MNF-Iraq Releases Statement on TNR's Soldier Stories

TNR's bogus attacks on the military are starting to make headlines!...

The Weekly Standard Blog has been leading the charge to find the truth behind the disgusting anti-military hit pieces that The New Republic says are coming from a "group of active duty soldiers in Iraq."


The New York Times is even reporting on The New Republic soldier scandal today.
According to the Times, the TNR staff are still investigating the incredulous claims by anonymous reporter, "Scott Thomas":

Franklin Foer, the editor of The New Republic, will not reveal the author’s identity but says the magazine is investigating the accuracy of his articles. In the late 1990s, under different editors, the magazine fired an associate editor, Stephen Glass, for fabrications.

“Now that these questions have been raised, we’ve launched an inquiry. We’re putting the full resources of the magazine to look into the story,” Mr. Foer said. “It’s taking me a little bit longer than I wish it did. The author, not to mention some of the participants in the anecdotes he described, are active duty soldiers and they’re on 20-hour active combat missions sometimes, and it’s very difficult for me to get them all on the phone to ask them the questions that I’d like to ask.”

We all look forward to that report, Mr. Foer!

I just received another response from a spokesman with the Multi-National Force Iraq this morning. This is what they have to say about the appalling allegations by mystery soldier "Scott Thomas":

"We are aware of what was written under a pseudonym. Its writer is unknown as
are his motives. We hold soldiers to the highest standards and the
allegations made are completely inconsistent with those expectations. In the absence of any credible information or independent corroboration, we presently have no reason to believe it."

V/r
MAJ Alston

This follows a similar response by MNF-I yesterday to the allegations.

Also, please note...
The Weekly Standard Blog posted this yesterday on the anti-military tall tales by The New Republic:

I can tell you unequivocally: there was NO mass grave discovered in this area of operations in conjunction with the building of a coalition outpost anytime in the past 12 months. None. Zero. Zip.

If the story *is* true, then "Scott" and whomever else is purporting to back up his assertions should come forward, identify themselves and submit their report through official channels. We are not in the business of suppressing his right to free speech...on the contrary- he's free to submit whatever he wants, so long as it doesn't put others at risk for operational security (OPSEC). Of course- by putting his name on such outlandish claims, he then has to account for what is clearly a series of false statements.

TNR must be working their own 20-hour mission trying to figure out how they come out of this one unscathed.
Good luck.

The New Republic needs to apologize!

Powerline has more from The New Republic on this growing scandal.
Dan Riehl has more on journalistic standards.
Michelle Malkin includes a sneering letter from TNR two years ago on responsible journalism.
Bryan at HotAir has a roundup on the latest developments.

Update: Michael Goldfarb at The Weekly Standard Blog has a new list of links on the "Scott Thomas" saga.

Previously:
Busted!... New Republic's "Shock Troops" Shocker Is BOGUS!
MNF-Iraq Responds to The New Republic's "Scott Thomas" Tales