Troubling and dangerous, troubling and dangerous, ribbit.
Posted on 10/17/2001 6:15:15 AM PDT by Brian Mosely
Oct. 17 — Bill Clinton’s former press rep has some harsh words for the way George W. Bush’s people have been dealing with the press, calling some actions by the current administration “troubling” and “dangerous.”
JOE LOCKHART, a White House press secretary under Bill Clinton, gave a talk in New York on Monday evening to some public relations students.
In particular, sources say, Lockhart singled out what he called the “shifting explanations” that the Bush administration gave to the media as to why they shouldn’t run the full text of Osama bin Laden’s taped message.
When called by the Scoop, Lockhart re-iterated his comments. “The first reason they gave [that bin Laden’s speech might contain coded messages] is legitimate. Protecting people’s lives is legitimate. However, the shifting explanations were troubling. If it’s just that they don’t want [bin Laden] to get free airtime, that’s very troubling. It’s not the government’s job to tell journalists what they should do. That’s very dangerous.”
Lockhart also singled out recent comments by Charlotte Beers, the new undersecretary of state for public diplomacy. Beers told the Wall Street Journal that it was her task to “redefine what America is” to the world, adding, “This is the most sophisticated brand assignment I have ever had.”
“The government shouldn’t be deciding what makes us good and then advertising it around the world,” Lockhart told The Scoop. “We’re not a product. We’re not to be sold. I thought it was a little dangerous if bureaucrats are getting around the table deciding what’s good about us.”
Lockhart was speaking as one of the panelists at “Power, Politics & Prima Donnas,” sponsored by the Center for Communications at Rockefeller Center.
Lockhart pointed out to the Scoop that he has been largely positive about the current administration. When asked how he thinks his successor, Ari Fleisher is doing, Lockhart said, “He’s doing great. It’s in this little thing you sign when you leave. Whenever you’re asked, you have to say it. He’s doing great. It’s my answer and I’m sticking with it.”
I have found that a person views the world through their own prism. A thief views the world in terms of locks and larceny; a rabbi views the world in terms of G-d and rightousness. That Joe Lockhart is looking at the world in terms of troubling, dangerous moves by the government, and for partisan advantage, speaks volumes about him.
In particular, sources say, Lockhart singled out what he called the “shifting explanations” that the Bush administration gave to the media as to why they shouldn’t run the full text of Osama bin Laden’s taped message.
Joe "Audacious Irony-Boy" Lockhart wants to bring up the topic of "shifting explanations"???
How about "She was just an intern" "I was ministering to her" "I did not have sex with that woman" "Oh, wait, I did but it was not sex" "Oh wait it was sex, but it's not your business".
Or "Webb Hubble is an honorable man, good enough to be Assistant AG" "Oh wait maybe he is shifty" "Oh wait, no, he's a criminal" "Its all a vast right wing conspiracy".
Joe, shut yer f****** candy-hole.
It’s not the government’s job to tell journalists what they should do. That’s very dangerous.”
If you want to understand what a criminal has done, listen to him carefully over time. OJ Simpson said something along the lines of "Anybody who killed Nichole would have loved her very much" and "I like this new girl, it's like you took Nicholes head and put it on her [new girls] body".
Joe knows very well about the many efforts by the previous administration to pressure, threaten, cajole and blackmail news outlets from revealing sordid details about Americas worst President.
Those two words describe the Clinton regime to a "T".
Gosh Joe, do you think that maybe war is troubling and dangerous? What a friggin worthless chunk of crap.
Mike
I guess this corpulent bag of flatulence didn't get the irony...
Yep. Ol' Joey sure brings back memories of the dark years.
Memo to Joey: Admit it you little punk. You, like Clinton, are just jealous that you could not rise to greatness on the blood of 5000+ American citizens. Instead, you fielded questions on whether Grifter x42 was a rapist. Your old boss promised to fight terrorism and, big suprise, lied to us. Instead, he pardoned them. History will not look kindly on you and your ilk....
Really? The only thing that the federal government "possesses" is the District of Columbia. The airwaves are public domain...the government "regulates" the airwaves, it doesn't "own" them.
What is it about all you SinkEmporer Lackeys????? Are you all as bent, shrivelled and bitter as Your Master is? Will you never cease to flap your lying-sack-of-manure lips, or are lackey boot-lickers like you as bloated with self importance as he is?
JUST SHUT THE HELL UP with your ignorant, petty backseat driving!!! The grown-ups are in charge now, and nobody wants to listen to your jack-ass braying anymore.
I holding my sides I'm laughing so hard!!!!"
Tell me--did he say this with a straight face????
Lockfart...
Please! Yer killin' me!!!
I already have monkeys flyin' out of my butt because I agree with Dasshole regarding Congress staying in session and my vote (if I had one) would be the same as Cynthia Mckinney, John Lewis, Maxine Waters, and Shelia "We landed on Mars" Jackson-Lee [by the way, is she related to Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee?----just kidding] on the anti-terrorist act voted on last Friday.
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