And in opposite world…

Image by Chris Riddell of the Guardian

Ed Pilkington, The Guardian:

The Wall Street Journal has attempted to redirect the criticism that has been levelled against its owner, Rupert Murdoch, against the journalists who uncovered the illegal phone hacking and bribery at the News of the World.

In an angry unsigned editorial, the paper accuses the Guardian and the BBC of driving the phone hacking story for “commercial and ideological motives”. It implies that the Guardian did not have the right to make “lectures about journalistic standards” because of this newspaper’s involvement in publishing the WikiLeaks embassy cables.
…
The editorial provoked an instant outpouring of comment on Twitter, much of it unfavourable. As one tweet, by Jesse Elsinger, put it: “Best adj to use for this WSJ editorial: delusional, oedipal, sycophantic or craven?”

I vote for psychotic.

There is almost nothing on this story at FreeRepublic. That tells you just how big this story is.

BTW, one correction:

Articles in the Guardian of Tuesday 12 July incorrectly reported that the Sun newspaper had obtained information on the medical condition of Gordon Brown’s son from his medical records. In fact the information came from a different source and the Guardian apologises for its error (The Brown files: How Murdoch papers targeted ex-PM’s family, 12 July, page 1; When Brown decided that the Sun was out to destroy him politically, 12 July, page 2).

Whatever. It was scummy to publish an article about a sick child, even if the information was obtained legally.

London’s Top Cop Resigns, Rebekah Brooks Arrested In Murdoch Phone Hack Scandal

The implosion of News International continues apace.

Exhibit A:

Rebekah Brooks has been arrested by police investigating allegations of phone hacking by the News of the World and allegations that police officers were bribed to leak sensitive information.

Exhibit B:

7.33pm: Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has just announced his resignation.

In a press conference he said his position was “in danger of being eclipsed by the ongoing debate by senior officers and the media. And this can never be right.”

And a possible Exhibit C:

7.17pm: Channel 4 News has now has posted its report on the Serious Fraud Office examining News International’s books

Channel 4 News has learnt that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is making preliminary inquiries into News International.

Investigators are looking at many cases involving News International to establish whether a full formal investigation is required.

The former minister Tom Watson, wrote to the SFO’s Director urging him to investigate alleged breaches of Company Law at News International, relating to payments made after the phone hacking scandal. He said the payments were a “gross misuse of shareholders’ money”.

Boom.

Meanwhile, for comedy relief, I give you Senator James DeMint (R-Nutjob) from South Carolina:

Tea party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) Sunday dismissed calls for Congress to hold hearings to find out if Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. had broken U.S. law by hacking phones or bribing police.

Heh. Too late, Jimmers.

“My Number One Goal Is To Not Go To Jail”

From the November 13, 2006 StarTribune:

New members did their work behind closed doors, learning how to get their offices up and running, prepare their budgets, use franking privileges and how to keep abreast of complicated ethics rules.

“My No. 1 goal is to not go to jail,” [Michele] Bachmann said, chuckling.

Ironic, that she’d say that. Especially with the trial of Frank Vennes scheduled for February of next year.