Check out this item in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Window on Washington blog--Washington Post reporter Jim VandeHei gets the prize for grown man most sounding like a 16-year-old girl shopping for prom dresses and being told the one she wants most doesn't come in her size:
The controversy du jour aboard Air Force One today was one near and dear to the hearts of many otherwise happy couples: Command and control of the TV tuner.
“It’s come to my attention that there’s been requests – this is a serious question – to turn these TVs on to a station other than Fox, and that those have been denied,” Washington Post reporter Jim VandeHei told Press Secretary Scott McClellan. “My question would be, is there a White House policy that all government TVs have to be tuned to Fox?”
“Never heard of any such thing,” said McClellan, soon to be replaced by Tony Snow of Fox News, long viewed as an operation that enjoys most favored network status in the Bush White House.
“My TVs are on all four different channels at all times,” McClellan said of the four-screen array across from his West Wing desk.
He also noted that every White House television has split-screen capability.
“Well,” said VandeHei, “they always seem to be tuned to Fox.”
He went on.
“And these are paid for by taxpayer dollars. And my understanding is that you guys have to watch Fox on Air Force One. Is that true?”
No way, said McClellan.
“First time I’ve ever heard of it,” he said. “First time you’ve brought it to my attention, meaning the first time the press corps has brought it to my attention. In fact, I’ve watched other channels on here.”
Can you believe this? What a whiny, crybaby bitchfest on VandeHei's part--and a huge reach. "Waaah! Taxpayer dollars! Shriek! I'm going to hold my breath until you turn CNN on! Conspiracy!"
Let me get this straight. It's a scandal if a Washington Post reporter can't watch CNN on Air Force One? I pay taxes too--what about what I want? Please.
And eventually Air Force One did what many exasperated parents do when confronted with an inconsolable adolescent--gave VandeHei what he wanted:
Moments later, after a quick trip up front, McClellan came back with the update.
“We just called up. They’re going to be changing it, at your all’s request, to the channel that you requested, which is CNN,” he said.
So there it is--the Washington Post strikes a blow for taxpayer justice--and saves its reporters from having to watch any news that doesn't reflect their personal anti-Bush bias. The MSM doesn't stand for MainStream Media anymore--it stands for Mighty Silly Media. Congrats on that, dudes.
