Did you hear the one about the staged press conference down in Washington the other day? Just when you think things can't get any weirder, the good folks at FEMA decide to hold a press-free press conference regarding the fires in California.
I haven't caught the video, but according to reports I've read, the transcript goes something like this:
Fake Reporter (in show business, they call them "shills"):
"Mr. Secretary, how do you manage to fight fires and be such a huge dream-boat at the same time?"
FEMA Guy: "That's a good question Phil. You know, it's hard, but so rewarding. Thanks for coming down here today."
Legit press got all of 15 minutes notice to show up, assuring the administration that no reporters would be present. The shills were all FEMA employees, and from what I can glean, the questions were all pre-screened by the guy answering the questions.
Pretty bizarre, huh?
Shakespeare was no stranger to this kind of cowardice among the powerful--200 years before the Bill of Rights he explored some very dirty stuff in the wonderfully rich play "Measure for Measure." The fair but imperfect (and lonely) Duke takes time off to live among the regular people in disguise as a priest, leaving his duties to Mr. Law and Order, who turns out to be Mr. Sexual Sadist Nutball.
Shakespeare's examination of this hypocrisy in power is very creepy and modern... I urge everyone to give it a read.
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