The top article on HuffPo right now is entitled “Bush Slams ‘Hollywood Values’”. This links to an AP article entitled “Bush Attacks Hollywood Values”.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush ripped into “Hollywood values” on Monday, in a surprise attack at the entertainment industry that overwhelmingly backs his Democratic foes.

Bush’s rhetorical broadside came as he paid tribute to the new chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, noting that his parents were well regarded behind-the-scenes players in the US movie industry.

“Many people are surprised when told about the admiral’s show business roots. After all, he is humble, well-grounded and filled with common sense. Not exactly what one thinks about when they think of Hollywood values,” said Bush.

From the headlines and the first paragraph of this story, I was picturing Bush ripping up a picture of Tom Cruise and pissing on it. I’m the last person to give Bush the benefit of the doubt, but I would not describe this as a “slam.” A “good-natured jab,” perhaps. A “groan-inducing chuckle-up.” Leaving aside the obvious contradiction in Bush praising humility, grounding, and common sense, I am hard-pressed to find the story in this story.

There is, however, a story in the lack of story. This is what the media chooses to get riled up about. There are 50,000 stories of corruption lying around, waiting to be investigated, yet George Bush making an age-old derogatory remark about “Hollywood values” (read: liberal values) is the story that draws the ire of the nation’s press. Thus opening the door for a new national discussion of the effect of media on our morals which the media will both facilitate and pretend to be removed from. Meanwhile, the war machine marches on, and I still have to prove to my insurance company that I’m not predisposed to having sore throats before they’ll pay for my cough drops.