Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Why Gannon/Guckert? Why Not Someone Unassailable?

I've really wanted to avoid this whole issue, mainly since the bloggers out there are doing a great job even as the mainstream media shoves its collective head even further up its own singularly dark and fetid ass. Imagine the conversation:

"Jeez, those damn bloggers are making me confront the people who invite me to all those swell parties."

"Yeah, how am I going to get laid by any staffers if I start having to write about real issues?"

"You know, I do get tired of going down on my knees all the time for this administration. Maybe..."

"Shut up! Do you hear yourself? Whoring for these guys is the best time we've ever had! More money, less work--hell, we just type what they tell us--lots of cool functions to go to, lots of TV air time. People ask for my autograph, for God's sake! You want to give that up for some stupid integrity? Don't be a dope."

"You know, though, it is dark and funny smelling in here. Wouldn't it be nice to get some air and look around?"

"That's it! You're out of the club! Traitor! Liberal! You're no journalist! You'll be blacklisted from Bethesda to Arlington. Turn in your kneepads! Yes, the ones with the presidential seal."

Anyway, what astounds me about this whole Gannon/Guckert thing is this. It is alleged by some that the White House is indeed a longtime client of Mr. Gannon/Guckert, so to speak, beginning with the campaign against Tom Daschle for his senate seat. Additionally, he may have been picked by or with Karl Rove's approval. Here's my question: Why would they not make sure Gannon/Guckert could not be a liability in some way? Either they knew about his "escort" business, which is technically illegal and thus damaging, or they didn't know, which is also damaging as it reflects on competence generally and national security issues specifically. Now, if they did know, is Gannon/Guckert the only person they could use? Are they so desperate for operatives? I would suspect not. So what is it that compelled them to engage Gannon/Guckert in any capacity (beyond his "professional," non-journalistic services) to the point of granting him access to the White House press pool? Is it blackmail of some sort? Of whom? For what?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Haven't you considered that Guckert is just might be too darn cute in his sailor outfit? Not even Rove could resist.

Anonymous said...

Are you saying that Rove has an affinity for seafood?

Anonymous said...

I have also wondered if there might be blackmail, sexual favors, etc. involved in this completely bizarre situation. I can't imagine that the administration could not have know about Gannon/Guckert's background and would have thought that they would be more concerned about offending the morality of their evangelical base. However, what has revealed itself instead of outrage from the Christian right is the apparent selective morality of the right-wing. They can demonize Spongebob for supposedly making impressionable children gay and express outrage that PBS would dare to portray a lesbian couple on a children's program, but in the same breath manage to defend a gay male prostitute that was let in to the White House press room everyday for 2 years since he was there to try to make W and friends look good (or at least not quite so bad). I heard (and admit that I did not actually witness this statement, but do find it quite believable) that Ann Coulter even said that the reason the left was upset over this issue was because it is homophobic. She is so brilliant that she never fails to amaze be with her highly developed intellect. I guess taking whatever side of any issue is expedient at the time makes for effective politics in this country...

Olaf said...

Hi sh-baba-deaux!
Good to hear from you. Alex and Marcie love you! I read Coulter's ridiculous piece and commented on it. I think we should be charitable toward her, though. I look at her and just see a tragic, tragic figure.

Anonymous said...

Hey Olaf!
It's been awhile! That crazy duo loves you, too. They say we have similar teaching styles, which was quite a compliment to me! Anyway, I actually read your reaction to Coulter's piece after my posting on this on. You must have a softer heart than I, because try though I might, I am not sure I can find any charity in my heart for that woman! Keep up the good work-I am not through all your postings yet, but am working on it as I can!