According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, ”National Public Radio is for those who don’t listen to radio or can’t buy cable TV.”

Well I guess all of those paranoid schizophrenics were correct to wear foil helmets, the government is beaming programming directly into their heads. I mean really, they don’t own a radio so how else would they be able to “listen” to National Public Radio.

Your Mandarin does not know what realm of reality that Mr. Gibbs occupies – and your Mandarin has been to quite a number of them due to some faulty cabling and a spilled glass of Tang – but when given the chance to clarify his answer in case he misspoke he still flubs the answer.

And then there is this exchange between Mr. Gibbs and WND’s Les Kinsolving:

Kinsolving: In his commendable concern for the unemployed, the president would be gratified if Katie Couric would share $14.5 million of her widely reported $15 million salary to rescue those hundreds of CBS employees laid off, so she would still have an income similar to the president’s, wouldn’t he?

Gibbs: I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to get into the compensation of a network any more than it is for me to get into your compensation.

Well it is refreshing that the administration no longer wants to dictate the compensation packages of those working for private businesses. Funny though, your Mandarin doesn’t recall the announcement regarding the elimination of the Pay Czar.

The Mandarin

The Mandarin, whose real name is 吏恆, joined the order in 1309, and introduced the Gormogons into England during the 18th Century.

The Mandarin enjoys spending time with his pet manticore, Βάρἰκος, or Barry (who can be found in the Bestiary). When not in the Castle…well, frankly, nobody is quite sure where he goes.

The Mandarin popularized the fine art of “gut booting,” by which he delivers a powerful kick to the stomach of anyone that annoys him. Although nearly universal today, the act of gut booting or threatening someone or something with a gut boot is solely due to him.