An Exchange with A St. Louis Post-Dispatch Reporter
Here’s a revealing series of emails between myself and St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Tim Townsend, who published a story this morning smearing LGF on CAIR’s behalf, without ever contacting me for my side. Since Townsend used his official Post-Dispatch email account for this, I assume he has no problem with it becoming public.
From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:56 AM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: A very irresponsible reportYour story this morning about Little Green Footballs was incredibly irresponsible and sloppy, and I am personally offended that you did not take the time to contact me before running what is essentially a smear job.
LGF is a highly reputable blog, and we are NOT “anti-Muslim.” The Council on American Islamic Relations is singling us out because we have covered their many connections to radical Islamic organizations, and their status as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Hamas funding case.
Please see this post at LGF for more details:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com…
You owe me an update to your story and an apology for failing to contact me for my side of it.
Charles Johnson
littlegreenfootballs.com————————
On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:01 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:
Mr. Johnson,
Who said your blog was “anti-Muslim”? Not me.
Thanks,
Tim
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From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:08 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible reportIs that the only reply I can expect from you on this?
CJ
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On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:08 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:
Answer my question.
————————
From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:10 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible reportI take that as a yes.
CJ
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On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:18 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:
I’ll take your unwillingness to answer my question as evidence that
you can’t.————————
From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:22 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible reportAnd I’ll take your unwillingness to address a single other point in my email as evidence that you know you’re in the wrong.
CJ
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On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:25 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:
Oooohh. You’re like a master of logic. So smart.
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From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:28 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible reportThis little thread of emails will be forwarded to your editors, by the way.
You may want to brush up on reading comprehension as well, because I did not say you wrote “anti-Muslim”. If you had bothered to read my post on the matter, you would know where that comes from.
CJ
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On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:42 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:
Wow, you’re going to TELL on me?
You ranted to a reporter, demanding an apology for his story, and wrote “LGF is a highly reputable blog, and we are NOT ‘anti-Muslim.’” How could you possibly think I would not take that as directed at the story?
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From: Charles Johnson [mailto:charles@littlegreenfootballs.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:48 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible reportNow that your question has been answered, do you plan to address
anything else in my email?CJ
————————
On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:50 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:
Nope. Thanks, though.
Isn’t modern journalism wonderful?