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Letter To The Editor
Note: As of the date of this posting on the AmericanPatrol.com site the item below was submitted to but had not been published in the publication to which it was addressed.
From: Glenn Spencer
Organization: American Patrol
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:47:08 -0800
To: Letters@washpost.com
Subject: PERIL ON MEXICAN BORDEREditor, Washington Post
Re: Peril on Mexico Border, October 30, 2002
No doubt the Washington Post relied on the New York Times when it reported that vigilante groups "are suspected in at least two shooting deaths of illegal immigrants in Arizona in recent weeks." When Times reporter Madigan lead his October 22 story with "The police are investigating whether armed vigilantes.fatally shot at least two illegal immigrants." he knew he was misleading his readers. Before he filed his story, I told reporter Madigan that the principal suspects in the murders in question were Mexican smugglers, not vigilantes. When he questioned my report, I used my cell phone and had my Webmaster read the story, a story filed by a reporter who, at the time, was only a few feet from both of us. [A journalist] witnessed the exchange between me and Madigan. In an October 28 email to me, [the journalist] said, "I was almost unable to read his [Madigan's] story because of the irresponsible lead and the misidentification of Mr. Barnett.. I apologize on behalf of responsible journalists everywhere."
The situation on the Mexican border is serious and in need of good reporting. I hope the Washington Post will take the time to seek the truth in this matter.
Yours truly,
Glenn Spencer
American Border Patrol
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