All good so far, right? You'd think so, except for one problem -- certain members of the White House press corps, who apparently couldn't handle the fact that a blogger (!!!!) was called on to ask a question at a White House press conference. Forget the fact that this "blogger" happened to be more of an expert on Iran than probably any of the "real journalists" in the room. Forget the fact that this "blogger" is a superb writer who asked a super-tough question of President Obama. Forget the fact that if the White House press corps had been doing its freaking job leading up to the Iraq War, or when the Bush Administration abused its power in so many other ways from 2001 to 2008, we might be in a much better place as a country right now. Forget all that. Instead, focus on what really matters: the feelings of certain members of the White House press corps were hurt. So hurt, in fact, that one of the leading members of that press corps actually whispered in Nico Pitney's ear the immortal (not to mention dignified, mature, sophisticated, etc.) words, "You’re such a dick."
Perhaps it's my psychology major, I don't know, but I've been thinking about this bizarre overreaction - including the use of a crude, 7th-grade scatological insult - for the past few days. I've been thinking about writing more on this topic, but hadn't quite gotten it down in my mind yet. Until now, thanks to georgia10's front-page Daily Kos diary, "The Princess and the Pea." I strongly recommend that you read all of it, but for now here's an excerpt, with bolding added by me for emphasis. Enjoy.
If the media’s coverage of the Bush era illustrates anything, it is that merit means little in a world where failed pundits and passive reporters are rewarded with coveted slots in newspapers and news shows.I couldn't agree more. Go Nico Pitney, and all the outstanding citizen-journalist Nico Pitneys out there!
What, then, is required then to justify one’s status to the media elite?
What trials and tribulations must be passed before may sit in the White House briefing room?
How many cocktail parties must be suffered before one is granted the approving head nod from those without “temporary press passes”?
How many White House Correspondent Dinners must be attended and how many bellows of laughter must be uttered at jokes about WMD before one can sit in a press gallery without side glances wordlessly asking “what is she doing here”?
How many questions about Bo, about smoking, and about date night must be posited before one exhibits the sufficient level of fluffery necessary to join those hallowed halls?
The simple answer is that the royalty of the D.C. press will always look at bloggers like Nico Pitney with skepticism, regardless of their merit. Not because of the questions they ask when they get to the briefing room, but because of the unorthodox approach they take in getting there.
And the simple conclusion is that beyond the flash-in-the-pan and unjustified outrage at the Pitney question and the clenched jaws of the spurned is a press corps that is so thin-skinned and delicate in constitution that it is consequently and constantly irritated by that small, stubborn pit of ego aching for relevance which is tucked beneath the layers and layers of their “objective” analysis on this issue. Try as they might to shift tactics and methods and models, the traditional press just can’t find a way to get comfortable in this new media landscape, leading even the most "royal" members of the press lash out in the most coarse manner.
But "foul-mouthed" bloggers don't mind the elbow jabs or colorful language. Crashing this gate is rough...and it will be so worth it when it's finally done.
