Thursday, September 13, 2012

AP "fact checks" Romney

In regards to the Islamist riots, the US Embassy in Cairo issued a statement:
The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.…  We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others
Normal people would consider that statement to be an apology for American freedoms.

In a story styled as a "FACT CHECK" with both words capitalized and attributed to reporters Philip Elliott and Matthew Lee, the AP attacks a statement made by Gov. Romney:
"The Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks," Romney said in a statement…

In fact, neither a statement by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo earlier in the day nor a later statement from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offered sympathy for attackers. [Emph. added]
That is not a fact.  It is merely an interpretation.  AP reporters are entitled to their opinions but they should not label their opinions as "facts."

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