A Frank Rich column entitled "Mel Gibson's Martyrdom Complex" from August 3, 2003 quoted Director Mel Gibson out of context regarding whether Jews might be upset by Gibson's movie "The Passion of The Christ." The quotation was taken from an interview by Bill O'Reilly on the Fox News Channel on January 14, 2003. The full text of his remarks follows: "It may. It's not meant to. I think it's meant to just tell the truth. I want to be as truthful as possible. But, when you look at the reasons behind why Christ came, why he was crucified, he died for all mankind and he suffered for all mankind, so that, really, anybody who transgresses has to look at their own part or look at their own culpability." The use of a partial quotation created the false impression that Gibson held Jews responsible for the death of Jesus.
Actually the Times hasn't made the correction. I'm afraid this is a parody. In reality, the New York Times doesn't have a columnist correction page, so it's been left up to Robert Cox to create and maintain one for them on his The National Debate website. I'm afraid the Times didn't like it. Go here and then just keep scrolling up to read the appalling and amusing story of their heavy-handed legal threats and embarrassing climbdown once they discovered they were facing a real and very public fight.
I am grateful to Mr. Cox for taking notice of this error. For the record, I e-mailed Frank Rich about it quite some time ago and never received an answer. I also e-mailed Daniel Okrent, the Public Editor for the Times, a few days ago and received a prompt and polite response from his assistant that Okrent had decided not to take on corrections of anything that was published before he took up his office on December 1st. He and his staff have been doing a fine job since then and that decision is perfectly reasonable. Nevertheless, corrections need to be made and, if the Times and other mainstream media won't or can't do it, the Blogosphere is ready to help out.
By the way, Robert Cox is the one who broke the original "Dowdification" story.
