Sunday, September 05, 2004
The Crowd that Didn't Boo III: The AP retracts!!
via NewsMax, linked above, The AP has issued a formal retraction of the false story circulated over the Globe Friday afternoon about a "crowd of thousands" booing former President Clinton, with the malicious addtion "Bush did nothing to stop them".
When they fire the bastard that made it up, I'll then be satisfied.
In a report that moved on the AP wire at 9:27 a.m. Saturday, the AP said:
"This is a correction to an incorrect story posted by AP on Friday stating the crowd booed the President when he sent his good wishes. The crowd, in fact, did NOT boo."
A transcript of Bush's remarks released by the White House noted applause after Bush offered Clinton "best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery."
ABC Radio Network news also confirmed that the Clinton reference was applauded, not jeered.
In its original version of the story, the AP had reported: "Bush's audience of thousands in West Allis, Wis., booed. Bush did nothing to stop them."
The erroneous report prompted a firestorm of outrage on interactive news Web sites like FreeRepublic.com, where posters complained of media bias and circulated contact numbers to protest the AP's false claim.
In a revised version of the story that moved on the wire late Friday, the AP said: "The crowd reacted with applause and with some 'ooohs,' apparently surprised by the news that Clinton was ill."
When they fire the bastard that made it up, I'll then be satisfied.
