If only a reporter knew how to use a spectrum analyzer

Did you know that the New York Times was going to do a story about Bush's Back Bulge?

They killed the story.

Three reporters spent days doing serious research. But since the Kerry camp didn't want to make an accusation, the Times decided that pursuing the truth would seem partisan. The President was wearing SOMETHING. A wire? A bullet proof vest? A defribulator? Something else? I guess it would have been bad manners to pat him down. What about during the post debate hugging phase? Wouldn't have that made great TV? "What the hell is this, Mr. President!?" Or Kerry could have challenged him by saying, "Mr. President, let's take off our jackets, roll up our sleeves and just sit and talk to the American people." Zot! Game over!

The Fair story lead me to a more technical story. Being Spocko, I love to look at the intersection of science, politics and the media. This story simply says, I have a spectrum analyzer and I know how to use it. These wireless ear piece devices are readily available, people in D.C. use them all the time, they have specific frequencies, here is the list of ones they run on and I've picked up White House transmissions from them in the past. I'm sure that in most cases their use is perfectly legit. But how would the American people (even the Bush voters) feel if they knew that the President was nothing more than a ventriloquist dummy being fed lines during the debate. I'm sure they would still excuse him, they always do, but COME ON! There have to be SOME standards for our leaders.

You know folks, a mogul or pissed off CIA agent with enough money could hire this guy and attempt to pick up Bush’s signal. It's too late for the debates, and I'm sure he doesn’t need it any more, what with his canned speeches and screened audience.... Also, Karl and Karen have probably destroyed the evidence. But maybe not, maybe he is still using it at press conferences. Since my good friends at the NSA and CIA do read me, I'm sure they will tell the president to either get rid of the equipment or TAPE HIM BEING COACHED. The tape can be USED AS LEVERAGE COME BUDGET CUTTING TIME... HINT. HINT. Listen folks, Rummy is phasing the CIA out. You need some leverage on the man with the purse strings. Think about it, the public is already willing to believe. Of course Karl and Karen will think you are bluffing, but screw 'em, they had their chance to keep you in the loop, but now that Rummy cut you off you don't have much to lose. Be sure to get some money from a few higher ups or from the people you leak it too because you won't be working in Washington again. The good news is that I'm sure there are some people in the CIA who's jobs you will be saving who would appreciate that you are a patriot and maybe set you up with some cash and a cushy job out of the US. Hell, maybe Joe Wilson and you can hang out.

Just a thought. Oh, and if you are wondering my clearance level is one below yours.

[UPDATE. Feb 9, 2005] The wildly intelligent and reflective Mr. F of course has to shine the light of pure science and reason on my theory. He rightly drags out his trusty Occam's Razor. (Hey Mr. F: Does Gillette sell these Razor's?)

He was wired by the SS in case of an emergency such as when to stop reading to children and get on AF1. It's obvious he was wearing a transceiver and probably that's why to nix the pix from behind. It doesn't mean he was receiving cues.

Kerry and others knew this was the purpose. They also knew it was a trap and that the White House would reveal the real purpose if challenged by the Kerry campaign, allowing Fox to expose Kerry as crackpot or as someone who wished to put the president's life in danger.

The reason conspiracy theories fail is that they fail to consider the obvious. Putting the transceiver in the president's pants would totally disguise it and running flat cable is trivial. Also, the weakest link in a plan such as the one suggested is that someone in the administration might become an enemy and disclose the fact at a later date.

I do in fact agree with you Mr. F. I think that I'm drawn to theories that are labeled as conspiracy regarding this administration because they have a history of twisting the truth and trying to cover it up afterwards. People rightly go on about how good a spinner Karl Rove is. And the attribute to him all sort of powers, but I don't think he plans every nasty slip based on incompetence, shenanigans, cronyism or greed. Once something terrible happens and the WH gets caught in the shit he figures out how to make it look pretty (or at least not deadly) that's how he got the nickname Turd Blossom. So, something is there. The thought tree goes like this, "We need to have blank on the president's back because of blank." If someone sees it we:
1) deny
2) mock the questioner --a favorite tactic
3) throw out the dreaded "conspiracy theory" tag
4) stall until the people get bored and move on.

If for some reason they get pushed further (Plame affair) they start with the discrediting process and use the media's need to be "fair" and claim they are being attacked without evidence. If and when hard evidence is shown in a court of law... well we will see. I'm sure they will play the "deniablity card" so the president doesn't get tarred. But since they made it past the election they don't have to worry about public opinion as much. They will just ask tough and swagger through, knowing that the political will isn't there to bring them down over a "minor" transgression.