Irony

Irony: (1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result (2) : an event or result marked by such incongruity b : incongruity between a situation developed in a drama and the accompanying words or actions that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play -- called also dramatic irony, tragic irony


Picture courtesy of azcentral.com.

The AZ Republic has run a series of articles about Don Bolles, his work, his assassination, and the aftermath to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the murder.

Yet, in the same paper runs a piece about how legislators, specifically Rick Renzi (R-AZ1), along with the USAG Alberto Gonzales, want to prosecute journalists who publish classified information. Even if that information concerns fraud or criminal activity on the part of government officials.

Further, the Supreme Court ruled today that supervisors can retaliate against government employees who raise concerns about their agencies and their activities. They may have phrased it a little differently ( "employees cannot sue over retaliation",) but the decision gives carte blanche to government agency managers to harass, discriminate against, and/or professionally destroy whistleblowers.

And not a word of outrage from the AZ Republic. Maybe they're too busy patting themselves on the back for someone else's sacrifice to notice that his death may ultimately have been in vain.

If Don Bolles was born 30 years later, his work wouldn't have resulted in his murder, just his imprisonment. That's if he could even find the leads any good investigative reporter needs.

I'll have a shorter, snarkier post concerning the state of investigative reporting in metro Phoenix later tonight or tomorrow.