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Door swings both ways on political respect

The Nov. 24 column from Kathleen Parker reinforces the public's low opinion of the media. Her tirade on Sarah Huckabee for simply asking if the press could share their thankfulness before asking a question, according to Ms. Parker, was beyond reason. Really!

That is a tough one to answer. But when the shoe is on the other foot, and 50 to 100 reporters badger and find it almost playful to rip and tear at every word coming out of the press secretary's mouth, it is described as their First Amendment right. And it is, but then again, so is it the press secretary's. Most of the press that is present at daily press conferences owe their living to this job. They ask questions which they already know the answer to, hoping to get a slightly different answer, to create a justification for their existence.

I would suggest that all questions be written on a card dropped into a barrel and spun and the press secretary will pull out five or six to answer. It will eliminate the screaming and utterly insulting manner in which these conferences are currently conducted. As for the tough question Sarah Huckabee posed to reporters. I am reminded of the quote from President Truman, "If you can't handle the heat, don't go into the kitchen."

This works both ways as well.

Richard Francke

Bartlett

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