Newspaper editors from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., this week for the American Society of Newspaper Editors annual conference. President George W. Bush accepted an invitation to speak and answer questions.

In any definition of a world in which newspapers are supposed to be the watchdog of government under the U.S. First Amendment, you would expect some fireworks from an event like this, right? Wrong.

It is difficult to even find a decent story about it in an American newspaper, including the great New York Times. Here’s what the old national newspaper of record reported about the event.

Addressing Newspaper Editors, Bush Discusses Border Security

The thing is, the president talked about a lot more than border security.

The problem is, he wasn’t asked any really tough questions or held down to answer them.

Check the transcript of the event.

As usual, Bush made several stupid jokes at the outset, generally making fun of the press right in their faces. Did any of them get mad and stand up to him? No.

One editor, who is not identified on the White House Web site, asked about the Homeland Security Department’s recent proposal to require passport checks at U.S. borders, in spite of protests from some businesses and tourism officials.

But as usual, the president got away with a non-answer without being challenged. Same with the White House support of fake news releases to local television news stations, how the death penalty supports a so-called culture of life, Tom Delay’s ethics lapses, problems with the Freedom of Information Act, judges putting reporters in jail for not revealing sources, the independence of judges, etc.

One editor did manage to trip Bush up due to the president’s obvious lack of knowledge of the issues before the Federal Communications Commission.

Unidentified Editor: Mr. President, there are those in Congress and elsewhere who would propose that the FCC be expanded, or legislation be passed that would provide decency standards on satellite television and cable television. Your thoughts on that, sir? . . . There are those who would like to place on satellite and cable some decency standards.

President Bush: Yes, I’m for that. I think there ought to be a standard. On the other hand, I fully understand that the final edit, or the final decision is a parent turning off the TV. I mean, the ultimate responsibility in a consumer-driven economy is for people to say I’m not going to watch it, and turn the knob off. That’s how best to make decisions and how best to send influences. But I don’t mind standards being set out for people to adjudge the content of a show, to help parents make right decisions. Government ought to help parents, not hinder parents in sending good messages to their children.

But, look, I mean, we’re a free society. The marketplace makes decisions. If you don’t like something, don’t watch it. And, presumably, advertising dollars will wither and the show will go off the air. But I have no problems with standards being set to help parents make good decisions.

What? He just doesn’t get it.

The president was also asked about removing the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the umbrella of Homeland Security, but he just made jokes about getting the “cook’s” tour after hurricanes hit Florida and Alabama last year.

Hey George, there are a lot of hard-hit people out there. It’s NOT FUNNY! Really.

To end it, the president said, “I’ve got to hop.”

Now I’ve heard and used the terms, “I’ve got to jump…to go…to take off…”

But hop?

Maybe he learned it from the kiddies at Easter. We’ve got a bunny rabit for president folks. Dog help us all.

GW

Tags: Death of Newspapers

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