Freedom of the Press

It means that along with Newsweek taking their licks, you have to put up with the uninformed and closet dictators getting their letters to the editor published in the Miami Herald:

When I first heard about the riots, injuries and deaths in the Middle East that occurred in part as a result of a Newsweek article, I thought, even if it's true, why would a U.S. periodical publish this information knowing that it could incite more anti-American violence and hatred?

To find out that Newsweek had unsubstantiated accounts of the "Koran flushing" made me realize that selling magazines meant more than properly reporting the news. The decision comes at great expense to our country and soldiers. Freedom of the press aside, Newsweek should be held legally responsible for the bloodshed that ensued.

LISA M. DETORUNAY, Coral Gables

Newsweek magazine deserves the harshest possible punishment for the deadly havoc it has caused with its totally irresponsible actions on reporting unconfirmed derogatory information under the guise of "news."

CHARLES R. WILLIAMS, Miami

As one would expect, the media are rallying around Newsweek.

I have a nephew serving in a Marine rifle platoon in Iraq. I have other nephews serving in the Army who are in Iraq or have been there and will be going back. Newsweek has created a myth that will last for years and cause hundreds of casualties to foreign and domestic civilians and military people.

JAMES R. MCGHEE SR. Miami

I will happily refer them to the article below and let them decide who lied, created havoc, and who is legally responsible for the blooshed that ensued.