Ben Domenech 4473368 203316721 2008-04-04T16:32:09Z LeoO3 191641 /* Plagiarism */ '''Ben Domenech''' (born [[December 31]], [[1981]], [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]], [[Mississippi]])<ref>[http://www.bendomenech.com/blog/bio.html Domenech's Bio]. "I was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, before moving to Virginia."</ref> is a [[American conservatism|conservative]] writer and [[wikt:Blogger|blogger]] who co-founded the [[RedState]] group [[blog]]. In March 2006, he was hired to write a conservative blog for [[washingtonpost.com]] but resigned after three days amid allegations of [[plagiarism]] during his college years to which he later confessed.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/24/AR2006032401206.html Washington Post online] ''Post.com Blogger Quits Amid Furor'', Howard Kurtz. March 25, 2006. According to Kurtz, Jim Brady "said he would have dismissed Domenech if the former Bush administration aide and Republican Senate staffer had not offered to quit first."</ref> After apologizing and ceasing online activity for some time, Domenech returned to continue editing and writing for [[Redstate]], [[Human Events]], and other publications. == Personal == Domenech is the son of [[Douglas Domenech]], the [[White House]] Liaison for the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]]<ref>[http://www.leesburg2day.com/current.cfm?newsid=4599 "Domenech Named To White House Post"]</ref>, is a cousin of [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Francisco Domenech]], and is descended from a prominent Puerto Rican politician, [[Manuel V. Domenech]], former legislator, Mayor of [[Ponce]], Commissioner of the Interior, Treasurer, and acting [[Governor of Puerto Rico]]. He was [[homeschooling|home schooled]] by his mother using the [[Calvert School]] curriculum (and by [[Distance education|correspondence]] for his last three years of high school)<ref>[http://flathat.wm.edu/September101999/opinionsstory2.html The Flat Hat: Home sweet school] A Domenech piece about his home schooling experience. Domenech's father was also active in the home schooling movement [http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/15/hshb1519.asp Interview with Doug Domenech: Proclaim Liberty] </ref>. He attended the [[College of William and Mary]] between 1999 and 2002. After receiving a job offer from the [[US Department of Health and Human Services]], he left William and Mary before his senior year.<ref>[http://flathat.wm.edu/story.php?issue=2006-03-24&type=1&aid=27 The Flat Hat Online, ''Former Flat Hat editor refutes Domenech's rebuttal'', Joshua Pinkerton]. Article cites Associate Vice President for Public Affairs Bill Walker as saying Domenech left the college without graduating</ref> == Career == His career in punditry began as a teenager when he began writing a column, "Any Given Sunday," for [[National Review|National Review Online]], in addition to his personal blog [http://www.bendomenech.com]. The column recapped political talk shows on television. "If there was a Top 10 list of young Loudoun County people to watch, he'd be on it," a ''[[Washington Post]]'' reporter wrote in a Loudoun County regional section of the paper. "Domenech is a sharp writer with an obvious command of his national politics beat &mdash; especially considering that this is the first year he is eligible to vote."<ref>[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/53537792.html?dids=53537792:53537792&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=May+7%2C+2000&author=&desc=An+Early+Eye+for+Political+Punditry]"An Early Eye for Political Punditry: Teenager's Pointed Views Play in Conservative Circles" feature article (no byline shown on Web page), ''[[The Washington Post]], Loudoun County Extra (local supplement section), [[May 7]], [[2000]], first three paragraphs appear on "Free article preview" page at ''Washington Post'' Web site, accessed [[August 30]], [[2007]]</ref> Domenech said in his Washingtonpost.com bio that he was the youngest political appointee of the [[George W. Bush]] administration.<ref>[http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redamerica/ Red America blog bio on Domenech] The bio states "After 9/11, he abandoned the journalism field for a taxpayer-funded life and was sworn in as the youngest political appointee of President George W. Bush."</ref> He worked as a [[speechwriter]] for Health and Human Services Secretary [[Tommy Thompson]]. He has also worked as [[contributing editor]] for [[National Review Online]]; two years as the chief speechwriter for Sen. [[John Cornyn]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Texas|TX]]); and an editor at [[Regnery Publishing]], where he worked on [[Michelle Malkin]]'s book ''[[Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild]]'', and [[Hugh Hewitt]]'s book ''Painting the Map Red''.<ref>[http://hughhewitt.com/archives/2006/03/19-week/index.php#a001677 online announcement]</ref> He was also apparently editor for [[Ramesh Ponnuru]]'s 2006 book, ''The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts, and the Disregard for Human Life''.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-rutten25mar25,1,3458784.column LA Times on Domenech affair]</ref> The ''Washington Post'' had been criticized for hiring him.<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200603220006 MediaMatters criticizes hiring]</ref> One line of criticism held that the Post should not have hired a non-journalist conservative partisan blogger&mdash;or at least, not without hiring a non-journalist liberal partisan blogger. Another line focused on Domenech's previous writings, including a [[February 7]], [[2006]] condemnation of deceased [[civil rights]] activist [[Coretta Scott King]] as a "[[Communism|Communist]]."<ref>[http://www.redstate.com/comments/2006/2/7/203823/5583/190#190 Post on RedState.org]</ref>) Domenech also was criticized for a post <ref>[http://www.redstate.com/story/2005/9/30/123649/894 Post on RedState.org]</ref> quoting from a First Things article by Richard John Neuhaus <ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0508/public.html First Things article]</ref> about [[Freakonomics]] and abortion. In his washingtonpost.com blog, Domenech apologized for calling King a Communist, describing his lapse as "hyperbole" and defended the item relating to Neuhaus.<ref>[http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redamerica/2006/03/two_quick_notes.html]Domenech, Ben, "Two quick notes", blog item, ''Washington Post'' Web site, [[March 23]], [[2007]]</ref> [[RedState]] co-founder [[Joshua Treviño]] defended the above statements (the first as hyperbole) on his blog.<ref>[http://joshua.trevino.at/?p=89 The man stands alone] Joshua Treviño, 31 March 2006</ref> === Plagiarism === Domenech, who wrote for RedState under the pseudonym "Augustine,"<ref>[http://www.redstate.com/story/2006/3/23/22434/5436 RedState story by "Erick"] The fact that "Augustine" was a pseudonym used Domenech had not been well known. See [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/3/21/23229/7592 this post] at Daily Kos</ref> was hired by the ''[[Washington Post]]'s'' online arm to write a [[blog]] providing "a daily mix of commentary, analysis and cultural criticism."<ref>[http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washpostblog/2006/03/new_blog_red_america.html Blog on Washington Post]</ref> The blog, "Red America", launched on March 21, 2006, but was closed three days later, after other bloggers posted evidence that Domenech had plagiarized work from writers at The ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'', The ''Washington Post'', ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[National Review|National Review Online]]'', [[Cox Enterprises|Cox News Service]] , and ''[[Salon.com|Salon]]'', as well as that of humorist [[P. J. O'Rourke]] and several amateur film critics. Domenech was first accused of appropriating a chapter from O'Rourke's 1990 book "Modern Manners" for an editorial in ''[[The Flat Hat]]'', a weekly student newspaper at William and Mary.<ref>[http://yourlogohere.blogspot.com/2006/03/nail-meet-coffin.html Original blog entry]</ref> O'Rourke denied Domenech's claim that the humorist had granted permission to use his words, adding that he couldn't recall ever meeting the college student. <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/25/business/25post.html?_r=4&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin New York Times online], ''Washington Post Blogger Quits After Plagiarism Accusations'', Julie Bosman, March 25, 2006. The Times article quotes O'Rourke as saying, "I wouldn't want to swear in a court of law that I never met the guy," adding "but I didn't give him permission to use my words under his byline, no."</ref> Blogs [[Atrios#Eschaton|Eschaton]] and [[Daily Kos]] soon posted links to movie reviews of ''[[Bringing Out the Dead]]'', ''[[The Bachelor (movie)|The Bachelor]]'', and ''[[The World Is Not Enough]]'' written by Domenech for the same student paper. The reviews appear to be taken nearly verbatim from reviews published by [[Salon.com]] and an amateur [[Usenet]] reviewer named Steve Rhodes. The Flat Hat investigated and eventually concluded that the paper had published 35 articles by Domenech, including 10 with suspicious similarities to works by other authors, including ones by ''National Review'' editor [[Jonah Goldberg]]. <ref>[http://flathat.wm.edu/November191999/opinionsstory2.html FlatHat investigates charges]</ref> <ref> [http://flathat.wm.edu/story.php?issue=2006-03-24&type=1&aid=1 Domenech appears to have copied three new pieces]</ref> <ref>[http://flathat.wm.edu/story.php?issue=2006-03-24&type=1&aid=28 Domenech's college paper reveals more plagiarism] </ref> Commenters at Daily Kos also uncovered two examples of plagiarism in reviews written by Domenech for National Review Online in 2000 and 2001. The first finding, a review of the movie ''[[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within]]'', contained a lengthy passage nearly identical to one by [[Steve Murray]] of the Cox News Service <ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/23/181857/404/136#c136 DailyKos post] identifying plagiarism published in National Review Online</ref>. The second, a review of a [[Wallflowers]]' album, borrowed passages from one published in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' by Tom Moon earlier the same month<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/24/13724/1544/304#304 DailyKos post] identifying further plagiarism published in National Review Online</ref>. Domenech's plagiarism initially appeared to have extended to the ''Post'' itself. DailyKos posters found passages in an article that mirrored ones in a 1999 story by ''Post'' staff writers [[Edward Walsh]] and [[Roberto Suro]] about the [[Waco Siege]] of [[David Koresh]]'s [[Branch Davidian]] church<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/23/181857/404/167#c167 Another DailyKos post]</ref> and a 1998 story by Post staff writers Michael Powell and Saundra Torry reporting on the [[U.S. Capitol shooting incident (1998)|Russell Eugene Weston Jr.]] shooting in the U.S. Capitol<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/24/01758/0999/51#51 More plagiarism discovered at DailyKos]</ref>. However, the editors of The Flat Hat later disputed the accusation regarding the Waco article, writing in an online editors note<ref>[http://flathat.wm.edu/September031999/beyondtheburg.html Editors note clears Domenech for Waco article]</ref>: :We believe this was a simple typographical error which could have been introduced at any point in the production process. As such, we do not believe the fault is with Ben Domenech or Marianna Toma, the writers of this piece. In this instance, any confusion about the sources of these articles was almost certainly not due to any misconduct or negligence by the writers. On March 24 2006, the editors of ''National Review'' confirmed on its blog [[The Corner]] <ref>[http://corner.nationalreview.com/06_03_19_corner-archive.asp#093312 National Review confirms plagiarism]</ref> that Domenech appeared to have plagiarized at least one article he'd written for that publication: :As the previous links on the matter mention, at least one of the pieces Ben Domenech is accused of having plagiarized was a movie review for National Review Online. A side-by-side comparison to another review of the same film speaks for itself. There is no excuse for plagiarism and we apologize to our readers and to Steve Murray of the Cox News Service from whose piece the language was lifted. With some evidence of possible problems with other pieces, we're also looking into other articles he wrote for NRO. Still later, ''National Review'' announced that they had confirmed three other instances of apparent plagiarism. Side-by-side comparisons published on the site indicated that Domenech had also lifted phrases from ''Rolling Stone'', the ''Dallas Morning News'', and other sources.<ref>[http://corner.nationalreview.com/06_03_19_corner-archive.asp#093326 NRO Corner link]</ref> === Resignation=== On March 24 2006, RedState contributor Erick (Erickson) called the plagiarism allegations "lies" and said that "permissions obtained" were not reflected in the online record.<ref>[http://redstate.org/story/2006/3/23/22434/5436 RedState attempts to defend Domenech]</ref> That same day, Malkin called the evidence for plagiarism "damning" and urged him to resign.<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004834.htm Michelle Malkin gives up supporting Domenech]</ref>. Other conservative bloggers followed suit. At 1:17 p.m. ET on March 24 2006, Washington ''Post'' online editor [[James M. Brady|Jim Brady]] announced Domenech's resignation,<ref>[http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washpostblog/2006/03/ben_domenech_resigns.html Washington Post announces Domenech's resignation]</ref> explaining: :When we hired Domenech, we were not aware of any allegations that he had plagiarized any of his past writings. In any cases where allegations such as these are made, we will continue to investigate those charges thoroughly in order to maintain our journalistic integrity. :Plagiarism is perhaps the most serious offense that a writer can commit or be accused of. Washingtonpost.com will do everything in its power to verify that its news and opinion content is sourced completely and accurately at all times. Domenech initially denied the charges, blaming editors for similarities to other articles. On March 24 2006, after resigning but before admitting his guilt, he claimed that "Virtually every other alleged instance of plagiarism that I’ve seen comes from a single semester’s worth of pieces that were printed under my name at my college paper, The Flat Hat, when I was 17." <ref>[http://www.redstate.com/print/2006/3/24/151255/259 Domenech's statement on Redstate]</ref> However, examples of plagiarism have been found which span the years 1999-2001.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} === Leave of absence and return=== Domenech took a leave of absence from RedState, but remained on the organization's board.<ref>[http://redstate.org/story/2006/3/24/231559/931 Domenech's apology]. See also [http://redstate.org/story/2006/3/24/231749/503].</ref> In 2007 he began regularly publishing posts at RedState again [http://www.redstate.com/stories/5] and started a new personal blog [http://thisisanadventure.com]. His stories continue to be linked by prominent bloggers [http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/reconciling-to.html] [http://wonkette.com/339813/huckabee-is-a-scab] [http://blogometer.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/02/228_standing_by.html] [http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/01/30/coping-with-mccain.aspx], and has written columns for other publications [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25110]. ==Notes and references== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== * [[Journalism scandals]] == External links == * [http://www.redstate.org/ Redstate] * [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redamerica/ Red America] at ''The Washington Post'' * [http://www.bendomenech.com/blog/bio.html bendomenech.com] - Ben's old blog with links to his past writing * [http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Conservative_blogger_recently_hired_by_Washington_0323.html Conservative blogger recently hired by Washington Post appears to be serial plagiarist] - [[Raw Story]] * [http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002200090 'Wash Post' Launches Conservative Blog, Provokes a 'Firestorm'] - [[Editor and Publisher]] * [http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2006/03/24/domenech_blog/ Joe Conason on the alleged plagiarism] [[Salon.com]] * [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washpostblog/2006/03/ben_domenech_resigns.html Ben Domenech Resigns] * [http://flathat.wm.edu/2006-03-24/story.php?type=1&aid=1 The Flat Hat reports on plagiarized Fight Club review from Salon] * [http://flathat.wm.edu/2006-03-24/story.php?type=1&aid=2 The Flat Hat reports on plagiarized National Review articles] * [http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w060327&s=anderson032906 The New Republic's Rob Anderson on Domenech and The Washington Post] {{DEFAULTSORT:Domenech, Ben}} [[Category:American bloggers]] [[Category:People from Virginia]] [[Category:Living people]]