This goes hand-in-hand with that other story about the “feminist studies” prof stealing a sign from an anti-abortion activist and then assaulting her. The same people who want to convince you that such things don’t matter — people who call themselves journalists — will turn right around and twist the words of somebody they don’t like.

First, some background. Last year, this happened at a pro-life protest in Austin, TX (video courtesy of the Washington Free Beacon):

As this woman is talking, you can hear some lovely people chanting “Hail Satan” in the background. Why? You’d have to ask them. But that’s what they did.

It’s harder to hear in this next clip, but reportedly “Hail Satan” was what these other fine folks were chanting as they tried to drown out a rendition of “Amazing Grace”:

And there were other eyewitnesses who heard these abortion enthusiasts yelling “Hail Satan.” It’s a thing that happened in real life.

The other day, Ted Cruz pointed out that these people had chanted “Hail Satan” while protesting for abortion. And how did the Associated Press report it?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Calling their opponents Satan worshippers and savages, anti-abortion lawmakers on Wednesday insisted that Republican contenders keep an intense focus on social issues in the upcoming midterm elections and the 2016 presidential race.

Wait. Who called them Satan worshippers and savages? When did that happen?

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who is a favorite of the tea party, said supporters of abortion rights chant “Hail, Satan” to silence their enemies. …

“Arm-in-arm, chanting ‘Hail, Satan,’ embracing the right to take the life of a late-term child,” Cruz said of supporters of abortion rights.

Oh. So, Ted Cruz pointed out that one of the tactics of baby-killing fans is to chant “Hail Satan.” Which is something that has happened. Somehow, when run through the filter at the Associated Press, this is transformed into “That teabagger-favorite Cruz called the good guys Satan worshippers!” Well, no he didn’t. He didn’t assign a motive to it. He just presented the fact of it.

After a bunch of people pointed this out, the AP issued the following “correction”:

In some versions of a story March 12 about possible Republican presidential contenders talking about abortion, The Associated Press reported erroneously that they called abortion rights activists Satan worshippers. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said abortion rights activists had chanted “Hail, Satan,” referencing a rally last year in Austin, Texas.

“In some versions.” How many versions has it gone through? How about getting the story right — with a lede that actually reflects the information contained within the very same story — and then printing that version?

But see, that’s why I’m not a journalist. I don’t know any better. Silly me.

This is why we need to pay attention. This is why we need to keep pushing back. This is why we need to remind the gatekeepers, every day and in every way, that they no longer have a monopoly on the truth.

They hate that. Which is all the more reason to keep them honest. Or as honest as they’re ever going to get, anyway…

(Hat tip: Andrew Stiles)

Update: I forgot, Emma Roller at National Journal made the same false accusation.

Ted Cruz compared abortion supporters to Satanists, so I asked a Satanist for his take. http://t.co/TuDRbU8TEl

— Emma Roller (@emmaroller) March 13, 2014

 

So her story is based on a false premise. But now when you click the link, you see that it’s been changed to this:

That’s slightly different, isn’t it? But at least, while backpedalling from the original falsehood, National Journal is kind enough to explain why it doesn’t matter anyway. Because those “Hail Satan” chanters didn’t mean it literally.

When left-wingers speak plainly, the news tells us why it doesn’t matter. When right-wingers speak plainly, the news translates it into whatever’s the worst-case scenario. And when they get caught, they bumble around trying to cover it up.

The more they try to get Ted Cruz, the more I wonder what they’re so worried about.

Update: I missed yet another reason the AP’s “correction” stinks, but John Hayward at Human Events didn’t.

Ted Cruz didn’t merely “say” that abortion activists were chanting “Hail Satan!” He accurately reported it.

Cruz is better informed than the people assigned to report on him. And the people who edit the people assigned to report on him. And the people who run with these types of stories without question. But even when they’re backed into a corner, even when they’re forced to make a “correction,” they can’t admit they’re wrong.