This week, readers sent us more comments about Mitt Romney’s first television ad. We were also slammed for not writing about more statements from President Obama.
In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the email we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
Shame, Shame
Seriously? You are leaving it up to the viewer to decide whether a clip of a speech presented as the speaker’s actual words instead of a quote of someone else’s words is misleading [“Romney’s Ad ‘Deceitful & Dishonest’?,” Nov. 22]?
So, if the Romney ad dubbed in an actor’s voice in lieu of the speaker’s actual speech, would that also be a matter of viewer discretion? Anything that can be made to appear to be someone’s thoughts and words is a fair presentation?
You may feel the statement is accurate and could be something the president or his staff might say; but they didn’t say it and the ad clearly presents the words as those of the president. Shame on you! A lie is a lie and because the media notes try to spin it otherwise, doesn’t make it a grey area. I watched the ad. I was shocked at the apparent hypocrisy of the president. So, I came to your organization for the truth. I found the truth but also found that you were unwilling to call out a blatantly fraudulent ad as such.
I am beside myself with shock and disappointment. I always believed your organization had integrity. Well, I was just presented with a fact-check and found that is not the case.
You will be receiving fewer hits on your site from me and everyone else I know who wants the facts instead of spin.
Steve McBee
Tracy, Calif.
Shame on you! Factcheck apparently prevaricates. Your site’s credibility has been irreparably harmed. Only an overt admission of error can begin to reform it.
Mitt Romney’s recent Iowa ad about the president’s 2008 edited statement — “If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose” — is a brazen misrepresentation of the truth; in other words, a lie. You dodge the truth by calling a “statement taken out of context,” is a matter of opinion. The dictionary of 1966 is less politically correct. Webster’s New World clearly defines:
Lie: n:1. a) false statement or action, especially with intent to deceive. b) to make such statement habitually. 2. anything gives or is meant to give false impression.
Your facts seem to be strong like bamboo. They bend with the wind, whichever way it blows.
Dr. William Wulsin
Seattle, Wash.
Check Obama
I am very disappointed to see that this “Factcheck” site is really just a method to slam Republicans. As an independent voter, I am looking for true information, not outrageous slams and distortions. Clearly, there is no “Fact” in Factcheck because I noticed there was nothing about President Obama. Apparently, you took a holiday when he was running for office.
I will make sure all my associates are aware of the uselessness of this site.
Annette Alt
Entiat, Wash.