FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It might also stand for FEeble Media Attempt after last week's pretend briefing during which FEMA people sat around lofting softballs at one another while the press listened only. Here's a news item about it.

Ordinarily I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. You know, just a stupid mistake, right? It was a hastily called briefing, no real media types showed up. Some called in. But note the reporters who called in were limited to a 'listen-only' line. Heck, why would you want to have a press briefing at which reporters could ask questions, right? It's so much more fun to ask your own questions, give your own answers, don't ask the media to chime in and don't tell anyone what's going on. FEMA did the asking and the answering. It's like debating yourself- you always win!

By the way, if I'm a reporter and I can't ask questions and I'm given a listen-only option, I'm going to dial tone.

Washington these days slays me. Just when you think they've reached the height of stupidity or arrogance or willful manipulation, they find ever more new and creative ways of making themselves look silly.

Share This