Source unreliable

Last updated on August 5th, 2017 at 08:53 am

Emmanuel Sivan reviews a puzzling Seymour Hersh piece in the New Yorker:

Sharp-eyed reporters in Beirut read the article in astonishment. Siniora, of the Lebanese Sunni establishment, was assisting allies of Al-Qaida who had split off from a pro-Syrian organization? And the United States was aware of this and might even be planning it, in order to strike at Hezbollah? And all this was in the context of aid to the Sunni forces in the Middle East in their conflict with Shi’ites backed, according to Hersh, by Iran? A world turned on its head. How could it be? But it was published in The New Yorker, a magazine known for its meticulous fact-checking. The Lebanese reporters began investigating the story on their own.

Hersh said he heard the story from Robert Fisk …

There’s your problem, Seymour.

1. What, doubt the probity of Robert Fisk? How could you not doubt the probity of Robert Fisk?

   Posted by mythusmage on 2007 06 20 at 09:26 AM • permalink

1. My sister’s friends brothers cousin who lives with a skank whose mothers live in lover’s friends sisters boyfriend actually shook hands with someone whose uncle thought they heard fisk say this, so it probable is true(ish).

   Posted by surfmaster on 2007 06 20 at 09:34 AM • permalink

1. Hersh said he heard the story from Robert Fisk …

   I’m sure that was the same conversation in which Fisk also told Hersh about this dinner he had with some Australian generals, too.

   Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 06 20 at 09:49 AM • permalink

1. But it was published in The New Yorker, a magazine known for its meticulous fact-checking.

   Not when Seymour Hersh is writing. Seriously, is there another journalist whose reputation is more out of whack with his actual abilities than Hersh? For all we’re justifiably ragging on Fisk and others, none of them are afforded the same kind of gravitas (for lack of a better word) that Hersh is, even though his track record for accuracy is no better.

   Posted by PW on 2007 06 20 at 09:49 AM • permalink

1. OT –

   Jaw-droppingly, Antony Loewenstein files a report from Iran where he sneers at both 1) Muslims blaming the US and Israel for everything 2) Lefties snuggling Ahmadinejad, just because he’s anti-Bush.

   He also slams Islamic brutality.

   Haram pigs have flown.

   Posted by joe ink on 2007 06 20 at 09:52 AM • permalink

1. New Yorker, noted for its meticulous fact checking The only thing the No Yuk is noted for is its very unfunny cartoons.

   Posted by stats on 2007 06 20 at 10:05 AM • permalink

1. #5: Ok, Joe, who is this imposter and what have you done with the real Antony Lowenstein?

   Seriously, some surprising insights from an unlikely source. I suppose it’s premature to start talking about a “Strange New Respect” award, but at least it’s a baby-step in the right direction.

   Posted by paco on 2007 06 20 at 10:10 AM • permalink

1. #5:

   Huh, how about that. Maybe Loewenstein isn’t reflexively anti-Western and anti-Israel after all, he’s just anti-(government of whichever country he happens to be in at the time).

   Can we sponsor a trip to North Korea for him next?

   Posted by PW on 2007 06 20 at 10:12 AM • permalink

1. I can just see Seymour in bed at night staring at the ceiling…“See, then Bush can strike AQ and…no, Hezbollah and…no, Siniora would have to first support…”

   Posted by Patricia on 2007 06 20 at 11:22 AM • permalink

1. I’ve never understood why anyone takes Seymour Hersh seriously.  He periodically comes out with these wild, unverifiable tales, gets a bunch of press for a few days, and then disappears into obscurity again.  His reports never pan out, never change anything, never lead to anything more and generally are forgotten in short order.  And yet, the next time he pops his head up the press panders to him again.  It’s a mystery.

   Posted by kcom on 2007 06 20 at 01:23 PM • permalink

1. I predict that Loewenstein has had a minor “brain event” (medspeak for small stroke), and will soon right himself (no pun intended).

   Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 06 20 at 01:42 PM • permalink

1. re: #5

   All minions, henchmen, pussywillows, and RWDBs in training are to report ASAP to Moonbase: Omega for their search area assignments in Operation Pod Hunt.

   Signed,

   Achillea, Dancing Queen Senior Minionette in Training and Discipline

   Posted by Achillea on 2007 06 20 at 01:50 PM • permalink

1. I’ve never understood why anyone takes Seymour Hersh seriously.

   He feeds the left’s preferred narrative. Basically, he knows his audience and panders to it.

   Posted by Rob Crawford on 2007 06 20 at 05:51 PM • permalink

1. I’ve never understood why anyone takes Seymour Hersh seriously.

   And he never lets mere facts get in the way of the metanarrative.

   Posted by JorgXMcKie on 2007 06 20 at 09:35 PM • permalink

1. If you see one hersh will want to see more.

   Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 20 at 10:48 PM • permalink

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