Molly Ivins: A Capital Full of (Sycophantic) Shih Tzu Reporters

[Dudley_DUright]

As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic Shih Tzus* in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.

It’s like a cross between Versailles under Louis XIV and high school: obsequious courtiers flattering their way to favor, plus the silly cliques of the “in crowd” and “out crowd.” On the other hand, I am greatly cheered by the young journalists in the blogosphere who have now whelped a perfect litter of books worth paying attention to.

For my marbles and chalk, the pick is David Sirota’s “Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government—and How We Take It Back.” Sirota is a new-generation populist who instinctively understands that the only real questions are “Who’s getting screwed?” and “Who’s doing the screwing?”

The extent to which corporate power has taken over the country and is running the table cannot be exaggerated and must not be ignored. Sirota has not only collected much new and useful information, he has put it into a package that provides handy weapons to fight back. Si, se puede.

more...

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20060510_shih_tzu_reporters/

[WCGreen]

1. Something I posted a while back......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1098537

[Bruden]

2. A dog analogy is good, especially lap dog.

[OneBlueSky]

3. "The extent to which corporate power has taken over the country . . .

and is running the table cannot be exaggerated and must not be ignored" . . .

I STILL believe that the Democrats must address this issue . . . but since they're part of the problem, it's not likely they'll be part of the solution unless pushed VERY hard . ..

[CPMaz]

4. Let me be the first to say it today -

MOLLY ROCKS!

It's not just that she is a voice of dissent, or at least wry observation, but she does it so damn well.

[anitar1]

5. Molly is so right about David Sirota.

I signed up for his blog months ago and have been very impressed with all the info he sends out. I love the guy.