Slog - Comments on When Will the Seattle Times Stop Protecting Dave Reichert? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect A story in this morning's Seattle Times includes new information about Republican Rep. Dave Reichert's own exaggerations about his college degree. Seven different web sites, including Reichert's own Congressional web page, claim Reichert graduated college with a B.A.; in fact, he graduated from a small religious junior college in Portland with a two-year associate's degree. So it looks like the Times is finally taking a look, however brief, at Reichert's resume exaggerations. That's nice of them. But it doesn't erase the fact that the reporter, Emily Heffter, seriously fucked up in her initial story, in which she reported, erroneously, that... Copyright 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:55:55 -0800 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:35:25 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Fnarf Not affiliated with his campaign? It's his official House biography! What a fucking shithead!

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182460 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182460 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:03:13 -0800 Comment by frank It's not web-only. It's on the front page.

]]> frank http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182465 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182465 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:11:16 -0800 Comment by Ducbcek Concentration sounds a hell of a lot more like a minor than some second major.

]]> Ducbcek http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182466 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182466 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:11:56 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave When will Erica work for a real news paper so she can do real news reporting instead of goading real journalists into doing what she wishes she could really do?

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182468 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182468 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:15:14 -0800 Comment by medina That is not a degree in economics. If it isn't on the diploma, you can't make it up. Harvard says she has a BA in Computer Science. They decide, not her.

Whether Reichert lied is irrelevant. It doesn't make Burner's lie any better.

I'd go on to say that since she kept touting her degree at debates in the context of look at how smart I am, she bears more responsibility than Reichert. He didn't stres his degree, but only had it on a web page. That is subjective, but to my mine Burner is acting like a car salesman and should be held accountable.

]]> medina http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182470 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182470 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:15:53 -0800 Comment by Julie in Chicago I'm with you on this Erica... except for the part about it being a like a double major. Usually, in order to get a double major, you have to take all of the classes required to major in each subject. Since we know she only took 5 economics classes, I don't think a double major is the best analogy...

]]> Julie in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182471 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182471 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:16:19 -0800 Comment by Julie in Chicago @5. I think saying you have a four year degree when you do not (or rather, not correcting the mistake and allowing it to propogate for years because it is in your best interest), is a hell of alot worse than implying you have a major in economics when you really have a minor (or, the Harvard-equivalent of a minor).

]]> Julie in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182476 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182476 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:20:15 -0800 Comment by so long, farewell the times is crashing and burning right now... they don't have time to worry about these things with another round of layoffs looming in december...

]]> so long, farewell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182479 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182479 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:23:05 -0800 Comment by Trevor I mean no disrespect by this. But saying that Burner had a double major, in a post where you're trying to get someone else's facts straight, undermines the credibility of your argument.

]]> Trevor http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182483 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182483 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:25:22 -0800 Comment by SeMe burner graduated from Harvard with a BA, reichert graduated from(?) with a general studies AA.

and he is trashing her?

]]> SeMe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182490 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182490 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:30:20 -0800 Comment by Darcy Supporter Erica, please just stop. You obviously don't have a clue what you're writing about (Harvard doesn't have majors or minors, they only have concentrations - and Darcy's concentration was Computer Science). Once again you lessen the charge against others by not having your own facts straight. Please don't try to "help". Please leave it to the professionals.

]]> Darcy Supporter http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182503 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182503 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:37:34 -0800 Comment by Zelbinian @11-

Critical much? She was simply *translating* Harvard's program into what might be a UW-equivalent. If she got it a bit wrong, that sucks, but looking at the comments over the multiple slog posts on this subject, there is absolutely no consensus as to what her degree *actually* means.

So it would be far more constructive of you to inform us of what a "B.A. in Computer Science with a focus in economics" would be your standard state university. Enlighten us please?

]]> Zelbinian http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182521 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182521 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:50:34 -0800 Comment by Zelbinian *at your standard state university.

]]> Zelbinian http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182524 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182524 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:51:51 -0800 Comment by Niro DeRobert What was your major, Erica? Surely not journalism.

]]> Niro DeRobert http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182526 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182526 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:54:43 -0800 Comment by John 1. WTF is Heffter doing still writing on this story for the Times? She showed herself to be a credulous fucking hack when she unquestioningly regurgitated RNCC oppo research as a story. Does the Times not have an actual unbiased reporter they could put on the followups?

2. The phrase "graduated from Concordia Lutheran College", which Heffter thinks shows Riechert's honesty (because the campaign told her it did?) is very misleading. When I here someone graduated from a College the natural thing is to assume a BA/BS since that is what the common usage of graduated from college implies!

]]> John http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182527 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182527 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:55:03 -0800 Comment by laterite This is why you can't do nuance in politics.

]]> laterite http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182528 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182528 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:55:34 -0800 Comment by Jane Oh for god's sake, get your facts straight, Erica! Burner does NOT have a "double-major" in computer sci and economics! She has a degree in Computer Science with an added emphasis (more like a minor, WHICH IS NOT A DEGREE AT ALL IN ANY WAY) in econ. But that's not what she's been saying -- she's been SAYING she has "a degree in Economics from Harvard." That's a lie. When caught in the lie, she said the truth was just too complicated to explain neatly in a speech. Really? I believe I just explained it in a single sentence myself. And for the record, I voted for her three days ago -- but on this topic, she's being a totally childish wanker, I must confess.

If you'd actually READ the Seattle Times story, you'd know this information. Apparently, you didn't make it past the headline, and then just filled in the rest of the details using your imagination. As per usual.

]]> Jane http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182530 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182530 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:56:09 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @1 for the win.

@17 for the Socialist Republican EPIC FAIL.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182534 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182534 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:59:41 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe What Bellevue Ave said.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182540 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182540 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:03:57 -0800 Comment by Mike Shields To say that Dave's "official" website had the wrong degree on it is incorrect. Dave's official website is www.reichert.house.gov Every other website mentioned is third party. One of the 5 websites the Burner campaign sent out yesterday, for instance, was Public Citizen's website. Democrats have tried to morph Dave into Geroge W Bush but I don't think they've tried to morph him into Ralph Nader until now!

So www.reichert.house.gov is the website we can edit and put information on officially. We originally had in his bio that he got a degree from Concordia but did not list which kind (when Dave attended it was only a 2-year school). To remove any confusion we updated that bio to say specifically that he has an AA, and asked those 3rd party sites to correct the information.

That is called showing accountability - something too many members of congress and wall street have a hard time doing and something Darcy Burner seems to have a hard time with as well.

Additionally, in the official voters guide sent to voters with their ballot (taxpayer paid) Dave Reichert lists his degree as AA; Darcy Burner claims to have a degree in economics there too.

See for yourself if you think she is telling the truth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISkG7W3v3q8

Mike Shields
Reichert campaign

]]> Mike Shields http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182553 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182553 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:14:59 -0800 Comment by uncouthheathen of course, none of this changes the fact that Reichert is an arrogant dirtbag. just sayin'.

]]> uncouthheathen http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182600 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182600 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:42:29 -0800 Comment by tomasyalba How does a concentration in economics while earning your four-year degree at Harvard match up against getting an AA in fricking anything at a 2-year Christian school?

Let me think about...that...a second.

]]> tomasyalba http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182642 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182642 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:09:16 -0800 Comment by onewink3 @20: Reichert is being awfully trigger-happy, considering he was blind to all the lies Bush told about Iraq. If he'd called bs when it might have mattered, he wouldn't be in danger of losing to start with.

]]> onewink3 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182645 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182645 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:13:19 -0800 Comment by John Why tell such an easily refuted lie Mike? Darcy claims she has a degree in Computer Science and Economics, which she does. Lame

]]> John http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182646 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182646 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:14:21 -0800 Comment by Because you're stuck at the Stranger There you go again. You hate your fellow female journalists. And Erica, trust me on this, one: we don't like you either. The sad part is, one of these days you're going to sitting across the desk from us, nervously handing your resume over, and we'll remember you.

]]> Because you're stuck at the Stranger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182691 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182691 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:49:42 -0800 Comment by blackhook Out with the blind Bush followers!

Reichert doesn't deserve another term to lead America astray.

]]> blackhook http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182711 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182711 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:07:12 -0800 Comment by Julie in Chicago @25. It seems to me that Erica doesn't hate female journalists, but she does hate partisan hackery and stupidity. So, maybe she does hate you, but I'll bet it's for a reason (I'm guessing it's the latter).

]]> Julie in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182727 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182727 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:21:22 -0800 Comment by jrrrl The sad part is, one of these days you're going to sitting across the desk from us, nervously handing your resume over, and we'll remember you.

Umm, you're a journalist at another Seattle newspaper? How are those budget cuts and layoffs treating you? I'm pretty sure HUMP alone is more profitable than wherever you work.

]]> jrrrl http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182738 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/when_will_the_seattle_times_stop_protect#c1182738 2008 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:35:25 -0800