CLEVELAND, Ohio — Some folks credit the release of the movie “All the President’s Men” with sending a generation of college students pouring into journalism schools across the country in the mid-1970s.
Being instrumental in throwing a profoundly corrupt president out of office seemed like a glamorous career choice worth pursuing.
President “Tricky Dick” Nixon was a bogeyman straight out of central casting. He seemed kind of crazy and deeply paranoid. He was so sure people were out to get him that in 1973 he drew up an “Enemies List.” The list contained the names of politicians, journalists and even Hollywood actors he feared.
Being on Nixon’s enemies list was a badge of honor for the journalists who made the honor roll. Broadcast journalist Daniel Schorr, who broke the story on the enemies list, cherished his inclusion as a career highlight.
The current occupant of the White House has declared everyone in the media an “enemy of the American people.” So while it’s not exactly an exclusive group, it is something to be proud of. Or is it? Does it come with a price?
Here is a list of pros and cons about being declared an “enemy of the American people.”
Pro: Finally, something new to put on the top of a 38-year old resume.
Con: Fear of being publicly lynched while covering political rallies.
Pro: Catchy title for my career autobiography — “I Was an Enemy of the American People.”
Con: New reason to be pulled over by police without cause.
Pro: It might help me close the deal on that vacation condo in Cancun.
Con: I could wind up being traded in a Mexican/American prisoner exchange for El Chapo.
Pro: Inspire my future writing and reporting.
Con: Get me audited by the IRS.
Pro: Improve my popularity with liberal college readers.
Con: Who am I kidding?
Pro: Allow me to wear one of those fedoras with a PRESS sign in the hatband.
Con: Get me laughed out of the produce section of Heinen’s.
Pro: Finally have a legitimate security reason to buy that Glock 9-millimeter I’ve always wanted.
Con: I will probably blow off my big toe off cleaning the thing.
Pro: Garner me much-needed respect from the reading public.
Con: No more Christmas cards from Steve Bannon.
Pro: Might help me avoid future layoffs in the newspaper industry.
Con: Who am I kidding?
Pro: Give me bragging rights forever.
Con: Probably wreck my chances of being appointed to the post of diplomat in American Samoa.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
