Observation from Hunter S. Thompson on the "clubby" relationship between politicians and journalists

[RandySF]

This was one of the traditional barriers I tried to ignore when I moved to Washington and began covering the '72 presidential campaign. As far as I was concerned, there was no such thing as "off the record." The most consistent and ultimately damaging failure of political journalism in America has its roots in the clubby/cocktail personal relationships that inevitably develop between politicians and journalists – in Washington or anywhere else where they meet on a day-to-day basis. When professional antagonists become after-hours drinking buddies, they are not likely to turn each other in... especially not for "minor infractions" of rules that neither side takes seriously; and on the rare occasions when Minor infractions suddenly become Major, there is panic on both ends.



http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/timewarp-campaign-72-19730705#ixzz3NeqlF9y6
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[90-percent]

1. Another prescient item from HST

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?id=1250751

Interesting how much is both wrong and right with this article. He ponders an estimated 20,000 dead!

It's very eerie how he foretold exactly what the USA and GWB would do after the attack.

"The towers are gone now, reduced to bloody rubble, along with all hopes for Peace in Our Time, in the United States or any other country. Make no mistake about it: We are At War now -- with somebody -- and we will stay At War with that mysterious Enemy for the rest of our lives."

And this from The Onion on GWB's January 2001 Inauguration is even more prescient;

http://www.theonion.com/articles/bush-our-long-national-nightmare-of-peace-and-pros,464/


Don't mean to hijack, I've loved HST since the early 70's. His insights and understanding of politicians, especially about Nixon, is remarkable in it's accuracy.

-90% Jimmy

[ewagner]

2. Still true

this was written in 71-2?

and its still true if now worse today.

[callous taoboy]

3. Hung out with Dr. Thompson and Ken Kesey one night.

This was during the first Gulf War. It was insane. It was at Kesey's house with about 6 other lucky people who found themselves out there.