A Reporter’s Flub (Chris Matthews)

In a blog entry , “Hillary Clinton and Mysogyny”, I wrote: “ ‘How do you know that?’ (Five words few reporters use.)”

Well—

—finally, I heard a reporter, Chris Matthews, ask one of his panelists that critical question. The panelist’s answer was, “I’m a reporter!” It caught Matthews by surprise. He answered with the consternation of a chuckle, as did the others on the panel. (Sun., 3-23-0 My reaction was: “Hah! There you have it! In a tough nutshell!” Matthews, Mr. Hardball Matthews, let him off Scott free. The panelist totally avoided the real question by taking refuge in what is supposed to be the natural expectation and reputation of all reporters. Hardball became badminton where the ball became a bird that slowly floats. The man did not answer the question!! What I have strongly maintained, journalists do not ask that strong question, and really mean it, and persist if the question is not answered. From that fact issues, unquestioned (except by a teeny-tiny minority), a war and death and vast treasure lost in following a man who wanted to be a hero of 9-11-01 and a war President, assuring his re-election. (See: “Buying the War” on Bill Moyers Journal (3-7-2008)”, a previous blog entry of mine.) The subject is the incompetent media, newspapers and radio and television, especially their reps who show up at briefings at the President’s news conferences. The books long after the fact analyze and report, but by then they are writing history, and it is far too late to influence emerging stories and events.

Getting answers to “How do you know that?” yields either reliable knowledge or unreliable sources.