This is a story of the New Untouchables, the Top 1% of the 1%. That's the top 0.01% if you're following at home. (For more tales of the Ruling Class and their arms, try this.)
At the level of these guys, it's all one club, whether in government or out, nominal Democrat or nominal Republican, nominal American or nominal Not. Their feet never touch the ground, flowers are strewn before them when they walk, and the rabble allowed in their presence are slapped if they don't know their place.
Who enforces those rules? In a kingdom (say, the Saudi Kingdom), it's the Retainers, the Top 0.5%, who work to keep the overlords in their place.
In the U.S., apparently, it's the National Press Club.
Here's a perfect example. Via Jeremy Scahill comes this report of how the Elite protects the Elite — in this case, how the Power Press covers for the Powerful.
Remember, the National Press Club is the press organization, and their meetings are real press conferences, not just buddy-boy (and girl) lunches — though they are that too.
The whole story is here. The journalist who got in trouble asked this question of that day's guest, Saudi Prince Turki (my emphasis, links in the transcript):
Husseini: There’s been a lot of talk about the legitimacy of the Syrian regime, I want to know what legitimacy your regime has sir. You come before us, representative of one of the most autocratic, misogynistic regimes on the face of the earth. Human Rights Watch and other reports of torture detention of activist, you squelched the democratic uprising in Bahrain, you tried to overturn the democratic uprising in Egypt and indeed you continue to oppress your own people. What legitimacy does you[r] regime have — other than billions of dollars and weapons?Strong stuff, but perfectly fair. And accurate — check the links.
The very same day Husseini was suspended. At issue was "House Rule 4." From the letter Husseini received (my emphasis):
“House Rule No. 4 states: ‘Boisterous and unseemly conduct or language in or about the Club premises or in connection with any Club-sponsored event is prohibited. ... “This matter will be review ed [sic] by the Club’s Ethics Committee. A meeting will be scheduled prior to the end of your two week suspension to discuss your conduct and the violation.That sounds like "Repent in two weeks or you're out" to me, but I'm not in that club, so I don't know their code.
Perfect, isn't it? Bush holds hands with Saudi princes as president, and they invest in his private-citizen schemes in return. Obama picks up the torch (if not the strolling palms), as did every other president before him who had the chance.
And when someone asks the prince an obvious question — one that would have been applauded had it been directed at one of our current Tabloid Demons (Chavez, for example, or anyone else it's OK to hate) — he gets slapped down. By whom? By his own press club. For the crime of being ... the press.
Their check is in the mail, I guarantee it — good for twelve more units of access and a two-step jump in career advancement. Retainer food.
GP
