All the President's Men

[H2O Man]

The downside of being up at 5 am is that I end up watching recycled Larry King. In this case, it's okay, I guess, because the interview with Woodward & Bernstein includes Bernstein saying that when John Dean's book "Worse Than Watergate" came out, he thought it was a stretch. Now he believes the administration has become Nixonian in a crisis-like way .... posing the same threat to our constitutional democracy as did the Watergate gang.

More, on Tuesday, the day after President's Day, a 2-DVD set of "All the President's Men" is being released.

[H2O Man]

1. "Dead Wrong"

CNN is now replaying their documentary on how Cheney lied us into war in Iraq.

[linazelle]

8. I'm watching...it's pretty pre-fabricated if you know what I mean

More of a cover and excuse for ** than a documentary.

[H2O Man]

10. Interesting .....

I appreciate what you are saying, although I think it is of some value. It has information that is an introduction, for the "general public," on the extent of the cherry-picking of intelligence, and even the outright misrepresentations of the truth, that brought the nation to war. So, while it may not have the depth that many of the better threads on DU has had over the years, it is a vehicle with more potential to reach that general public, because most people are not to the point that they would read and accept the information on the good threads here. But we are moving that way, and some of the programs on the corporate media are helping to make that move.

[cornermouse]

2. Good.

After watching the interview, I feel the need to see All the President's Men. I also look forward to Bernstein's story on New Orleans, Bush, and the Katrina disaster.

[H2O Man]

3. The differences

in character between Bernstein and Woodward were so clearly evident during the interview with King. I find myself interested in anything Bernstein has to say, and repulsed by Woodward.

[pearl]

4. Gag on Woodward

Woodward was still spinning for the powerful although a little
tempered by his buddy Carl, who was really on point tonight.

[H2O Man]

7. Exactly.

I thought Bernstein handled potentially uncomfortable issues very well. He has class.

[cornermouse]

5. I know.

I made the mistake of buying Woodward's book about Bush. I won't repeat that mistake by buying another book with his name on it. It was painfully obvious he'd sold out.

[H2O Man]

6. It's hard

to decide sometimes. I must admit that I've bought all three of his most recent books. They are, in ways, important resources, although one simply cannot take anything he says on face value.

One of my relatives, who is one of the most talented young journalists in the country (just ask her proud uncle!) has become on friendly terms with him in the past couple of years. I warned her that he is not what he appears to be. The incident involving Plame and his inside information opened her eyes. (Always listen to your moldy uncles!)

[cornermouse]

9. lol.

:)

By the way, transcript is at

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/17/lkl.01.html

[H2O Man]

11. Good, thanks.

There are a few things from the transcript that I want to keep track of. I appreciate you giving the link.

[leftchick]

14. thank you for the link

It sounds good and I always love to listen to Carl. I was up early but tuned into the BBC America channel. That is about all I can stomach these days.

[0007]

15. Isn't that the truth? 'Tis easier to find truth with stand up comics

on Comedy Central than CNN.

[PA Democrat]

20. My hubby and I watched last night and we had the same impression

Woodward seemed to downplay the misdeeds of the Bush administration at every opportunity while Bernstein was much more critical.

Woodward even tried to make excuses for the domestic spying program, saying the Bush administration started the program in reaction to 9-11 and didn't have the time to make it legal. He was supporting the administration's argument that the program is necessary to national security and that the only mistake made was that they didn't try to change the FISA law after the immediate crisis of 9-11.

[mmonk]

12. While I have favorable memories

of Bernstein and Woodward, I find them to have been way behind the curve of today's crisis. John Dean has been way ahead of them.

[H2O Man]

13. Dean has been.

Dean is a fascinating figure: he has been transformed from a slimmy character from the Watergate era, to one of the most insightful and honest critics of this era. I love watching him on CountDown on MSNBC.

[blogslut]

16. All the President's Men

...is one of two movies I showed to my child when she told me she wanted to be a journalist.

First, I had her watch "His Girl Friday". I suppose I could have chosen one of the male versions of "The Front Page" but Rosalind Russell is a goddess to me. Just the same, my daughter was very upset after seeing it. She couldn't believe that newspaper people were that cynical and manipulative. She almost changed her mind about her career choice.

Then I had her watch "All the President's Men". After viewing it, she bought the book. She decided to continue in her pursuit to be a journalist but is doing so with an understanding that reporters are humans, not gods.

She also understands that Woodward and Bernstein worked under extraordinary circumstances. Thier efforts were supported by superiors like Ben Bradlee, Howard Simons and Katherine Graham. The world doesn't make people like that anymore. "Woodstein" worked that story for almost two years against the odds. The Washington Post took on an entire administration because of ideals that barely exist today.

If I had to choose a more realistic portrayal of the modern MSM between these two films, I would have to pick "His Girl Friday".

Nevertheless, I dig Carl Bernstein. He's a righteous dude. Woodward always was a nudge and he certainly ain't no Robert Redford.

[stlsaxman]

17. Follow those two up with "Network" and you'll have a 'trifecta'! lol

Only problem would be that your daughter might be off the journalism kick (if that's all it is) forever- however that might be a good thing after all.

But if she's sincere it may shore up her nerve to pursue that career. God knows this country needs more real, honest-to-God journalists...

Good luck to her in her endeavors!

:hi:

[blogslut]

18. I begged her to watch Network

Begged I tells ya! She doesn't always listen to me.

Oy. Network. Now, there's a prophetic film:

"It is the international system of currency which determines the vitality of life on this planet. THAT is the natural order of things today. THAT is the atomic and subatomic and galactic structure of things today. And YOU have meddled with the primal forces of nature. And YOU WILL ATONE. Am I getting through to you, Mr. Beale? You get up on your little 21-inch screen and howl about America, and democracy. There is no America; there is no democracy. There is only IBM, and ITT, and AT&T, and DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide, and Exxon. Those are the nations of the world today."

[stlsaxman]

22. Maybe she would like "Good Night And Good Luck"?

Does she ever listen to Randi? The "Network" quote reminds me how much I love her show.

[hippiechick]

19. Don't forget 'Meet John Doe'...

... 30's/40's movie about a media created 'Everyman' and the market-share hungry media moguls on either side of his 'story' ... and what it ultimately does to the people involved.

[blogslut]

21. I saw that a million years ago

Thanks for the rental idea!

[AlCzervik]

23. i'll be buying that and i think Bernstein keeps Woodward in check somewhat