It seems that if you are "one of them" it's very easy

[The_Casual_Observer]

to gain access and privilege without the slightest bit of scrutiny. "gannon" and that homeland security candidate are two current examples. The security apparatus/vetting process is absolutely laughable. It's as if there are so few responsible people who are willing to go along with the party line that they are forced to use shitty people instead.

[Redleg]

1. Very good point. Kind of like the good old boy system in the U.K.

that allowed British Soviety agents like Kim Philby to penetrate British intelligence services. The good old boy network of Oxford and Cambridge got them the jobs with little actual vetting.

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. Under the circumstances it would appear that a determined

assassin or otherwise wrong doer would simply have to appear to be an ultra loyal rw nut to end up in close quarters shaking hands all around, at the parties.

[Redleg]

6. Say no more. I wouldn't want the goons to show up at your house

tonight because of this.

[leveymg]

3. Kinda like that Repub, rich looking old guy who crashes Inaugurals

and passes a dime to the President. Meanwhile, Amy Goodman can't get onto an airplane in the US without being strip-searched.

There have always been shitty people floating near the top of he bowl. Some of them go on to become journalists.

Go figure.

[peacetalksforall]

4. Has the Talon News birth been discussed on DU?

My theory...ignore if already presented. Consider:

Instead of a long established GOPUSA starting a news service, Talon News, then hiring the most qualified reporter applicant...Jeff Gannon, (aka his other name)......

why not...this:

Jeff Gannon has an 'in' with a higher up (or higher ups). He or they or all of them come up with the idea that Gannon could pose as a journalist. They then go out and contact the good old Eberle GOP operatives and owner/owners of GOPUSA and ask them to sponsor a Talon News with a pre-picked staff...Gannon and some questionable writers.

Perhaps the Director of Personnel for Bush arranged for GOPUSA to set it up (since she was married to a GOPUSA BOD member?

GOPUSA was a loyal and useful operative for the admin who helped the White House and provided the notorious one with a job (because someone thought he was intelligent enough and they wanted to pull a fast one on more professional journalists and us)?

[Warpy]

5. Ideological purity and blind loyalty to Fuckwit and his family

are the only two criteria. Look at what he's been appointing to high office.

Anyone with a shred of integrity has already left this bunch.

However, in Guckert's case, they were looking for a shill. Why Guckert? Small town flyover country is full of cub reporters who belonged to their college's Young Republican club or the equivalent who would love to catch a break from the great man and would do anything he asked. Such a creature wouldn't have required the creation of a phony news service.

My best guess is that somebody knew it all, that Guckert's got a sugar daddy in there somewhere.