Singer Pat Boone's criticism of CBS over prisoner abuse pictures in Iraq-Truth!!

Singer Pat Boone's commentary on CBS and Iraq-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor
The eRumor is in the form of a letter that was allegedly written by singer Pat Boone in which he castigates CBS for its decision to broadcast the picture of prisoner abuses in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The Truth
TruthOrFiction.com went straight to the source to confirm this one.
Pat Boone confirms that he did write the letter.

Last updated 6/3/04

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Pat Boone: CBS and 60 Minutes Modern Benedict Arnolds

Recently, entertainer Pat Boone wrote a letter regarding his feelings on Abu
Ghraib and Iraq:

"Hasn't anybody got the guts to accuse the worst perpetrator in this whole
Abu Ghraib prison debacle - CBS and 60 Minutes II?

What do you call it when, in time of war, someone takes military
intelligence and turns it over to the enemy, who in turn uses it to kill
Americans?

Isn't that the definition of treason? Did Benedict Arnold do worse? Did
Julias and Ethel Rosenberg pay with their lives for something like this?

It has already been well established, and CBS certainly knew, that the
military announced to the press back in January that allegations had been
made concerning treatment of prisoners and were being investigated.

In March there was another announcement that the allegations were still
being investigated and certain service personnel at Abu Ghraib were relieved
of their duties and might be court marshaled.

In other words, while America was fighting a war, the military had already
taken the allegations seriously, were investigating them and were taking
steps to correct the situation. In other words, it was being handled, and
handled well.

These things happen in war on all sides, and though they are not excusable,
they are kindergarten exercises compared to car bombs, ambushes, rocket
launchings and dangling burning bodies over bridges - and this is what the
interrogators at Abu Ghraib were trying to find ways to stop.

Freedom of the press is precious to us, but you can abuse any liberty and
stretch it out of shape until it becomes license, and concerned citizens
will call for limitations.

In this case, if CBS had really cared about the country, about our military,
about doing the right thing, they would have taken these pictures, (which
they had illegally) and asked the military and the Pentagon what was being
done about the abuses (Although they most likely knew it, they would have
been told that the matter was in hand and being taken care of).

Indeed, a general implored them not to publish the pictures because of what
he knew would happen as a result.

CBS could have cared less.

In their mad competition for rating points, dollars, and seeing a great way
to blast the President and the war effort in Iraq which they have
continually denigrated and opposed, they broadcast they abhorrent pictures -
and not just to the United States, BUT TO THE WORLD!

Knowing full well that we were walking a tight rope, trying to fight a war,
quell disturbances and build a republic for Iraq in the midst of all the
terrorist resistance, CBS published these abhorrent pictures knowing they
would destroy completely our image and standing in the Muslim world.

And what about Osama bin Laden? What about the terrorists? What about
America's image with all our allies around the world? And what about
America's own self image and confidence in their leaders?

And what did the beheaders of Nick Berg say, just before they callously
sawed his head off while he screamed, "This is in retaliation for what you
Americans did to our people at Abu Ghraib!" And how did they know about
these interrogation abuses?

Though poor Mr. Berg blames George Bush and Donald Rumsefld, it is
incontrovertible that his son would be home with him right now had it not
been for the publication of those pictures. Mr. Berg is pointing his finger
in the wrong direction.

And as a direct result of CBS callous and patently unpatriotic action,
America is suffering great loss of prestige around the world, and will for
decades.

America has lost credibility with Muslims and the Arab world
internationally, perhaps forever; and every American life is in far greater
danger from terrorist reprisal, no matter who and where we are!

Freedom of the press is a cherished commodity, guaranteed by our
Constitution. But freedoms, if they are to be maintained and to have the
original meaning, must be treated with grave responsibility and restraint.

For me, CBS has become "the enemy within", and I hope never to watch the
network again. I think most Americans ought to reflect on the results of
their irresponsible and unpatriotic behavior and perhaps narrow their
viewing options by one network. The next time America or Americans suffer at
the hands of terrorists, thank CBS.

Pat Boone

P.S. As of today, May 21St, you can add Brokaw, NBC and The Washington Post
to the list. Have these media pariahs gone mad?! Who'll be next to fire at
our own troops?"