Ben Domenech Resigns

[zimv20]

dunno how many of you have been following this week's hullabaloo over the washington post's new controversial right-wing blogger, Ben Domenech, but he resigned today (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washpostblog/2006/03/ben_domenech_resigns.html).


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.

Jim Brady
Executive Editor, washingtonpost.com


an example of the hullabaloo can be seen here (http://yourlogohere.blogspot.com/2006/03/nail-meet-coffin.html).

[zimv20]

earlier this week, mr domenech took bush to task for attending the funeral of coretta scott king, who mr domenech labeled a communist.

check out his weak apology (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redamerica/2006/03/two_quick_notes.html):

Some people have taken issue with an old two-line comment of mine on RedState.com where I referred to Coretta Scott King as a Communist on the day after her funeral. Coretta Scott King was many things, and her most significant contribution was the unflagging support of her husband in his own noble work to bring equality to all Americans.

She was also a liberal activist on a number of issues, including same-sex marriage and abortion. The thread where my comment appeared discussed President Bush's attendance at Mrs. King's funeral, which was criticized by some for its political nature. My comment questioned the president's decision to attend the funeral after he had phoned in a message to the March for Life, the largest pro-life rally and a significant annual event. Mrs. King participated in many different political causes, some of which involved associations with questionable people, but referring to her as a Communist was a mistake, hyperbole in the context of a larger debate about President Bush's political priorities. Mea Culpa.

[IJ Reilly]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[Thomas Veil]

Don't worry...he'll end up at the Washington Times or on Fox News.

[pseudobrit]

Oh my God.

I'm so shocked another right wing blowhard has turned out to have no integrity.

I'm running out of sarcasm.

[solvs]

I heard about this from C&L. Funny that they had to use plagiarism as an excuse to get rid of the kid. They couldn't have just fired him for sucking. Nepotism at it's best folks. I hear this is how Tucker Carlson became what he is too, for those wondering. Because, I imagine, a lot of us may be wondering.

[mactastic]

The sad thing is, that the Post has felt the need to 'balance' their current, supposedly liberal slant, with a partisan hack like Domenech. Why was there no effort made to put someone as partisan as Dominech, but from the left, on the Post's blog staff as well? Are they suggesting that Froomkin is somehow the lefty equivalent of Domenech?

Oh but the media is such a bastions of leftism... So much so, that they are willing to give voice to a guy who calls Mrs. King a communist.

[solvs]

Are they suggesting that Froomkin is somehow the lefty equivalent of Domenech?
Yeah, pretty much. Of course, they also already have a couple of conservative commentators, but they don't count. Didn't you know, moderate Dem is the direct opposite of far right extremist these days. Especially if he's unqualified and got his job because of his Daddy. You can say that about a lot of them out there.

I would wonder what that makes someone like Michael Moore, but in the world of the neocons, all liberals are alike.