30045: Emersberger (response) 30033: Deibert (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: _Jemersberger@aol.com_ (mailto:Jemersberger@aol.com)

Michael Deibert's articles (and especially his book) show that if he is
driven by anything it is the desire to whitewash the US role in Haiti. He writes
what the powerful in his own country want to hear, slanders whom they need
slandered, but poses as a brave journalist speaking the truth - even a champion
of Haiti's poor majority.

He has provided ample documentation in his book [Notes from the Last
Testament] that his reporting is completely unreliable - and often malicious.  His
treatment of So Ann is especially revealing and repugnant. This former
political prisoner is described in his book as a "sometime folksinger" who "had
immersed herself in the most rancid political underbelly of Aristide's enterage"
[p 156] His book implicates her in baby killing [p.350], assaulting student
protesters [p 364] and the murder of Jean Dominique [p 429]. Deibert even
stooped to comparing her to Madame Max Adolphe! [p 286] Unfortunately for  Deibert,
Haiti's courts - even under the de facto government - couldn't generate  a
shred of evidence against her..

The following exchange between Deibert and Justin Podur provides  other
reasons why reasonable people shouldn't waste time on Deibert if they  seek
credible journalism..

_http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=55&ItemID=9743_
(http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=55&ItemID=9743)

Even in this forum Deibert unmasks himself. He dismisses his critics as
"fringe dwellers" driven by "jealousy"with the proper contempt of one who knows
he is backed by the powerful. His description of HaitiAnalysis is completely
inaccurate. It is not our priority to "attack journalists" as can easily be
seen  by checking out the site. Out of approximately 40 posted pieces
HaitiAnalysis  has three articles that cite Deibert's work. Contrary to what he says,
there is  plenty of the courage and heroism of Haitians on display - in
particular in the  work of Wadner Pierre and Jean Ristil, but why should a corporate
journalist be  accurate in describing ":fringe dwellers"? As with So Ann, Amanus
Maette and  others Deibert can sense who is fair game.

As usual, Deibert boasts about his knowledge and experience in Haiti,  but
his work reveals that he is mired in ignorance and denial about his own  country
and its role in the world.