Want to guarantee positive press and softball questions from reporters? Then send your own employees out to pose as reporters at a staged “news conference.” That’s what FEMA did on Tuesday, giving real reporters, most of whom are government shills anyway, 15 minutes’ notice of the “press conference” to ensure that no one but their phony reporters could possibly make it–but giving news agencies an 800 number they could use to call in and hear the alleged reporters’ prepared questions and FEMA’s deputy director’s prepared, glowing responses. The White House, of course, denies all knowledge of the event and is “scolding” (how scary!) FEMA for getting caught–er, for engaging in such dishonesty and damaging the reputation of an administration known for its forthrightness.

If only Clark Kent had gotten the call. He’s the one reporter who could have been there on time and (literally) seen right through those phony journalists.