Obama and the Press
Ever since Barack Obama hit the national scene, it's been painfully obvious that the press, rather than act in its proper role as inquisitor of public figures has degenerated into lapdog. But only for Obama. Collectively, they are his lapdog and are willing and eager to do his bidding. What is their thanks for this unquestioning obedience? Well, as this report, that I found at Subvet's blog, shows, their thanks is that they get treated like the dogs they've become.On April 27, President Obama welcomed the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies, who had just won the NCAA women's basketball championship.Can't you just hear the whimpering? See the tongues hanging out of the reporter's mouths?
After the event, President Obama went to the White House basketball court to shoot hoop with the Lady Huskies. The White House press corps was not allowed to attend.
Reads the print pool report from that day: "After shaking hands with the team's parents and members of Congress who showed up, the president walked the team over to his basketball court and shot hoops. The pool was held back from the stroll down the drive and around the corner, and couldn't see the court. Poolers could hear periodic cheering coming from the other side of the bushes."
And don't forget what happened when a member of the White House Press Corp dared ask Obama a real question when he paid them a surprise visit. At around 3:20 of this video of the event, the foolish reporter who forgot his place gets shown the rolled up newspaper.
Obama's attitude of disrespect reminds me of Macbeth, Act III, Scene I, where Macbeth is meeting with the murderers whom he hired to kill his friend, Banquo.
First MurdererAs my students and I discussed when we read this scene, Macbeth knows that he has dipped his toe into the water of evil and is only going deeper. How can he have respect for men who make their living doing vile deeds? He holds his nose as he deals with them and hates himself as much as he despises them.
We are men, my liege.
MACBETH
Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,
Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept
All by the name of dogs: the valued file
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature
Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive
Particular addition. from the bill
That writes them all alike: and so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say 't;
And I will put that business in your bosoms,
Whose execution takes your enemy off,
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.
I don't think Obama despises himself. I do think that he has lost his respect for an obsequious press that has debased itself enough to willingly become cheerleaders for a man who is not qualified to be president of the United States. And as Eric Hoffer noted,
People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them.
Labels: Eric Hoffer, Macbeth, MSM, Obama
posted by Harry @ 2:33 PM
CHALLAH AKBAR
6 Comments:
HEY!
He just went down to visit... not to answer questions. I mean, who wants to answer questions when you're just visiting some friends?
well the sound was bad so I didn't hear the question asked...but I really loved the pat on the shoulder.....so very condescending.
KPOni,
You're right. Next time, to make sure this doesn't happen, he should have the secret service go ahead of him with beer and pizza.
MM,
I don't know what the question is either, but at least now the press corp knows who their master is.
Harry, thanks for the reference to my blog.
Watching the video is enough to make one sick. "Lapdogs" indeed. Contrast that with their treatment of G.W. Bush. They'd have pasted his refusal to answer on the front page of every MSM paper.
Subvet,
It is truly pathetic and does not bode well for the next four years.
Traitors! How dare you speak so about our Commander in Chief?
Or maybe you're just racist and having a hard time getting over the fact that there is a black man in the office.
Sigh. At least that's the viewpoint I keep coming across. I agree, Harry, that it's rather sickening. I must be a traitor and a racist, too...
Post a Comment
<< Home