Best as I can tell, the vast majority of the reporters, commentators, pundits, and pretty faces we see on the network and cable news shows are all made up of essentially the same stuff:

- one part smugly comfortable highly-paid dream job

- one part secret terror at losing comfortable highly-paid dream job

- one part conventional wisdom “what do my colleagues think about this issue?” questioning methodology

- one part sliding-scale judgemental yardstick, e.g., if the subject of a questionable action is a Democrat or Liberal, outrage ratchets up (oh, the horror!); if the subject is a Conservative or Republican the outrage ratchets down (no issue here, keep moving)

The purpose of these reporters, commentators, pundits, and pretty faces is to fill air time and stay safely within the boundaries of conventional wisdom. Period.

In sum, don’t count on the MSM to be the protectors of American Democracy. Sex and hairdos they can handle, but Consititutional erosion and the slow growth of American fasciscm simply won’t light the bulb, even when it’s glaringly in front of their eyes every single day.

Illegal war, torture, unauthorized wiretapping and spying, lies, disregard for long-established traditions and protections, corruption, manipulation of the voting system, curtailment of voting rights, the abuses of one-party rule, the partisanship of justice….. these barely scratch the surface of what is taking place in American government today. Yet 2 plus 2 will never = 4, because it’s not their job to be comprehensive and make sense of the larger picture.

In the truest sense, we no longer have a functioning free press. At least in the way it is practiced in the networks and the cable news. We have courtiers instead. In the blogs, in the newspapers, there are still courageous and independent voices there. But in the MSM/TV world, fergetaboutit….. these people are nothing but water carriers for conventional wisdom and the comfort of their six-figure careers.

As Stephen Colbert said at last year’s Washington Correspondants dinner, the mainstream press knows exactly the way it works: the White House decides an issue, the Press Office announces the decision, and the MSM types up the press release. Decide, announce, type.

It’s what passes for a “free” press in the 21st Century.

For example, every democrat should say these 3 words to press everyday. WE WANT ANSWERS.

That should be the first words they utter when criticized or interviewed regarding ANY INVESTIGATION.

Q: Is this… investigation is a political stunt?

A: WE WANT ANSWERS, we want answers to issues of public interest today, tommorrow, and beyond. Any political gains as a result of obtaining the truth is not of our making, but by those seeking to place the truth beyond the reach of the public. Let us find the facts, truths, and answers and let the public decide whether or not it was done in our best interest or in theirs.

Q: Some say this … investigation is pointless and congress should be looking forward, do you think their right?

A: WE WANT ANSWERS, the truth is not pointless and getting to the truth in a democracy has the greatest of all importance because without it the people have no power over their government. We cannot plot a course forward without cold hard facts under our feet. Finding answers is moving forward. We want answers.

Anyway, if I hear “it’s political” or “it’s just politics” I’ll. just. explode?

If our public officials cannot adequately, fairly and legally do their duty, then GOVERNMENT kicks in. It’s just governing. It’s called OVERSIGHT. It’s too bad this administration cannot be trusted even by its own party and requires so much of it.

149 Things come undone. Thanks for answering some of my questions I would like to discuss this later with you.

One of the questions is.
Is taking McNulty out of the A*P*C espionage trial as big as it would have been if Fitz had been taken out of the Libby investigation/trial? And by taking out McNulty does that completely undermine that investigation/trial?

No need to answer now!

Hope you see this Kathleen I’ll be going to sleep soon my Google research seems to indicate that You are on top of this story! Wayne Madesen is too but he was involved in a minor scandal I can’t recall what exactly but I don’t trust his reporting the other blogs were sparse on information too. As for your first question No McNulty is a Bushie and Fitz is the meanest guy you don’t want investigating you. Either a lower level person will take this case still a loyal Bushie or McNulty’s replacment will who will also be a loyal Bushie. Unless Congress forces some changes in the Justice Dept but what are the odds so no change. I believe you said 6 continuences? I think its safe to infer the case is bull but Bush does not want the embarassment of loosing this case. So expect delay just look at how long Jose Padilla’s case has been strung out. Now by undermine this case given its poltical nature I don’t think its going to be thrown out of court it will go to trial. I’m betting the government will lose because nobody gets 6 continuences without Clout or if they think they can win. The Government will try and file an Appeal on what grounds well, they will find something. In that court are the Appeals judges Bushies is the question to ask. Now if Bush is really scared and the Appeal goes the wrong way he can call in a favor from the Supreme Court and ask them to review the Appeals Court Decision. Now then how much does Bush have to hide do you have any idea WHICH dominoes stand or fall on this case who benefits, who is hurt where does this lead. Remember politics is in control of the Dept of Justice now, the Rule of Law ehh not so much. Its politics not the merits of the case I feel you have to evaluate. I hope I was helpful and any background on this case you have would be welcome I’m intrigued! Oh a try emailing Christy at the top of the posts should be the word CONTACT click it and you should get Christy, Jane etc Christy being a lawyer should point you in the right direction if she doesn’t already know.