Romney, Rude AP Reporter Clash

Apparently, AP reporter Glenn Johnson slept through the part of Journalism 101 where they taught that reporters cover the news, and don't try to become part of the news. And oh, Glenn--tidy up a bit, will you?

Video: Media Demands Copies of Tennessee Judge's Fantasy Torture Tape

A couple of years ago, Tennessee Circuit Court Judge John Hagler made a very foolish mistake: he decided to put his torture fantasies on tape. He's now resigned, but a major mystery remains: who ratted him out to the media?

This torturous tale took two years to be outed. His just-fired secretary originally found the tape and turned it over to law enforcement. She claimed she thought it was real. (She apparently was not a graduate of the Rosemary Woods school of secretaries--and oh, no, she wasn't angry about getting fired, just being a good citizen.)

At one point, officials wondered if the tape was linked to the murder of priest Marty Davis. Hagler, however, was cleared of any suspicions.

Then how did the tape suddenly surface? It seems that Hagler had recently ruled against the Bradley County Sheriff's Department in a bitter lawsuit that sought more money for raises, personnel and other expenses.

The Bradley County Bar Association now has asked for an investigation of how the tape was released--and why. And, on the prurient interest beat, the Chattanooga Times Free Press is leading a media charge to get the tape released, citing "freedom of information."

Judge admits he made 'fantasy' torture tape

Drew Peterson: My Attorney Made Me Do It

Poor Drew Peterson. The guy who a few days ago said "I'm a media sensation" now whines about how he's suffering with the media attention.

That, of course, is after he did the People Magazine gig.

But, when asked why he was talking to the media almost non-stop, Peterson once again sloughed off responsibility. He claimed his attorney "made" him.

Astute reporters asked why he had done so many interviews before attorney Joel Brodsky, who himself has serious credibility issues, "made" him do interviews. No real answer there.

It's obvious that there's now a whirlwind of repackaging Drew Peterson. In this interview, he says that he's a jokester, and that he hides his pain with jokes and laughing.

When directly asked "what is your hurt and pain?" Peterson doesn't hesitate a millisecond with his answer.

"My hurt and pain is all the media in front of my house," he snapped.

Luckily, a reporter reminded him of missing fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, and asked him if he felt any pain about that. Oh yea, Peterson, quick to catch up, said. Sure thing.

Peterson also had a good laugh when he said: "I'd really like to mess with you guys (ed: the media) but I'm being held back."

Peterson and Brodsky are messing with the media. Brodsky, who briefly lost his law license in a scandal involving a client's funds, couldn't wait to run to the media with the anonymous letter claiming the sighting of Stacy in Peoria.

The game is afoot, as Sherlock would say. And Brodsky's game is to market Drew as a really nice guy whose suffering from the media--not the missing wife--is immense. The second offensive ploy is to tar Stacy's reputation. The second tactic is standard sleazy fare when a woman is the victim.

As for Peterson's claims that his attorney "made" him do all those interviews: give us a break. Peterson, despite that one firing, brags he's been a cop for more than 30 years. He's a father.

He knows the word "no."

But Peterson, showing his scorn for the women in his life, the public, the police, and the media, isn't going to give up the media spotlight. After all, he likes "messing with" people.

Still to come: the result of investigations into Peterson's actions as a Bolingbrook police sergeant. Although Peterson raced to grab retirement, officials have said that serious charges of misconduct on the job could divest him of his $72,000 a year pension.

The photo of Peterson is by John Smierciak of the Chicago Tribune. Smierciak has done some excellent work in covering this case.

Fox News: Open for Business

Fox News debuted its newest venture, Fox Business Channel (FBC), today.

What's it all about, Alfie? If you listen to Media Matters and other liberal pundits, you'd believe that the new venture is the coming of the Anti-Christ. Fangs out, they've pre-criticized:

"..viewers can expect from the Fox Business Network team: rampant falsehoods, statements praising the Bush administration, suggestive questioning, scantily clad women, and celebrities discussing the news of the day."

This is, of course, in comparison to rampant falsehoods praising liberal leaders, suggestive and combative questioning, scantily clad women, and celebrities now available on other primetime channels. Even before the venture launched, some pots readily clattered about calling a new kettle black--even before it was unwrapped and hung over the stove.

What is the new venture like? I checked out their new website. It's red, gold, and glitzy. And right now, a bit glitchy.

My registration didn't process. One story had open coding in it. The detachable markets tracker didn't detach.

The top of the front page offers three marquee-style headlines. If you choose "more news," the marquee flips to another story. Click "more news" again, and you're back to the first story. Apparently, the three marquee headers are intended to only flip back and forth between two stories in each panel, somewhat like hypertext ping pong paddles.

Other content includes polls, business tools (calculators, etc.), "partner content," and advertising. In short, pretty much like the rest of the pack.

Given that their content so far is pretty much standard, it's obvious that Media Matters and the liberals are really upset about only one thing: Fox Business may deviate from the pack and not offer a liberal bias. And that, of course, would be awful, whereas a liberal stew is godly and good.

Pass me a platter of objectivity, please.