The Wrong Stuff?

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: Field Notes

(AP Photo/Red Huber)

Covering the White House, I thought I was safe from the sad story of astronaut Lisa Nowak. But I was wrong. A reporter raised it at the daily briefing of spokesman Tony Snow. Here's the exchange from the White House transcript:

Q Tony, this may seem demeaning, but it's obviously a serious question. This NASA scandal is huge all over the world. Is the White House going to ask the NASA for any more transparency in the oversight and selection of astronauts in light of this unfortunate --

MR. SNOW: I know it is the most salacious story, but I'll refer it all to NASA, much to the consternation of all in this room.

Q Well, even the oversight of the way they select, and then they continue to monitor their astronauts --

MR. SNOW: Again, Connie, I'm just -- NASA has the answers and the responses to this, and I'd direct you to them. I'm not going to grandstand on that story.

I understand why the story of Lisa Nowak is news. Here's a woman who went from the pinnacle of an elite profession and plunged into the abyss of emotional turmoil.

It's not surprising that the tabloids have run screamer headlines about it and even the Washington Post and New York Times report it on their front pages.

But in the great scheme of things, it's a sad glitch in the human condition. It's an easy target for clever headlines and jokes. I'm guilty of that myself.

But the magnitude of the coverage of the story seems out of proportion.

We're a nation stuck in a war nobody bargained for. We've got a National Debt of nearly $8.7 trillion dollars. Genocide is still underway in Darfur. We're struggling to address so many problems affecting so many millions. And the pathetic case of Lisa Nowak is what we're all talking and joking about.

I get it. But I don't like it.

Mark Knoller
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.
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by brucesmall February 8, 2007 2:07 AM EST: The Lisa Nowak story was news, no doubt about that. But, her walking across the street to get a tracking device installed is not news and does not justify a horde of reporters on hand. Her getting on a plane is not news and does not justify a horde of reporters on hand.

May I safely presume yet another horde of reporters is camped out in the street in front of her home?; Reply to this comment


by cbelster February 8, 2007 12:48 AM EST: I appreciate your broadcast concerning %u201CPelosi 1.%u201D

A well managed fuel stop takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Additionally, the cost of a Gulf Stream IV is $5,000 per hour versus $10,000 per hour for a 757. Subtracting out this Gulf Stream IV fuel stop for her equates to one less hour per week (round trip) travel time in trade for an additional $30,000 of your government dollars. This is not mentioning the numerous other travel plans that she may embark upon during her tenure.

Now I%u2019m a pretty reasonable guy%u2026 but $30,000 per hour is a little too much to ask from a Speaker of the House. Maybe she should consider another line of work. She certainly is flying in that direction.; Reply to this comment


by bethwatson-2009 February 7, 2007 6:40 PM EST: Thank you for posting what I have been thinking. I live in Orlando ... you can only imagine the coverage locally. I think it is so sad. Clearly the astronaut is not well. This is not cause for jokes and salicious media coverage. Move on.; Reply to this comment