Charles Pierce, Political Editor of Esquire, Turns a Blind Eye to Democratic Corruption. He makes a Good Pet.

Charles Pierce is......

.......A Democratic Poodle 

When someone has a Large Platform and considers themselves a "Journalist," (Not supposedly a "JournoList,"), their obligation (as I learned in Journalist classes at American University and UCLA,) is to "Speak Truth to Power," 

As an Elected Republican partisan and Blogger, I am not bound by Journalistic rules, but I "Speak Truth to Power," wherever Democrats hold sway (The White House, the Senate, Los Angeles City Council and California Government -- yes, I represent the Rebel Forces) and on Republican Corruption (because it damages the Party).  Charles Pierce seems to think, if a Democrat is corrupt, such as Fast and Furious (or doing SWATting), or cheated the FEC with his Mistress, ignore it! 

Charles Pierce wrote a column: How can we help Obama today?

Or every Charles Pierce column, in short: IOKIYAD.  

Look above at the second picture, I'm sure the DNC must be happy having a "JournoList" write the same column again and again.

Even though this week, Pierce is feigning "outrage," at anonymous Death from Above from Drones, it matters little (Giving Tom Junod the byline) Unlike the tea party, they refuse to hold Democrats to any standard. And unlike a real reporter, Charles Pierce refuses to engage with Politicos who are on the other side of the Political line. 

Pierce can do sports and snark, but he has no clue how Politics works (It requires give and take and use of "Saving face," to get Policy done).  

Here is how Pierce, using his large platform of Esquire Magazine, protects Democrats:

Rangel's corruption? Nothing.

Chicago corruption? Nothing.

Bankruptcy of Democratic cities? Nothing.

Border Agent Brian Terry's Death? Nothing

Nanny State Overreach? Nothing.

The question is, how much for that Charles Pierce in the window? 

My question to you: Why does Charles Pierce do the Democratic National Committee's bidding?

Why are there No Woodward and Bernsteins During Democratic Administrations?

The last Time Reporters Acted like Reporters

Before I became a Blogger and Politico, I studied History and Journalism.

History helps me understand the precedents and earlier debates (and fights) that led to today's battles.

Journalism, I was taught, was always to "Speak Truth to Power," no matter whomever was in Power.

However, given the state of Journalism today, I have yet to see that occur.

When you have a crazy Blogger looking for conspiracies when it is only people who share the same views getting together (as is their wont, Democrats do it too) -- you don't have a journalist, you have a crazy guy on the 'Nets who needs a Doctor. (And not The Doctor -- even he can't help crazy.) [Heck, Hart Williams lives in his Hate so that he cannot sympathize with other Americans who disagree with him and are being hurt -- seriously, the man needs help of a medical kind.]

Here's a hint about "Truth to Power," -- if you are defending a President, you are NOT speaking for the masses.   Heck, during the last Administration, even the Valley did not speak "Truth to Power,"  (But when I went up against the Democratic Congress' of 06 - 08, oh, yes I was).

During most modern Democratic Administrations, most national reporters are looking for a replay of "Camelot," no matter what. If you don't believe me, look at Tina Brown, a born Hagiographer.  

It is not the job of the journalist to comfort the powerful (i.e. Presidents); It is not the job of the Blogger to cry about people who have the same views associating with each other.

It is the job of both to hold the hold Politicians to their words and deeds.  Anonymous drones anyone?

When Neal Munro stood up and challenged the president, he brought back the role of "Speaking truth to Power," back to Washington.  

So, why are there no Woodward and Bernsteins during Democratic Administrations?

Simple, they exchanged their jobs for transcribing rather then reporting.

Thank G-d for the Breitbart bunch (and Robert McCain) for actually investigating Power where no one else will.

My question: Why won't Modern Journalists (and Left Bloggers) hold Democratic Administrations to the same standards of Republican Administrations? [And when will someone send Paranoiac Hart Williams to a psychiatric doctor?] 

Fisking 60 Minutes 10/24/10 Edition (and People who should be reporting for 60 Minutes)

I see that my work here is creating some, but very little, progress at 60 Minutes. 

So far, for 60 Minutes 43rd season, the score is still 9 stories for the Democrats and 0 for the Republicans.

And now everyone (see memeorandum thread) is shocked about 1! ONE! story. 

However, it still does not pass the Valley's smell test.

And here is where I appeal to my readers and Blog friends to contact Dana Loesch to publish this series on Big Journalism.  

Now let's fisk this weeks stories on 60 Minutes.

Story 1) The 99'ers  -- Scott Pelley did a great service with this article, but he what? Not why?  If he asked why businesses are not hiring? Why are banks not lending? What is the cause? He (and the 60 Minutes Producers) would not like where that story would go.  That is why the election 2010 is occurring in the Republicans favor. 

This is only a tie, they don't ask why is this happening as News magazines should. 

The other two stories are nice ones, but non-political before election day.   Wonder why? 

Final score so far: 9 -1 - 0.

Now here is my list of people who should be earning six figure salaries at CBS who know how to ask the 5 W's  on every story they write.

1. Pamela Geller (If you don't know in the Valley, don't ask)

2. Robert Stacy McCain (He is a reporter)

3. Dan Riehl  (he reported on the false ethics charges filed by AK Bloggers against Gov. Palin)

4. Dana Loesch (She has a built in audience growing larger)

5. Glenn Reynolds (He knows news)

6. Ann Althouse (She calls BS on every politico)

7. John Guardino (he's kick-ass on military issues)

8. Smitty (so's Smitty)

9. DaTechGuy  (A great Blogger, reporter and Who fan)

10. Aaron "the Proc" Proctor (He can do anything and another Who fan)
11. Andrew Breitbart (Knows where to find the news)
12. Lenora Claire (A beautiful Los Angeles Redhead who can do a better job then Anderson Cooper) 

My question: Who (and why) do you think should replace the 60 Minutes repoters?

To Ezra Klein: Partisans Play on the Political Field, not Reporters

[Don't forget to donate to the Terry Rathbun 41st Assembly District Race Moneybomb!]

 

Ezra Klein is an idiot.  I don't care what school he went to or how he supposedly understands policy writing for the Washington Post.  He doesn't understand a few rules of Political life.  

 

And he will probably end up in jail after 2013 because of his failures. One word: RICO. (But I did warn him here, here and here) 

 

Now, let me write this Ezra Klein in simple language because he continues to thread a needle that is long past fallen.  

 

Partisans are on the political field to convince voters to support their candidate or issue.  They can use whatever means possible, whether by use of Bloggers (not "Journalists"), speeches, or debates on or off the Hill. 

 

Partisans raise funds (see above and reference "Southland Fundraiser") and defend candidates.  Occasionally, they have a throwdown with a partisan of the other side and try to get him or her off the Political board.

 

Now what do reporters or journalists do on the Political field?

 

They report what people of both parties do.  Reporters listen to speeches and quote them.  They make the inaccessible, accessible to those who don't partake of the Political field annually. 

 

Reporters do not set "narratives," or put their weight on the scales during Election season.  Look at Rathergate to see when that happens. 

 

Now, I hear you yell, what about Andrew Breitbart?  Simple.  He is a partisan copying your role.  Ezra Klein opened the door with the Journolist, now Breitbart is the whirwind of that effect. 

 

If I was Ezra Klein, I would leave the political stage quickly.  We on the Right are ready to go after every Journolister come next January.  And again after 1/20/13.  Ezra Klein can write about food and cooking, jail time awaits him if he remains on the Political stage. 

 

Now, I am a partisan.  I am helping my people in Los Angeles, including candidates, activists and Bloggers.  It's my right.  Partisans set the tune, reporters just write down the notes.  When reporters jump to the other side of the field, people get hurt.  Like Shirley Sherrod.  (By the way, has Anderson Cooper tripped over himself defending a Conservative? NO)

 

My question: When will Ezra Klein go to jail? 

 

 

 

Liberal Journalists are Court Jesters, whereas Conservative Journalists are like Spider Jerusalem

In the wake of the O'Keefe/Landreiu situation, the time has come to ask, what is Journalism? What embodies a good Political Journalist? And why do Liberals fail at this task too?

As mentioned before, Hunter S. Thompson is replaced by Robert Stacy Mc Cain. Full stop. The comic book homage of HST is Spider Jerusalem. Who is Spider?

Read this:

The primary focus of conflict within Spider's psyche, over the course of the series, is a combination of concern for his delivery of 'The Truth' and misanthropy towards his public. Spider hates and struggles against authority figures who oppress others, but he is also bitter toward the uninvolved public who give the authority its power. Likewise, he struggles to convince the public to listen to The Truth, but is disgusted by those who blindly accept what he reports. In addition, Spider's talents earn him unwanted fame and adoration, which clouds his ability to "get at The Truth." His editor, Mitchell Royce, opines that Spider needs to be hated in order to function.

Despite his absolute disdain for those around him, Spider is quite loyal to those few who he considers friends and is equally quick to hurt those who would betray him. Indeed, much of Spider's motivation in the second half of the series was dedicated to bringing the President to justice for ordering the murder of Vita Severn, whom Spider had befriended.

Although he opposed The Beast, Spider is not loyal to any political party or organization, and his initial support of The Smiler was tinged with contempt at his cynical attitude and false altruism.

During Transmetropolitan, Spider (in backstory) has gone after "the Beast," (a homage to Republican Presidents) and "The Smiler," AKA Gray Callahan (Homage to Liberal shallowness), within the series. In other words, he stands up for following "THE TRUTH," wherever it leads, parties notwithstanding.

The only peer of Spider that follows "The TRUTH" wherever it leads (on a visual sense) is Robert McX. A Conservative.

For a series written in the late 90's early 00's (whose setting is a very Libertine and Libertarian future), it shines a light on a dying industry that does not need to fall.

Let's start with: what is Journalism?

It is following the 5 W's (Who, What Where, When and Why) and communicating what is happening in the wider world and connect it to the reader's locality. The best example is a chase on a freeway at Rush Hour. The 5 W's and how it affects local crime and traffic issues.

So, what is Good Political Journalism?

If a Journalist has a clear eye and ear for differing philosophies, players, and politics within and without each party, then it is the their job to relay, cleanly, what is going on and how it affects the world of politics, policy and the reader.

The best example of Good Political Journalism is a reporter after spending years investigating the Bush Administration, starts investigating the Obama administration. I'm sorry to say, no such creature exists among modern Journalists. Except for the Right.

Why do Liberals fail at this task?

The same reason there is no "Goldwater to Nixon," moments among Democrats during Governing years, they never police their own. Shall I relate the list of corrupt Democrats in the House since 2007?

I have a saying: There are no Woodward and Bernstein's during Democratic Administrations.

Want proof? The magazine that is supposed to be "[A] watchdog...of the press in all its forms," is run by former Nation magazine Editor Emeritus, Victor Navasky. Look back in CJR and see how many critical pieces are written about The Nation, American Prospect, New Republic or even Frank Rich. Hint: NONE. In fact, Navasky uses his position to fund raise for The Nation. Who will call Conflict of interest? No Columbia Journalism students or faculty are. Maybe you need an Andrew Breitbart to do it instead.

If you run a campaign in 2010 and 2012 and the Press misrepresents you, cite the above paragraph. Multiple times.

Anyone sending their son or daughter to Columbia University School of Journalism is getting fleeced. They are not teaching their students to go after THE TRUTH. Only truths which don't hit the Democrats and their allies. If Columbia was smart, they would dismantle the school and put in public housing instead. At least the great NYPD would do more investigations then the students.

And what about O'Keefe? He has been doing the job 60 Minutes has been neglecting since 2008 (or even further, since 1992, but excepting the administration in power during the years 2001 -2008). He investigates ACORN which has some sketchy Electoral history. Where is Mike Wallace? O'Keefe was investigating a rumor about whether Senator Landreiu (D-LA) was neglecting her constituents. That's good political journalism.

Who is Spider? Who is Robert McX? Hint: Not Greg Mitchell, former Editor of Editor & Publisher. He never investigates corruption on whomever is in power. He investigates only when people he doesn't like is in power.

As long as Breitbart plays the Ben Bradlee role to O'Keefe's Spider, we have a healthy Fourth estate. Fox News taking on the Administration is a gooood thing, especially when it looks like GE/NBC and it's affiliates have acquiesced. As have all the producers at 60 Minutes. Chris Wallace, son of Mike Wallace, and also an Old School Democrat is Robert McX.

Spider was a journalist who took on Power whatever party ran the White House (yes, Warren Ellis got some American politics wrong, but he got Journalism right,). Greg Mitchell, Larisa Alexandrova and everyone at Huffington Post sucks up to Democratic Administrations. They are the Court Jesters. They dance to the tune of any Progressive, Liberal or Democrat. Their writing betrays their lack of search for THE TRUTH when the administration has a "D" at the end of their names.

The Right investigates during Republican and Democratic Administrations. Why can't Liberals?

And since I'm a partisan and not a journalist, I have nothing to hide. My words do not betray me.

My question: Which reporter (TV, Newspaper or Internet) is today's Spider Jerusalem, willing to go after corruption, whatever party is in power?

UPDATE 2/12/2010: The Valley never lies. I focused on Larisa Alexandrova because I knew she is not like Spider at all. But she had a good line on 2/8:

"Would you have trusted this program to Nixon or Bush? Would you trust Obama not to abuse this power? I trust no one - that is part of my job description"

But then she spends almost every post not relating to Lost attacking those who attack the State and President Obama(1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Her words above mean nothing; She chooses to protect the President and Democrats rather then investigate and question authority. I wonder what Spider would say.

America's Last Living Gonzo Journalist: Robert Stacy McCain

"But what was the story....Free Enterprise. The American Dream...Do it now: pure Gonzo Journalism," -- Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, pg. 12.

Or you can watch this scene from Where the Buffalo Roam (NSFW):



RS McCain stayed over and wrote about the BCS game (ROLL TIDE!) here, here and here. And yes, he did experience Fear and Loathing in Burbank.

When it comes to friends and family, Martin Luther King, Jr's quote comes to mind:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

He came out to Los Angeles and Orange County on a wing and a Prayer and met many Bloggers and activists. Even while he was away, he was attacked by a lesser Blogger. No one can ever ask the Gonzo Journalist if he was dedicated to the cause, he was. But he also respects and loves the Jews (in the Diaspora and in Israel) unlike some writers at The Atlantic magazine I can mention. And his protege, who has yet to chastise his mentor for the Anti-Jew remarks.

That is why RS stands miles above Conor or Frum.

Like a typical journalist, he smokes heavily and was always connected to the doings in the Right Blogosphere. He is, what is known as a "Connector," Mock him at your peril. Driving from Costa Mesa to Griffith Park by way of the Sepulveda pass, I saw Smitty and RS write a post on the road. That is dedication.

He saw my fundraising proposal and is helping with it. (meeting on Monday @11:00 AM -- wish me luck). Underneath the good ol'boy exterior is a dedicated journalist looking to write about the American Dream. Something Andrew Sullivan knows nothing about.

Why hasn't he been picked up by the Washington Post Editorial Page? Because they don't understand RS' mission:

"You found the American Dream?" he said, "In this town?
I nodded. "we're sitting on the main nerve right now," You remember that story the manager told us about the owner of this place [Circus-Circus]?How he always wanted to run away and join the Circus when he was a kid?"
Bruce ordered two more beers. he looked over the casino for a moment, then shrugged. "Yeah, I see what you mean," he said. "Now the bastard has his own circus...."
...
"Absolutely," I said. "It's pure Horatio Alger..."
-- Hunter S. Thompson, Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas, pg. 191.

When RS is coming your way, he is looking for the American Dream. R.S. McCain, America's last Living Gonzo Journalist.

My question: What is The American Dream? And was Hunter S. Thompson right?

How Ezra Klein's JournaList Ruins Journalism

I like reading newspapers and magazines. I enjoy reading people who have contrary opinions then I do.

But when you have an industry, such as Newspapers or Hollywood, that persists in spouting one side of a two part equation, well, expect business' to fall under.

Last week, The Politico released information about Ezra Klein's (a writer for the Left Wing American Prospect) private Listserv with Journalists and Democratic partisans. Yet, the names were not released. Why is that?

Political people of all stripes (and I have been a Democrat and Republican) are media junkies. They use information to support their side and/or attack the other side. That is the role of a Partisan -- it is not the role of a Journalist.

What is the role of the Journalist? Simple, know the arguments for both sides of a debate so a paying public can make up their own minds. They are supposed to call shenanigans on both sides and report on grass root organizing of the two teams, R and D. What I have seen (and this came to light when I switched parties in 1992) is that "Journalists" always seem to ignore Republican arguments and Republican activists and re-write Press releases from Democratic Lobbying organizations .

Ezra Klein's JournaList is a corruption of the craft -- only Left wing ideas allowed to speak to Journalists. If a true debate over ideas is needed, what is wrong with inviting magazine writers from the Weekly Standard, National Review and American Spectator? Simple, Klein does not like competing ideas. If you ever listen to Pacifica Radio, they do not like competing ideas.

And then when there was a debate about the JounaList on the Althouse Blog, rather then refute charges of Group think, Klein yelled, "Look! Over there! Anti-semetic commenter's!" Althouse has done more for Free Speech then any progressive I know. When Thom Hartmann defends Rush Limbaugh's right to speak and defends him against the State, then I will believe Liberals support Free Speech.

Until then, Ezra, on this Blog I Blogged continuously about Anti semites on Kos -- where were you? You didn't stand up then, so who believes you know? If you want to see the posts, let me know and I will email all of them to you. The silence of the Democrats is hypocritical -- at least William Buckley did not want Anti semites as his allies. The Democrats current thinking is: if they hate Bush, they support us. So what if they support Hamas' missiles into Israel? Ezra Klein, you are a hypocrite.

Here why I continually write: FREE THE LIST! Tom Maguire noted three Journalists using the same talking points. No originality, no research, just the same indignation. Newspapers are failing, any reporter who is on the JournaList should come clean. Lockstep is supposed to be the forbearance of Ivy league liberals, not Journalists who are supposed to question every Political Parties rhetoric.

And if I worked at the RNC or on Capitol Hill, I would put it in a memo that no Republican should speak to any reporter on that JournaList since they show no concept of understanding Republican ideas.

For the future of journalism: FREE THE LIST!