In Orwell’s Newspeak, at least they made up new words; this is more like Lewis Carroll:

`When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’

So if the SERs are senior editors now (I think you’re right on that Mary), can we do anything about the newer SERs bringing their “hit of the minute” goldfish-style attention span ethics to the business of journalism? Or must we rely on the few to edit the many? (I don’t like where this line of thought is heading… headlines like “The Frog Ringtone”? Or MSM that reads like The Onion, only for real?)

Elliott!!! I haven’t seen the movie yet… don’t tell me Anakin W Skywalker (D., Tattooine) turns into a mean, horrible Sith Lord (R., Empire)… (And what a great (and scary) memory you have!)

Actually there were Deep Throats in the Bush administration. But they’ve disappeared into the pits of Gitmo…. or got tarred with the MSM brush.

Anakin Skywalker: Don’t lecture me, Obi-Wan. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, justice, freedom and security to my new Empire.
Obi-Wan: Your new Empire?
Anakin Skywalker: Don’t make me kill you.
Obi-Wan: Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic… to democracy.
Anakin Skywalker: If you’re not with me, you’re my enemy.
Obi-Wan: Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must.
Anakin Skywalker: You will try.

Hmm…sounds kinda like our national attitude towards public education. Do you think there might be a connection?

But it’s probably even more complex and confusing than just that.

Right wingers have a different mind set than us liberals. They believe in a “Strict Father” view of life. People in authority need to punish infractions, sometimes even harshly. This FORCES the recipient to walk the straight and narrow. Thing are either good or bad, there is no middle ground.

Think how Chaney, Rumsfelt and Bolton work.
(I just heard on the radio that Pat Buchannon called Felt a trator. But isn’t that exactly what you would expect from him?)

Liberals have a “Nurturing Father” view. We believe that people are better helped than punished, there are often extenuating circumstances and that problems are not black and white.

With few exceptions, right wingers are the ones most forceful in projecting their views. It’s in their nature. Liberals are more likely to see two sides and less likely to be aggressive. It’s what we do. We also like to use satire to point out problems, (think O Riley and Franken). (Of course the best satire is found here)

It was only 8 years ago that the right was championing the media against Clinton, and pushed their agenda up to the point of impeachment for something that wasn’t a crime or harmed anyone.

Even while the right was storming around in a self-righteous, bizerk, fervor on how Clinton was too immoral to be president, Bill maintained a public approval ratings in the 70s.And now the righteous right has the media cowering in the corner, yet Bush still has the lowest 2nd term approval ratings in modern history. Go figure. Maybe it has to do with peace and prosperity, or maybe some things are too big to spin away.

The right will always be able to out shout us. We will always have intelligence, wit and usually the truth, on our side. Americans will continue to not know or care.

M’s M

R are R
D are G
A are I

As for the new kids on the block? They are being taught the ethics of journalism. Unfortunately, their personal ethics were shaped long before they got into J school. Those with a solid foundation are doing good work. The others are bringing down the wrath of both the Right and Left on everyone. When the sith hits the fan, both the righteous and unrighteous get sullied.

Well, OK, maybe it’s 50 Millers to every Hersh, but that’s still better than nothing.

On a side note, do you get the feeling that this story wouldn’t have broken now unless Felt’s daughter was looking for some cash? She comes across as a real piece of work.