In a story in Thursday's editions of the Omaha World-Herald, the newspaper pointed out that Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson was not in attendance at the funeral of Army 1st Lt. Jacob Fritz Wednesday in Falls City.The Reader's Media Notes reviewed World-Herald stories documenting the funerals and memorial services of 32 Nebraskans (through Thursday) who have been killed or died in the war in Iraq. (Editor's note: Not all 32 were buried or had memorial services in the state of Nebraska.) Only Thursday's story, co-authored by staff writers Tim Elfrink and Robynn Tysver, makes reference to a public or elected official's absence:
Among those attending the service was Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., who recommended Fritz for West Point. Hagel was invited to the service by Fritz's mother.
"I remember reading his application. It was one of the best I'd ever read," Hagel said after the service.
As several outside the auditorium thanked him for attending, Hagel declined to talk about his views on the Iraq war, saying it was not the appropriate time. He returned to Washington after the funeral
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., also was invited but was unable to attend. Nelson recently spoke with members of Fritz's family and expressed his condolences, an aide said.
The Reader's Media Notes contacted Nelson's office, which confirmed that it was contacted about the senator's absence and provided the World-Herald the following statement:
"Senator Nelson was invited to the funeral but cannot attend because the Senate is in session and votes are expected. He did speak with the family a few days ago to express his condolences."
Eleven World-Herald stories written between April of 2003 and Thursday make reference to elected or public officials in attendance. But none refer to someone's absence or provide an explanation for one.
World-Herald Managing Editor Mike Reilly did not immediately respond to questions from The Reader's Media Notes.
Here are the Omaha World-Herald stories which reference elected or public officials in attendance at memorial services or funerals for Nebraskans who were military victims of the war in Iraq:
Travis Ford, April 17, 2003
Reporter David Hendee
Among the dignitaries attending were Gov. Mike Johanns and Adjutant Gen. Roger Lempke of the Nebraska National Guard.
Jeremy Fischer, July 22, 2004
Reporter Stephen Buttry
Gov. Mike Johanns sat with the military contingent.
Eric Knott, Sept. 15, 2004
Reporter Paul Hammel
About 500 people, including an estimated 150 members of the Knott family and Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, were in Trinity Lutheran Church for the service.
Shane Kielion, Nov. 25, 2004
Reporters Rick Ruggles and Kristin Zagurski
Among the dignitaries who attended were Lt. Gov. Dave Heineman, Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey and Omaha Public Schools Superintendent John Mackiel.
Also attending were State Sens. John Synowiecki and Chip Maxwell, Nebraska Veterans' Affairs Director John Hilgert, and County Commissioner Mike Boyle and his wife, Anne, who is a member of the Public Service Commission.
Nicholas Nolte, Dec. 8, 2004
Reporter Robynn Tysver
Lt. Gov. Dave Heineman also attended.
Garrison Avery, Feb. 26, 2006
Reporter John Ferak
Also attending the service were Gov. Dave Heineman, U.S. Sens. Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson, U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Lincoln Mayor Coleen Seng.
Benjamin Slaven, June 21, 2006 Brent Zoucha, June 21, 2006
Reporters Tim Elfrink and Martha Stoddard
Among those attending Slaven's service was Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, who also attended Zoucha's funeral in Clarks.
Jeremy Jones, July 9, 2006
Reporter Tim Elfrink
Among those at the church were U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb.; Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy; and Maj. Gen. Roger Lempke, the Nebraska National Guard's adjutant general.
Joshua Ford, Aug. 11, 2006
Reporter Derek Kravitz
Among those at the church were Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy; Maj. Gen. Roger Lempke, the Nebraska Guard's adjutant general; and Marksmeier's brother, Sgt. Chadwick Marksmeier, who was a member of Ford's unit.
Germaine Debro, Sept. 19, 2006
Reporter C. David Kotok
Before him sat local dignitaries in suits, U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, U.S. Reps. Lee Terry and Jeff Fortenberry, as well as people in work clothes and military dress.
Jacob Fritz, Feb. 1, 2007
Reporters Tim Elfrink and Robynn Tysver
(Refer to text in story above.)
15 comments:
Whatever happened to Pete Ricketts? No doubt he got a certain smug joy out of the article. How'd that stupid song go: "Old Ben Nelson got tax breaks as a farmer E-I-E-I-O"
What about the World-Herald, were they "invited" to the funeral as well?
War + Democrat + church = No Show
What do you expect - Democrats hate the troops. plus there is religion at a funeral. Liberals cannot tolerate religion.
Yes, because Senator Nelson's experience as a lay minister and supporter of many Bush policies clearly makes him a liberal.
To anonymous the 2nd: What drivel. If you read above you can see that Nelson attended other funerals. His reason given for missing this one, but curiously not published by the OWH, is clearly legitimate.
What do you think of Hagel returning to NE for this funeral when he has atended only one previous ceremony? And what about him shirking his Senate duties for the photo op?
These guys are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they go they went for a photo op and shirked their responsibilities in the Senate. If they don't go they aren't respectful of those who have given their lives for their country.
Where has Bush been for any of these funerals? Where was the White House Representative? Was that mentioned in the article?
I am a liberal and I also attend church on a regular basis. I just don't lock step with religious radicals like poster # 2. And since when was war the Christian thing to do? Wasn't Jesus all about peace? Hypocrite.
Wow!!!!
Liberals calling people names when someone has the nerve to say something they don't agree with.
Like that wasn't expected.
Where is the free speech libs????
Yes. And the conservatives are so well-mannered. The name Ann Coulter immediately springs to mind.
Seems to me the conservatives are in the same boat as the liberals when it comes to calling names. Let's stop calling the kettle black, shall we? The list of conservative name callers is very, very long as well. Also, there are some very well known liberals that are very religious. I can name them if you would like.
Samuel Reiser
"Amen" to that Sidebar. "Amen" to that.
Samuel Reiser
(Just to let you know, I am not fearful of posting my own name.)
Hey "Sidebar"; talk about hypocrisy. You criticize everyone else for using anonymous posts, and yet, I've not seen you sign YOUR real name to anything. Why don't you quit hiding behind your anonymity give us YOUR name.
Bill Killian
Sidebar why are you so angry?
Sidebar's got a point. You're ALL messed up.
I think Sidebar is really Denis Leary.
Well said Sidebar! And I agree totally that the paper is making attempts at swaying public opinion. However, I am sad to say, it seems that many papers and media outlets across the nation do the same thing, whether liberal or conservative.
There is no such thing as an unbiased news report anymore. But then, one must ask themselves if there ever was an unbiased report not subjected to the opinion of the recorder. Isn't everything that is reported merely seen through one or two person's eyes? Therefore, we as citizens must make attempts to inform and educate ourselves by listening to both sides of every story.
I issue this challenge to anyone that reads this; if you are a liberal listen to the conservative side of things and if you are a conservative listen to the liberal side of things. I would also issue this challenge to the religious and non religious as well. I think that when it all comes down to it, we are not all that different after all. Peace.
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