As they say, he who is without sin cast
the first stone. The Brogden attempted suicide bid has produced great reams of
self-absorbed pious drivel. Oh, what short memories we all have.

Let’s start first with the politicians. On both
sides, internal critics will sink the boot in when the geezer is down. It’s just the
way it is in the miserable industry. They do it and they thrive doing it. Latham
copped it from the same Libs that ran down Brogden. And some. I didn’t hear
much complaint from the Libs at that time. Or for that matter, from Labor.
Apparently, when you’re on the receiving end it’s unfair and inappropriate. But when you dish it
out, it’s strategy and tactical.

Ah yes, I hear you say. That bloke Latham.
Remember him? How quickly we forget that he copped it savagely. Inside,
outside, wherever he turned. I can’t recollect many in the industry – Media,
Labor or Liberal – defending his right to be left alone and get well with his
family. Nope. It was open season. You eat what you kill.

So to the media. Let’s be honest, some
journos are p*ssed they didn’t fire first. There is all sorts of
revisionism
now, but really, that’s the crux of the matter. The broadsheets are
relishing
attacking a tabloid, but when the tabloid was parked outside Latham’s
house and
following him everywhere, where was the broadsheet outrage then? And
Glen Byres reminded us yesterday that it was the broadsheets that
kicked off the
story about Latham and the invisible buck’s night video.

Then we have personal responsibility. The
tabloid never touched the journos up, never said what Brogden said about Helena
Carr. He did it – and if you believe in responsibility then he copped what he
deserved. Just ask Ross Cameron. At least Ross never blamed others. Action and real
responsibility mean more than words.

And as far as the debate as to what is on-
or off-the-record, you have got to be kidding. The industry lives on gossip,
grope and grog. It’s just pathetic. You are just as likely to see a pissed
female journo hitting up so called political players as the other way round. Go
to the bars in Kingston/Manuka on a Wednesday night when parliament sits and
see for yourself. Grog, gossip and grope is the performance enhancer of the
game. And it doesn’t matter if you’re male, female, Labor, Lib, politician or
journo, they enjoy it. It makes them what they are.