

"Unlimited license extended to all but commercial news organizations and specifically to MSNBC, Fox, and their subsidiaries and parent corporations."

Then if any of them try to run anything like your posts we sue the pants off of them. You get lots of publicity, I get lots of publicity, their attorneys get lots of fees, bloggers get lots of press, everybody wins.

That will be $100 or one nude picture of Ann Coulter, please.

sgc

Posted by: Stephen at June 3, 2003 08:34 PM

Stephen (nice spelling, btw; me too), I was agreeing with you till your preferred fee was suggested. Bleah.

Posted by: Linkmeister at June 4, 2003 03:42 AM

The Financial Times version, via the International Institute of Strategic Studies

Posted by: mark at June 4, 2003 12:39 PM

It seems that now, the comment from Rumsfeld, "We know where they are, they are in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north" of it" has disappeared from MSNBC entirely. Your link no longer works, either.

Also gone from ABC News' site.

Imagine that.

Posted by: shilohcat at June 8, 2003 10:53 AM