The press is not supposed to be friends or friendly with the people they are reporting on, especially political parties. Their job is to investigate the statements, find the facts and then report. That has not happened in the Main Stream Media (MSM) since Bush became president and started handing out "favors" such as “access” to MSM if they reported what they were told without checking the facts and veracity of the people who gave them the information. Tony Snow, while I feel is a "nice guy" has lied repeatedly to the press about his boss, that is why a lot of the press call him “Snow Job”. The White House press corp. needs to have an "arms length" relationship with the people they report on. Then maybe the American public will get the Truth. It has been over six years since the people have had a real independent press.

This is really sad. I think this really puts Tony Snow into a difficult position.

Does the White House think this is a pep rally?

it's LIVESTRONG idiots not "Tony Snow"
the bracelet is to represent not the individual surviving cancer but everyone who is surviving cancer. All other bracelets are just rip offs. I'm surprised the White House isn't charging for the bracelets,God forbid they buy them from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and support a cause that does'nt benefit them. They should be ashamed of themselves.
From a family member who has lost someone to cancer i wear my LIVESTRONG bracelet proudly.

I had cancer three years ago, and I never, ever would've expected anyone to do that, and frankly would've been mortified if someone else asked on my behalf. I would guess that this is the Bush Admin. and not Snow himself, who is probably now in the awkward position that many cancer patients find themselves in, not knowing what to do with that minority of people who want to "help" for thoroughly selfish reasons

instead of handing out yellow rubber bracelets - I have my own thankyou - the White House should restore full funding for cancer research.

How about not vetoing stem cell research so Tony and millions of others don't have to die from cancer?

I don't get this whole "nice guy" thing.

How is a man who lies to the American people nice? Isn't that subverting transparency in government?

I'm sure pretty much all criminals have some redeeming aspect to their person (some far less than others), but a criminal is a criminal ... even if he or she is a nice criminal.

Also, i'm reasonably certain that getting cancer doesn't make one a "nice guy" in and of itself, nor does it absolve one of past transgressions.

I hope the press is aware enough of their free-falling credibility to avoid this shameless desparate marketing grab for sympathy.

One more milestone in White House Press Corps group think, from the crowd that brought us WMD and Bush's endless war. The Constitution, the nation and the world would be greatly served if major news organizations completely re-staffed the White House press room with professionals intent on holding the Bush Administration accountable for moe the punctution and spacing on daily talking points.

@LIZ: Exactly, I can't wait to see which "journalists," (ahem) decide to wear them. For some strange reason, I don't think Helen will have one on...

Re: Yellow wrist bands.

I'm a Breast Cancer Survivor of two years. I'm appalled the Whitehouse is having everyone wear the Tony Snow Yellow wrist bands..
The Whitehouse should have donated the money to Livestrong a real cancer org.
And bought the Livestrong bands,
I wonder how much money is involved
and how much they had to pay for the bands.
Why not honor all cancer victims.
Shame on the Whitehouse....I'm very offended.

Linda, another cancer victim

If we left Iraq now, and started spending $100 billion a year on cancer research, we would save a hell of a lot more lives than we ever will thru the "War on Terror." Tony and his bosses should think about that.

What next, do they get Hooked on Phonics bracelets that say "George W. Bush" on them?

"Now put the 'Tony Snow' bracelets on like good Press corps and don't be mean to Tony"
"P.S. Join out cult, too! Put the Bracelets on! If you don't, you'll stand out and look bad!"

When I going through my whole stupid cancer thing last year and realized one of the many obnoxious side-effects was that I would be unable to donate blood for at least the next five years, I asked my friends and relations who wanted to do "something" to give blood. That made everyone happy.

This is like the freakin - yellow ribbon support the troop propaganda - Don't ask hard questions - he is sick.

Why didn't the White House advocate yellow wrist bands for Molly Ivins?

Any journalist who refuses to wear a Tony Bracelet is helping the terrorists.

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Does this mean that those who choose not to wear such a gimmick do not wish him well? Can this White House dream up any more ideas to divide the country? After all, that is what they do best.

We don't have better things to do or more important priorities to spend your tax dollars on.

Tony! Tony! Tony! Hip-hip hooray!

Life is not a box of chocolates.

Life is nothing but an 8-year pep rally!

Tony Snow not only has a cancer of the colon problem but has a cancer of the tongue problem. Do Catholics really think its ok to lie as long as the go to confession? What do they have a priest onsite there?

Tony, get well.

Mr. President, GET OUT.

The bush mouthpiece.....Tony Snow....lies to the press everytime he opens his mouth.
NO BRACELETS ON THE PRESS!!!! We should watch and list the reporters that wear one so we can stop watching them. Sorry Tony .....you and bushie weren't wearing a bracelet or supporting cancer research when my daddy died of cancer.

A stupid idea but I wish Tony the best.

If you don't wear the bracelet you're pro-cancer.

You have to give em credit, they've found yet another way to divide people up.

His cancer is benign, Snow is the malignant one. More BS from BS.

What's next, the Alberto Gonzales ribbon around the middle finger because he can't remember anything?

I yellow "Tony Snow" bracelet for you. I yellow "Support the Troops" ribbon for your car.

Isn't everything better now?

:)

I yellow "Tony Snow" bracelet for you. I yellow "Support the Troops" ribbon for your car.

Isn't everything better now?

:)

It was obvious that the administration wanted the "sympathy factor" that Tony Snow could provide as Dana Perino was bombing.

You wouldn't think that the bracelet stunt was necessary!!??

Simply Shameless

Better yet, why not have the
press give Tony a
different, but nonetheless
reciprocal, kind of lip service to
the kind he's been offering them
since he took the job.

i guess if you dont wear the yellow bracelets you hate cancer survivors
it makes perfect sense

As a cancer survivor I know that cancer is life and death.

This latest schtick from the White House is smoke and mirrors.

Stop funding criminal, pointless wars and declare - and win - a war on cancer.

Halliburton got the no-bid contract for developing and manufacturing the Yellow Snow shackles. An audit shows the White House was overcharged $10 million for this ineffective cancer shield. During a private fundraiser at Pat Robertson's University, Cheney, over cake, insisted that the Yellow Snow shackles send a strong message to the world, that those who hate the Energy Task Force will be subject to plumes of perchlorate and clouds of DU, thus imposing upon them the righteousness of the corporate lymphoma.

This had to be Dana Perino's idea! Snow should have nixed it right away. Dumb and inappropriate idea to say the least.

The reason I am blogging here is that some of the media might be reading this. Support Snow by wearing the braclet. Make a biggrt statement to the White House by not attending press briefings. That would sure make an impact on the White House. This would be a good show of power of the media to show how Americans are opposed to this war and to this President. Also to the way media are treated by the administration. You seem to all want to be the White House's best friend. Hello!!!! They are using you.

Why not just a simple yellow band - why "Tony Snow"? If Snow had any balls he'd of said you want to something like that just hand out plain yellow bands as a reminder for ALL folks fighting cancer. It's pathetic and had to of made some of the more ethical media uncomfortable - did I say ethical?

I can't believe this new low. Cutting funds for cancer resarch then jumping on the yellow (LIVESTRONG) bracelet bandwagon.

Well I never imagined our press corps to have become the lap dogs that this artical suggests, there are exceptions in the group I hope. Next they will have the old singer come on before every press conferenc and sing "Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree " His name was Tony Orlando? Any relation? Perhaps a symbol on their forheads showing their grief,holy moly.

Advice for the ages:

"Avoid Yellow Snow."

The nitwits in this administration aren't even clever enough to produce
a WHITE bracelet. This is yet another
diversionary ruse, "don't ask questions, just
think of the SYMBOLISM of a nice guy
dying." It's total B.S. & Tony Snow ought to say so, but then, he too, is
a lap-dog, cancer or no.

I'm happy for Tony Snow. Hope he lives another 100 years. But the other day I'm watching CNN and some of the girls are having a Snow love-in,"where so happy for Tony, blah blah blah" . And later Matthews with the same stuff. No wonder Americans have little to no respect for journalists. Tony Snow is alive and hopefully well because he has access to the best medical care in the world. Many Americans don't. And many Americans get the medical care they need too late because they can't afford it or some pre-existing condition doesn't kick in for 12 months simply because they switched jobs, or lost a job, or had a gap in their coverage. And you know what happens to many of them? They die. Everyday. By the hundreds. This is the stealth issue that touches almost every American voter. Hopefully this time around they'll pay attention because Tony's journalist friends in Washington also have the best medical coverage in the world. And if it doesn't effect them it doesn't exist.

For you LIVESTRONG fans out there, be aware that testicular cancer is a known side effect of certain performance enhancing drugs (Human Growth Hormone to name one).

The sucking up process at The White House by the press corps has finally produced a badge of rank/loyalty. I would be curious to see a follow-up report on what members gladly took up their bracelet and those that did not, in week or so.

What's the big deal? I would wear it not because I agree with any of Tony Snow political positions but because of his fight and because of his family. I wish you the best Tony Snow and pray for you and your family.

When are they passing out the free 'I Heart Karl Rove' tee-shirts?

This is so much easier living in a real democracy--or in having a truly free press.

WE LOVE YOU TONY! KEEP LYING TO US!

I am a one year breast cancer survivor, and I am mortified that the White House is asking the press corps to wear Tony Snow bracelets. If they want to do something to honor cancer survivors, let them donate to LiveStrong or any of the individual cancer support organizations. Hell, if they want to do something to help, how about making sure that ALL Americans can afford to be treated for cancer, not just the ones who work for their political party? I am in debt out my eyeballs from my first bout with cancer, and am livid that they just don't get it.

Yellow ribbons, huh?
Gee, if Tony were just an average uninsured Joe he'd be dead by now.
Would the White House ask us to wear yellow ribbons then?

First timer reading and posting here, and my last. What vile comments about anyone with Cancer. "There for the grace of God, go I"...For you dummies thsat don't undeerstand that adage, it means it could be you one day, and if you are lucky , maybe one person might care...

reginamae:
What about your little vile comments. "For you dummies thsat don't undeerstand that adage, it means it could be you one day, and if you are lucky , maybe one person might care..."

It's not about Tony Snow having cancer; it's about the tackiness of asking the PRESS CORPS who cover the WH to do such a thing. If it were voluntary, on their own initiation that would be fine - it's not. It's a blatant attempt to blur the line of professionalism even more than it has already been blurred.

add a few green bracelets for Lyme Disease, which is a zoonotic illness caused by a spirochete that our government ignores in lieu of money .....

The press should do something constructive and use this opportunity to highlght how this administration has decimated Cancer research, and medical reasearch in general, just as we are on the brink of significant discoveries and advances. The US is rapidly losing its scientific research leadership position to China. Tony might have some trouble spinning this undeniable fact.

This is akin to asking a whole bunch of people to pray for a particular sick person, as if God will listen and reward multiple requests over someone who prays alone. I, for one, don't believe that.

ROFL... these responses are hilarious. and I agree.. its a bunch of crap

I can't think of a more appropriate color to associate with Tony Snow than yellow. In fact, it pretty well defines the entire administration.

Having said that, I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone. I pray for Tony Snow's health, even though I vehemently disagree with his politics.

Why do all public affairs in this country have to be played out in the most infantile and sentimental way? Is this not a nation of grown ups? Sure, cancer is a killer, but why not quietly give it full healthcare funding and get on with the job of research instead of these sanctimonious displays of this wristband, that hat, the other goodness-knows-what. It seems to be more important to SHOW how you feel than KNOW how you feel. Its pukey and babyish. For the less than bright, i am not attacking cancer sufferers, i'm attacking mawkish idiocy.

So, did they wear the bracelets or not?
And since the Livestrong wristbands are trademarked, doesn't this constitute some kind of infringement?

Gosh,People. Haven't any of you ever done something or said something kinda lame when your heart was sad that a friend is seriously ill? How you can work this into anti-Bush B.S., I don't know. Have a heart. Tony Snow is a great guy, the bracelets are lame, and many of us wish him good health and a long life.

Bracelet, oh no! It should have been a ribbon, pink or yellow or red or blue or maybe for Tony, black and blue. Everybody loves ribbons.

Bill

How can I get a Tony Snow bracelet? Politics aside. He is a brave man fighting for his life. And I support that!.

As a journalist, I'd also like to know if my colleagues caved in. I'd also like to know why they stand up and applaud when the President walks into the room for what ought to be a grilling rather than a rally and what exactly that has to do with professional integrity. I can't remember who said it first but I say it every day:

I wear no badge. I am a journalist.

And, by the way, it's great to see so much healthy, old-fashioned, intelligent cynicism on this blog. You can fool some of the people.... etc.

Wow, after hearing that TONY was leaving for "financial reasons" I decided to log on and find out where I could get a bracelet, for no other reason than to support the cause and honor his life and achievement. I never expected to read such negative feedback. Let me guess, you are democrats/liberals? I defy you to say differetly. You have reached a sad point when human compassion is confused with someones occupation. Lets hope that all of you who cast a stone do not live in a glass house!!!

Its all politics...