RTFA: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i1odejEActt5Dtx…

Hoyt said he was asked to investigate the ad rate by FreedomsWatch.org, which advocates a strong national defense and a powerful fight against terrorism, because it said it wasn’t offered a similar rate.

Pariser told Hoyt his group had called three days before the ad ran and asked to place it. He said MoveOn was told the ad would cost $65,000 and that the ad would run on Sept. 10 as it had requested.”We paid this rate before, so we recognized it,” Pariser told the Times.

Mathis told Hoyt the newspaper’s advertising representative failed to make clear that the Times could not guarantee the Monday placement for the reduced rate but left MoveOn with the understanding that the ad would run then.

“That was contrary to our policies,” she said.

Freedom’s Watch president Bradley A. Blakeman praised Hoyt for criticizing the paper’s ad policy, and said it had paid a similar, reduced rate for an ad blasting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s appearance Monday at Columbia University.

That full-page ad, headlined “Ahmadinejad is a terrorist,” appeared in Monday’s editions. Blakeman said his group did not receive a guarantee that it would run on the date it had sought.

We posted this link September 24th on RTFA, but I am re-posting it after new analysis. I would like to note the excerpts in bold, above. This apparent contradiction has a story behind it.

We begin with Freedom’s Watch, who describe themselves as fighters and protectors, dedicated to keeping America prosperous.

Freedom’s Watch placed an ad in the Times stating “Ahmadinejad is a terrorist.” Freedom’s Watch paid the same rate moveon.org paid for their Petraeus ad.

Next, Freedom’s Watch contacted Clark Hoyt to write a column critical of moveon.org and the Times, because the Times gave moveon.org a discount – the very same discount Freedom’s Watch received.

Hoyt, currently at the height of his career as the Times’ Public Editor, dutifully criticizes moveon.org and the Times, but inexplicably ignores Freedom’s Watch.

This apparent omission, or perhaps the undue focus on moveon.org, is questionable, particularly given Hoyt’s position with the Times. Has the Times only erred in its ad pricing, or is its Public Editor policy in need of examination, as well?

RTFA: http://www.netstumbler.com/2007/09/18/my-wonderful…

What recourse do passengers that encounter things like this with the TSA have? This is obviously a case where the TSA officer felt that it would be easier to lie to justify his actions, rather than do the right thing and help someone.
How can Delta let my bag fly without me? I thought that airlines are supposed to remove passengers that do not board? Isn’t this a HUGE security risk? I mean, you could read my story and find a massive loop-hole in the security system at airports. Especially given that in recent “dry-runs” bags with simulated bombs made it onto planes. I know I don’t feel safe now, knowing that the baggage belonging to the guy being detained at security is on the plane even if he is not. Does keeping him off the plane make us safer?
Why should coach passengers be discriminated against? Why do first class passengers receive special security treatment? Are they paying more taxes to support the TSA? No! They should be in line with every other tax payer in coach.
Seriously, what if I end up on a “no-fly” list? What recourse does one have in a situation like this? Like this guy?
Who is GAT Security? How did a company with two employees, Jackie and Kyle, with only a cell phone get into a position where they can over rule the TSA and dictate what passengers get on to their flights and which get delayed?
Why did the TSA’s Scott Stanfield refuse to provide me the name of the other TSA employee? His excuse was bogus, if the employee wears a badge… his name is not a government secret!

Infuriating article of someone’s experience. The situation is out of control. If you’ve flown, then there’s little chance you haven’t been abused.

RTFA: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYTC13J6F_index_1.html

The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic has shrunk to its lowest level this week since satellite measurements began nearly 30 years ago, opening up the Northwest Passage – a long-sought short cut between Europe and Asia that has been historically impassable.