Stephen Colbert's appearance at the White House Correspondents's Dinner on Saturday took me back to the good old days. There was a time in American that journalists believed "the duty of a newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Today, too many people in the business believe that the ultimate prize in journalism is being allowed to put on a tuxedo and eat in the same room as the President.
Cronyism is the curse of journalism. After many years I have reached the firm conclusion that it is impossible for any objective newspaperman to be a friend of a President.
~ Garry Wills
Journalists should not be so distant that all they can hear are shouts, nor so close that they become more conspirators than critics.
~ Walter Lippman
Stephen's appearance was classic H. L. Mencken. With bitting wit and courage, he told the truth to an audience that desperately did not want to hear it.
The Wit of H. L. Mencken
- Democracy is also a form of worship. It is the worship of Jackals by Jackasses.
- The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
- In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
Visit
Thank You Stephen Colbert to express yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment