Ben Domenech Resigns ( Washington Post conservative blogger)

[OKNancy]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washpostblog/2006/03/ben_domenech_resigns.html

Ben Domenech Resigns
In the past 24 hours, we learned of allegations that Ben Domenech plagiarized material that appeared under his byline in various publications prior to washingtonpost.com contracting with him to write a blog that launched Tuesday.

An investigation into these allegations was ongoing, and in the interim, Domenech has resigned, effective immediately.

When we hired Domenech, we were not aware of any allegations that he had plagiarized any of his past writings. In any cases where allegations such as these are made, we will continue to investigate those charges thoroughly in order to maintain our journalistic integrity.

Plagiarism is perhaps the most serious offense that a writer can commit or be accused of. Washingtonpost.com will do everything in its power to verify that its news and opinion content is sourced completely and accurately at all times.

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. What is it with these Bushbots?

They can't do anything without cheating.

[Jack from Charlotte]

13. Post editor, Jim Brady should be fired for failing to check.....

this scumbags credentials. Bloggers had to do his job for him.

Post looks like sh*t. Fire that moron.

[ixion]

16. Because they're really worthless

I knew these bushbots by the bushel in college. The were all the same. Lying, cheating and stealing is standard SOP. I can't begin to count the number of examples I have to back this up.

[Bunny]

40. Somebody mentioned that here last night, and I think it's true.

They are so used to cheating, lying, etc., and getting away with it, that they think it's normal and okay to do.

[katinmn]

2. Don't leave future hires to Republican cronies and all will be fine

I knew this was inevitable when I read about the plagiarism.

[BOSSHOG]

3. With all the resources at its disposal

the post could not uncover what it took bloggers a few minutes to find out? "Not aware of any allegations of plagiarism?" There weren't any until the Post hired him. They sound incredibly bushlike in their crawfishing.

[OKNancy]

4. Editor and Publisher article

http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002236059&imw=Y

Conservatives Show 'Wash Post' Blogger The Door

By E&P Staff

Published: March 24, 2006 12:30 PM ET

NEW YORK A two-day effort by liberal bloggers to find, and publicize, numerous examples of plagiarism committed by Washington Post blogger Ben Domenech culminated today in calls that he give up his new position--from some of his conservative supporters.

Hours later, he resigned his post.

One of his critics, most dramatically, was columnist and blogger Michelle Malkin. As an editor at Regnery, Domenech handled her most recent book.

Conservatives had hailed Domenech's appointment to write the Red America blog. "I cheered for Ben, the editor of my last book at Regnery, when he announced his new position," Malkin wrote on her Web site today. "I criticized unhinged bloggers on the Left who leveled vicious ad hominem attacks against him. It's clear, as the good folks at Red State (which Ben co-founded) note, that his detractors were on a search-and-destroy mission from the get-go.

[brentspeak]

19. Michelle Malkin, the one who couldn't even get her Swiftboat smears right

When interviewed on "Hardball", Malkin insinuated that John Kerry deliberately shot himself with his own rifle. Chris Matthews called her on that, because even the SmearVets' book didn't go so far as to make that claim. Malkin was exposed to the public as the RW stooge that she is.

[UpInArms]

51. looks like even Malkin is trying to distance her sleazy self

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002888127_blogger25.html

Michelle Malkin, a prominent conservative blogger, wrote before the resignation that Domenech had edited one of her books and she had been cheering for him. "But now the determined moonbat hordes have exposed multiple instances of what clearly appear to me to be blatant lifting of entire, unique passages by Ben from other writers." That, Malkin said, is "unacceptable."

[OKNancy]

5. Media Matters press release

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=62908

Statement from Media Matters for America on Resignation of Washington Post Blogger Ben Domenech

3/24/2006 2:38:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: National Desk

Contact: Daniela Colaiacovo, 202-756-4124 or [email protected] or Jeremy Funk, 202-756-4109 or [email protected] both of Media Matters for America WASHINGTON, March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, David Brock, president & CEO of Media Matters for America, released the following statement in response to Republican operative Ben Domenech's resignation from WashingtonPost.com:

"We at Media Matters are pleased the Ben Domenech will no longer be employed by the Post, but serious questions remain about why he was originally hired. The Post still needs to explain why a partisan operative who admits he is not a journalist and who has a history of racially charged rhetoric, homophobic bigotry, and serial plagiarism was given a platform on Washingtonpost.com in the first place. We look forward to a full explanation of these and related issues by the Post."

Complete Media Matters coverage of the Ben Domenech controversy can be found at http://mediamatters.org/items/200603230013

Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. Media Matters for America is the first organization to systematically monitor the media for conservative misinformation every day, in real time. For more information, visit http://www.mediamatters.org.

--

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[katinmn]

37. Hooray for Media Matters! They were on this incident quicker

than you can say jack sprat!

[UpInArms]

6. the crony right-wing never does anything without cheating

recall Powell waiving around a plagiarized document at the UNSC in Feb 2003 - we all knew it within minutes - it was never disclosed by the MSM.

These crapweasels make me sick.

The continual toadying to the *Co fascism by the WP - must have "fair and balanced" lies to spew - hires a *Co admin redstate repug youth to counter years of journalistic (Dan Froomkin) because the truth is "libral" - these freaks that are leading out country into disaster should be stopped - not supported.

:rant:

[slingsam]

7. at first I was devastated

Then I realised I can read Ben's thoughts elsewheres.......first.....

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

9. Plagiarised thoughts you mean right?

[slingsam]

17. I do! The racism, homophobia and idiocy I can get anywhere.....

[wryter2000]

32. Let me add my welcome

You have to watch out using sarcasm with such a low post count. We do get trolls here.

Welcome. Very funny. :hi:

[slingsam]

34. thank you..

and understand about the trolls.....

it was an impulsive thought.....(starting the weekend early has its consequences......)

[UpInArms]

10. Welcome to DU slingsam!

great dry humor there - very welcome here!

:hi:

[Ex Lion Tamer]

14. Funny!

[HereSince1628]

8. Wow, long career with the Post!

Ya know, there must be a place for him working under Gannon.

[wryter2000]

33. Dayum

Coke on my screen. "Working under Gannon." :rofl:

[warrens]

38. Assuming he doesn't already

Like Atrios or someone pointed out, it's not like they advertised the job. Someone suggested him. Who better than another disgraced, purple-tongued right wing thug?

[northofdenali]

39. You owe me a new keyboard.

:spray: and this one's only a week old :rofl:

[Brooklyn Michael]

11. BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!

Ohhhhhh....this is too rich.

Not that I'm much for talking about myself, but I work for an independent TV station in the New York DMA (RNN) and I do a nightly "Around the Blogs" wrap-up, quoting various blogs - right and left - on the latest topics du jour...

I insisted we cover Box-Turtle Ben two days ago, and predicted that other bloggers were going to BURY this guy.

And whaddaya know? I wuz right...

That just made my @#$%^&*! weekend!

[flamingyouth]

12. They may not have been aware of his plagiarism

But were they aware of his batshit crazy ravings? Thanks for hiring that loser in the first place, Post.

Good riddance to lying, thieving, out-of-touch-with-reality trash.

[oldtime dfl_er]

18. thank god for happy endings

am I the only one who thinks this whole story is kind of amusing, especially in its value as a demonstration of the nature of the right?

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/658010

[JeffR]

21. And of the mainstream media's

total failure to understand the blogosphere!

[ahimsa]

45. Isn't it the "nature of the right"..

.. to toss some radical extremist into the ring and then when they get called on it, withdraw him or her and substitute someone more "moderate"? :eyes: Let's wait and see who the replacement is...

[Warren Stupidity]

15. The Progressive Blognation Rules!

Yes!

[rodeodance]

22. Post thanks the media outlets that surfaced the allegations.

.....We appreciate the speed and thoroughness with which our readers and media outlets surfaced these allegations. Despite the turn this has taken, we believe this event, among other things, testifies to the positive and powerful role that the Internet can play in the the practice of journalism.

We also remain committed to representing a broad spectrum of ideas and ideologies in our Opinions area.

Jim Brady
Executive Editor, washingtonpost.com

[Warren Stupidity]

24. So can I get a job at the Wapo

where I get to call the residunce a fascist fundaloon asshat on a daily basis? I don't see my particular slice of the spectrum represented. I promise to make all of my shit up personally.

[MessiahRp]

27. So wait.. are they thanking bloggers?

Since they did all the homework on this guy, not WaPo?

I thought Brady loathed bloggers...

Hypocrite assholes.

Rp

[Warren Stupidity]

31. Well he can't bring himself to use the actual word.

So instead he thanks "readers and media outlets" and then he goes and thanks the freaking wiring ("the Internet"). Anything other than for example Kos and Atrios or us fools right here on DU.

[DoYouEverWonder]

35. We who shall remain nameless

They really seem to bend over backwards to ever even acknowledge us.

[xxqqqzme]

20. who is the 'liberal' blogger @ WaPo?

[UpInArms]

52. they say their "liberal blogger" is Dan Froomkin .... eom

[Lexingtonian]

23. Buh bye, Ben!

The WaPo and NYT editorial boards should just stop fellating the Washington establishments. Yeah, I know, hard habit to break. But this sort of thing is the inevitable result.

[Blue_Tires]

25. ttt n/t

[maddezmom]

26. that didn't take long

:D

[dubyaD40web]

28. From Ben:

In the past 24 hours, I learned of allegations that I plagiarized material that appeared under my byline in various publications prior to washingtonpost.com contracting me to write a blog that launched Tuesday.

An investigation into these allegations was ongoing, and in the interim, I have resigned, effective immediately.

When I was hired, I was not aware of any allegations that I had plagiarized any of my past writings. In any cases where allegations such as these are made, I will continue to investigate those charges thoroughly in order to maintain my journalistic integrity.

Plagiarism is perhaps the most serious offense that a writer can commit or be accused of. I will do everything in my power to verify that my opinion content is sourced completely and accurately at all times.

I appreciate the speed and thoroughness with which my readers and media outlets surfaced these allegations. Despite the turn this has taken, I believe this event, among other things, testifies to the positive and powerful role that the Internet can play in the the practice of journalism.

I also remain committed to representing a broad spectrum of ideas and ideologies in my Opinions area.

Signed,

Ben Domenech

[katinmn]

36. Doh! He plagarized Bradley's announcement !

Jeepers. You'd think he'd try for one instance of originality, but no.

http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002236059&imw=Y
Domenech's resignation was announced Friday afternoon by Jim Brady, executive editor of washingtonpost.com. This was his statement:

"In the past 24 hours, we learned of allegations that Ben Domenech plagiarized material that appeared under his byline in various publications prior to washingtonpost.com contracting with him to write a blog that launched Tuesday.

"An investigation into these allegations was ongoing, and in the interim, Domenech has resigned, effective immediately.

"When we hired Domenech, we were not aware of any allegations that he had plagiarized any of his past writings. In any cases where allegations such as these are made, we will continue to investigate those charges thoroughly in order to maintain our journalistic integrity.

"Plagiarism is perhaps the most serious offense that a writer can commit or be accused of. Washingtonpost.com will do everything in its power to verify that its news and opinion content is sourced completely and accurately at all times.

"We appreciate the speed and thoroughness with which our readers and media outlets surfaced these allegations. Despite the turn this has taken, we believe this event, among other things, testifies to the positive and powerful role that the Internet can play in the the practice of journalism.

"We also remain committed to representing a broad spectrum of ideas and ideologies in our Opinions area."

[oasis]

50. Wow. He certainly did. Maybe he can use the "parallel universe" defense.

:crazy:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

42. most amusing

Onion-worthy.

:toast:

[NashVegas]

55. Investigate This:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/06_03_19_corner-archive.asp#093326

[Dudley_DUright]

29. Bye Bye, Boxturtle Ben

We hardly knew ya (and are glad we don't have to, yeah) :hi:

[maxrandb]

30. It's too late WP!!!!!

"maintain our journalistic integrity."

You lost all sense of journlistic integrity when you hired a right-wing hack under pressure from right-wing hacks, and tried to pass it off as "ballance"

Like my dad used to say. "Integrity is not like money. You can't let someone borrow your integrity for a couple of days and then get it back".

Once it's gone...IT's GONE!!

[The Witch]

41. T3h Bloggers Win Again!!!

:woohoo:

[RamboLiberal]

43. Little Bastard is already whining

<snip>

"The truth is, no conservative could write for the Post without being subject to the gauntlet of the liberal attack machine. There is no question in my mind that any RedState contributor writing for this blog would have found leftists delving through his high school yearbooks and grade school book reports in an effort to discredit and defame him. And if you too were a sloppy teenage writer, your errors or the errors of others would’ve been exploded.

"I have a great many friends who are willing to stand and defend me on this. I appreciate their support. I have enormous respect for Jim Brady and the vision he has at WPNI. But while the folks at washingtonpost.com understand my position and are convinced by my arguments on many of these issues, they also feel that the firestorm here will only serve to damage us all, and that there is no way this blog can continue without being permanently tagged to this firestorm. Therefore, I have resigned this position with washingtonpost.com.

"This is a shame. As you all know, I am a conservative, but not a partisan – I believe had this blog been allowed to continue, it would have been a significant addition to the Post's site. The Post showed bravery by including a conservative voice, and I hope they continue to seek that balance.

"While my blog was only alive for a week, it did have one result that was encouraging. If the change of heart described here continues, it will all have been worth it.

http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002236280

[Jade Fox]

44. Jackass.

You discredited yourself, you brat.

[tanyev]

46. They are so used to cheating, lying, etc.,

and getting away with it, that they think it's normal and okay to do.

(Plagiarized from Bunny, post 40, because I couldn't have said it better myself.)

[hedgehog]

48. Since you footnoted it, I don't think it's plagiarized

You can't plagiarize something even when you're trying to!

[tanyev]

53. Crap. I would make a terrible Republican.

:D

[Rose Siding]

47. Kurtz has Brady sounding strangely reasonable-

He says he would have fired him if he hadn't quit, and that they should have checked him much more closely before hiring him. This is key, imo:

On liberal blogs and Web sites -- Salon's lead story yesterday was "A Portrait of the Blogger as a Young Plagiarist" -- many commentators said there was no equivalence between a Republican activist who co-founded the site RedState.com and Post.com journalists who are viewed as leaning to the left. Brady said that was a "fair criticism" and one he will keep in mind in looking for another conservative blogger. "We're certainly likely to look for someone with a more traditional journalism background," he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/24/AR2006032401206.html

[NastyRiffraff]

49. ALSO from Ben

Domenech said he was disappointed washingtonpost.com pulled the plug so quickly after the blog was launched.

“I guess the thing that bothers me the most about this is that the Post didn’t give this a chance to either blow over or work itself out,” he said. “And I feel that if they had done that, the blog would have been a great addition to their site.”

Of course, in the same whiny article Ben says:

“I felt like if I didn’t resign, they would have pushed me out—if not today, then Monday,”

So, which was it, resignation or firing? My guess is, knowing the Post really hates to fire people outright, preferring to ask them to resign, that that's what happened. I don't think he "felt like" they would have pushed him out. Probably he was told he had the option to resign. And of course, the boy's so stupid, he blew even that.

[LynnTheDem]

54. BLAME LIBERALS!!! We FORCED the poor wittle wightwingnut to steal!

Just like we FORCED poor wittle Guckie-Gannon to be a gay prostitute!

BAD LIBERALS!