UPDATE: Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones is in critical condition with limited brain function
Submitted by Nick D on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:23pm.
ABC News, the Plain Dealer, and the Associated Press have retracted their reports about the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Presently, they are all only reporting that she is in critical condition, but close friends are preparing for the worst because she has limited brain functionality, and unfortunately the anuersym is in a part of the brain that is unreachable by surgeons.
Our thoughts go out to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. The Congresswoman's impact on her constituents and the greater Cleveland area is unmistakable.
are you sure?
Submitted by ols on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:48pm.
I, too, couldn't find anything stating this. ABC News says this:
"As of noon ET on Tuesday, her condition had "stabilized," according to a statement released by her office." Nothing about her dying (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/ohio-congresswo.html)
it's true
Submitted by kJk on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:54pm.
I've heard from two sources. The press hasn't been released to report yet.
Apparently you were...
Submitted by ols on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:54pm.
It's on the P.D. now:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/stephanie_tubbs_jones_in_grave.html
Was I the person who posted this thread?
Submitted by kJk on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 1:17pm.
Please pray for her soul and for her son Merv. He's lost both parents in five years and he's very young.
Confirming news stories
Submitted by CowTownGirl on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 1:36pm.
Nick, you're going to have to act like a real journalist to be respected like a real journalist.
Please retract your headline.
Believe It or Not...
Submitted by Nick D on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 3:15pm.
CowTownGirl, believe it or not I have an actual job, I'm not a professional journalist, and that job requires me to attend meetings, conference calls, etc. etc. so I cannot always instantly post updates. I would love it if BSB generated enough ad revenue to support me and David but that is simply not the case. Therefore, sometimes I can't get to things right away. Please be understanding.
ols posted a link
Submitted by kJk on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 1:43pm.
Here's another. Cleveland media has reported it for nearly an hour, because it is buzzing around town rapidly. National media will likely not report until Huron Road Hospital confirms.
or she's not...
Submitted by ols on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 1:52pm.
The PD has changed their story:
"A doctor and family members of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs said she is in critical condition after an aneurysm.
The doctor said the congresswoman has limited brain function."
http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/08/stephanie_tubbs_jones_in_criti.html
God bless STJ.
CBS has changed again...
Submitted by ols on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 2:18pm.
They are now reporting that she has, in fact, died, although earlier reports were "premature":
"Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) has died in a Cleveland hospital.
Tubbs Jones, 58, was hospitalized Tuesday night after police pulled over her car and found her unconscious behind the wheel.
A Huron Hospital spokeswoman said Tubbs Jones had suffered an aneurysm that caused her to lose consciousness.
As news of Tubbs Jones’ hospitalization – and several premature reports of her death – spread across Capitol Hill Wednesday, the congresswoman’s staffers gathered in a closed-door meeting."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/20/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4367046.shtml
Politico is their source
Submitted by modernesquire on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 2:22pm.
CBS is citing Politico which is simply reporting conflicting reports but is essentially still reporting that the latest official word is that the Congresswomen is still alive with minor brain function.
CBS appears to be running outdated copy from Politico when it was reporting her death prematurely.
CBS is in line with the others
Submitted by modernesquire on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 2:29pm.
While you're link still works and they haven't changed the text of that page. If you go to CBS News' main page, they are reporting that she is still in critical condition.
I Dunno
Submitted by JimDandy on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 2:23pm.
All the news sites still have up that she's on life support, not dead.
This Post
Submitted by Pelikan on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 3:05pm.
My suggestion is to pull this whole post and these comments down. As a former journalist - way long time ago - and a current blogger -- I can attest that bloggers are not journalists. There is a sort of unseemliness and clusterfuckishness about this whole post and thread. We look like idiots.
Pelikan
Check out the AP link posted
Submitted by kJk on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 3:26pm.
If the AP has to retract a story, no one else looks foolish by comparison, as the AP is the foremost reputable news source of the country
No One Looks Good
Submitted by Nick D on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 3:30pm.
Pelikan, no one looks good in this situation. The AP, ABC News, and PD had to retract a story they had published about a distingushed congresswoman passing away. I have an inbox full of condolence e-mails from candidates and elected officals. We got caught in this story too. I'll edit the post a bit, but I'm not inclined to pull it down.
Respect that ...
Submitted by Pelikan on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 4:02pm.
I know blogs are different, the strike out thingy and all. kjk is right too, about the AP. Just seems like in circumstances like these a do-over would look better at the right time. Peace.
Pelikan
News source