Posted by
Defend America on Sunday, February 21, 2010 6:25:22 PM
Via Bigjournalism:
In Kenneth P. Vogel’s piece “James O’Keefe says next video ‘ready to go,’”
published by Politico on February 18th, there are a number of factual
errors that ought to be corrected. The problematic sentences are
identified in block quotes with explanations of the errors beneath each
quote:
O’Keefe – who had to get permission from his parole
office to attend CPAC – told POLITICO he wasn’t sure if the terms of
his probation would allow him to remain in Washington to accept the
award or would require him to return to his parents’ home in New Jersey.
There are multiple problems in this sentence. First, Mr. O’Keefe
did not need “permission from his parole office to attend CPAC,” as he
has never been paroled. We’re not sure Mr. Vogel meant “parole office”
or “parole officer” (the latter makes more sense since O’Keefe does not
own or operate a New Jersey parole office), but the claim is factually
inaccurate either way. The
lead entry
for the word “parole” at dictionary.com is, “the conditional release of
a person from prison prior to the end of the maximum sentence imposed.”
In other words, in order to be paroled, one must first be convicted and
sentenced. Mr. O’Keefe, of course, is still pending trial. In a
statement to BigJournalism.com, Mr. O’Keefe said he was granted
permission to attend CPAC from a “
pretrial services officer” from the
New Jersey Pre-Trial Services Agency.
The role of the officer assigned to him is to “investigate defendants
who are charged with federal crimes and awaiting a court hearing.”
The operative word being “charged.” Politico’s characterization of
Mr. O’Keefe implies a conviction.
Second, Mr. O’Keefe is not on probation. According to the New Jersey Pre-Trial Services Agency, probation denotes “offenders who are convicted of crimes and awaiting sentencing.” Again, the Politico article contains language to imply Mr. O’Keefe has been convicted before he has even stood trial.
http://bigjournalism.com/retracto/2010/02/21/correction-request-politico/#more-27406