Senator George Clooney Interrogates Nick Denton - Part Two
“No, sir, I have no opening statement,” said Nick Denton. The second Nick said “sir” he winced. He was calling this guy “sir” when virtually all of his web properties had for years targeted George Clooney as a fat mouth Hollywood hunk. Now he was saying “sir” to this guy. Clooney had managed to turn everything around and on its head. A celebrity cannot change the law or the discussion, but a politician can.
“You know, Mr. Denton, many Americans, if not all Americans, are very concerned with the growing intrusion the internet is having on their personal lives,” said Mr. Clooney. “And you have one particular internet business which has become what all of us fear the most, which is big brother watching our every move. And we all feared it was the government who was going to be big brother, as it has in some cases. But with your ventures, it is big business that has assumed this role,” said Senator Clooney.
“May I speak,” said Nick.
“Well, I have not finished, but certainly, you may respond,” said Clooney.
“I am hardly a big business. My various companies have never gone public, and we manage our properties on limited budgets, we employ no lobbyists, and we have no deep pockets,” said Nick. His hands were shaking every so slightly.
“Is it not true that your company gizmodo.com was purchased by the News Corporation for an undisclosed amount of money?” asked Clooney.
“Yes,” said Nick.
“Is it not true that your company kotaku.com was purchased by the Sony Corporation?” asked Clooney.
“Yes,” said Nick.
“Is it not true that your company fleshbot.com was purchased by Playboy Enterprises?” asked Clooney.
“Yes,” said Nick.
“It is not true that your company jalopnik.com was purchased by the Toyota Corporation?” asked Clooney.
“Yes,” said Nick.
“So it is fair to say that your business plan is to create properties that you build and then sell them to large corporations for huge sums of money, avoiding the oversight that going public would subject you to. You have set yourself up so you can avoid any scrutiny, to protect your own privacy at the expense of others, haven’t you Mr. Denton,” asked Senator Clooney.
Damn, this guy is good. “Well, sir, my plan is not to avoid scrutiny. My business plan is to build businesses and then, possibly, sell them at a profit,” said Nick. He was sorry he used the word “profit” thinking that would not play well on camera.
“Let’s talk about your website Gawker Stalker. Gawker Stalker provides the tools to stalk the comings and goings of private individuals, and then posting this information publicly at the Gawker Stalker website on a map for all to see. The very purpose of this website is to intrude on people’s privacy, a privacy that forms the foundation of various rights in our Constitution, is that not right?” asked Clooney who was no longer smiling.
“Actually, sir, it is only meant to be a clearinghouse of the location of celebrities, not private individiuals,” said Nick.
“Mr. Denton, don’t think you can minimize the intrusive nature, don’t think you can dismiss the assault on the public’s privacy perpetrated by Gawker Stalker by telling this Committee that all you care about are celebrities,” said Clooney.
“Sir, I hardly think that Gawker Stalker would have survived as a business model if it was merely announcing to the world where my Aunt Sadie is buying her groceries,” said Nick. The Senate Chamber laughed. This made Nick feel good.
“Do you have an Aunt Sadie, Mr. Denton?” asked Clooney, taking back control of the room.
Damn. Nick thought he could get away with that one. He did not have an Aunt Sadie. Clooney had done his homework. “Well, I was using Aunt Sadie to generically refer to anyone’s Aunt, sir,” said Nick.
“May I remind you sir that even though you are not under oath, you stand before the American people, and this hallowed Senate Chamber stands for the truth and not a joke for your Manhattan internet buddies, Mr. Denton,” said Clooney with a bit of anger in his voice.
“Yes, sir, sorry,” said Nick.
“And may I ask you something, Mr. Denton? Is an American citizen who happens to have some public status and recognition, big or small, any less worthy of constitutional protection than the generic Aunt you refer to? Is an actor, one who toils for years earning no money but restaurant tips, one who studies their craft day in and day out, one who works all their lives to entertain and fill your life with joy and entertainment, is that actor now no longer in possession of their private life, is that actor now merely the grist on which you plow your trade filling your pockets with bucket loads of big corporate money? Tell me that, Mr. Denton? Tell me how you can sleep at night knowing that your company Gawker Stalker is hounding and stalking pregnant movies stars who only seek a little pre-natal privacy? Tell America how you can sleep at night knowing your company Gawker Stalker causes pain and misery and fear among the artistic community, the very community of artists, actors and musicians that work their lives to entertain and provoke you? Tell America that, sir,” said Senator George Clooney.
To Be Continued.
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