printThe press grilled White House Spokesman Scott McClellan over the delay in reporting the Vice President’s shooting accident. Aren’t we fortunate these intrepid men and women never lose sight of what’s important? Invading Iraq? “Misspeaking” about WMD? Dissing the Danes? Deficit spending? Get out of here! Dick Cheney’s embarrassment over spraying a pal with birdshot—now that’s a scoop. I will say this: it is clear Cheney is a hazard to his friends as well.
“US government ‘failed’ on Katrina” screeched the headlines. And we needed a commission and a 600-page document to tell us this? The reporters who covered the Katrina calamity rather well for a change are telling us, with a straight face, what was apparently inconclusive. Oh, come off it! What they should be doing is screening the best satire ever written about the state: “Yes, Minister” and “Yes, Prime Minister.” There, the delicious Sir Humphrey explains what a commission of inquiry aims to achieve. Since I can’t find the direct quote, here is a summation by someone who knows his satire:
The main function of any commission is to delay decision-making until the people, in their infinite wisdom, have moved on to the next Shane Warne/Schapelle Corby/Big Brother eviction. Then, by the time the commission hands down its findings, the people have forgotten the original issue and the politicians can safely put the report in a cupboard and get on with” other abuses.
Cancel cable; Get the series.