Maybe If You Did Your Stinkin' Job, Howard...

And we're talking Kurtz here. Seems Howie has his panties in a wad over blogs like Atrios and Daily Kos getting to the bottom of the "Jeff Gannon" Talon News insanity.

At the risk of being another lib'rul website continuing this story with 50-foot wings (and the interblogging inbreeding we've all developed over this, and yes, I'm lovin' it), Raw Story has Kurtz's interview with Wolf "Happening Now!" Blitzer today, and (sniff sniff) yup. It reeks of sour grapes.

CNN had Howard Kurtz, of The Washington Post, on the program, who took the time to blast liberal bloggers for investigating Guckert’s private life. Kurtz spent time defending Guckert’s right to have an opinion and to turn Bush press conferences away from difficult topics.

“He writes for a site called Talon News which appears to be a straight news site, but all of the stories he writes also appear at GOPUSA and both of those sites are owned by Bobby Eberle who is a Texas Republican activist,” Kurtz said.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it,” he added.

Kurtz said bloggers “put a target” on Guckert’s back.

The question, he said, was “Did [bloggers] go too far?”

No, Howard. The problem here is that you lazy schmendricks in the MSM don't go far enough. Don't get pissed off at blogs because you clowns who pass yourselves off as "journalists" have been asleep at the switch for the past several years. These guys picked up the slack, and are finally getting the credit for which they've been long overdue.

Here's a suggestion. Do your friggin' job, Howie. Wake up from your malaise and do some goddamned investigative reporting for once in your unspectacular career - and maybe you'll get the glory next time. Until then, just deal with it. These guys busted their asses. Give 'em some credit.

Comments

[rhoda]

I saw that interview with Kurtz (by accident). I almost felt sorry for poor old simply conservative reporter Gannon. Just know saw Olbermann interview Dana Milbank from the Wash Po and suddenly the light shines. What a difference in views, and Blitzer called Kurtz a political analyst. Well analyse this. Where is your integrity and sanity Howie. Olbermann is the only tv voice of the loyal opposition and how long will "they" allow that to go on?

[MC]

I don't know Hoff - maybe he IS doing his job. So many "journalist" have turned their backs or reported the WH talking points over the last 5 years I think I know where the Enron rape of CA money went....

[joanie]

Awwwww, don't pick on Howard Kurtz. He's not conflicted. He doesn't try to cover politics fairly. He's solidly down with the Republican Party. Kurtz's wife Sheri Annis is a Republican operative and publicist, former spokeswoman for Arnold, the steroid user who can't pronounce California. And, Sheri Annis writes for National Review, that mindless rag that veers to the right of Ivan the Terrible and the WSJ editorial page. GOP media consultant Sheri Annis puts lipstick on pigs and dresses them up hoping for media attention at fourthestatestrategies.com/

[Bonnie]

I've always thought that Howie is just too young to do the job he does. I remember when news reporters only made middle class wages, not millions. He's too young to know or understand that concept. They are all prima donnas now.

[Caveat--Of course, if any one else says I am old enough to remember those good old days, I will deny it.]

[Jeanne]

A couple hours after Howie spoke with Wolf about Gannon, Dana Milbank of the Washington Post (Howie's paper) appeared on Keith Olberman's program on MSNBC and did a good job explaining the seriousness of the use of Gannon as an administration shill.
Jeanne Fischer
Rocklin, CA

[veritas78]

You nailed it, Hoffmania. This is exactly the kind of story that Kurtz should have found. He has the forum and resources—bloggers got nuttin'. But Howie was more than happy to wallow in Bill Clinton's personal life.

[Julie]

Howie said in his 2/6 column that taking money from the government without disclosing it is "dumb."

Dumb? How about unethical? On both sides, by the way. That column, more than anything else, sums up what Howie thinks journalism has come to (and sadly, I think he's right).

Dana Milbank is one of the good guys...a rapidly dying breed.

[Tabby Titsworth]

Howard "Conflict of Interests" Kurtz and his money machine, wife Sheri Annis, need to be called on the carpet at The Washington Post. Kurtz and Annis are both right wing shills, though he does his best to hide this fact.

Howard Kurtz has an online forum at The Post, and I wonder if other folks would consider posting a question to him along these lines:

"Considering the scandals involving the media over the past few years, it is imperative that journalists are free of economic and political conflicts of interest. I think most readers and viewers want a "clean" press.

In view of your highly unusual relationship with CNN (Time Warner) and The Washington Post, and considering your marriage to a GOP political fixer, Shari Annis, with close ties to the Bush White House, how can you assure your readers and viewers that your column is free of, well, political bias?"

You can find Howard Kurtz's online forum at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/?nav=globetop