Duke Hoax & Unintended Help

Yesterday a commenter on this Chronicle thread, who self-IDs as “Truth Teller,” made personal attacks on some fine citizen journalists.

As you’ll see below, I responded to Truth Teller, who then responded to me.

Truth Teller’s response was helpful, albeit unintentionally so. Nevertheless, I thanked Truth Teller as you’ll see in the comment which ends this post.

Let’s begin - - -

To Truth Teller:

I hope you work through your propensity for avoiding facts and instead making personal attacks which reflect only on you.

Please answer the following questions which deal with important events.

1) Why did President Brodhead refuse to meet with the lacrosse parents on Mar. 25, 2006 and for many months thereafter?

2) On Mar. 29, 2006 Brodhead, on behalf of Duke University, issued a full, written and unconditional apology to the woman then referred to as "the first caller" and "her friend."

The Durham Police had known since Mar. 14 "the first caller" was Kim Roberts and "her friend" was the false accuser Crystal Mangum. But at the time of Brodhead's statement, the police were telling the public they didn't know who the caller was.

Here's Brodhead's statement, after which I'll ask you three short questions:

"Statement by President Richard H. Brodhead on 911 Tape"

Yesterday evening, Director of Athletics Joe Alleva and I met with members of the news media to discuss the situation involving the Duke men's lacrosse team. My statement announcing the suspension of the team's games is available with additional information on a special website off the Duke home page.

At the news conference I was asked about the 911 tape involving a racial slur, which only became known late yesterday. I have now had the opportunity to listen to the tape. It is disgusting. Racism and its hateful language have no place in this community. I am sorry the woman and her friend were subjected to such abuse

http://dukenews.duke.edu/2006/03/911statement.html

When Brodhead made the apology, did he know, as the police and Mike Nifong knew, who "the woman and her friend" were?

Brodhead's never answered that question. Do you know why he hasn't?

Can you think of any reason why Brodhead wouldn't want to answer it?

3) On May 18, 2006 Reade Seligmann was the victim both outside the Durham County Courthouse and within the courtroom of racists who shouted threats at him, including death threats.

Brodhead never said a word critical of the racists nor did he express any concern and comfort to his student and Seligmann's family.

Do you know why Brodhead remained silent?

Is it fair to say if Seligmann had been black and the racists had been white, instead of the other way around, Brodhead would've been prompt and loud in his condemnation of the racists, and in his expressions of support for Seligmann and his family?

I look forward to your answers.

John in Carolina


Now Truth Teller’s response ---

Hi John,

You are about the last guy in the world entitled to demand explanations from others about their actions in connection with the LAX case as you yourself have consistently refused to explain your actions in deleting from your website comments critical of the LAX players and Coach Pressler which seek to hold them accountable for their roles in creating the LAX mess.

If you really had the courage of your convictions, you would allow people to post comments critical of the LAX players and Coach Pressler and you would then simply post a response showing why in your view the comments were wrong.

Instead, you just delete the comments, which tells me that you recognize that the comments have an element of truth which you do not wish to publicize to the rest of the world, and you then refuse to explain your actions in deleting them.

Nevertheless, you demand explanations from others and seem to expect them to respond to your demands.

Are you really so dense that you do not understand the hypocrisy of your position? ... (The rest of Truth Teller's comment is a personal attack on another commenter. JinC )

Folks, I was tempted to tell Truth Teller that on the main page and the comment threads at JinC there are a great many statements critical of the players and Coach Pressler. Just the day before I’d published statements Professor Tim Tyson and Athletic Director Joe Alleva made in Spring 2006 sharply critical of the lacrosse players.

But instead I left the following on the thread.

To Truth Teller:

I said you have "a propensity for avoiding facts and instead making personal attacks."

Your comment @ 1:46 PM confirms what I said.

Thank you.

John in Carolina