Letters to the Editor
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Simple Simon
Certainly many people have been confused and embarrassed by the media’s refusal to act like the Washington Post’s reporters during the Watergate episode.
To assuage my disappointment with the Media, I have come to certain conclusions.
First, what the Washington Post reporters did was rare. Thus they stood out. They were an exception rather than the rule.
Second, the Media’s action and reaction related to the Iraq invasion can be seen more clearly when comparing this behavior to behavior taken during the Joseph McCarthy hearings of the 1950’s. The Media are mostly a collection of average people who respond as an average person would. They know when they are threatened and they will cower responsively.
Third, the importance of the bullying and the threats used by the Bush administration can not be taken lightly. They have had decades of experience with these practices, with almost all outcomes being successful. They have the confidence to wield power because they have never been stricken in response.
The Media will attack the Bush administration when it sees that it is weakened. Interestingly, recently the Media has gained a backbone as the Military has expressed opposition to presidential policy. Just as was the case with Joe McCarthy.