(Would somebody please call 911 and direct an ambulance to my parents' home, as I'm sure they're both suffering cardiac arrest.)

So Karl Rove spoke at Maryland liberal arts Washington College on Monday, where when a student asked him about the whole "liberal media" thing he said, "I'm not sure I've talked about the liberal media. I think it's less liberal than it is oppositional."

He goes on:

"Reporters now see their role less as discovering facts and fair-mindedly reporting the truth and more as being put on the earth to afflict the comfortable, to be a constant thorn of those in power, whether they are Republican or Democrat."

OK Karl, clearly I don't agree that we see our "role less as discovering facts and fair-mindedly reporting," but I definitely have to go with you on the "constant thorn of those in power" thing. The press definitely serves as a nuissance to those in power - an agitator. The media should keep 'em on their feet, for sure.

In fact, I wonder why you haven't connected the dots - that these days "discovering the facts" and "fair-minded reporting" involves agitating those in power.

A White House administration that's broken all sorts of records stifling media access. An administration that balks at propping its poster boy up on the podium, at the mercy of the press hounds, reluctant to offer real info during a point in our history when we need it more than ever.

Two weeks ago, Nicole Devinish, Communications Director for the White House and an alum of our program, paid the newsroom a visit for about 30 minutes. She reports directly to Dubya, and I diplomatically challenged her on this issue.

(I mean, we joke about J-school grads who stray to the "dark side" of PR and Communications...but Jesus, how do you top this?)

Anyways, Nicole didn't deny that Bush is not comfortable giving press conferences. Her softball answer was basically that Bush "isn't Clinton" - he prefers other forums, i.e. table discussions and sit-down interviews.

I was glad though, because despite the lame answer it was clear a few minutes in that she was here to learn how her boss is perceived by the younger press generation just as much as she was here to dispense advice.

And the bunch of us - liberals, moderates and conservatives - all took her boss to task.

(Gently.)

Speaking of agitators, I dedicate this post to Frosty - who thinks I'm posting a lot 'cause I have nothing to do.