Courtesy Dr. Alfred Wallace, a quick look at New York Times correspondent Dexter Filkins and his recent pieces from Iraq:
On Saturday:
Shiite Faction Ready to Shun Sunday’s Election in Iraq
By DEXTER FILKINS
A radical cleric’s refusal to endorse the election foreshadowed a less than overwhelming voter turnout in Iraq.
On Sunday:
Several Explosions Heard Across Baghdad
By DEXTER FILKINS
Iraqis began voting this morning, and attacks began soon after. A car bombing killed at least one police officer in Baghdad.
And by today (Monday), when it had become clear that the election was not such a disaster:
Attacks Kill 35; Turnout Heavy Among Shiites and Kurds
By DEXTER FILKINS
At the day’s end, election officials in Baghdad estimated that the nationwide turnout could exceed 60 percent.
I can’t believe people still pay attention to the so-called “Paper of Record.” Perhaps Mr. Filkins should try reporting the facts, not his own predictions. So much for objective media.
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COMMENTS / 6 COMMENTS
praktike added these pithy words on 31 Jan 05 at 3:49 pmWell isn’t that what happened?
An Iraqi Shi’ite leader denounced the elections.
Turnout was slow at first, and then when people saw that it was relatively safe, they came out to vote.
Mutantfrog added these pithy words on 31 Jan 05 at 4:49 pmI glanced at cable news a couple of times during the day, while the voting was going on, and the predictions were pretty much the same as the ones you’re quoting from the Times, although they did focus a hell of a lot on all the happy Iraqi voters scattered throughout the US. Of course turnout in THOSE polling stations was quite low, since none of them were located near the areas where Iraqi-Americans actually live.
Curzon added these pithy words on 31 Jan 05 at 6:07 pmMaybe one Shiite leader did denouce the elections. Why does that lead to the prognostication that “A radical cleric’s refusal to endorse the election foreshadowed a less than overwhelming voter turnout in Iraq”??? I suppose I sympathize with Mr. Filkins—he’s only writing for the NYC cocktail crowd. But it’s far from objective reporting or a reporting of the facts. My only regret is that he and his ilk were so disappointed that the election was a success.
praktike added these pithy words on 31 Jan 05 at 8:37 pmBut he wasn’t disappointed. He was elated, as is clear from his election reports.
Curzon added these pithy words on 31 Jan 05 at 9:27 pmPerhaps we are arguing over semantics. And perhaps we should be thankful for the NYT for “lowering expectations” for the Iraqi elections, just as Mr. Rove’s worker bees tried to do to Mr. Bush at the debates. But everything about the above article sequence stinks of slant and opinion. What does Mr. Filkins think his articles are, blog posts?
praktike added these pithy words on 31 Jan 05 at 11:50 pmBut that was what happened. It looked like there was going to be disruption, you had the Sadriyyun potentially playing the spoilers, you had Zarqawi’s threats, which sure as heck seemed credible. I think Filkins reported it straight. He’s one of the best IMHO.
