Journo-turned-G-man Responds to Rolling Stone 'Fear Factory' Story

DARK-SIDED Miller Miss the Rolling Stone "Fear Factory" story earlier this month, or, as its since become known, the virtual blooper reel of the government's secretive Keystone Cops? The FBI read every word of the almost 6,000-word feature about how the government is chasing ghosts to manufacture a domestic terrorism threat. Then Assistant Director John J. Miller cranked out his own screed.

It's here. "There is an old saying among reporters: The worst thing you can do to a good story is check it out. Guy Lawson ('The Fear Factory,' Rolling Stone, February 7th) brings hypothetical theory to new heights," begins former Peabody- and Emmy-winning journalist Miller, threatening Jann Wenner with the worst facial since the out-and-about editor was allegedly spotted necking with Men's Fitness casualty and sometimes-gay Neal Boulton. "After "checking it out," Mr. Lawson simply tailored his story around any compelling facts that did not fit his original premise."