"Stenographers of power"

Retreat from the corridors of power in a democracy is NOT how "they win". Giving up privilege for the sake of your values is a key element of integrity and your own freedom.

A responsible journalist reports what he thinks is the important story. When the stories of the War Dept become less important than the lack of transparency of the War Dept as the government conducts the "people's business", which do you endeavor to report? The War Dept propaganda? Or do you confer and coordinate with others to determine what's important and about the visible edge of policy as it relates to what's important?

If you are confused about what's important, or don't know, then no sense in lamenting anything but your own lack of clarity.

Can you connect with someone who is closer to the clarity you need?

Ultimately, your society is as good you are; if you believe it can be better, do so, otherwise what's the point of your travail?

So is you think the WH Presscorp are becoming factotums or automatons (which they are and become by design) and you can no longer work as such, then meet people who are a step away from the presscorp and report on them.

Freedom is building the story at whatever proximity to power and depth that you can muster.

Determined creativity and insight will find a home, and if not, you died trying.

Maybe along the way you will discover that contrary to all the cultural hyperbole that you are not free?

Or maybe that you are freer than you can manage?

Try ordinary existential reasoning: work with what's at hand, take responsibility for your work, hold yourself to account, stand up for your values. Such orientation was once core a conservative principle.

Unfortunately, it seems that due to a combination new media, inter generational confusion, intellectual laziness, and childish greed, what once was common sense conservative principle has been abandoned for the spoils of reactionary political mania.

It may take another generation or so to rediscover a value system.

Opinion: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon press pass