Same media, different president

You know, I really had high hopes that some of the massive right-wing influence on the mainstream corporate media might have been neutralized, or at the very least lessened, by the advent of a new administration: the Democratic, truth-based, transparent administration of President Obama.

My hopes were dashed today, though, following the first press briefing by new White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, when CNN's White House correspondent Ed Henry and the ubiquitous Leslie "Wolf" Blitzer criticized Gibbs on "The Situation Room" for evading questions. Now, granted, I expect that from the wingnut propaganda outlet and porn site Faux News -- and naturally they didn't let me down -- but the others are piling on, too.

I watched most of the presser, and I actually found Gibbs to be both engaging and informative, certainly far more so than his predecessor, Barbie Dana Perino. But of course they can't possibly acknowledge that on teevee! That would be sacrilege to their right-wing masters!

So, the more things change, the more they stay the same ... guess we'd better buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Tuesday pictures, part one

Herewith, a compendium of scenes, silliness, and sanctimony from yesterday in and around Denver:

When someone tells you to "meet at the big bear," they really mean it.

I counted fourteen (14) Huggy Bear supporters protesting outside the Convention Center. How quaint.

What if you threw a fear-mongering, riot-gear-clad, free-speech-suppressing party and nobody came?

I think it is categorically impossible to photograph Al Sharpton without his mouth open. (I keed, Al -- love ya! Mean it!)

A couple of the major cable news networks have occupied restaurants adjacent to the Pepsi Center, inside the secured perimeter. Here's CNN's brick shithouse.

The main entrance to the Pepsi Center.

Avoid the Blitzer Burger at all costs. Trust me on this one.

ABC and Al-Jazeera -- a match made in media heaven.

If you think Mo Rocca's jacket is bad, you should have seen his shoes.

Here's the view from the Florida delegation's seats.

First look at the Pepsi Center

I'm sitting right now at the German Press Agency's seat in the Pepsi Center. I've been roaming around the floor for the last hour or so, including an appearance on PaxLive. It's pretty cool. Except the live band is so fucking loud!

I saw Bill Hemmer, Dana Bash, Wolf Blitzer, and the rest of the Hitler Youth.

Bill Hemmer and Blonde Bimbo #3 ... or maybe #4 (how do you tell them apart?), from Fox News. No, the picture isn't blurry; they actually are blurry. That's how they can keep blurring the truth the way they do.

Here's an insider's secret: Gov. David Paterson of New York is speaking right now, and because not all of the N.Y. delegation is here, they were running around supplementing from other states, including Florida. So the huge roar when Gov. Paterson was introduced? Yeah, kinda like the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies ...