Another reason not to trust the NY Times

Folks,

I don't think the following email letter to the New York Times editor will appear in the paper. But I hope you'll read it, and share it with friends.

Thank you,

John
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To the editor:

Re: "Saudi Prince Gives Millions to Harvard and Georgetown" (news article, Dec. 13)

You report that among Prince Alwaleed’s previous money gifts, “a $10 million check he gave Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani in October 2001 for the Twin Towers Fund (backfired):”

Mayor Giuliani returned the gift when he learned that a news release quoted the prince as calling on the American government to "re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stance toward the Palestinian cause."

Actually, as you reported at the time (Times' article available only to paid subscribers), Mayor Giuliani returned Alwaleed’s check after he learned Alwaleed had issued a statement saying in part:

''However, at times like this one, we must address some of the issues that led to such a criminal attack. I believe the government of the United States of America should re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stance towards the Palestinian cause.'' (Bold added – JinC)

You quoted Giuliani's response:

''I entirely reject that statement. There is no moral equivalent for this act. The people who did it lost any right to ask for justification for it when they slaughtered 4,000 or 5,000 innocent people. And to suggest that there's a justification for it only invites this happening in the future. It is highly irresponsible and very, very dangerous.''

Why, in your Dec. 13 report, did you fail to mention Alwaleed’s “address …issues that led to such a criminal attack” statement? It was, after all, the despicable moral equivalence of that statement that led Giuliani to condemn it and return the check.

But readers are told nothing of that.

Given what actually happened, the Times seriously misleads readers on this important matter when all you say is:

Mayor Giuliani returned the gift when he learned that a news release quoted the prince as calling on the American government to "re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stance toward the Palestinian cause."

You've just given readers another reason not to trust the Times.

Sincerely,

John
www.johnincarolina.com