2008 Woodie Awards
Provocative Speaker Series: Political Insider Indicts Presidency
John W. Dean, former counsel to President Nixon, shares his insight into the Bush Administration.
LaGina Phillips, Susan Maltby
Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: News
Dubbed a "contemporary American hero" by Marlene Share, co-founder of Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, John Dean presented his views on the Watergate era and current political issues Feb. 15 at the center's Provocative Speaker Series.
As former counsel to President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, 66-year-old Dean opened his comments at the VCJCC by saying that the 175-member audience would have no trouble hearing his voice because "whenever I went into the oval office, I must have been sitting on top of the microphone because mine is the loudest voice on the tapes."
Dean was sentenced to prison for four months - which he served in a witness protection program - after being found guilty of obstruction of justice for his role in the scandal.
Dean, an Ohio native, spoke in-depth about the importance of anonymity of sources in journalism and its relevance in the recent decision handed down by a three-judge panel that may force the journalists who revealed the identity of a CIA agent to serve time in prison for not disclosing their sources.
Referring to the most famous source of all, Dean cited the important role "Deep Throat" played in Bob Woodward and Carl Burnstein's breaking of the Watergate scandal.
Dean also addressed issues raised in his best-selling book, "Worse than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush," such as the artful manner in which the Bush Administration manipulates the press and the connection Dean sees between the current administration and the Nixon era.
"Both [Nixon and Bush] don't seem terribly comfortable in office," Dean said, also highlighting the men's likeness in using secrecy to run their administrations.
"From a historical perspective, it's refreshing to hear someone discuss issues such as honesty," said Ford Roosevelt, grandson of Franklin D. Roosevelt and husband of Valley's Child Development Department Chair, Marni Roosevelt.
Dean's appearance was the fourth speaker in the second series of VCJCC's Provocative Speaker Series. The next night of speakers is March 15 and will include Laura Flanders, writer and host of the Laura Flanders Show on Air America Radio, Robert Scheer, Los Angeles Times and nationally syndicated columnist and author.
 JOHN W. DEAN- Former counsel to President Nixon spoke at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center on Feb. 15. |
As former counsel to President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, 66-year-old Dean opened his comments at the VCJCC by saying that the 175-member audience would have no trouble hearing his voice because "whenever I went into the oval office, I must have been sitting on top of the microphone because mine is the loudest voice on the tapes."
Dean was sentenced to prison for four months - which he served in a witness protection program - after being found guilty of obstruction of justice for his role in the scandal.
Dean, an Ohio native, spoke in-depth about the importance of anonymity of sources in journalism and its relevance in the recent decision handed down by a three-judge panel that may force the journalists who revealed the identity of a CIA agent to serve time in prison for not disclosing their sources.
Referring to the most famous source of all, Dean cited the important role "Deep Throat" played in Bob Woodward and Carl Burnstein's breaking of the Watergate scandal.
Dean also addressed issues raised in his best-selling book, "Worse than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush," such as the artful manner in which the Bush Administration manipulates the press and the connection Dean sees between the current administration and the Nixon era.
"Both [Nixon and Bush] don't seem terribly comfortable in office," Dean said, also highlighting the men's likeness in using secrecy to run their administrations.
"From a historical perspective, it's refreshing to hear someone discuss issues such as honesty," said Ford Roosevelt, grandson of Franklin D. Roosevelt and husband of Valley's Child Development Department Chair, Marni Roosevelt.
Dean's appearance was the fourth speaker in the second series of VCJCC's Provocative Speaker Series. The next night of speakers is March 15 and will include Laura Flanders, writer and host of the Laura Flanders Show on Air America Radio, Robert Scheer, Los Angeles Times and nationally syndicated columnist and author.
