Journalism: 0 Wacky Press Tricks: 2

Just when I think I can handle two contradictory ideas playing pool in my head, I discover that the multiconceptualizing refs are World Cup soccer retirees. Octavia Nasr was fired from CNN for tweeting that it was sad someone died. That someone happened to be a person rumored to have inspired some seriously bad guys, so that is definitely grounds for dismissal after twenty years. 20 years. Jingoism and freaking social networking trumps human. Nasr is a good journalist; one of the few genuine reporters at CNN. Now she's looking for a job, but the talking hairdo Wolf Blitzer still has one. And what's his name is still dead.

The author of Shadow Elite, Janine Wedel, and Linda Keenan blog on Huffington Post titled "Shadow Elite: Has the Obama Organizing Machine Staged a Party Takeover?" The post refers to Ms. Wedel as though she's an interviewee, but she's bylined on the blog. Weird. In her book, she charts a "new system of influence that's emerged in recent decades," but the description covers the way political influence has worked for centuries all over the world. OFA, claims the post, has used its volunteer base to "achieve policy goals once in office." In support of this conspiracy theory, the post cites a "much-talked-about" NYT magazine article. Two sources "confirmed" this OFA outreach spooky action at a distance mess to Janine.

I'm reminded of Captain Renault in Casablanca who is shocked - shocked - to discover gambling is going on at Rick's, as he pockets his winnings.

And, most egregious of all - the President's communication with supporters gives him 24/7 access to 'the people' without a pesky middleman - a reporter or other watchdog - to analyze the message."

Damn people, thinking their own thoughts, forming their own conclusions unaided.

And quoting Ari Melber of The Nation, "Scholars, commentators and members of Congress have raised concerns about how presidents increasingly make appeals directly to the public, rather than working directly with the representative branch of government."

Oy! There's more, but this is all I can handle. If OFA is a conspiracy, tick it spam and be done. That's how democracy by the people works. Don't bother us with promoting your book by spookifying another organization. It's no wonder there's so much bipolar disorder diagnosed with this polarizing bull proliferating.