I recently had a conversation with an ignorant dude about talking to the media. (I talk to the media)
“Yeah but sometimes the media publishes classified information,” he said.
They do and they would likely publish a lot more if I didn’t talk to them.
“They’re biased, all you’re doing is helping them write the story,” he said.
We’re all biased, friend. I’m a representative of, and therefore I help, the U.S. Government, our military and our organization.
“You’re basically talking to the enemy, and you seem to enjoy it,” he said.
The media is not our enemy, and I do enjoy taking action to support my organization and mission. You can’t handle the truth.
You don’t want the truth, because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me to talk to the media — you need me to talk to the media.
We use words like “truth,” “facts,” “off-the-record.” We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it.
I would rather that you just said “thank you,” and went on your way.
My job is to work with the media, to represent our organization’s interests in the public and help protect America. Thanks to our founding fathers, we live in a free country with an independent media. Get used to it, enjoy it. Don’t hate the players, hate the game and move to a country without freedom if your dismay for public affairs inclines you to.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Asselta
