The Associated Press has shown it has difficulty stating just what a terrorist is -- a terrorist. In an article today at MSNBC.com (which may or may not have created/edited the headline) titled "Palestinian 'terrorist' in earth-mover rampage," we see how the term "terrorist" has quotes around it -- which signifies, in this case, the loathsome notion that "one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter." Not only are said quotes used in the headline, but in the article as well:
A Palestinian man plowed an enormous construction vehicle into cars, buses and pedestrians on a busy street Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding at least 45 before he was shot dead by an off-duty soldier.
Traffic was halted and hundreds of people fled in panic through the streets in the heart of downtown Jerusalem as medics treated the wounded.
Three Palestinian militant groups took responsibility for the attack, but Israeli police referred to the attacker as a "terrorist" acting on his own.
The caption under the accompanying photo, too, states that "An injured Israeli child is carried by a medic from a bus after it was rammed by a earth-mover in an apparent terror attack in Jerusalem ..."
The "terrorist" quotation marks were used despite, as noted, three known terrorist organizations are claiming credit for the attack: the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, the Galilee Freedom Battalion, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Hamas didn't take any credit, but nonetheless praised the attack. Maybe the quotes were utilized because Israeli police brushed off the three groups' claims and said the attacker acted alone? Perhaps, but wait -- they referred to the attacker as a "terrorist!" (Highly likely sans the quotation marks, even though the AP used them.)
—D. S. Hube is an educator and a member of the National Association of Scholars. He blogs regularly at The Colossus of Rhodey.
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It was written by an AP 'reporter'...
July 2, 2008 - 14:00 ET by TyromacIt was written by an AP 'reporter' -- it isn't like it is real journalism anyways.
well at least..
July 2, 2008 - 14:01 ET by UndercoverConservativethey actually used the word "terrorist".. but then I notice it was only because they were quoting the police statement. Still, it's a small start and a significant breakthrough that it was included in the headline.
Baby steps to cure BDS.
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
The AP is rumored to be a 'journalistic' organization.
July 2, 2008 - 14:09 ET by c5thenI have it from reliable sources that they actualy do employ some 'journalists' on thier staff. At least occasionally.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
You will know we are making
July 2, 2008 - 14:54 ET by motherbeltYou will know we are making progress when they start using quotes around the words freedom fighter.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
It would seem to me that
July 2, 2008 - 14:13 ET by ConservativeRexIt would seem to me that the "Associated Press" is taking a huge leap of faith for the reading public to believe an "Associated Press" "reporter". The "Associated Press" has never been known to tell the "truth" about anything they have ever "reported".
This "one man's terrorist
July 2, 2008 - 14:14 ET by Dan The Man 2This "one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter" true only when the terroists are fighting against occupation and not killing civilians on purpose which the Palestinians are killing innocents and not occupied. All they have to do is start acting like a civilized country.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
"one man's terrorist..."
July 2, 2008 - 15:16 ET by bassndude"one man's terrorist..." Who was it that originated that? Was it not Che'?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
It may have been Che. Check
July 3, 2008 - 09:32 ET by ahusserIt may have been Che. Check with Obama, he'll know.
Wow
July 2, 2008 - 14:47 ET by mytwocentsI'm "shocked". "Shocked" I tell you.
Give the AP a little credit...
July 2, 2008 - 15:29 ET by HillbillyKingAt least they referred to the machine in question as "an enormous construction vehicle". Not a bulldozer, as just about every other MSM outlet has been doing. I believe it was actually a Caterpillar 962H wheel loader or a Cat wheel loader of similar size, from what I can gather from some of the video that was shot.
As for the terrorist quote issue, perhaps the AP were ahead of the game by placing the word terrorist in quotes. From a Reuters article...
"police said they were trying to establish if 30-year-old Hosam Dwayyat had acted alone. At his family home in the Arab east of the city, there was no sign of the crowds and banners that normally accompany the funerals of Palestinian guerrillas.... Neighbors and relatives, including an uncle, said Dwayyat was divorced from a Jewish Israeli. Police said he had a history of drug offences but no known political affiliation..... Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the attack "was an act of senseless, murderous violence".
Maybe this guy was just a despondent, divorced drug addict who snapped. It wouldn't be the first time someone used a piece of heavy equipment to lash out at the world.
I suppose the litmus test for the validity of the "claims" by the 3 terrorist organizations will be the Israeli response.
If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you.
Don Marquis 1878-1937
Hey HK... I too caught
July 2, 2008 - 18:28 ET by bigtimerHey HK...
I too caught that with the msm this morning...I saw just a brief picture of the bulldozer they were repeating...from just a glance it looked more like a back-hoe to me.
Anyway, I know what you mean..it sure as heck wasn't a bulldozer.
I really wished they would take the time to get things right...but heck, they have more important fact checking to do...like the Brangelina birth watch....I simply cannot believe what has happened to this country and priorities.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
What more can you expect
July 2, 2008 - 15:30 ET by mattmWhat more can you expect from a Left-Wing "news" agency?
Not a bulldozer...
July 3, 2008 - 01:46 ET by Army BratI haven't seen pics, but the twits at the MSM wheel constantly refer to front end loaders as Bulldozers. If it has wheels...it aint a Bulldozer. If it has wheels and a big "bucket" on the front...it's a front end loader or just Loader.
I'm guessin' this is one of those many times.
Happy Trails...