On the one hand, I considered Scott McClellan's revelations better late than never, but then upon further consideration, I began to become angry. Yes, it's redeeming and validating to have the Bush administration's ineptitude confirmed--not that anyone really should need it confirmed--but why now? Why not then? I think the answer is obvious and is the same reason why many of those talking heads didn't question the administration leading up to George's war: It's about the money.
Yes, I'm still banging the drum in protest against corporations owning so much of the media. Nothing good can come from it, which is proving to be truer everyday. When there is a six-figure income for the talking head to read from a teleprompter while looking all prettified, then I suppose it's easy to play by the rules. Well, I suppose it is easier for some than others. It's why independent journalism should be the norm instead of the rarity. Journalists who aren't required to toe the corporate line are freer to ask the questions that must be asked and in turn able to offer an unbiased report without being compromised by anyone's agenda.
Maybe now there's change taking place, though. Maybe some people are beginning to see the damage an unchecked administration can have. Following McClellan's lead, some reporters are now speaking up. For instance, Katie Couric admits to having felt pressure from both the government and corporate executives to speak about the war in a positive light. Jessica Yellin, previously from MSNBC, said that journalists had been "under enormous pressure from corporate executives, frankly to make sure that this was a war presented in a way that was consistent with the patriotic fever in the nation." Here's the thing: McClellan stands to make a good deal of money in book sales while Couric, Yellin and others less brave to come forward, have already cashed those six-figure checks. Speaking up then would have meant quite likely hurting their pockets, so the press secretary and reporters did what they were told and the country continues to suffer for it.
It's true, too, that 9/11 bode well for President Bush, since the horrid events from that day helped him take advantage of an anesthetized people. It suddenly became more important to don a flag pin than press the president about those nonexistent weapons of mass destruction. It's also true that anyone who questions this administration is dismissed one way or another. No one in the administration is saying that McClellan is lying, but instead they are puzzled that he is, well, telling the truth. And, by the way, I still consider Karl Rove as being part of the Bush administration.
So while the government is attempting damage control and the media is holding a mirror up to itself, it's time these two get out of the same bed so that reporters can do the job they're meant to do and stop prostituting themselves, no matter how much money is to be made.