I'm watching the Atlanta Falcons pre-season game tonight on Monday Night Football and not surprisingly much of the discussion is about Michael Vick. One of the commentators, Tony Kornheiser, just made one of the more ridiculous statements I have heard in a long time that betrays his inflated view of his profession.

Tony noted that the Atlanta Falcons organization has asked the media not to ask any of the players about Michael Vick during the game tonight. Tony said that this is censorship and that the journalists have the right to have access to the players and ask them anything they want.

Well Tony, it takes two to tango. Journalists certainly have the right to ask anything they want. But people (and organizations) have the right to not answer. We (non-journalists) don't owe you anything. We don't have to provide you with a sound clip. We don't have to answer questions we don't want to. We don't even have to acknowledge you.

I have just received breaking news that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has resigned. Of all of the missteps and disasters of the Bush Administration, allowing Gonzales to remain this long has got to be one of the most egregious.

At what point does loyalty become stubborn pride? Bush's loyalty is the stuff of legends. But blind loyalty, especially to incompetence should not be celebrated.

I believe that Gonzales has gotten off too easy. At minimum he should have been fired from his position rather than being allowed to voluntarily resign.

Update: Here is the response from Bush:

President Bush on Monday said he reluctantly accepted the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose "good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons."

After months of standing by his top prosecutor and "close friend," Bush spoke briefly in Texas to praise Gonzales, saying the attorney general endured "unfair treatment that has created harmful distraction at the Justice Department."

Bush said it's "sad that we live in a time when a talented and honorable person" is impeded "from doing important work."

That is pathetic! "Good name dragged through the mud"? An "honorable person"? There are only two ways to view Alberto Gonzales in regards to the US Attorney scandal. Either he deliberately lied about his involvement or he was remiss in his job and didn't know what the hell was going on. Take your pick but I can't see that there are any other options.

As a geography major and former teaching assistant, I can't say that I am surprised at this. As the father of two girls, I am amazed at how low the bar has been set.

HT: Ross Douthat