Posted on 06/01/2005 4:40:18 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
You just knew Today was going to revel in the Deep Throat story this morning. When the face of your beloved party is the dour Harry Reid, the tautly-stretched Nancy Pelosi and the 'expansive' Teddy Kennedy, any chance to switch the subject to the good old days of bashing bad old Richard Nixon must be seized.
In fairness, Andrea Mitchell, reporting the story, made a balanced presentation. Among other things she raised the possibility that the 91-year old Felt, who has suffered a stroke, might have been incapable of truly making the decision to reveal his identity as Deep Throat, and that instead it was his family that made it for him in the pursuit of money.
Further tempering Today's enthusiasm for Felt might have been the fact, which they reorted, that in 1980 Felt was convicted and fined $5,000 for approving FBI break-ins of homes of members of the radical Weather Underground. President Reagan subsequently granted him a full pardon.
Interviewing Woodward John O'Connor, the Felt family advisor who broke story in Vanity Fair, Couric suggested that Felt's children had said to him: "Woodward is going to get all the glory but we could make enough money to pay off the bills." O'Connor maintained that Felt's "main motivation was heroic, and with the goal of creating a permanent legacy, not money."
But ultimately, Couric was willing to look the other way on any Felt foibles, for after all, he did play a crucial role in destroying the presidency of the hated Richard Nixon.
Here's how Katie editorialized her admiration: "It's interesting that in people's lives, they sometimes come to a fork in the road and decide to do the right thing. What motivated him to do the right thing?"
O'Connor gave some bland answer about doing the right thing for the country.
Matt Lauer then interviewed former Nixon aides Pat Buchanan and Chuck Colson, stating that Colson was "often labelled Nixon's hatchet man." Funny, I don't recall Matt calling any of Clinton's heavies by that term.
Predictably, neither Colson nor Buchanan respected Felt's actions, calling them a betrayal of trust and of the confidentiality of the FBI. Buchanan pointed out that Hoover had been fully familiar with JFK's seamy personal life but never leaked it to the press.
By far the most interesting revelation was this. In rebutting the notion that Felt had acted heroically, I think it was Buchanan who mentioned that, a month before Felt began leaking to Woodward on Watergate, he had leaked him inside details on the assassination attempt on George Wallace.
In other words, this was not about heroism and saving the country. This was FBI inside politics, as Asst. Director Felt had been angling for appointment as Director, replacing Hoover, and was bitter that he had been passed over.
"Among other things she raised the possibility that the 91-year old Felt, who has suffered a stroke, might have been incapable of truly making the decision to reveal his identity as Deep Throat, and that instead it was his family that made it for him in the pursuit of money."
Ding!Ding!!! Thank you, Sir. I do believe we have a winner!!!
I most sincerely appreciate your vigilence...my stomach (among other things) just isn't into 'Today', Katie, et al.
Why would the WP confirm the "source" having committed to secrecy until the geezer croaks? The WP could have denied comment and make the family prove their case but they didn't.
Later, channel surfing at home, I clicked on the execrable Aaron Brown just as he was turning to guest Chuck Colson for his comments on the "Deep Throat" story.
Brown introduced Colson as one of the "bad actors in Watergate." Colson admirably didn't rise to the bait but instead made some thoughtful comments on how shocked he was that Felt, someone he'd believed was a man of integrity, was the leaker.
Aaron Brown was incredulous that anyone could even question whether Felt had done the right thing.
My pleasure, Maria. This story is a perfect illustration of the left/right wing divide in the country, isn't it, with each side finding confirmation of its world view.
Felt betrayed the confidence of the office of President, he's no hero, he's a traitor.
Understandable. None of his literally dozens of viewers does ;-)
I'm sorry I don't know which one it was. The headlines had to do with her and Lauer fighting behind the scenes (she is a diva it seems). The pic was really unflattering, showing every closeup wrinkle and harsh flaw.
They deliberately chose the pic to portray her as frowningly angry, but even so--without the airbrushing, she looked much older and not so great.
If you want to carry that a bit farther:
All this came only ten years after the dem party did it's turn around involving a much more violent "exit".
Just to have my opinion recorded:
Deep Throat sounds like a collection of Hoover FBI administrators - not just one.
And, from what I see in Felt's family - they'd skin the old boy and sell parts as souvenirs if the price was right.
Finally, yes, I think JFK was an engineered take over.
This idiots morning show's ratings are so low she'll be looking for another job soon!!!
He did the right thing? Using his position and access at the FBI to obtain information on a president during war time...then leaking it to reporters? If this is the right thing then heaven help this country.
nick
Where was the rapturous reporting about Linda Tripp?? Oh nooooo, she was reviled as a snitch, and a betrayer of trust.. I find the very mention of Watergate, only fortifies my utmost disdain for the MSM, and everyone in it, and reminds me to never think that I could ever trust them.. and that is indeed a good thing..
See how there is always a silver lining to every dark cloud if you look for it.. :)
Don't forget Daniel Ellsberg who leaked secret military documents and has the status of a secular saint among liberals.
Wonder if she thinks Linda Tripp did the right thing, too?
Cowardice must run in the family....truly pathetic.
The media sure never considered Linda Tripp was 'doing the right thing' when she came forward.
Bias? No way. s/
Funny, CNN's Aaron Brown did the same thing --introducing his guest Chuck Colson as "a bad actor in Watergate."
Also, one of the cable news networks called aides John Haldeman and John Erlichman "Nixon's henchmen." (Don't remember if it was CNN or MSNBC.)
Imagine the MSM's calling James Car-vile, Chris LeHeinous and Georgie Steponallofus "Clinton's henchmen." Would never, ever happen.
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