Jon Meacham, editor of "Newsweek," compared journalists to MTV’s teen morons Beavis and Butt-Head for the demands they make on public officials, and portrayed himself as understanding of negative public sentiments of the media:
"One of the things people don’t like about journalists, reasonably, is that we’re kind of like Beavis and Butt-Head. You know, we demand people change, and then when they change, we kick ‘em in the shins and say ‘well, you didn’t change quick enough.'"
Meacham's comments came in the 6:00 hour of Monday’s "Imus in the Morning." Yet, if one were to read the latest issue of "Newsweek," it is apparent Meacham’s words are not followed by action. An article by Evan Thomas, criticized the White House for not changing course quick enough and being hostile to change. It rekindled the story of President Bush’s alcoholism, and his decision to quit drinking twenty years ago and asserted that this was the last "midcourse correction" of the current president:
"Persuading Bush to listen—and to change course, even at the margins—will be very difficult. One of the myths that the Bush camp has tried to perpetuate over the years is that the president follows the model, learned as a student at Harvard Business School, of a chief executive who delegates, listens to advice and only then decides. Bush is the "decider," as he calls himself, but there is little evidence that he listens to advice that he doesn't want to hear. It may be that the last really serious call for a midcourse correction heeded by George W. Bush was the hangover he experienced at Colorado's Broadmoor Hotel one morning in the summer of 1986, when he decided to quit drinking—a decision that put him on the path to the presidency. That was indeed a momentous example of evaluating options and choosing to change, but it happened two decades ago."
Thomas’ premise that Bush won’t change was debunked by CBS News Senior White House Correspondent Bill Plante on Monday’s "Early Show" who claimed the change in Iraq policy will be announced:
"Now today, the president meets with one of Iraq's most powerful Shiite leaders. He's reaching out as the Iraq Study Group is expected to recommend that he do. But, I'm told that the president will wait for another several weeks, 'til the end of the year, before announcing what he's decided about how to change course."
Considering the fact that the president has signaled he will change the strategy in Iraq, it seems Mr. Thomas’ piece is more of a complaint that the change hasn’t come fast enough, the kind of journalism denounced by Jon Meacham. As editor of "Newsweek," Meacham determines what goes in the magazine and what does not. If he were truly opposed to this "Beavis and Butt-Head" style of reporting, why did he run Thomas’ article as he did? More importantly, why did Meacham put it on the cover?
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Again, where the <insert y
December 4, 2006 - 17:01 ET by mattmAgain, where the <insert you favorite expletive> was this story BEFORE the election???
Besides, why should Bush "listen"? Does anyone on the Left want to listen to him? Obviously not. Bush, to them, is ipso-facto wrong, therefore they don't have to listen to him.
These media self examination stories are just CYA. This is something they can point to later and say "see? we're not biased."
I'm not buying it.
matt,I agree. This is the ty
December 4, 2006 - 18:00 ET by Chris Normanmatt,
I agree. This is the typical of the mild, almost innocuous, self-criticism of the MSM, they serve up time to time. Notice how the self-criticism rarely, if ever, bares any resemblance to the charges found here or by other Conservatives. If they criticize themselves at all, it's usually something about being too sensationalistic or not being inquistive enough. Liberal bias is almost never even acknowledged or if it is, dismissed as being untrue or unfair.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
I think part of the problem i
December 5, 2006 - 11:03 ET by taznarI think part of the problem is that many liberals and the MSM have a problem with the English language. Just like they don't understand the difference between being wrong about something and lying, they also don't understand the difference between listening and doing.
IOW, just because Bush doesn't do what they tell him, doesn't mean he didn't listen and consider what was said.
My wife Keith?
December 4, 2006 - 17:04 ET by Tim GrahamPersonally, I liked the part where Meacham the Episcopalian was joking to Imus about the perils of having a wife named Keith: "If in fact your first impression had been true, I would be a shoo-in to actually become an Episcopal Bishop. And so that’s the one regret I have about the whole episode, because I love those [bishop] costumes."
Well at least Meacham...
December 4, 2006 - 19:04 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasSo much for the title "Editor", ( *Idiotor* is more like it at times) for Meacham but at least he recognizes that he is either Beavis or Butt-Head but my guess is that Butt-Head would find his comparison insulting.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Reporters
December 4, 2006 - 19:21 ET by pocomocoI suggest that a presidential exploratory committee be set up for reporters and pundits who want to be president. They certainly write like they want to be. And, as they say: action speaks louder than words.
Their answer, I'm sure, will be a resounding NO! After all, it's easier to criticize the president than be one, and they have no one to answer too. It's the perfect job.
Meachum has finally said some
December 5, 2006 - 05:23 ET by Andrew H.Meachum has finally said something more true--there is a striking similarity to the personality of the characters Beavis and Butthead to him and most MSM "journalists."
Never relent.
Just the type of set shot I w
December 5, 2006 - 09:43 ET by ucJust the type of set shot I was hoping people here would put up. High time for News week to do a 1951 and earlier retrospective on language and marriage understandings as well as taking a walk in the ego's of those who wrote the 22 Amendment. What signer of such law was willing to let a term limited president get back into white house just by running his wife as straw candidate? Any? More to the point is the beautiful language of marriage like "to have and to hold... til death do us part" and the match language of the 22 Amendment >> both to the embodier of the holding of the office and the honored spouse who "held" and sustained such holder. I thought first couples help together give birth and rebirth to the nation. Had Clinton only served one term Hillary would have legal rights due every citizen of proper age to assume office of President. Check the language and also see language allows in such double entandre (sp?) speak of the time that a mistress or concubine or just wife of only two years or more of such "holding" is also poetically and by not denying human nature in the law also "term limited." Amendment could have read anyone who occupies the office but instead speaks to "holding" in the minds of the people and laws to protect them from excesses and maybe medical conditions from too many years with such holding. Newsweek maybe if you just spend next year republishing that years magazines (if you were in business) as often they are as newsworthy as some of your recent positions.
Journalists
December 5, 2006 - 13:09 ET by EllisWyattI think "Beavis and Butt-Head" is a great analogy for journalists, though not for the reasons Meacham said. Let me list the ways:
1) "Butt-head is oblivious of subtleties, but is usually 100% confident in everything he says and does — no matter how ridiculous or frivolous it is."
Read the archives of this site and tell me that doesn't describe the behavior of many journalists.
2) Beavis ... "has an underbite and a fixated stare on his face which almost always looks to the side."
Olbermann may not have an overbite but he certainly has a fixated stare on his face. And let's not even start talking about how Olbermann's hairstyle compares to Beavis'.