Into The Ethical Woods - The Final Word

If these things don't happen, I'll have egg on my face and I'll probably deserve it ~griftdrift, 12-7-009

On the day I wrote the Cagle story, my number of visitors nearly tripled. The following day, even though I did not write a word, I still received nearly double my normal visitors.

This is a conundrum.

Erick Erickson reported the story as fact, providing lurid details that I did not. Yet, he still receives information from insiders and is linked to by the major dailies who proclaim Peach Pundit as a "must read" .

This is also a conundrum.

We deal in a world of devils. Political operatives use us. Many of us use them right back. It is an elegant dance of give and take based on the belief that everyone can win. As long as everyone follows the appropriate steps, no one cares who leads, for everyone believes they lead.

To understand the nature of the dance, one has to understand the motivation of the dancers. Some wish to get their message published. Some wish to destroy their enemies. Some seek influence. Some seek prestige. Some seek cold hard cash.

All I have ever sought was the story. And this time I didn't get it.

It won't happen again.

Into The Ethical Woods - The Challenge

Last night, a voice from on high, issued a challenge and placed an unexpected burden on me. It boiled down to "do better".

A moment of anger passed into the realization the voice (combined with the advice of another more personal voice) was right. It is not enough to admit your standards slipped - action is required.

You don't need me to provide you the latest update on the hijinks at the Gold Dome Delta Chi House. There are plenty of places to rock your jollies on the latest rumor and innuendo.

Instead, unless there is a breaking news where I am compelled to respond, I'll leave that mess to others. Instead, I'll focus my writing on the ethical issues new (and old) media face in this turbulent period.

First up will be the "temptation of easy traffic". Look for it soon.

Into The Ethical Woods - Griftdrift Edition

I've been bothered all day.

On the personal side, you may have noticed, I've been stepping further away from politics lately. A combination of shifting priorities and the sheer ugliness is driving me away from my favorite past time. It has been a quiet relinquishment - a slow break up.

But like a moth to the flame the Richardson story followed now by the possible Cagle story sucked me back in. What today has taught me is I do not like these stories. I wish I could rend the flesh of my prey the way my idol did back in the day, but I just don't have it in me. These are real people - not pieces on a political chess board as some would have. The universe has balance and I believe it does not take kindly to those who attempt to rise by climbing a pile of bodies.

As a writer, I've entered murky territory. In the past, I have prided myself that I've only published stories that I believed would stand up to scrutiny by the professional reporting class. Now, I find myself publishing a story no one on that side of the fence appears eager to touch (at least not yet). I know they've got it. I know they have everything I have and probably more.

Here's the fact which cannot be casually passed - even though I argue that a non-professional can report a story accurately and with relevance, there is a difference between a blog seen by a few hundred people daily and a media outlet that is seen by tens of thousands if not millions. I have the power to be an annoyance. They have the power to bring down a government. You have to respect this reality.

Dozens of times today, I've questioned if I should have published. My conclusion is although I may have dipped below my usual standards and certainly the standards of the professional class, there is fire beneath that smoke.

Bottom line - I stand by what I wrote.

To those in places of power who I know are regular readers, if you think I'm wrong, I'll be glad to hear it (off the record of course). You know how to reach me.

If you, my other readers, do not think this is correct or moral or professional, you have the same choices which have always been available - chastise me publicly, chastise me privately, continue reading but think less of me or stop reading all together. It is the risk I take every time I apply word to virtual paper and one which will not daunt me from facing the heat and light future stories may bring.

The Casey Cagle Rumors

In the past, I have chastised Erick Erickson for his predilection to rumor monger - particularly on matters involving Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. Today, I will not.

An alleged dalliance by Cagle has rumbled around the state for nine months, but Erick deserved previous vilification because there was little chance of confirmation of the story and I believed his motive was political. One of these reasons may remain true, the other likely will not.

Here's why.

On March 20, 2009, I received a tip from a trusted source that a rumor was circulating the Gold Dome about a staff member interrupting Lt. Governor Cagle while engaged in a certain activity with a female staffer. Knowing I had little possibility of confirming this story myself, I sent a note to a veteran political journalist. After some investigating, he replied "the rumor is afoot" but neither of us could get much further.

As the summer passed into fall, the rumor persisted but no one could get confirmation. Then more details leaked out. Still no one would go on record and no one could find the primary source. However, the fact that I heard additional details (including names) from multiple sources and these details never varied was all but verification.

Recently, another trusted source indicated that the local media finally had the story and for reasons unexplained spiked it at the last minute. However, this person clearly thought it was going to out. Probably this week.

So there it is. I won't go into further details (I believe the regular media will soon enough anyway) without additional confirmation. Erick and I have different standards and I believe our readers judge us accordingly.

However, no longer will there be chastisement on this particular issue - for I believe the story Erick tells is essentially true.

CORRECTION: Small change. I said intern when I meant staff. This was simply a case of mind working faster than keyboard. But it was already affecting discussions in the comment section and I regret the error.

Blessed Are The Rumor Mongers

Rumor and innuendo have always been tools of the trade in the muck trenches of politics, but few use them as wickedly as Erick Erickson. If you fall on the wrong side of the witch burner's line, beware - fact, fiction and simple decency will matter little. And if you happen to be a member of his party, prepare for the flames to lick your toes as the kindling is lit.

In May, following Florida Governor Charlie Crist's announcement that he would run for Florida's U.S. Senate seat, Erick issued his writ - Charlie was a liberal in disguise and Rubio was the man. But, Erick did not hold back his witches hammer. Why only point out the ideological divide when you can also tarnish the man's reputation with accusations of non-existent scandals.

Will we go with tanned, telegenic tax hikers with dubious personal issues, or young, telegenic conservative reformers who are not afraid to speak up for freedom?

Charlie is many things, but scandal ridden is not one of them. I asked Erick a simple question - 'what personal issues?' He did not reply. Why stick around to clarify, when you can watch the results of your myth grenade from a safe distance?

Now, he has taken aim at Georgia's Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.

If nothing else, there is clearly an undercurrent of desire for people to get him gone on the grounds that whatever was bad enough to stop him from running for Governor was bad enough to keep him from running for Lt. Governor.

Last I checked, the reason Cagle got out of the race was he needed to undergo potentially paralyzing back surgery.

Of course, like Charlie, rumors have always swirled around Cagle. It is often the case with people in power. But also like Charlie, they have remained nothing but rumors. This fact does not matter to the witch burners. In the fevered eyes of the zealot, guilt, innocence, justice, truth matter far less than the need for purification. After all, they have to be guilty of something, right?

Robot Republicans

The metaphors of Republicans as robots run wild.

Joseph Campbell would be proud.

Gonzo Lawmakers

DAY 2

* Audio's working today. That's good.

* And the glitch-free live broadcast didn't last long. Nwandi Lawson is not on the set.

* Eggs and Issues breakfast called a "tasty event". Oh my.

* The breakfast has a clear podium which looks a little bizarre. Hope everyone's socks match. Governor Perdue doesn't look comfortable with that much exposure.

* Protestors at the Capitol. Seems early for the picketing to start. They don't want Georgia Power to get money for power plants before they are finished.

* Ahhh the protestors purpose becomes clear. They're anti-nuke and the two new plants are nuke. They are holding large pink cardboard cooling towers that vaguely look like pigs with lipstick. Points for the clever.

* One protestor claims they're worried about the cancer. Republican Don Balfour disagrees and seems a little incredulous at the reasoning. Maybe later in the session we'll get anti-cell phone protestors.

* Senate Democrat Robert Brown - "This is not the time to whine". He's talking about the lack of committee chairs from the minority party. We're hearing a lot of "unity" talk this session.

* Rep. Cecil Staton (shout out to crazy Macon!) re-affirms the need for trauma centers. Despite the budget crunch there seems to be a lot of push behind some programs that are going to cost big bucks.

* More Casey! Speaker Richardson's gonna have harsh words for GPB if this continues. Once again, no gun brouhahas to muddy the waters.

* Oh lord. Lawmakers is one hour tomorrow. I'm going to get carpal tunnel.

* Reporters are so bored they've already started talking to lobbyists. Those guys and gals will talk to anyone. I even had one talk to me last year. Once he got past his skepticism, he gave me quite an earful.

* Back to the breakfast. The editing on this is giving me whiplash. More Casey! Is the equal time clause still in effect or did that go the way of the Fairness Doctrine dodo? I may have to start a running clock on Casey time.

*Nwandi!

* More lobbyists! Lord help us, it's D.A. King! We're already down to talking to the firebrands (I'm trying to be kind here)? We have 38 more days of this mess?

* South Cobb band playing. They're going to the inauguration, you know.

* The Casey time is explained. They are having technical issues showing the tape of the other speakers at the breakfast. Solution? More Casey!

* Load up the whole interview and let it roll! Seven minutes with the Lt. Gov. Now that's how you stretch during a glitch. And with the end of our daily Casey Time, that's a wrap.

What Is Goin' On: Casey Cagle Interview

Lt. Governor Cagle was once again on Wilson's show.

Water dominated the conversation with the Lt. Gov. attempting to explain the controversial state water plan.

Take a listen here.

What Is Goin' On: Casey Cagle Interview

Listen to a fascinating interview with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle on What Is Goin' On.

Lt. Governor Cagle addresses the state water plan (possibly the most important issue you've never heard about) and the Glenn Tax (you know that little thing everyone is talking about).

I'm going to spend some time researching Cagle's numbers on the amount of water the state receives. Never heard these before and I'm curious. You know the old saying about statistics.