"One cannot hope to bribe or twist,
Thank God, the British journalist.
But knowing what the chap will do
Unbribed, there is no reason to."
Don't know who said that, and OK, Rupert Murdoch is, I believe, Australian, but what the hell. Close enough. Murdoch's media monster, News Corp., has been implicated in cell phone hacking, invasions of privacy, police bribery, and political intrigues. It's hardly a revelation -- sooner or later, everything this tabloid schlockmeister touches winds up covered in scum.
This time, it's resulted in the closure of the 168-year old London Sunday rag, the News Of The World. The scandal has cost jobs, market share, stock price, and what little credibility News Corp. had before this brouhaha. It may yet ensnare British P.M. David Cameron, who had 26 personal meetings with the Murdoch family prior to his recent election.
Feeling the heat, Murdoch slapped together a puff-piece faux "interview" in the Wall Street Journal, the formerly respected business daily now owned by Murdoch. In it, he earnestly proclaims his company's ignorance and innocence. Nobody knew nuthin'. Right!
Not enough. His empire in jeopardy, Murdoch today made acts of contrition by running treacly "We Are Sorry" ads/articles in many U.K. newspapers. More are sure to follow. Might work, might not.
Buster recommends that Rupert follow this simple two-step process:
1. Eat crow.
2. Eat shit!