There’s a working theory that survival in modern corporate culture demands advanced skills in butt-kissing just as much as the usual skills normally advertised — perhaps even more.
Transfer that working theory to media conglomerates and it may explain the news gathering of many modern-day corporate journalists looking for the competitive edge over their colleagues. Like well-behaved lap dogs begging for their treats, they pant for access and the latest press releases and fawn over the butts of their sources.
Hence, the easy post-9/11 pass for the Bush administration, and hence, The New York Times headline: “Antiwar Group Says Leaked British Memo Shows Bush Misled Public on His War Plans.”

WASHINGTON, June 16 – Opponents of the war in Iraq held an unofficial hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday to draw attention to a leaked British government document that they say proves their case that President Bush misled the public about his war plans in 2002 and distorted intelligence to support his policy.

Is that the kind of lead you learn to write after spending $100,000 on a journalism degree from Columbia University?
These “opponents of the war” may be Red Sox fans, too.
Aren’t they just Democrats opposed to Republicans? Don’t they have a valid point beyond politics? Does The New York Times expect the Bush Administration or the Republican-controlled Congress to investigate?
Timid, timid, timid.
Whatever happened to the words “critics” and “skeptics”?
Anyway, boys and girls, the clock is ticking on the Bush Administration. No matter what your personal feelings, W can’t run for another term. It may be time to hedge bets and invest in the future because the next couple of elections could swing left. One’s corporate survival instincts should trigger a little butt kissing of those who could soon have control of the car keys.
It’s all about access, right?