Woodward's Debt to Deep Throat (Sydney H. Schanberg of "The Killing Fields" tells Woodward: pay up)

The Village Voice ^ | June 21st, 2005 | Sydney H. Schanberg

[summer]

I think you're right.

[summer]

I don't know if you're correct, as this article says she did get the reported "$500,000": Meme Details Bride's TV Deal

[summer]

I don't know if you're correct, as this article says she did get the reported "$500,000": Memo Details Bride's TV Deal

[summer]

I think you are making some valid points. I like what you said here:

If applied universally (and why apply it selectively?), it would destroy nonfiction publishing because every subject would expect to share in the proceeds. This violates the First Rule and would make the subject untrustworthy.

I hadn't previously given much thought to that point. But I disagree with this concept here:

There are no "Son of Sam" laws in Georgia (and they've been found unconstitutional in other states anyway) but I would hope she'd be prosecuted for committing fraud.

Why should murderers profit from their wrongdoing? To allow those people to profit seems to almost create an incentive to go out and murder.

I think that's why I dislike the whole Runaway Bride deal so much. It's as if the media is encouraging people to do stupid things just so the media and those people can make a buck. I, for one, will never watch that Runaway Bride movie nor buy her book. Just my small protest against this sort of behavior by both the media and by people doing stupid things. Maybe if there's no consumer enouragement this type of situation will happen less often.

[summer]

Felt is likely not up to the task and his memory is failing.

I read somewhere Felt's son had done interviews and taken notes years ago with Felt, and that's why there was something to sell. But if that's true, it seems to me a major publisher might have come forward.

[summer]

Re your post #29 - Thanks for explaing that; I thought you originally meant that NOW (not back then) there were many other options for Felt.

[summer]

If there are no major new facts to come out, I suspect you're right - it will flop.

[summer]

He kept his promise. I do not think he owes Felt or his family anything other than common courtesy. It appears to me that he has been courteous to the family.

Hmm. I will have to think about this more. Thanks for your post.

[summer]

Neopolotano on Fox made the point that, if Felt accepts money from Woodward, it is the consummation of a bribe. He made the point that Felt, as a government official, engaged in an illegal act.

Another post on this thread mentioned the break-ins Felt had approved, and I think you're both right - the legality or illegality of the subject act is material in these potential deals.

[summer]

It already makes me nauseous to see Woodward get rich off this garbage.

I had the same thought about Jayson Blair when he wrote his book and began his book tour -- but then I heard the crowds were basically non-existent at his book signings, so his book tour had to be cancelled. I was glad to hear that.

[summer]

The release of Felt's name prior to his death greatly diminished the value of Woodward's book.

I meant to say "Good point" on this, above.

[Dog Gone]

Watergate and Deep Throat provide an interesting glimpse into American politics of the early 1970s. The wrongdoing by Nixon was relatively minor. He tried to cover up a minor political scandal and lied about it.

Clinton basically did the same thing except that it was a sexual scandal.

The interesting thing to compare is how the mainstream media treated the two incidents. It's quite different.

[RedRover]

I agree with you, but there's a legal difficulty in preventing murderers from getting book deals. A "Son of Sam" law couldn't be passed on the federal level because such a law conflicts with the First Ammendment.
Unfortunately, courts have applied the First Ammendment to states (which to me is clearly gaga) and so "Son of Sam" laws have been successfully challenged in court.
Victims have filed suit in civil court (as in the Scott Peterson case) to prevent profiting. The citizens of Willbanks' city could very well file such a case--and should do so, in my opinion.
I don't know what will become of this book but it'll probably sell a whole lot of copies. As my grandma used to say, a fool and his money are soon parted. And God knows we're up to our necks in Stupid (especially if you're cursed to live in a blue state)!

[summer]

The thing I never understood about Nixon is this: The guy won by a landslide -- so, what's up with his paranoia? I mean it was not even a close race in that last election. This is what always seemed to silly to me. He had the overwhelming support of the voters before all this happened, despite all that was happening in the country.

[summer]

The thing I never understood about Nixon is this: The guy won by a landslide -- so, what's up with his paranoia? I mean it was not even a close race in that last election. This is what always seemed to silly to me. He had the overwhelming support of the voters before all this happened, despite all that was happening in the country.

[summer]

Sorry for that double post!

[summer]

The citizens of Willbanks' city could very well file such a case--and should do so, in my opinion.

That's a great idea. I think I'll ping GA to this thread. And, my favorite GA teacher, Amelia. :)

[RedRover]

As I believe people say, "You go, girlfriend!"

[Amelia]

Hi, summer! Long time no see! :-)

[Dog Gone]

There is no doubt that Nixon was paranoid. He had good reason to be, in that the press and the Democrats were definitely out to get him.

What he failed to realize is that the American people were behind him so that their efforts were futile.

Until he shot himself in the foot due to his paranoia...

Your observation is spot on.