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 report

Your 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
[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com…]

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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 report

Is 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.

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From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:10 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible report

I 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.

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From: Charles Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:22 PM
To: Tim Townsend
Subject: Re: A very irresponsible report

And 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 report

This 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 report

Now that your question has been answered, do you plan to address
anything else in my email?

CJ

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On Feb 20, 2008, at 10:50 AM, Tim Townsend wrote:

Nope. Thanks, though.

Isn’t modern journalism wonderful?