[Editor: Hey, Mensa --- first of all, you left this comment on the wrong post. Secondly, what's really disgisting (sic) is a "religion" like Islam where the followers would be so enraged by a picture of the Qu ran in the toilet that they would kill somebody in the most inhuman and barbaric manner possible.

So, in case I wasn't clear in all that: fuck Islam, fuck the Qu ran, ad go fuck yourself. ]

—– Original Message —–

From: McCormick, David (NBC Universal)

To: Melissa Henson ; [Barry R. McCaffrey]

Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:47 AM

Subject: FW: From NBC News

Hi Barry…

Here is the email to Barstow (with the revisions we just discussed).

Thanks for your additions.

Let’s talk tomorrow about a weekend strategy and our telephone contacts.

Best,

David

——————————————————————————–

From: Gollust, Allison (NBC Universal)

Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:35 AM

To: [David Barstow]

Cc: Capus, Steve (NBC Universal); McCormick, David (NBC Universal)

Subject: From NBC News

Dear Mr. Barstow:

Here is our on the record response to your request.

Before we address the issues you have raised with your current article, it bears repeating that we remain very concerned about your first article. We believe it left your readers with an inaccurate and incomplete picture of the NBC News military analysts. It ignored the criticism expressed by our analysts of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and the Pentagon strategy in Iraq. Further, it suggested that every military analyst listed or pictured in the NY Times article became a conduit for unfiltered propaganda.

This is a gross distortion of the truth as it relates to the NBC News analysts.

With regard to General Barry McCaffrey, it was evident you were aware of his critical remarks because you acknowledged them in your emails to the General even before the article was published. Yet, you left this important contextual information out of your article. Our lingering concerns have only been reinforced by your most recent email to us with questions regarding General McCaffrey, some of which are based on false assumptions.

The basic premise that General McCaffrey profited from his on-air appearances defies logic given the critical tone of the General’s repeated comments regarding Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and the Pentagon.

We’ve yet to see concrete proof of a correlation between any of his outside business interests and his statements made on our air. Truly, the opposite appears to be the case. General McCaffrey put himself at odds with the Pentagon decision makers time and time again — not only on NBC’s air, but in his public appearances and many writings. In fact, he has lost potential outside opportunities precisely because he had made an ethical decision to be objective and make critical comments when warranted.

Our relationship with General McCaffrey is based on trust, a basic tenant of journalism. He has provided us with periodic, detailed reports on his outside activities and meetings. He has assured us that he is not directly incentivized in any of his outside business relationships. We have agreed that he would either recuse himself from any discussion where a conflict might exist or disclose a relationship should that be necessary.

General McCaffrey is a retired Four Star General, a two-time recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor. He is one of the foremost experts on defense matters and has earned a reputation for his independent thinking.

We are proud to have General Barry McCaffrey as a member of the NBC News organization, where he provides objective and non-partisan analysis. He is a true American hero who is not afraid to speak his mind even if it sometimes ruffles some feathers in Washington. We believe our viewers have been, and will continue to be, well served by his incisive and thoughtful comments.

__________________________________

—– Original Message —–

From: BARRY MCCAFFREY

To: McCormick, David (NBC Universal)

Cc: Brian NBC-Williams ; Elena NBC-Nachmanoff ; Steve NBC-Capus

Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 12:01 AM

Subject: Re: From NBC News

David,

Very balanced, objective response.

Underscores my view of NBC as an enterprise based on journalistics ethics— and courage.

Proud to be associated with this team of professionals.

Barry