Not even close to Pynchon. Ukraine, the mainstream media experience, phenomenologically seen

[Mark Kohut]

Thinking I know something about press conferences, I speculate on the tacit
dimension
of the two from the US yesterday.

John Kirby, Pentagon press spokesman, who, incidentally, stayed and took
*every* question
from all in the room and on the phone praiseworthily, including, of course,
difficult and skeptical ones,
clearly, I think, stopped to do a set piece within his answering.

He ended one answer by pivoting, looking straight ahead, saying that this
(below) is basic, speaking to all who were watching
around the world, including any Russians, like Vladimir Putin, separating
his next words from an answer to anyone.

That was to say to all that Putin could stop this battle-readiness now, it
is not too late, he is the sole decider,
he can end the possibility and the fear and confusion anytime he wants.
Clearly, even those who do not agree,-- I say so civilly and
pluralistically--
can see this as clearly the US's position and this as a prepared message (
and appeal) this administration wanted to get out.

Then the US press conference woman, not Jen Psaki but her number two; I
haven't learned her name and have not looked it up,  taking another roomful
of questions, did,
noticeably the same thing, after most of her answers re US and Ukraine
'referred to Kirby's presser", again stepped out
for her solo, repeating, while looking at the TV audience, what Kirby said
but in her own PR way.

Seems clear to me that the administration wanted to make a direct appeal to
Putin on global TV.