Tom Flocco Officially Discredited

John Buchanan

Tom,

I'm sure you know who I am and know of my work as an investigative reporter and author. If not, it is easy to Google me and figure it out.

That said, I hope you will take this e-mail in the spirit in which it is offered, as we share a common goal -- the accountability of Bush and his administration for their crimes against the American people and Constitution.

However, THAT said, I am writing to point out the many egregious errors of simple fact and context in your story, "Bush and Cheney Indicted." It is precisely the kind of unfounded, idiotic and grossly incompetent "journalism" that causes the truth to often go unreported or even uninvestigated by the mainstream media.

Your "story," which reads more like a bad parody than the real thing, is riddled with terrible mistakes that render it ridiculous. For example, even during Watergate -- and ever since -- there has been unresolved debate over whether a sitting President can in fact BE indicted while in office. Such a precedent would, in fact, cause fierce Constitutional debate, since impeachment is the only remedy provided by the Founders for removal of an incumbent Chief Executive. You and Heneghen seem to have overlooked that bit of fact checking.

Second, a British Prime Minister can not be indicted by a U.S. grand jury. To say is just shows your lack of understanding of international law and protocol.

Third, IF Bush and Cheney were indicted, they would not then appear "publicly" before the grand jury. They would be arrested and taken to jail, pending arraignment and a bond hearing, like any other defendant.

Further, your suggestion that the grand jury had "expanded" its investigation to include Mena, Arkansas and 9/11, along other things, is absurd. Apparently you know very little about the function of a grand jury and how it is impaneled and its parameters set.

Given the fact that it is a very real possibility there WILL be indictments in the White House and possibly elsewhere over the Plame affair and related crimes, such as obstruction, it is pathetic, in my humble opinion, that you would so mangle the story as to render it ludicrous. I have often heard criticisms of you as "over the top," but in this instance you have done more damage to the credibility of the "independent" press than you can imagine.

I trust that once you have realized your errors, you will apologize.

I am considering doing a major story, and don't wish to embarrass you. On the other hand, I think it important that your gross irresponsibility be publicly acknowledged, IF you fail to do yourself.

I look forward to your response.
Thanks.

John Buchanan, journalist & documentary filmmaker
Author, "Fixing America: Breaking the Stranglehold of Corporate Rule, Big Media and the Religious Right"

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Chris Emery

Hello Mr. Flocco:

I am following up on an article posted on your website TomFlocco.com titled: Bush and Cheney Indicted - Chicago - August 2, 2005.

This article was sent to me by several of my colleagues that have been working very hard to spread the truth about the treasonous acts committed by G.W. Bush and his cabal since Mr. Bush took the oath of the office of POTUS in Jan. of 2001.

I found your story to be informative but somewhat sensational in most respects. Nonetheless, as a movie/video producer, I am requesting some irrefutibale facts to support the claims you posted on your article. Since 12:53 AM today - Tuesday - 8/2/05.

My first step in seeking out such irrefutible information was taken as I called the news desk of Chicago's WGN radio.

I placed this call from my cell phone at 2:01 PM today and spoke with Becky at WGN 720AM Radio's news desk. This call lasted 1 min. 45 secs. I introduced myself to Becky and simply asked if she had heard anything from her 'sources' at the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago about the claims you made in your article. Her response was simply: " No, where did you get your information and when did this [U.S. Prosecutors / Grand Jury Indictment] story break?"

I gave her your website address and offered a quick review of the highlights posted in your article.

As a former employee of a major media outlet, ironically out of the Chicago area market, I am fully aware that stories like the one you posted today are quashed by most major media outlets until the last possible minute so 'credible sources' such as the ones you allude to in your article can be independently verified at least three ways.

My question to you is, who are your sources and why hasn't Chicago's WGN News - and especially WGN 720 AM - broadcast any late updates and developments with your 'sensational' claims?

I would hope that you're in the position to offer such information. If not, then any attempt to grandstand and offer erroneous information does no good and is counterproductive towards the greater cause of those of us within the indy media / internet community. We want those that have committed the horrific crimes against humanity to be brought to justice. We want the illegal Iraq war to stop; immediately. But NOT at the expense of the integrity and hard work of us that want to remain ethical and above board with our efforts and information. Why offer information that cannot and never will be corroborated?

On the other hand, if your work can be verified, then all the better.

I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience.

Best Regards,

Christopher Emery
OTR Films
Oklahoma City, OK