U.S. Question to Glenn Greenwald: Why Can’t You Be More Like Harvey Levin?
Judging by the U.S. government’s actions with regard to Glenn Greenwald publishing documents revealing the depth and breadth of the National Security Agency, (NSA,) surveillance programs, both foreign and domestic, we’d say President Obama’s initial statements of disinterest in the activities of the principles in the scandal wasn’t entirely truthful.
“A cantankerous press, an obstinate press, a ubiquitous press must be suffered by those in authority in order to preserve the even greater values of freedom of expression and the right of the people to know.” ~ Judge Murray Gurfein, Pentagon Papers case, June 17, 1971
The U.S. leader and all the alphabet agencies, including those not directly involved in the intelligence (??) camflamma, are on the look out for new ways to try to intimidate journalist and constitutional law expert Glenn Greenwald, as well as David Miranda, Greenwald’s partner; documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras, former NSA contractor turned whistle blower Ed Snowden, encrypted email service companies or nearly anyone who has had even cursory contact with the disclosures causing public disgrace for the Obama administration.
We imagined during our staff meeting, what the government’s representatives would say if they were to have a candid conversation with Glenn Greenwald, the American political commentator, lawyer, columnist, blogger, and author caught up in the drama.
We think the government would ask the question: “Why can’t you be more like Harvey Levin?” – the owner and creator of TMZ. We imagine hearing someone like the Repuglican Representative Peter T. King of New York, the former chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, still a member of the body, asking plaintively, “Why can’t you be more like Harvey? He’s the kinda gay Jew we like.”
Levin is an American television producer, lawyer, legal analyst and a celebrity reporter. He is the founder of the tabloid celebrity gossip website TMZ.com, and the television show “TMZ on TV”.
In our fantasy version of Congressman Peter King speaking to Glenn Greenwald, we hear King explain:
“The implication is this: if you are a Jewish man, who has the disadvantages of being educated as a lawyer, and a journalist, who is also gay, consider limiting your area of reporting to items of little significance– puff pieces, fluff. Report about the lighter side of the news.
“Whatever you do, do not buck the system by loudly criticizing the government’s policies. We like Harvey Levin.
“Gossip about celebrities is acceptable to be covered by a gay man…think Perez Hilton or some other homosexual who receives international attention because of the sensational items reported in his gossip blog.”
In other words fill one of the stereotypical roles of gay male as a meddlesome, gossip who irritates others without doing harm and since you are Jewish in Yiddish a yenta.
In our imagination our Peter King would say :
“Follow the cues of President Obama himself. He’s been sounding a bit gossip girl lately. Talking about Kimye, (Kanye West and Kim Kardashian) or Jay-Z and Beyonce or Common. Get yourself a new cute doggie, endorse revising the vicious canine reputation of a specific breed of dog as pet; begin legal promotions declaring the breed of dog safe with assurances like ‘as in used in Guantanamo’ or ‘Bagram tested’ or ‘Abu Gharab approved’. ”
“Incite media speculation your wife or boyfriend had a facelift, liposuction and butt reduction. Personal elective surgery is of great interest to many people. These are all urgently important need to know news items.
“Talk about gay rights, and mind your own business (MYOB).
“Anything else, you don’t need to know about. If it’s secret, there’s reason. We’re protecting you from the terrorists, Sucker.”
“The security of the Nation is not at the ramparts alone. Security also lies in the value of our free institutions.” ~ Judge Murray Gurfein, Pentagon Papers case, June 17, 1971