When the levee breaks
I don't normally use this space to correct errors unless there is a larger message to communicate. But several of my more loyal conservative visitors have asked about/encouraged/dared me to run the AP's correction on the Bush/Katrina video story that we published earlier this week on page A2. (Seems they think that it doesn't fit our "agenda" to acknowledge that part of the initial report was wrong.)
We will publish the correction tomorrow. It says this:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a March 1 story, The Associated Press reported that federal disaster officials warned President Bush and his homeland security chief before Hurricane Katrina struck that the storm could breach levees in New Orleans, citing confidential video footage of an Aug. 28 briefing among U.S. officials.
The Army Corps of Engineers considers a breach a hole developing in a levee rather than an overrun. The story should have made clear that Bush was warned about floodwaters overrunning the levees, rather than the levees breaking.
The day before the storm hit, Bush was told there were grave concerns that the levees could be overrun. It wasn't until the next morning, as the storm was hitting, that Michael Brown, then head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said Bush had inquired about reports of breaches. Bush did not participate in that briefing.
I hate that AP made this mistake. I hate that this story and correction give more ammunition to those who think all mainstream media types are biased against the president. All of us aren't.
Comments (8)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
I think the bottom line remains that Mayor Nagin ordered an evacuation of the city and his orders where not followed by everyone.
Posted on March 4, 2006 6:21 PM
John,
We are making progress here. I mean this is magnanimous. I am overwhelmed . I trust it will get the prominence that the original story received. I didn't dare you..did I ? Congratulations !
Posted on March 4, 2006 6:35 PM
"several of my more loyal conservative visitors ..."
As opposed to...? (our progressive/liberal visitors who don't often complain much- why should they?)
"I hate that this story and correction give more ammunition to those who think all mainstream media types are biased against the president. All of us aren't." (well, not ALL the time anyway- but most of the time). I had to use caps because you don't have a way to italicize...
Question why the AP botched the story to begin with...
Posted on March 5, 2006 1:27 AM
Whew! It's nice too know the AP blew the story. And to think I thought the Bush Administration had completely botched the rescue and recovery of that region.
Posted on March 5, 2006 8:48 AM
I think it was pretty obvious from the git-go that the story stunk.
Does anybody at the N&R use common sense when reviewing something off the AP wire to publish, or do you just "assume" it must be the truth and blindly print what they send you? You should have seen this one coming, the story was blatantly BS off the wire.
What it makes your "loyal conservative visitors" think is that whenever you guys see an opportunity to publish an anti-Bush/anti-conservative story you gleefully jump in with both feet regardless of the facts.
Posted on March 5, 2006 10:11 AM
They may just assume it's the truth. After all, if it's printed or repeated through the media, it must be, right?
Posted on March 5, 2006 12:23 PM
John, the "All of us aren't (Bush Bashers)" takes the cake. Have you forgotten? Some of your readers can actually read!
You're born to bash, don't apologize-we've grown to expect it. If you're going to bash-be the best you can be.
Actually, bashing is probably a cut above the race-baiting, class hatred chase you put on in today's issue about housing covenants.
Hang in there, Ollie will be here soon. Could you assign Rosemary to cover this American Hero who has put his life where he talks?
I didn't think so.
Posted on March 5, 2006 3:44 PM
Hear, hear.. Harry !
Posted on March 5, 2006 6:01 PM