Is this the best newspaper correction ever? Washington Post changes description of Guantanamo Navy captain from 'thickset' to 'muscular'

By Meghan Keneally

PUBLISHED: 13:36 EST, 23 October 2013 | UPDATED: 14:34 EST, 23 October 2013


A Navy Captain who works at Guantanamo Bay prison camp is the subject of one of the most amusing newspaper corrections as it appears someone was sensitive about his looks.

The Washington Post published an article on October 13 about the public relations makeover that Guantanamo Bay has been going through in the past ten years.

Today, the paper issued a correction saying that the 'Style article about access to the prison camp for terrorism suspects at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, incorrectly referred to Navy Captain Robert Durand as "thickset." He should have been described as muscular,' the correction reads.

In uniform: Navy Capt. Robert Durand was profiled in a piece by The Washington Post and they originally described him as being 'thickset'

In uniform: Navy Capt. Robert Durand was profiled in a piece by The Washington Post and they originally described him as being 'thickset'

Admitting an error: The Washington Post (pictured) published the correction in the Wednesday, October 23 issue of the newspaper and the article had already been updated online

Admitting an error: The Washington Post (pictured) published the correction in the Wednesday, October 23 issue of the newspaper and the article had already been updated online

Fit: There was no picture accompanying the article, but his Facebook profile shows that he is athletically-built and in shape, which comes as little surprise given his decades of working in the Navy

Fit: There was no picture accompanying the article, but his Facebook profile shows that he is athletically-built and in shape, which comes as little surprise given his decades of working in the Navy

The updated online version of the article in question now reflects that change, and describes him as a 'tall, muscular man with glasses'.

It is unknown if Durand himself is the one who made the complaint that forced the correction.

 

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That said, given his role as the head of the public affairs unit tasked with changing society's thoughts about the controversial base, it would come as little surprise if he was the first to read the article.

There were no pictures of Durand accompanying the article, so it would be difficult for readers to the see that the 47-year-old man is by no means heavy.

Navy man: Captain Durand is a father and an active member of the Navy

Navy man: Captain Durand is a father and an active member of the Navy

Active: The 47-year-old clearly keeps in shape, and in one photo is seen in a wetsuit next to his wife of 23-years (right)
Active: The 47-year-old clearly keeps in shape, and in one photo is seen in a wetsuit next to his wife of 23-years (right)

Active: The 47-year-old keeps in shape, and in one photo is seen in a wetsuit next to his wife of 23-years (right)

Pictures from his Facebook page show he is athletic and fit, posing proudly after a group bike ride in one photo and in a wetsuit next to his wife in another after another outdoor day.

He has been married to his wife for 23 years and their wedding photo shows him in his white Naval uniform, proving that he has been in the Navy for more than two decades.

His latest post has been focused on changing the public's perception of Guantanamo Bay.

In The Washington Post article he said: 'We're proud of the work we do... We know that we have our fair share of critics (but) I think we get a fair shake now.'

No time passed: Durand posted this photo of he and his wife on their wedding day in New Orleans in 1990

No time passed: Durand posted this photo of he and his wife on their wedding day in New Orleans in 1990

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Was it a DM journalist on loan?

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I doubt "thickset" even has a clear meaning. It could be used to describe anyone from a big-boned bodybuilder to a morbidly obese person.

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Neither thickset nor muscular, he is clearly thin...skinned. It is painfully obvious that no one but he demanded the correction. Fit now? Sure. But not always. He dumped some 30 pounds while here in the JTF. Absolutely commendable and something to be proud of. But insisting upon being called 'muscular' is a bit much. Vanity, thy rank is Navy Captain.

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I believe it to be painfully obvious that Captain Durand demanded the correction, himself. Vanity, thy rank is Navy Captain.

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DM has a lot of nerve laughing at another news outlet for mistakes. With all the spelling and grammar errors in every article on this site, DM shouldn't be pointing fingers...

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So true!

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They are a ridiculously good looking couple!

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Well he's not thickset, so they got called on it...and he's not even muscular. He's got loose skinny upper arms, and not much definition. They should have described him as 'incredibly average looking"............ That said...could you imagine if the DM was held to the same standard as the Washington Post is being held...We'd have half the website filled with corrections.

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What did his body-shape have to do with the original article?

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Instead of worrying about some stupid physical description how about concern yourself with doing your JOB. The job that the taxpayers are paying you $$$$$$ to do!

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Good looking man!

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