Jeff Gannon, Jim Guckert, and... Prostitution?

PDiddie wrote:

Ticomaya wrote:

As I recall our discussion, you and your ilk are claiming G/G is not a "real" journalist because he has not followed the fictitious rules you feel apply to that vocation. You apparently believe there is some formal educational requirement before one can be considered a "real" journalist, a la the requirements imposed upon certain professions, such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. Hell, even truck drivers require a license.

But I do not believe there are any such requirements, and when I ask you to tell me where I can find them, instead of doing the appropriate thing - admit you don't know of any such rules and are simply making this all up as you go along - you suggest I should research that myself.

The fact that neither you nor I can find anything to suggest there are any such rules imposed upon "real" journalists is in no way conclusive of the fact than none exist, but I would submit that it is evidence in support of my proposition, and certainly not supportive of yours.

I am under no compunction whatsoever, your sneering condescension aside, to "prove" to you that credentials, education, training etc., exist and are mandatory for the field of journalism.

If you can take as faith the existence of a God in Heaven you are certainly capable of accepting that said credentials exist for journalists. Your stubborn refusal to do so suggests a petulant recalcitrance that "proof" is going to be difficult -- more likely, impossible -- to overcome. I stopped playing these "find me proof" games years ago for precisely this reason (these exchanges, for your information, date to the earliest days of online discussion fora of this type, including this one).

"Sneering condescension"? You haven't seen that, my friend.

You're only motivation to prove there are any credentials required to be a journalist, and in the absence of same you aren't a "real" journalist, is if you would care to prove the point you were trying to make earlier. Your allusion to God in Heaven, and that His existence cannot be proven, leads me to believe you would like for me to accept upon faith your premise, and that you apparently similarly accept upon faith that there are credentials required in order to be a "real" journalist. If that is the way you want to operate, so be it. We shall proceed knowing you believe on the basis in faith alone, that there are some imaginary rules that dictate when a journalist is a "real" journalist or not. Your colleague in this thread, Cyclops, has decided the reason G/G is/was not a "real" journalist is not because he isn't/wasn't credentialed, but that he wasn't "published." Which is interesting because in two paragraphs later he admits that G/G published stories, but he feels they were substandard stories, and evidently believes that unless the stories meet a certain criteria he has established in his head, that precludes one from being a "real" journalist. Do you agree with Cyclops' new set of rules? It's enthralling to watch as these rules evolve.

PDiddie wrote:

There are, likewise, no listings of bonafides you could Google up for the job description of 'astronaut' either, and yet those who would select the men and women to perform this task know precisely what they are looking for in a potential one.

Okay, and that tends to prove MY point. There are things that one looks for when you hire an astronaut/journalist. Are you saying you know what the list is composed of, or feel qualified in deciding whether a particular individual meets the qualifications to be an astronaut? Or do you rely on the folks that select and hire astronauts? Does the fact that an astronaut is hired signify that he/she met the qualifications to be an astronaut? G/G was hired to be a journalist. Are you suggesting that he was hired to be a journalist and did not meet the standards set forth by his employer? As you say, those who would select the men and women to perform this task know precisely what they are looking for in a potential one.

PDiddie wrote:

The real issue (again, and why the thread's title was revised) is the fact that the Talon Newses and the Fox News Channels and the Townhalls and the Newsmaxes and the Armstrong Williamses and all of the rest of the conservative propaganda organs have lowered the standard. In this light, it's no wonder you don't believe that credentials exist for journalists.

But that's not at all why this thread's title was revised. It was revised because I pointed out to Cyclops the hypocrisy of his insistence that it was "not about that," in reference to G/G being gay. I pointed out all the references to G/G being gay, and that the theme of this thread started with the former title ("... and gay porn") and he decided to change it.

PDiddie wrote:

This needs to be the end of this digression.

Where you end your digression lies entirely with you.

Well, that was a good idea.

http://www.nctj.com/journalist.htm

Most employers prefer individuals with a bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications, but some hire graduates with other majors. They look for experience on school newspapers or broadcasting stations and internships with news organizations. Large-city newspapers and stations also may prefer candidates with a degree in a subject-matter specialty such as economics, political science, or business. Some large newspapers and broadcasters may hire only experienced reporters.

Bachelor's degree programs in journalism are available at more than 400 colleges or universities. About three-fourths of the courses in a typical curriculum are in liberal arts; the remaining courses are in journalism. Examples of journalism courses are introductory mass media, basic reporting and copy editing, history of journalism, and press law and ethics. Students planning a career in broadcasting take courses in radio and television news and production. Those planning newspaper or magazine careers usually specialize in news-editorial journalism. To create a story for an online presentation, they need to know how to use computer software to combine online story text with audio and video elements and graphics.

Many community and junior colleges offer journalism courses or programs; credits may be transferable to 4-year journalism programs. About 120 schools offered a master's degree in journalism in 2002; about 35 schools offered a Ph.D. degree. Some graduate programs are intended primarily as preparation for news careers, while others prepare journalism teachers, researchers and theorists, and advertising and public relations workers.

High school courses in English, journalism, and social studies provide a good foundation for college programs. Useful college liberal arts courses include English with an emphasis on writing, sociology, political science, economics, history, and psychology. Courses in computer science, business, and speech are useful as well. Fluency in a foreign language is necessary in some jobs.

Although reporters need good word processing skills, computer graphics and desktop publishing skills also are useful. Computer-assisted reporting involves the use of computers to analyze data in search of a story. This technique and the interpretation of the results require computer skills and familiarity with databases. Knowledge of news photography also is valuable for entry-level positions, which sometimes combine the responsibilities of a reporter with those of a camera operator or photographer.

Employers report that practical experience is the most important part of education and training. Beginning reporters cover court proceedings and civic and club meetings, summarize speeches, and write obituaries. With experience, they report more difficult assignments, cover an assigned beat, or specialize in a particular field.

Some news analysts and reporters can advance by moving to larger newspapers or stations. A few experienced reporters become columnists, correspondents, writers, announcers, or public relations specialists. Others become editors in print journalism or program managers in broadcast journalism, who supervise reporters. Some eventually become broadcasting or publishing industry managers.

FreeDuck wrote:

Well, that was a good idea.

http://www.nctj.com/journalist.htm

Excellent! Now we know that the UK offers training for journalists!

Specifically, we know that journalists, other than journalists in training, require training in the UK. And we also know that the training period is considerably longer than two weeks. Big surprise.

Cut this out McG, you've gone past your boundaries. It's very hard to take you seriously when you persist past an obvious point of ridiculousity.

I have no problem saying Gannon was not a journalist when compared to Peter Jennings, but compared to some of the other hacks calling themselves journalists, he fits in fine. Look at the "journalists" that work for the National Enquirer, the Sun, and the other trash tabloids.

What does it take to become an astronaut?
One of the most basic requirements to become an astronaut is that you have to be physically healthy. So keep exercising and eat right! You also need to complete a college degree in engineering, math, or science. The more you go to school, the better yo ur chances!

Men and women can be astronauts, but you must legally be an adult!

Those hoping to fly the shuttle as a pilot must have at least 1,000 hours of experience in jet aircraft. Pilots also need very good eyesight.

Competition is tough! An average of 4,000 people apply each year for the 20 positions that become free every 2 years. For more specific information and a really long application, write to the Astronaut Selection Office, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058.

Quote:

I have no problem saying Gannon was not a journalist when compared to Peter Jennings, but compared to some of the other hacks calling themselves journalists, he fits in fine. Look at the "journalists" that work for the National Enquirer, the Sun, and the other trash tabloids.

How many of those have a WH press room pass?

Cyclops, has decided the reason G/G is/was not a "real" journalist is not because he isn't/wasn't credentialed, but that he wasn't "published." Which is interesting because in two paragraphs later he admits that G/G published stories, but he feels they were substandard stories, and evidently believes that unless the stories meet a certain criteria he has established in his head, that precludes one from being a "real" journalist. Do you agree with Cyclops' new set of rules? It's enthralling to watch as these rules evolve.

Tico, think of it like this...

He's a gay prostitute. That means he can never be anything else. It doesn't matter what else this guy does in life, because he went against the liberal media, he will always be a gay prostitute. He dared to try to better himself, even going so far as obtaining a pseudnym to hide his past, yet he is/was a gay prostitue.

But, it's not about that...

The Gannon/Guckert "scandal": a golden opportunity

I hope President Bush is reading his Bible these days. If so, here's praying that he attends closely to Proverbs 21:22 --

A wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

Since Democratic leadership joins call for Gannon inquiry, and various other liberal sources keep expressing outrage that an uncredentialed and politically-motivated individual could actually break into the hallowed ranks of the White House presstitute corpse [double sic on myself], I think the Bush administration should pull a deft Judo move.

They should propose performing the exact same investigation on all WH reporters. Send out a questionnaire that reflects the matters that find them in such breathless anxiety when it comes to Jeff Gannon/James Guckert. To wit:

1. Ask if any reporter is a homosexual.
2. Ask if any has ever exchanged sex for anything.
3. Ask them to list all web sites with which they have ever had any involvement.
4. Review all of their questions and articles for any bias, agenda, or tendentiousness.
5. Ask for a list of all political associations, involvements, activities, financial giving.
6. Once step five is completed, the same investigation must be performed on the organizations that employ them.
7. Report the results.

The mainstream media assure us endlessly that they alone are so professional as to be wholly without bias,a nd concerned only with the truth.

So surely they would fully support such an effort. Right?

Ri-i-i-i-i-i-ight.