Countertrey wrote:That IS the point, RIC. Sally Jenkins is not the public. The Washington Post is not the public.
The coin has two sides. Some people will tell you that even bad publicity is "good" publicity.
My take is different. You obviously speak of a discerning public. One beyond and far above the power of persuasion and influence. If this was the case, Coca cola and the Washington Post would have gone out of business LONG time ago.
I feel that you underestimate the power of the media, which while not infinite it certainly is very considerable. One of the subjects that I am familiar with is the power of the media, its role to form public opinion in the world, and its responsibility to engage and promote resolution of national and international disputes.
You would be surprised to hear a few anecdotes, some of them in our own countries, as to how little it takes to spread a lie, a distortion, a spin, or a misrepresentation (partial or total) of the facts. It is so easy that sometimes you ask if we EVER get the facts straight.
How long has it taken to Joe to clarify time and time again that he is not retiring before the end of his contract? It took ONE joke placed out of context and presented in a sensationalist manner to create a lasting negative effect that is felt TO THIS DAY. Hear some of the latest interviews by Joe at the end of the season.
The public is not stupid. But we form our opinions based on information and perceptions, the likes of which we have decreasing control over in this "information" age.
No, it is not a good idea to humiliate members of the media. Specially, it is not a good idea to do it in such IMMATURE and CHILDISH way. For a builder of a public relations company empire, Mr. Snyder should not be happy with whoever did this on his behalf to look "good" in his book.
There were other ways. There was in particular the Joe Gibbs way, which brings people to HIS camp as opposed to ensure animosity for all eternity.
The BEST enemy is that which becomes your friend. That is the genius of all successful diplomats and Statesmen. It is also the genius of one of the quintessential American success stories: Dale Carnegie.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
http://www.westegg.com/unmaintained/car ... iends.html
Please have a look at it to understand ONE among several interpretations of this philosophy and we can exchange views later.
I can give other examples of great people that used the same social philosophy approach to great success: M. Gandhi, Dalai Lama, etc, etc.