Prefabricated News is the New "Impartial"

When the center no longer holds, and it all starts falling apart, the last remaining rats will claw at each other for hate's sake.

The media's meltdown is in full swing, and Dana Milbank of the Washington Post ridicules his peers and his profession, especially when it comes to the planted question from the far-Left HuffPo at yesterday's love-in/news conference:

The use of planted questioners is a no-no at presidential news conferences, because it sends a message to the world -- Iran included -- that the American press isn't as free as advertised. But yesterday wasn't so much a news conference as it was a taping of a new daytime drama The Obama Show." Missed yesterday's show? Don't worry: On Wednesday, ABC News will be broadcasting "Good Morning America" from the South Lawn (guest stars: the president and first lady), "World News Tonight" from the Blue Room, and a prime-time feature with Obama from the East Room.

Well, based on your follow-up, the press here obviosuly isn't as free as advertised. But love is a handcuff that the smitten would rather be dragged around by, rather than set free of:

Some had come just for a glimpse of celebrity. And they wanted to know all about him. " As a former smoker, I understand the frustration and the fear that comes with quitting," McClatchy News's Margaret Talev empathized with the president before asking him how much he smokes.

A couple of more questions and Obama called it a day. "Mr. President!" yelled Mike Allen of Politico. "May I ask about Afghanistan? No questions about Iraq or Afghanistan?"

Sorry: Those weren't prearranged.

Milbank confesses that his compatriots are no longer news gathers, but willing players in prefabricated "news" conferences where issues not comfortable to power are either ignored or laughed off.

Of course, ABC is the most "willing player" in news fabrication that has yet to come along in Obama's brief reign (but it's early, folks). This morning, in the beginning of the network's partnership with the president on nationalizing health care, this outlandish claim went unchallenged:

"We're dealing here in Washington with an enormous federal deficit and debt that is largely driven by health care costs. So, whether it's families, business or government, we know that we're going to have to reform this system," he said.

What about the $1 trillion plus you added on the the $300 billion left by Bush, none of which had any relevence to health care whatsoever?

But don't worry, ABC will be on the case! We know, because they say are "promising" a:

"...thoughtful, respectful, and probing discussion of some of the issues raised by the calls for health-care reform.”
“We will include a variety of perspectives coming from private individuals asking the President questions and taking issue with him, as they see fit,”

Doesn't seem like you've taken any issue on the first big whopper served up by the president.

But hey - we understand. Got to follow the script....