Krugman had a "Dowd" moment and misused a quote to lie
about the Bush Admin. It was so bad that the "Times"
printed this letter. - From: LindyBill
A Briefing by the Former Press Secretary
By ARI FLEISCHER
To the Editor:
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In "Lifting the Shroud" (column, March 23), Paul Krugman alleges that at my White House press briefing on Sept. 26, 2001, I "ominously warned" Americans to "watch what they say, watch what they do." He accuses me of telling citizens "to accept the administration's version of events, not ask awkward questions."
At that briefing two weeks after Sept. 11, I was asked about a racist comment made by a Republican congressman from Louisiana who said that if he saw a Sikh-American with a towel wrapped around his head, he would tell the Sikh to get out of his state.
I said, "It's important for all Americans to remember the traditions of our country that make us so strong and so free, our tolerance and openness and acceptance." The president, I said, was disturbed by Representative John Cooksey's remarks.
Moments later, I was asked about Bill Maher's statement that the members of our armed forces who fire missiles are cowards while terrorists who crashed planes into buildings are not cowards.
I answered: "It's a terrible thing to say, and it's unfortunate. And that's why — there was an earlier question about has the president said anything to people in his own party — they're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do."
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My remarks urged tolerance and openness and were addressed
to those who made statements and threatened actions
against Muslims or Sikhs in America.
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ARI FLEISCHER
Washington, March 23, 2004
The writer was White House press secretary from 2001 to 2003. |
