Time will eventually tell on the "Blago-gate" saga.

That being said, I must admit to having some empathy for Mr. Emanuel when it comes to the press. People who are considered "public figures" by virtue of their job or circumstance still have a right-to-privacy when it comes to family events.

There is a time and a place for everything, especially professional conduct and response. A reporter shoving a hand-recorder in someone's face at a family function is a prime example of what's wrong with the Fourth Estate. The reporter's actions were boorish at best and demonstrated "not being raised right." The reporter is being paid for his activities, and the "public figure" is on off-time, yet the reporter acts like the public figure must tolerate whatever the reporter wants, whenever the reporter wants it.

To me, Mr. Emanuel (a person I happen to view with extreme reservation) showed exceptional patience with the reporter. An appropriate response to someone shoving a hand-recorder in a person's face when with family would be: 1) a broken hand-recorder; 2) the possibility of the reporter having a broken finger or two; and/or 3) the potential of the reporter being able to prepare by personal experience a news article of how well a hand-recorder works when in "suppository" setting.