A New York Post story today reveals that Gary Condit went regularly to a spa in Washington D.C., where he used an alias to protect his privacy. Ha! We now know the alias and the spa. That’ll teach him to have a private life. The story also tells us – completely gratuitously – that Condit’s first wife was pregnant when they were married. Thanks for letting us know. All of this is completely relevant to Chandra Levy’s disappearance, right? Of course not. With each passing day, this “no unpublished thought” story has a mob-like feel to it. I think it may be shaping up to be a classic contemporary case of media degeneracy. Accordingly, I’m working on an essay detailing these abuses of privacy. If you find any other aspects of Condit’s life that can have no conceivable relevance to Levy’s disappearance, and which have appeared in any media above the level of the National Enquirer, please send them in. It’s time to fight back.
CATCH 22: And yes, I know I just retailed the very same privacy-violating stories, violating Condit’s privacy even further. But that’s the catch, isn’t it? Privacy violators can normally expect to remain free from criticism because those who feel most appalled by their tactics cannot respond without fanning the flames. That’s why there is something truly sadistic and cowardly about this kind of journalism. (And having experienced something even more unjustified than what has happened to Condit, I cannot help but react viscerally. In some ways, I wish more journalists could have experienced what I did – it might make them less blithe in their incursions into people’s privacy.) Condit cannot and should not respond to every crazy accusation now leveled against him. But his silence only attracts more bullies. Yes, I know he erred gravely in not being forthcoming immediately to the police. That’s a very serious matter. But so far, that’s his only proven lapse. By all means, criticize him for it. Even call for him to resign, as The New Republic. and its new found allies, Bob Barr and Trent Lott, have. The rest is mere gossip. Focus on the real story. And leave the rest of the man’s life alone.
THE REAL CHANDRA LEVY STORY: Of course, the one story the liberal press won’t touch is the D.C. Police Department. (They won’t touch it because the force is mainly black and you’re not allowed to criticize mainly black institutions.) As soon as this event occurred in D.C. it became a pretty sure bet that this disappearance would never be solved. Why would it? When was the last time a tough murder case was solved in D.C.? The DCPD’s success rate at resolving murders is about as good as the English at winning Wimbledon. There are 140 other missing persons in D.C. this year – and none will be found. The only reason they are going through the motions this time is because this is a national story, Levy is white, a Congressman is involved. If none of those applies, D.C. is a pretty good place to kill someone and get away with it. My bet is that we will never know the answer. And that no-one in the major media will cast a spotlight on the shambles that is the D.C. Police Department.
The Dish 