The Washington Post discovers truthout.org

A Handle On Scandal

'Uranium From Africa' Doesn't Have the Smell of 'I Am Not a Crook,' but It Has at Least a Whiff of Flap

By Joel Achenbach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 24, 2003; Page C01

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37585-2003Jul23.html

People in the nation's capital don't use the word "scandal" lightly. Here, a scandal is an almost sacred thing. It has formal structures. It has institutionalized traditions. Corruption at the highest levels -- its ritualized exposure and punishment amid a media frenzy that humbles the mighty and turns obscure government employees into cult figures -- is a cherished part of our community heritage.

If certain criteria aren't met, the thing in question is not a scandal, but merely a controversy, or a furor, or something even more trivial than that: a flap.

(snip)

Those who perceive a scandal will argue that the stakes are high, even if the details are sometimes a bit dry. William Rivers Pitt, managing editor of the online journal Truthout, says: "This doesn't have sex, this doesn't have the definition of 'is,' it doesn't have stained dresses. What it's got is an increasing number of dead American soldiers."

(snip)

The worst-case scenario for the administration is that the story takes on a life of its own. Consider one scandal expert's description of how that process works:

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

...more...

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The juxtaposition of these two statements is a commentary in itself:

Those who perceive a scandal will argue that the stakes are high, even if the details are sometimes a bit dry. William Rivers Pitt, managing editor of the online journal Truthout, says: "This doesn't have sex, this doesn't have the definition of 'is,' it doesn't have stained dresses. What it's got is an increasing number of dead American soldiers."

The president's defenders say there's nothing here at all, except a desperate attempt to undermine the president and his war policy. One former Republican political appointee said yesterday, "It's a nothingburger."

"dead American soldiers" = "nothingburger" to some

into the SOTU speech???

Who was he with???

Where is the dress???

Who heard the scream???

Hmmmmm..........it could get interesting folks!

LOL!!!!

;-)

Way to go Will!

:toast:

You have made it, as it were

Made it to the Style section of the PM Extra version of the online version of the Washington Post.

The sky's the limit, baby. :)

... of the third section of the print edition, AFAIK.

He told me it was gonna be in the online version. Well! :)

Smart man!

This is what we need, to get this message into the mainstream press as much and as often as possible.

Keep up the great work, Will! (And come to Santa Cruz...please...)

It ain't far.

I have been known to venture to the city for the best of concerts only.

Actually, I love SF and would love to come up to the Veterans for Peace event, it sounds great. Not sure if I can, though.

You would just pack the house at a book signing here in Santa Cruz. Buncha crazy liberals in this town, and I'm sure you already have plenty of fans. I would do the PR work for free, make sure you got a crowd :)

I am in town the 9th all day.

Call out to one and all!!!!

I gotta ask who you support for prez?

I hope I like the answer.

Kerry is my candidate.

But would happilly support Kerry!

ABB is right!

This calls for a celebration! :evilgrin:

Man we are proud of you! William you hit it right on the nose with those words.

People want Temptation Island and missiles, not just missiles. The masses have clutched on to the sterile bloodless video game myth of war. And emotional try to turn away when that myth starts to crumble. Will the body bags returning home act as a social smack in the head to see threw the fog of war and the lies that got us there?

:)

A turn at the "Hardball" table?
A giant reprint projected on the screen behind the "Crossfire" guys?
Limpball misquoting you?

Cheers!

"The wildest accusations have been given banner headlines and ready credence as well. Rumor, gossip, innuendo, accounts from unnamed sources of what a prospective witness might testify to, have filled the morning newspapers and then are repeated on the evening newscasts day after day.

"Time and again, a familiar pattern repeated itself. A charge would be reported the first day as what it was -- just an allegation. But it would then be referred back to the next day and thereafter as if it were true.

"The distinction between fact and speculation grew blurred. Eventually, all seeped into the public consciousness as a vague general impression of massive wrongdoing, implicating everybody, gaining credibility by its endless repetition."

Very true words only a decade later and not about Nixon.

keep it coming Will.

and, please be very careful! :toast: