March 18, 2020
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How Woodward & Bernstein Wannabees Destroyed American Journalism
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WARNING: Are you are among the millions of people in America terminally infected with Trump Derangement Syndrome -TDS … with a rabid hatred for Donald Trump and for the 63,000,000+ of us who supported him in 2016 and support him even more today? If that is YOU… The following commentary will only feed your rabid insanity.
I recommend you CLICK OFF this website now in the best interest of all concerned. You probably won’t, but at least I warned you. – BobLee
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Richard M. Nixon WAS GUILTY …. Guilty of being terminally paranoid … Guilty of ordering innumerable violations of innumerable laws… Guilty of Lying… Guilty of covering up his lies… and Guilty of simply being Incredibly Stupid.
Nixon deserved every indignity that befell him and his reputation… and more. … in what History knows as “Watergate”.
High on my personal list of “Nixon’s unforgivable crimes” is that he was responsible for the suffix “-gate” being attached to every scandal on Earth since 1974. I will never forgive him for that. Hang the evil SOB for that alone…
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There is an old joke… “You know you are an intellectual if you hear The William Tell Overture and don’t think of The Lone Ranger”.
Would another intellectual litmus test be… “When you hear the term “Deep Throat” do you think of Watergate… or a classic(?) 1972 movie starring Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems?” – OUCH!
Ask your favorite millennial if he/she has ever heard of William Tell… The Lone Ranger… Watergate... or either “Deep Throat”?
Anyhoo… back to How “Woodward & …” Destroyed American Journalism…
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“Journalism” as (once) a noble professional occupation craft, practiced with integrity, as a necessity in a civilized society is unchallengeable.
“Journalism” practiced with no regard whatsoever for personal / professional integrity should be classified as “a Hate Crime” punishable by law.
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The two women most important in my life have “cum laude” degrees from America’s First Journalism School – The University of Missouri School of Journalism. I respect the profession… but not those currently practicing it.
I have totally utter contempt for 95% of the individuals currently engaged in the gross malpractice of “Journalism” in America.
I despise “journalists” more than I despise Democrat politicians. I despise “journalists” more than I do pin-headed academics and rank&file liberals allowing that 97% of “journalists” are also hard-core liberals… who despise Donald Trump and those of us who support Donald Trump.
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How did “Journalism” and those malpracticing that profession become so rotten to the core?
I blame the phenomenon of “Woodward & WhatsHisName”.
NOTE: I don’t respect Bob Woodward, but I really don’t respect his little weasel buddy “… & Bernstein” so I refuse to use his name. He is doomed to forever be a historical postscript – “& ______” – a fittingly insulting millstone for that insufferable little weasel to wear thru eternity.
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Within Journalism is a sub-category – Investigative Journalism – also (once) a noble occupation. That Dame Fortune choose “Woodward & …” to answer the phone in the Washington Post newsroom on that fateful day in 1974 is neither their fault nor credit.
They won Life’s Lottery by being the guys that exposed a POTUS’ High Crimes. Fame and Fortune came to them as a result.
“Woodward & ….” exposed the High Crimes of the very highest ranking “politician” in America. That politician Richard Nixon happened to be a Republican Politician.
Recorded History has shown us that ever how many “vices” / weaknesses in character – there are in the human race… every one of them is totally non-partisan.
They can be found in every political party … every church denomination … every gender … every sports fan base … every part of the country … every extended family … every intercollegiate athletic department … et al. But Richard M. Nixon DID happen to be “a Republican”.
Thru the latter part of “the 70s” and beyond, “Woodward & ….” became a dynamic duo of unparalleled celebrity. Their intrepid reporting “exposed and brought down” a crooked American President … who happened to be a Republican.
Imagine YOU were “coming of age in the 70s” at the crossroads of “What do I want to be” … butcher – baker – candlestick maker – doctor – lawyer – Indian chief -… OR an intrepid reporter at the local / state / national level “exposing and bringing down” crooked politicians. WOW… how cool would that be!
Many / most of the high ranking members of today’s Journo / Media community were “at that crossroads” imagining being “The Next Woodward & ….”.
A decade before they might have imagined being “The Next Alan Shepherd – John Glenn – Neil Armstrong with “The Right Stuff”.
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It woulda been TERRIFIC for America IF… all those “Woodward & … wannabees” had indeed gone on to pursue true Investigative Journalism and to “expose and bring down” crooked politicians wherever they lurk. … to dumpster-dive thru the lives of EVERY political aspirant on the local / state / national levels REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY … but, sigh … instead they became overtly partisan “political toadies”.
A notoriously sleazy Governor of Arkansas and his even sleazier wife … … OR a “community organizer” in South Chicago and his wife with dubious affiliations – might have found themselves “exposed and brought down” … … OR a career politician from Delaware using his influence to generate millions for his degenerate son … … OR a multi-billionaire aspiring to be The Pent-ultimate Bond Villain – might have been “exposed and …”. But, alas, thats not what happened...
For those multi-generations of “Woodward & …” wannabees their goal became…
… to become rich and famous too by “exposing and bringing down” Republican politicians… like Woodward &… did.
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Personally, I have no problem with “the media” exposing a crude remark Donald Trump made in a private conversation years before he declared his political aspirations. Likewise provocative photos made many years ago by Melania Trump… are fair game when ANYONE chooses to play Big Time Politics.
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EVERY PERSON entering the political arena at any level SHOULD be aware that his/her entire life is going to be investigated by “the media”. No politician should be immune to full investigative exposure.
No politician should EVER be “protected” by Journo-Media. But one faction IS accorded full protection today …
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If there are skeletons – bogus birth certificates… sexual improprieties… associations with dubious characters… secret bank accounts … et al – Expect them ALL to be “exposed”… Regardless of one’s political affiliations.
BUT – alas – that is NOT the case in America today.
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American Journalism post “Woodward & …” has become – like “Crabby Appleton” – … Rotten to The Core.
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More SAIDWHAT? … CLICK HERE
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BobLeeSays has been a continually functioning website since 1999… with over 2100 commentaries. BobLee is NOT (1) “an Intellectual” nor (2) “a Journalist”. BobLee is a BabyBoomer who ponders the HowComes of Life.
Reader Comments are aggressively encouraged. In over 20 years, only six have been zapped.
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Bob, Catchin” up on stuff I came across the “Dead Journalism” column. By the way, I’m 90 (Silent Gen. just like Bernie and Joe.) and the family have me on a proverbial complete lock-down. Apparently, if I hit the pavement I’m a sure goner. I survived the Korean and Vietnam Wars and it appears the Chinks are going to finally finish me off. . To bring you out of your state of morass on the topic of Journalism and to remove you from your immersion in pulp fiction please allow me to provide you a palliative in the form of… Read more »
I am a long time admire of Mr Mencken… thinking often of “spitting into my hands and hoisting the black flag”. HLM’s opinion of his own profession as well as politicians was both accurate and overtly cynical … as was Mark Twain’s and Will Rogers’. . When it comes to “these times are no different than back when” I tend to disagree. Many civilizations have fallen over recorded history… none of whom thought they ever would. But I do agree that human vice and “good & evil” seem to be present in every era. And I do believe in The… Read more »
Speaking of everybody doing it, I feel great today knowing Richard Burr, and all the other Senators who dumped their millions at first briefing of Wuhan virus, have our backs. To think these are the folks making the calls to help our country out???
I’m all for public beheadings of ALL politicians with a rusty guillotine… but lets identify ALL the perps before we “do the deed”. So far we have Burr, Loeffler, DiFi (A DEM), and some “R” from Oklahoma. I betcha there another dozen or so peeing in their pants as we speak.
Where’s Lizzie screaming about the Millionaire special treatment now? I wouldn’t be shocked if it is in freshman intro class, how to profit from your service. Last thing I want is Burr to retire, I think the Gov appoints in that case. Civil penalties, trebled. Seems fair to me.
I’m pretty sure the state GOP would appoint an interim Senator. Such a change cannot effect the R/D balance.
So I’m 16, 1978. Just signed off as the “night guy” at the local radio station, leaving the studios when I started talking to a guy in the lobby of the building where the studios were located. He hears that I’m in “radio” and starts on a rant on how I, personally, destroyed Nixon for “doing stuff that everyone else had done.” . Then, I thought the guy was nuts — maybe he was. But now I’m likely to be that guy as more and more has come to light about JFK, JEdgar, and this version’s edition of Harry Reams,… Read more »
I have no problem with the “everybody does it or worse” argument. RMN’s problem was being clumsy and getting caught… over a needless fear of McGovern. I have NO DOUBT that the crap BHO and Holder pulled for 8 years was worse… and that HRC would pull. THEY are pure “evil on a ritz cracker”. … IF the journo/media investigated with the intensity of Watergate America would be a far better place … but they don’t and won’t.
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“The media” is as corrupt or more so than the politicos.
AGREED. since Walter…., I have not watched a news show for invariably I get pissed off at the inaccuracies and “fake “ news put out by the wannabe saviors of mankind.
If you’ve ever had a conversation with one… there is an air of indignant faux-superiority that screams “Grab a shovel and hit me in the face… NOW!”
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History has revealed that “Dear Ol’ Uncle Wally” was not quite what his Legend says. His coverage of The TET Offense led to the Anti-War Movement of the 60s and loss of American GIs lives.
Nixon wasn’t just a Republican, he was an anti-communist who helped bring down Alger Hiss and had the audacity to think we could actually win the Vietnam War by actually fighting. He had to be destroyed at all costs. Sound familiar?
And all THAT went to hell when he had the absurd paranoia that McGovern could defeat him … sigh.
I’m not saying he didn’t provide the rope they used to hang him, but the posse was assembled long before he handed over the rope. How’s that for a twisted analogy? In any case, my Mom (a Democrat until I managed to convert her in the mid-90s) always said that Nixon didn’t do anything worse than any other President; he just got caught.
“Moms”are usually correct on pretty much anything.
Spot on Bob. The fourth estate has degenerated into the propaganda arm of the left.
Imagine how different history might be if it was otherwise …
Well written. BTW, what has happened to Drudge?
It is my understanding from “informed sources” that Matt Drudge sold his site several years for MEGA-$$$ contingent on him NOT telling his viewers that he was no longer in control of the website.
President Trump should have you read this at his next rally … or at least pass out copies. Well done, sir!
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I totally agree that EVERY politician should be subjected to a full body cavity search, including every Republican. Corrupt is Corrupt is Corrupt … whichever side of the aisle it lurks on. Without “the media” providing cover, liberal democrats could not exist for a week.
Thank you. I AM available if DJT should call.
No one, not even you, stand in line in front of me for my outright hate for the press. I totally despise the SOB’s ! They are arrogant sanctimonious elitist assholes and I wish I could think of some more negative adjectives there for them. . Having worked and dealt with them for over three decades I can say every single year of my association they got worst and more repulsive creatures. I likely most despise them for how they treat regular working people upon whom they depend for so much. I have seen so called journalists walk out a… Read more »
Knowing that you spent many years in the belly of the beast… I yield to your first hand account of their overall repulsiveness.
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What random contact I have had over the years with local/regional journo-media confirms your observations. A pox on the lot of them. Their impending financial collapse is eagerly anticipated.
The only thing I could add regarding “&…” is that he has become increasingly repulsive over the years just by being in view on TV.
IMO…MUCH more so than Woodward.
Bernstein could scare a cat off a fish truck with his mug that only a mother could love. And he is just as crazy as he is ugly.
His ex-wife the late author Nora Ephron grew very tired of him. I attribute a part of his ego issues to being “& Bernstein”