GUEST LIST FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH'S DINNER AT WHITE HOUSE

The Washington Post yesterday printed the guest list for the White Tie Dinner for Queen Elizabeth at the White House. There were 134 persons on the guest list. Some of the names on the list cause questions.

Why were four of the guests working White House journalists? Blogger Will Bunch asks this question and answers it by pointing out how inappropriate it was for these four journalists and their friends/spouses to attend. How can these reporters be objective and act at arms length the next time they ask their host (Bush or his spokespersons Perino or Snow) a question critical of the administration?

"They are Richard Wolffe of Newsweek; Robin Roberts of ABC; David Gregory of NBC News; and Steven Holland, a Reuters reporter. Wolffe, Gregory and Holland are White House correspondents, while Roberts is co-anchor of the news program "Good Morning America." I single them out because they were guests last night -- but dozens of other Beltway journalists have attended these swank White House affairs in the past, dating back into prior administrations."

"In fact, the reporters at last night's state dinner are among the best in the business -- but that doesn't matter, because the message they send to the viewing and reading public when they don that white tie and tux is all wrong. From the CIA leak case to the horrific coverage of the run-up to war in Iraq, we have all seen time and time again the hurtful effects of when journalists see themselves as catering to powerful people they cover instead of the humble masses they are supposed to serve. "


"Journalists should not be a part of a royal class in America. Staying away from state dinners would be a small first step."

Some of the other surprises. According to Mary Ann Akers in her blog, The Sleuth in the Washington Post, "All Tied Up for Queen's Dinner at White House," the official White House guest list has Lynne Cheney as "The Honorable Lynn Cheney." How did she ever get that title? Is she an officer of the United States? Of course not. Here is a good example of all these hangers on in the Bush regime seeking honorable status and titles.

And speaking of Lynn Cheney, why were her brother (Mark Vincent) and sister-in-law (Linda Vincent) invited? Also her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Philip Perry? How do they have any connection with the Queen? All told, counting the VP, there were six Cheneys at the dinner for the Queen.

And those who were not there. Where was former president Bill Clinton? Where were the current presidential candidates, both Republican and Democratic? Where was Bush 41?

Take a good look at this list. It is top heavy with Bush cronies and contributors.