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April 09, 2002
Errata
This just in from the Rewriting History Department. A week or so after September 11, I posted a link to an article from the Boston Globe about what had been going on in Boston related to the attacks. Among other things in the article, there was an embarrassing quote from a Harvard student. It was a time when we needed something to laugh at, and I like laughing at Harvard students, so I couldn't resist chiming in with my thoughts on the issue.
Tonight, I received this email from the Harvard student in question, one Julie Goldman, class of 2005:
From: Julie Goldman
To: dan@jewishbuddha.orgOk, so I just saw your silly web page, http://www.jewishbuddha.org/blog/archive.php?yr=2001&mo=09 and I guess I should explain my "silly quote from a Hahvahd student". I was misquoted. That's all. The reporter threw together things that my roommate and I said so that I ended up sounding really bad. I'd appreciate it if you would take the quote out of your web page. Thanks.
Julie Goldman
I replied and said I would not edit it, but would post a correction. I thought of just posting her email and mocking it in its entirety because, well, that's the sort of thing I might normally do in these circumstances.
But I went back and read everything that I wrote during September and decided that was just unnecessary. I got a kick out of the quote at the time, which was nice. The thing is, lots of people said lots of silly things during that period, many of which were far worse than this, and most of which are forgivable in light of what else was happening. Besides, I think giving someone the benefit of the doubt and being a little nicer is a good trend. What's more, it was good for me re-read some of what I said, and it gives me things to think about. Cheers and thanks for that.
So here's your retraction, Miss Goldman. The Globe took what you said out of context. I honestly don't doubt that. I'm sorry they did and that it caused you any trouble. Welcome to Dealing With The Press 101. It's a good lesson, even if learned in an unfortunate manner. I wish you the best of luck in your studies.
Posted by buddha at April 9, 2002 08:41 PM
Comments
Well, if you don't want to rag on her, I'll do it, because this needs to be said. "OK, so I just saw your silly web page" is not the way to begin a request for an apology. This can make the difference between a reply of "We humbly regret our error" and "We are very sorry that we told people that you said something, even thouhg our quote is from a reputable source who seems to have made a common mistake. To rectify that error, we will post something juvenile, insulting and unprofessional that originates from your email address."
That said, the press is notorious for mangling quotes.
Posted by: jason at April 9, 2002 09:29 PM
I should share the story about the time I badly mangled a quote (okay, misquoted) Matt[0] in The Dartmouth. He still hasn't forgiven me for that, especially since it led to him being reamed out by his boss. Ms. Julie Goldman should consider herself lucky that all her quote does is make her look dumb. The irony is that her subsequent whining about it makes her look worse.
Posted by: DK at April 9, 2002 10:00 PM
Jeez. And I thought I was blowing it out of proportion.
I mentioned to her that calling me silly was not a good way to earn favors. But I wouldn't have edited my journal regardless.
The Globe is a rag. Their coverage of all things Dartmouth left loads to be desired, including credibility. If she says that she was misquoted, I believe it. If it were me, I'd want all references to it removed to. But my journal is mine and has certain value to me that I do not wish to compromise. So a retraction is common ground. I didn't post to invite criticism (though I won't censor you any more than I will myself).
Posted by: dan at April 9, 2002 11:05 PM
I was also misquoted by that stinking rag 'The Dartmouth' during the whole fiasco about the administration not wanting actual 'Christmas' songs sung at the Winter Carnival opening ceremonies.
I'm still angry with the so called 'journalist' who kept calling me and asking me about it as if I was a member of a deep underground conspiracy.
(I was the business manager of the a cappella group that was called in by the administration to, as a certain journalist put it, 'sell out' and sing 'winter' and 'holiday' songs instead of traditional Christmas tunes)
We ended up singing plenty of Christmas songs, one of which contained the words 'god bless you' repeated over and over, and the follow-up article in the D still said that we were sellouts/administration patsies and had sung only the songs that the administration had allowed which was patently untrue.
Whatever. The D sucks. (except for D to the Izzo, K to the Izzay of course). And The Globe's coverage of all events Dartmouth has been abysmal. (Dartmouth fraternity system to go co-ed? what?!)
Posted by: Matt[1] at April 10, 2002 03:25 PM
Word, Matt[1]. My favorite Globe fiasco involved the Zantop double homocide: a few days before the real story was unveiled the Globe printed an atrocious story (which I'm sure they had to subsequently retract given how wrong it was) stating, with anonymous sources, that the two dead professors were the result of a murder/suicide after a jealous rage when one was involved in extramarital affairs (which was never the case). Didn't the Globe actually headline it like 'Zantop Sex Scandal' or something appropriately tabloid?
That said, Dan I think the only one taking things out of proportion was the aforementioned Ms. Goldman. Your retraction was classy and appropriate.
Posted by: DK at April 10, 2002 04:01 PM