Deep Throat

I realize I am posting this a few days late and it is almost in the we don't care about that anymore department. The question is did it ever make it in to the we care dept. I was born during the Nixon administration, and although I grew up hearing about Watergate and Deep Throat, I have neither read nor seen All the President's Men. I own a book Abuse of Power that is a transcription of the Nixon tapes, but it lies mostly unread. Mainly because 90% of it is boring as hell.

There are a few issues here. Nixon broke the law, lied about breaking the law, and tried to cover up that he broke the law, and he got nailed for it. As did many that worked for him. Mark Felt was the Assistant Director of the FBI. Of the FBI. I had to repeat that in case someone didn't notice. We could argue for hours whether or not a major law enforcement official should ever leak information to the press. Instead we will talk about this particular incident. Motivation is what I am interested in. Did Mark Felt leak this information to Woodward and Bernstein (W&B) because he was aware of serious crimes and was being allowed to prosecute the offenders? Did Mark Felt inform W&B of these crimes because Nixon was at odds with the FBI and trying to limit his independence? Or did Mark Felt turn his back on the Office of the President of the United States because he was passed up for the job of Director of the FBI? Does it make a difference? Absolutely.

Did W&B keep Deep Throat's identity secret because they thought it would make their story more interesting and their book more exciting? Or did they keep his identity secret because they made a promise and wanted to keep their journalistic integrity? Does it make a difference? Oh, yeah! I believe it was the later, because I believe that they are true journalists and not hollywood wannabes. I believe they were out to persue the truth and make this information available to the American public.

Speaking of motivation and integrity, what the fuck is up with Felt's family? Mark Felt is 91 years old and in questionable health. Would it have killed them to wait a couple of years to spit this out. It has been kept secret for over 30 years, you couldn't keep your yap shut for just a couple more. And what the fuck was Mark Felt thinking. He lied to the press, the government, and the American public and then he blurts it out to his fucking family? Only those close to you can betray you. It is the nature of betrayal. If you are going to keep a secret, keep a secret dammit. Back to motivation. A member of his family is quoted in Vanity Fair as saying they do hope the revelation will "make at least enough money to pay some bills". Fuck me people. I hope someone is paying attention, especially someone from the Felt family. If they would have let him die then let W&B break the story, everybody and their grandmother would be trying to get them on TV to talk about his secrets and involvement in the scandal. As is, I hope no one asks them a fucking thing. Not once, not ever. And I certainly hope no one pays them to do it. And Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair. Now there's a bastion of journalism for you. At least Mark Felt had the sense and class to go with a newspaper that actually prints News. Now I may buy a W&B book on the subject, but I hope not to ever line the pockets of the Felt family.

I am not againt being opportunistic. I personally hope to make millions off this ratty ass blog, but I don't plan on pimping out anyone but my self. And maybe this guy.


Good Night and Good Luck.