When asked about revealing the forsenic evidence that proves Matthew’s death was related to drugs,“Is that worthwhile simply because it may be true” the guy at the pride festival replied, “There’s a point when you as a person should look around and read the room. The understanding of what happened to Matthew means a lot to a lot of people so just leave it alone. Even if there was some amount of drug deal done wrong involved, it doesn’t matter, just read the room.” It is so concerning to me that someone could have so little regard for the truth and would rather live in a comfortable lie than an uncomfortable truth. It seems that many Americans these days have this mindset. It was this conversation that moved me to become subscriber of The Free Press. I am so thankful there are at least a few journalists that care about knowing the truth. Good work FP!
Jimenez said that one of the reasons he wrote this book was that there have been so many real martyrs in the fight for gay rights. To manufacture one dishonors their memory.
I saved this story because there is so much going on right now but made sure to go back and listen A) because I like Ben and B) I appreciate in general the work of TFP.
The biggest hidden detail I got was that one man never received a real trial. Wow. If this reporting opens up his case then that will be some real world impact.
It’s interesting to me that some people Ben interviewed said the truth doesn’t matter to them, that it’s better to have and use the lie. I appreciate Ben’s willingness to look at the truth of the case and expose that subtle corruption. God help us.
I also read The Book of Matt - it was written by Stephen Jimenez over 10 years ago. It was dense, deeply researched and heavily documented, as if the author knew every effort would be made to debunk his findings. To this day, it seems like the facts Mr. Jimenez brought to light have been completely ignored and it’s incomprehensible to me. Shepard’s ashes were even interred at the Washington National Cathedral. And I think there was just recently another event or wreath laying to commemorate Shepard’s death as a hero. Crazy.
This story uncovered some much disturbing information. At the time it may have been seen as a watershed moment for gay rights but in the end may have led to significant damage as mentioned. It allowed us in the gay community to ignore the very real dangers of drug addiction and replaced it with fear of violence that was unlikely to occur, mistrust of the larger community and the crutch of victimhood. Those are all damaging to the psyche of a gay man coming of age during that time and now.
Sadly both parties have caved to their respective wing nuts and liars. The liberal media had the eyeballs in the ‘90s but now the conservative media has joined the “obscure the truth if it hurts our Party,) party. Let the Great Middle America save the day!
Such a poignant, sad story about a beautiful boy, turning to the wrong people for help. His mother and father were at home waiting for their boy. Oh, woe is us.
Truly, very sincere, authentic, and commendable journalism. Thank you for not allowing a story of the past to die in the muddied waters without due process. A lot of evidence was shown to prove, at the very least, that the story was far more complicated than most urban Americans wanted to believe. I grew up in rural America in the 90’s and can attest that meth was a giant issue not being discussed at the national level. More importantly, I think this podcast points out partisan media’s compulsion to fit “evidence” to their narrative at a huge cost we haven’t yet fully recognized. Before this case (mid 90’s and earlier) rural America was considered by most to be a peaceful place in the country where people can find calm in the simple life. As pointed out in the podcast, and as my own experience also shows, this “hate crime” allowed urban America (mostly democrat) to believe that rural America (mostly republican) was a place filled with “deplorables”, to take a sample of the divisive rhetoric given by Hillary Clinton. This is simple political pandering that, in this case especially, grossly exaggerates the “facts” and conveniently leaves out any counter narrative. For what purpose? Likely to further create divide so whichever party can claim a stronger base. It’s disgusting, unamerican, and an absurd disservice to justice. Thank you, Bari. It is indeed self evident that truth is more important than narrative.
Another example of press manipulation! It is so so depressing to think we cannot trust virtually anything we read or hear from the "media." It is laziness? Cowardice? Fear of not being invited to sit at the table with the cool kids at lunch? It is so refreshing to see that real investigative reporters still exist and we have platforms like this one to get factual information so we can form our own opinions. Thanks, Ben and Bari!
"When we don't follow the facts, we misunderstand reality. And that can have severe consequences." If only more journalists (and our leaders) subscribed to this, we'd be in better shape as a country. Thanks for putting such wisdom into words, Ben.
First reports of this cruel, sad crime against Matthew Shepard were said to be gender related. This initial finding fit the narrative, which was topmost on many minds, straight and gay at the time.
Once the facts were agreed upon. in a court of law, Shepard's death was found to be the result of a drug deal gone wrong.
It seems to me we, as a nation, should aspire to keeping drugs and sexual orientation off the law books.
In my opinion, inquiries into drugs that seem to be generally harmful though in other ways helpful and lifestyles that don't follow society's norms but are not harmful can be researched but not treated as forms of lawlessness. What we learn and what we do not know should be shared widely.
I think opinions and biases can be discussed widely as long as we keep in mind what is provable and what is not; and what is a subject for the law and what is not or shouldn't be.
Crimes like murder, coercion, scams, theft and others involving harm to persons or property are police issues.
As I see it, what we learn about controversial lifestyles and drugs that are appealing to some people but also potentially dangerous are issues for individuals, families, and the medical community to manage.
When asked about revealing the forsenic evidence that proves Matthew’s death was related to drugs,“Is that worthwhile simply because it may be true” the guy at the pride festival replied, “There’s a point when you as a person should look around and read the room. The understanding of what happened to Matthew means a lot to a lot of people so just leave it alone. Even if there was some amount of drug deal done wrong involved, it doesn’t matter, just read the room.” It is so concerning to me that someone could have so little regard for the truth and would rather live in a comfortable lie than an uncomfortable truth. It seems that many Americans these days have this mindset. It was this conversation that moved me to become subscriber of The Free Press. I am so thankful there are at least a few journalists that care about knowing the truth. Good work FP!
Jimenez said that one of the reasons he wrote this book was that there have been so many real martyrs in the fight for gay rights. To manufacture one dishonors their memory.
I saved this story because there is so much going on right now but made sure to go back and listen A) because I like Ben and B) I appreciate in general the work of TFP.
The biggest hidden detail I got was that one man never received a real trial. Wow. If this reporting opens up his case then that will be some real world impact.
It’s interesting to me that some people Ben interviewed said the truth doesn’t matter to them, that it’s better to have and use the lie. I appreciate Ben’s willingness to look at the truth of the case and expose that subtle corruption. God help us.
Unfortunately I think we see that in a lot communities where people prioritize their own particular tribe.
If a martyr can’t be found one is made. Reality is irrelevant.
I also read The Book of Matt - it was written by Stephen Jimenez over 10 years ago. It was dense, deeply researched and heavily documented, as if the author knew every effort would be made to debunk his findings. To this day, it seems like the facts Mr. Jimenez brought to light have been completely ignored and it’s incomprehensible to me. Shepard’s ashes were even interred at the Washington National Cathedral. And I think there was just recently another event or wreath laying to commemorate Shepard’s death as a hero. Crazy.
Bari, you have done it again!
Ben, a major shout-out!
Central Park Karen, like.
Is TFP the only group practicing real journalism? Maybe we should get you all on the White House Press Pool!!!
After the revolution, we'll scrap all existing press credentials and start again from scratch.
This story uncovered some much disturbing information. At the time it may have been seen as a watershed moment for gay rights but in the end may have led to significant damage as mentioned. It allowed us in the gay community to ignore the very real dangers of drug addiction and replaced it with fear of violence that was unlikely to occur, mistrust of the larger community and the crutch of victimhood. Those are all damaging to the psyche of a gay man coming of age during that time and now.
leftists refuse to believe the facts especially those facts that destroy their narrative
"And why did so many people refuse to believe it when investigative journalists discovered the truth? "
Because just as nature abhors a vacuum, leftists abhor the truth. Truth is anathema to leftists and leftism.
The Democratic Party of America, DELENDA EST!
Sadly both parties have caved to their respective wing nuts and liars. The liberal media had the eyeballs in the ‘90s but now the conservative media has joined the “obscure the truth if it hurts our Party,) party. Let the Great Middle America save the day!
It was a drug deal that went badly and there was some other stuff going on.
Such a poignant, sad story about a beautiful boy, turning to the wrong people for help. His mother and father were at home waiting for their boy. Oh, woe is us.
Story?
Truly, very sincere, authentic, and commendable journalism. Thank you for not allowing a story of the past to die in the muddied waters without due process. A lot of evidence was shown to prove, at the very least, that the story was far more complicated than most urban Americans wanted to believe. I grew up in rural America in the 90’s and can attest that meth was a giant issue not being discussed at the national level. More importantly, I think this podcast points out partisan media’s compulsion to fit “evidence” to their narrative at a huge cost we haven’t yet fully recognized. Before this case (mid 90’s and earlier) rural America was considered by most to be a peaceful place in the country where people can find calm in the simple life. As pointed out in the podcast, and as my own experience also shows, this “hate crime” allowed urban America (mostly democrat) to believe that rural America (mostly republican) was a place filled with “deplorables”, to take a sample of the divisive rhetoric given by Hillary Clinton. This is simple political pandering that, in this case especially, grossly exaggerates the “facts” and conveniently leaves out any counter narrative. For what purpose? Likely to further create divide so whichever party can claim a stronger base. It’s disgusting, unamerican, and an absurd disservice to justice. Thank you, Bari. It is indeed self evident that truth is more important than narrative.
Where's the story? Is this a layout foul up?
The story is in audio format as a podcast episode. You should be able to see a player below the Honestly banner.
Another example of press manipulation! It is so so depressing to think we cannot trust virtually anything we read or hear from the "media." It is laziness? Cowardice? Fear of not being invited to sit at the table with the cool kids at lunch? It is so refreshing to see that real investigative reporters still exist and we have platforms like this one to get factual information so we can form our own opinions. Thanks, Ben and Bari!
"When we don't follow the facts, we misunderstand reality. And that can have severe consequences." If only more journalists (and our leaders) subscribed to this, we'd be in better shape as a country. Thanks for putting such wisdom into words, Ben.
We missed the beginning of the rural narcotics epidemic.
First reports of this cruel, sad crime against Matthew Shepard were said to be gender related. This initial finding fit the narrative, which was topmost on many minds, straight and gay at the time.
Once the facts were agreed upon. in a court of law, Shepard's death was found to be the result of a drug deal gone wrong.
It seems to me we, as a nation, should aspire to keeping drugs and sexual orientation off the law books.
In my opinion, inquiries into drugs that seem to be generally harmful though in other ways helpful and lifestyles that don't follow society's norms but are not harmful can be researched but not treated as forms of lawlessness. What we learn and what we do not know should be shared widely.
I think opinions and biases can be discussed widely as long as we keep in mind what is provable and what is not; and what is a subject for the law and what is not or shouldn't be.
Crimes like murder, coercion, scams, theft and others involving harm to persons or property are police issues.
As I see it, what we learn about controversial lifestyles and drugs that are appealing to some people but also potentially dangerous are issues for individuals, families, and the medical community to manage.