Bending the Third Rail
Because We Should, We Can, We Do
Monday, October 16, 2006
Fat Attack
Take a deep breath. Don't pass out. I'm going to say something in defense of Denny Hassert. I totally agree with the conclusion of this piece reviewing an article on Hassert in the WaPo:
Below the fold, the WP runs a pretty by-the-numbers feature on the challenges facing House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. The analysis of Hastert's rise to power, his accomplishments, and management style are all fine. But then there's this line: "He looks like a cross between actor Wilford Brimley and Jabba the Hutt." TP would absolutely love to know what thought process led the WP's editors to believe that comparing Hastert to a Star Wars villain was appropriate in what is ostensibly an evenhanded story. Yes, the man is overweight. There's a picture of him next to the article, lest you doubt it. So, how does making fun of his appearance give a (no pun intended) fuller picture of the man? And in the age of partisan media, what does it do to the credibility of the story?
Crap like this WaPo hit line are nothing but further proof of the lousy writing that calls itself journalism these days. It's also proof that the sheepish press will be stupid over whatever the subject de jour happens to be. And remember, anything that gets into print is likely reviewed by at least three people prior to approval. If I were Denny, I'd be majorly pissed.
Written at 8:41 AM by Greyhair.
1 comments
1 Comments:
Blogger Lynne said...
Greyhair, it's still okay to bash fat people and ugly people. Didn't you know that. Silly blogger.
1:05 PM  
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