Bush dodges another press conference - a secret government?

[Woodstock]

I heard this on NPR, but went looking for a story on his lack of press conferences and couldn't find one in the US media. Why isn't this a bigger deal? It is, after all, the press itself that is being cut off. So why aren't we hearing more about this and why aren't journalists and our weak play nice little Democratic representatives DEMANDING access for the people to their "leader"?

Bush has held the fewest press conferences, and most of the ones he holds are scripted. Journalists are afraid to speak up or be banned. Is this a democratic government by the people for the people? Or a secret government by Halliburton for Halliburton? Why is there no buzz over this?

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/22/1066631501085.html

US President George Bush will dodge media questioning during his Australian visit, in a breach of normal protocol.

At the White House's insistence, Mr Bush will not hold any news conferences with Prime Minister John Howard and strict restrictions are being imposed on media access to the visit.

Joint news conferences are normally held with leaders on official visits, with opportunities for journalists from both nations to ask questions...Mr Howard's office declined to answer questions about the lack of media access to Mr Bush. It is believed, however, that Australian officials had pushed strongly for a news conference to be included in the pair's schedule this afternoon, but were overruled by the White House.

A large number of picture opportunities for Mr Bush have been put on his schedule. A Government spokesman said journalists at one of those opportunities after his meeting with Mr Howard may have the chance to shout "one or two" questions.

[bif]

1. It's simple

Because if he holds a REAL press conference he'll be outed as the fuckin' moron that he is. Once again, it's all spin, all the time.

[Woodstock]

2. but why isn't someone beating the drum about this?

we just keep accepting, one by one, outrageous assaults to democracy

perhaps if we had an opposition party in this country...

[bif]

6. The press is useless in this country

They've totally rolled over for this administration.

[gratuitous]

8. Well, we do, but we're nobody

As far as I can tell, the media whores are so busy manipulating their fat paychecks and worrying about "access" so that in five years they can write books about all the stuff they didn't cover now. "Oh, was I an insider! I went to all the smart parties, and you wouldn't guess what I saw. I was very important and knew this and that, but naturally, I couldn't report any of it, because then I wouldn't be invited to these smart parties, which was very important to me, to my career, to my paycheck, to my agent, blah, blah, blah."

This corrupt administration is like a high school jockocracy writ very large. You don't cross the jocks, or you'll find yourself stuffed in your locker. And the nerdish reporters, who have the power to blow the whistle on them all along, don't do it because the jocks' approval means more to them than anything else.

Journalism used to be an honorable profession. Now it's more akin to the world's oldest profession.

[mhr]

3. To Amplify, If Bush Holds a Press Conference Overseas

It will get covered. If he holds a press conference in the US, nothing will ever be said.

Who will complain, the America media, they are part of the problem.

The American public does not care, they are part of the problem as well.

The foreign press can complain all it likes, nobody will listen or care.

[ShimokitaJer]

4. He's trying to avoid that "news filter"

Between his "free speech zones" and deliberate attempt to avoid the "filter" of the media, I have never seen a more blatant abuse of presidential power. The little shit needs to be taken to task.

There was a bit on the Daily Show about his lack of press conferences, comparing the large number Daddy Bush had held at that time in his presidency, the even larger number Clinton had held, compared to fewer than ten by Baby Bush. I haven't seen it mentioned in ANY conventional news source, though.

In Bush's defense, it must be hard to remember what lies you've told and maintain the illusion that you believe them. That's why, whenever he comes on, he just spouts the same vague generalities about evildoers vs. patriots anyway.

[NicoleM]

7. I've seen it mentioned from time to time

in the mainstream press. They just don't DO anything about it.

[AP]

5. This puts a little perspective on labour refusing to allow Bush's photo-op

with the Queen.

[jonoboy]

9. completly stage managed

Bush and Howard have completely stage managed Dubbya's visit down under to the nth degree. The whole thing has been an absolute disgrace and insult to the Australian public. It's just been an election booster for Howard as a thank-you for his support in bombing innocent Iraqis.

Even the guest list to the tragic BBQ was an insult..all white men..Howard's favourite sports stars and right wing shock jocks. Not one representaive of the Aboriginal people, about 3 women.

The only high point..a group of 40, 7 year old school children allowed into Parliament House looked a bit frightened when Dubbya arrived but went bananas when Steve Irwin the crocodile man walked in.