Ben Domenech Resigns (updated)
In the past 24 hours, we learned of allegations that Ben Domenech plagiarized material that appeared under his byline in various publications prior to washingtonpost.com contracting with him to write a blog that launched Tuesday.
An investigation into these allegations was ongoing, and in the interim, Domenech has resigned, effective immediately.
[...]
We also remain committed to representing a broad spectrum of ideas and ideologies in our Opinions area.Jim Brady
Executive Editor, washingtonpost.com
Now watch. I hope they still plan to run a right-of-center blog, but you know that no matter who they hire, that person will be viciously attacked. Hopefully that person will be more well-known/more “tested” by the public (Red State is somewhat insular, after all), and they’d better have a very thick skin. It’s not that hard to find someone like that on this side of the blogosphere.
Tags: Washington Post, Red America
UPDATE:
I was going to just leave this as it is, but damn, there are some stupid farkin’ people running around saying some stupid shi’ite.
First: The dudes at Red State stuck by their friend. I don’t see anyone else on the right that doesn’t know him personally doing so, so STFU, leftards. And for them at RS to do so is something called LOYALTY–a concept you obviously don’t understand, or you’re too unbelievably dense to be able to think “what if my friend did that?”
Next: This is a comment I’m seeing in various forms around the internets (along with the amazing number of morons who can’t READ):
and that ben domenench quite clearly is a central figure on the right
(I have to ask, why do you guys on the left have an aversion to capitalization? That really makes you look like teenagers. Maybe you are, in which case, nevermind.)
On whose map is Ben Domenech a “central figure on the right?” Maybe at Red State, but that sure isn’t all of the Right. I’m pretty sure most right-of-center bloggers don’t spend our time there; we spend most of our time in our own circles. And ask anyone who doesn’t spend all day on blogs if they even know what “Red State” is, much less Ben Domenech or “Augustine.” In fact, I do spend a huge chunk of my day reading blogs and I have* been to Red State some, but I had never heard of him (as Ben or Augustine) until this week.
But you people on the left just can’t let it go, can you? He’s gone from Red America, but that’s not enough, is it?
Plagiarism sucks, and unless he’s got credible evidence that he DID NOT do it, then I say good riddance, and “youthful folly” or whatever is no excuse. Not for plagiarism. Period. Should he be condemned for life for it? NO, but I don’t think he should be the voice of the right in the Washington Post, either.
But you clowns on the left are just ridiculous. You attacked him because of his father, you attacked him because he was homeschooled. WTF does that have to do with anything? Oh, wait, I know the answer. He must be a “fundie” if he was homeschooledˆ, and it’s outrageous that the “right wing” Washington Post would hire a “fundie.” Can’t allow someone with those sort of views to have words in print! And that father of his! Ben Domenech must have been involved with Jack Abramoff’s crimes! (Because every single thing Jack Abramoff did in his whole life was criminal! I’ll bet he had some illegal shi’ite going on with his mailman, too!) Hey, Ben Domenech probably was in on a coverup, if his dad knew him!
All that bullshi’ite. If you guys had acted like adults from the start and THEN found the plagiarism, nobody would be criticizing you, except maybe his close friends at Red State (there’s something to be said for loyalty even when someone screwed up).
So, when the next person gets rolled out as a replacement for Domenech at the WaPo, I fully expect to see the same hysteria, even if the person is as pure as the undriven snow. You’ll just scream and dig for something and fling feces until they fire him or her, won’t you? ‘Cause GOD FORBID the Washington Post actually does something that–wait for it–is a good business decision. (Damn capitalists!) And to those of you who say the WaPo is “conservative,” BWAHAHAHAHAA!!! I suppose when you’re coming from the far, far left, you might think so. We’ve got people on the right who would probably call the Washington Times “left-wing.” I don’t think I remember anyone ever accusing left-wing ankle-biters “objective” or the least bit cognizant of the big picture, though. Idiots.
And guess what: while you gloat about “your” victory (go right ahead), think about what most people will think about this episode–people who watch the news and read the paper and don’t read blogs. They won’t give a rat’s ass that the guy is a conservative or think it’s a “wingnut” thing; they’ll think, “bloggers = lying hacks.” So will professional journalists. That brush will tar you jackasses, as well. So have fun gloating!
* fixed a minor error, pointed out oh-so-helpfully by pointless, hopeless troll “renee,” who obviously couldn’t find anything in the content to shi’ite upon. Cute.
teece says:
I really hope that they can a) find a non-plagarist, honest “red state” voice. And b) balance him with an honest “blue state” voice. Otherwise, don’t hire a Republican blogger with no Democratic blogger to balance him out (note: no, Ben D. did not balance out Froomkin. That’s just silly. In the extreme. No honest person would make that argument).
Otherwise the whole thing is a sham.
(and pointing out what a person says, and what they’ve done is in no way vicious. You own the choices you make: it’s called personal responsibility).
Cheers.
Hudson says:
You’re right. All this is the fault of those who were strangely upset to discover that Ben Domenech is an irresponsible and repeated plagiarist — both in college and afterward.
You see, it’s people who pointed out that he stole other people’s words are the real problem.
Poor Ben! He is the victim of vicious attacks. It is not his fault that he has character flaws. It is the fault of people who noticed those flaws.
Personal responsibility has no place in the modern Republican Party. Only blind loyalty counts.
So it doesn’t matter if Ben repeatedly dishonored himself, because he claims to be a Christian.
Nevermind what Christ stood for. Honesty and integrity are not important. Let’s just blindly salute Ben for being on the God-fearing Republican side.
Beth says:
Hudson, are you farkin’ stupid? Show me where I defended his plagiarism. Go ahead. Show me where I blamed monkeys LIKE YOU for it. While you’re at it, show me where I even mentioned anything he’s written other than the plagiarism. READ MY PREVIOUS POST. Google my whole site, if you want. I stand by what I said–that the PERSONAL ATTACKS are stupid and detrimental to the case against him (How are the activities of his father relevant? How is homeschooling relevant?).
You want more? Try this.
Now go fuck off, dumbass.
The Liberal Avenger says:
Well, I feel bad for the poor kid. This is going to be a big blow to his career as a writer. I would imagine that he is going to have to resign from Regnery as well. It is sad.
Fortunately he is clearly very bright and talented and well-connected and I’m sure he’ll be on to something he enjoys before long.
- Manshake
Ogre says:
teecee, have you ever read the Washington Post? The entire rest of the paper, from the opinion pages to the news pages is the left side blog, just in print! ONE right-side blogger can’t even hope to balance that!
kevin B. says:
:eek:I was sorry to see this guy flameout, even though I disliked his politics. The WashPost at least is offering up an alternative voice. You’ll never see that on FOX “News”.
MacStansbury says:
Kev, I’ll be sure to offer that up to Juan Cole, Alan Colmes, et al…
I also find it amusing the people that are looking for other people defending the plagiarism. ah…they ain’t none.
they are defending the man’s character, not the actions. it should also be noted that the CONSERVATIVE took personal responsibility and resigned because of things he did years ago. as I recall, Hillary Clinton still has a job. so does Ted Kennedy. and John Kerry.
don’t come here and preach about personal responsibility.
MacStansbury.org » Blog Archive » Ben Domenech Resigns says:
[...] On allegations of plagiarism. Beth covered it here and here. [...]
The Liberal Avenger says:
Shorter Ben Domenech:
I’m innocent - my editor did it - but even if I it it was a mistake and it was only a school paper and it was 7 years ago and I was just a kid.
P.S. Liberals suck
Martin Hague says:
Kevin - you are kidding, of course. Have you heard of Juan Williams? Have you heard of Alan Colmes? Do you know who’s campaign Greta Van Susteren’s husband worked on in 2004 (clue: not Bush)?
The tired old shi’ite about Fox News not allowing liberals to represent their views is a fantasy, sunshine.
Nobody’s defending plagiarism, and this prompt resignation stands in stark contrast to the (in)actions of, oh I dunno, Doris Kearns-Goodwin, and maybe Ward Churchill. Two notable liberal plagiarists that you leftist idiots venerate.
One of them, incidentally, is still playing Cowboys and Injuns (pretending to be an Injun) and he’s almost 60 years old.
You farking shi’iteweasel liberals stand by your plagiarists, and the media lets it happen.
We on the right hold ourselves to a higher standard.
So fuck right off you insignificant little puke.
The Liberal Avenger says:
If I were at the post, I would try to get Ed Morrisey.
Beth says:
LA - Yes you would!
spam word: NICE. Be. heeeheee
Beth says:
Martin, you always leave the best comments! :mrgreen:
Mando says:
Boo-hoo.
So young and so bitter. The guy was crap. He was a plagiarist and he got what he deserved. Anyone who writes for a publication like the Washington Post should be scrutinized, liberal or conservative. It’s just that one of YOUR guys got pinched and it just hurts, don’t it?
I think you’re the one that needs to get over it. :lol:
10ksnooker says:
Gee, Biden and Martin Luther King didn’t seem to hurt by their theft’s of other words. Odd how lefties think that only conservatives should be.
Martin Hague says:
Thanks Beth, I’m laughing out loud right now - the code word I have just entered is ‘copy’, which seems rather an amusing coincidence given the subject matter under discussion!!
Mando - one of our guys got pinched and resigned. Your guys, who don’t just plagiarize but often simply make stuff up, get off scot free. Dan Rather? Ward Churchill?
There’s a double standard, and I for one am glad. I wouldn’t want to be held to the same miserable standard that liberals are held to.
Integrity counts (I know, isn’t that such a reactionary, old-school statement), and we get to maintain our own, where you need the silent complicity of your friends in the media.
Beth says:
It’s just that one of YOUR guys got pinched and it just hurts, don’t it?
(s/b “doesn’t”)
BWAHAHAHAHHAAAAA!!! Looks like we bagged another farkin’ moron! Never underestimate the brain-dead stupidity of trolls!
Hey, Mando: READ THE FARKING POST. Maybe this will also help you understand my position on the matter.
Code word: Mando is a retarded asscrumb.
(Wow, how did THAT pop up?) :mrgreen:
Mando says:
Ha. Martin, you’re telling me that if a liberal blogger hired by a major newspaper was exposed as being a plagiarist, no one would’ve said anything and he wouldn’t have gotten in trouble? Please.
The guy resigned because he knew he was getting the axe first thing Monday morning. Then he blames his old college editors and the “evil liberals” for exposing HIS blatant intellectual theft. The guy’s a scumbag. Integrity? Conservatives don’t know the meaning of the word.
William Teach says:
Meanwhile, the Left has celebrated a major plagerist. A guy who compared those who died on 9/11 as “Little Eichmans.” They pay him alot of money for speaking engagments. And this guy is a teacher. Hmmm.
Lefties? Any thoughts? Other then “Blame Bush,” please.
raz0r says:
You know, the libs complained that the WaPo didn’t balance Domenech with a lib, that Fox is one-sided, etc. etc. They completely ignore the fact that while Fox might be mostly conservative, the other channels are mostly liberal, like Commie Network News (kidding, maybe), and there are more of those than Fox. But noooo, they focus in on Fox.
And let’s not even talk about the bird cage linin’, fish wrapping, trash called the NYT, LAT, etc. Yeah, these guys want to balance a single, lone conservative with another liberal on their staff of what, hundreds? Perhaps what they really need is some “balance” in their medication and they would get over the paranoia.
Ben Domenech's Mailman says:
Hey! I resent that!
Jack Abramoff's Mailman says:
She was talking about me, stupid.
He gave me cookies at Christmas once, does that count?
renee says:
“…I do spend a huge chunk of my day reading blogs and *I’ve have been* to Red State some…”
Ummm… talk much?
renee says:
And can someone please tell me what the hell a “plagerist” is? (#19) Talk about not even trying to spell correctly.
renee says:
*I have to ask, why do you guys on the left have an aversion to capitalization? That really makes you look like teenagers.*
Priceless. So it looks like Mac is the youngest guy in this thread (see #7)
renee says:
Regardling capitalization and looking like a “teenager” (Beth’s phrase, not mine):
The author of #7 above failed to capitalize half of his sentences. So I guess a lot of people must have an aversion to capitalization. (Is this out of line? If so please explain how…thanks!)
renee says:
Yowza. #26 was written because it looked like #25 had been lost when I visited the page a minute ago. But now #25 is back and #26 is redundant!
beth says:
I nominate Beth of MVRWC and the replacement.
But I wouldn’t wish that on you really.
Has there been proof that he is a ‘plagiarist’? According to our laws, if that matters anymore, the burden of proof is on the accuser - not on the accusee.
Regardless - I think you would make a great replacement and the blog would be a lot more fun….
Just a thought…
:cool:
rider says:
*(I have to ask, why do you guys on the left have an aversion to capitalization? That really makes you look like teenagers. Maybe you are, in which case, nevermind.)*
LOL look at #7 above.
Beth says:
Ummm… talk much?
Ummm…get over it. It was a mistake. Shi’ite happens, honey. Is that all you’ve got? HA! I note you don’t list a blog in your ID; see if you would never, ever make a mistake. If you actually believe that error was intentional, I would say you’re projecting your own stupidity. And you don’t come here to my house and insult my friends, either–I notice you have nothing to say about CONTENT. Now shoo, fly, before I have to eject your juvenile ass for pointless comments.
:roll:
MANDO, you again? You farking douchebag, nobody’s defending plagiarism. Look around the blogosphere, and find one outside of Red State who’s defended it. (In fact, even they have backed away from it, finally.) Intellectual honesty? Leftwats don’t know the meaning of the word.
Here’s something for you to chew on; a comment at Sadly No that pretty much defines you leftwats’ position on this farkin’ thing:
There is nothing better than seeing a smug thumbsucker get his comeuppance. Sweet, sweet comeuppance. Thanks for the memories, Ben.
I’d quote more, but frankly, I’m bored with you monotonous, drooling gutter sluts. Besides, why bother? It’s not like you don’t know.
MacStansbury says:
re: my capitalization
sorry, I should direct you to EVERY SINGLE COMMENT I’VE MADE SINCE 2004 and you’ll see that I never capitalize anything other than proper nouns. isn’t it odd that I have, without exception, used capital letters except at the start of sentences? no? maybe I should start to make you babies happy.
also, take a peek at the MacStansbury category. proper grammar and spelling? how do you think I got the gig?
what is, in fact, hilarious, is that both “renee” and “rider” use names with lower-case first letters, making it impossible for me to do something like “renee dome made fun of me, momma!”
capital M, capital S.
oh, and BTW, if you’re gonna get bitchy and preachy about MY grammar, yours is impeccable. too bad you get an F because you can’t capitalize your own name…
Martin Hague says:
Renee/mando et al
Ben Domenach resigned. He stood up, acted like a man, and resigned.
Ward Churchill is still teaching at UC Boulder (where the fuck else?). He didn’t resign. But he’s a plagiarist, and by your standards he should be hounded from his job. Instead of spewing his fabricated hate to the nation’s youth.
Agree?
Don’t bother you pair of farking leftist toerags, I’m not interested.
Fuck you.
You have emphasized, in vivid farking detail, why I despise liberals.
trilobite says:
This is my first time reading your site, and I just have to ask, do you suffer from Tourette’s syndrome? Serious question. I don’t believe I have seen this many swear-words per sentence outside of late 90s rap music. You may need medical help.
Or, of course, it may be that you enjoy being crude, uncivilized, vicious, and hateful, and that your regular readership also enjoys seeing that sort of thing. In which case, I just hope none of y’all actually have jobs where you can affect people’s lives. And thank goodness this blog is keeping you off the street and out of real trouble; I’d hate to meet you in real life.
Beth says:
Trilobite: Waaaaaaahhhhh. :roll: