Yeah! About time someone said it!

Some people apparently didn't get the memo about how to handle the press. Thus they take no crap, not realizing that reporters have tender feelings easily hurt.

During a New Orleans press conference yesterday concerning evacuation plans for Hurricane Rita, General Russel Honoré, currently commanding Joint Task Force Katrina, proved again why Mayor Ray Nagin has nicknamed him a "John Wayne dude" who can "get some stuff done." He accused reporters still grousing about the mistakes made during the Katrina disaster of being "stuck on stupid" for focusing on the mistakes of the past instead of the problem of the present.

Predictably, immediately after General Honoré had announced that buses would be available for evacuation at the Convention Center, a reporter asked why that hadn't happened the last time. "You are stuck on stupid," Honoré replied. "I'm not going to answer that question. We are going to deal with Rita."

Perhaps we should thank this anonymous male reporter for opening the door and allowing a much-needed infusion of common sense. But instead, I think I'll give him the dubious honour of being today's DIM BULB du jour for not taking the hint, and getting "stuck on stupid" right after being told not to. By extension this prize is awarded to employees of the press everywhere who have a blind spot where useful, constructive criticism is concerned.

Meanwhile, "don't get stuck on stupid" is destined to be come a catchphrase.

H/T to Little Green Footballs; The Political Teen, who has the video; and Radio Blogger who posted an extended MP3 and transcript of General Honoré's remarks.

We need more people in the world who didn't get the memo.