Why do people seem to lie so purposefully?  What is the gain?  Is it THAT difficult to look at both sides or must secular partisanship be so bitter and paranoid?  Let us know. 

Chris Hedges at "Truthdig" hasn't dug any truth but a cascade of venomous lies.  Even in an opinion piece, some small standard of truth must be held.  Must it not?

Chris doesn't seem to think so.  Some of his most outrageous statements with factual corrections attached.  Chris is ranting about the "3-Exterrorists" presentation at the Air Force Academy Terrorism Seminar on February 6th.

"they were at the Air Force Academy—to spew racist filth about Islam"

Islam isn't a "race" rather it is a religion followed by many different "races".  Chris neglects to quote or even paraphrase any of the presentation to illustrate the "filth" he claims was "spewed".  In fact, the 3 presented factual information about radical jihadists WITHIN Islam who don't constitute a majority of that religion.  Is truthful world events discussion "racist filth"?

He claims the 3 were presenting; "on behalf of groups such as  Focus on the Family."

The terrorism seminar was arranged by the Air Force Academy and had nothing to do with Focus on the Family or other "such groups".  From what I've read about the 3 ex-terrorists, they are not affiliated with and have nothing to do with any "such groups".  Shoebat has a foundation and Saleem has his own ministry organization.  The three were presenting on behalf of themselves at the invitation of the organizers of the seminar.

Hedges accuses the 3 of "Hate speech" but fails, again, to quote or paraphrase any such thing.

He then asserts about the three that; "They tell their audiences that the only way to deal with one-fifth of the world’s population is by converting or eradicating all Muslims."

Having heard the presentations of the three many times, seen it on TV and video, heard them on radio and also heard each individually I can point out this lie.  This is viscious and demonstrates what Hedges attempts to project on the 3 ex-terrorists.  Hate and projection.  The quote demonstrates what Hedges CHOOSES TO BELIEVE despite no factual support.  Neither the 3 together nor any of them individually has ever advocated what is claimed above.  Chris' hostility to Christians and people opposed to radical Muslim jihadists fuels his preconceptions (false) into blatant falsehoods as quoted.

Hedges goes on to state emphatically; "These men are frauds", while neglecting to back up his claim.

Chris further accuses the three of being, "part of a dark and frightening war by the Christian right against tolerance".

Another paen to unsubstantiated generalization that reflects Chris Hedges fear and possible loathing of Christian believers.  One must ask where is this "dark and frightening war"?  Specifically and factually reported incidents in this "war" please.  The only "intolerance" apparent here is an intolerance of Christian belief.  He then accurately quotes a portion of Saleem's Christian experience; "A Christian man tended to Kamal at the accident scene, making sure he got the medical treatment he needed,” his Web site says. “Kamal’s orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist were also Christian men whom over a period of several months ministered the unconditional love of Jesus Christ to him as he recovered. The love and sacrificial giving of these men caused Kamal to cry out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob acknowledging his need for the Savior. Kamal has since become a man on a new mission, as an ambassador for the one true and living God, the great I Am, Jehovah God of the Bible.” .  This statement Hedges holds up as an "example of Christian Chauvinism".  Can any thinking person see the disconnect?  Regardless of belief system?  What is chauvinist about it?

Hedges then tries to discredit Saleem by regurgitating things he has read on the web and have been comprehensively answered.

The claim Hedges makes: "Saleem says that as a child he infiltrated Israel to plant bombs via a network of tunnels underneath the Golan Heights,"

For the record: Saleem has never made such a claim.  He describes being a "mule" (weapons and parts transporter).

"although no incident of this type was ever reported in Israel. He claims he is descended from the “grand wazir” of Islam, a title and a position that do not exist in the Arab world"

The actual facts of the matter can be seen here.  Who wouldn't intentionally obfuscate titles and locations to protect family from the clear stated intent of radical jihadists to kill apostates and their families?

Hedges may not be lying on purpose.  He may be projecting his own apparent loathing or hatred of Christian belief and believers.  One has to suspect intellectual laziness at best and purposeful ignorance at worst to propagate such distortions and outright falsehoods.  Chris Hedges seeming irrational fear of the presentation of 3 men at an anti-terrorism conference is somehow conflated by him into some fantastical and uniform Christian intolerance, chauvinism and plot to destroy America.  The America FOUNDED BY Christians. 

One would laugh were it not so sad.