"Publish and Be Damned"

For John, BLUF:  Do we really think that 60 Minutes (or The View) think this is the final nail in the coffin, or that President Trump is even in the same room as the coffin?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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60 Minutes interview with Stormy Daniels to be broadcast Sunday

Here is the sub-headline:

The adult-film star and director describes the affair she says she had with Donald Trump in her first television interview about the alleged relationship

But this isn't anything new.  The Independent, in the UK, had a 20 March 1994 article titled "Rear Window: When Wellington said publish and be damned: The Field Marshal and the Scarlet Woman".  The Writer was Mr Brian Cathcart.

Here is the lede, plus:

ONE morning in December 1824, the Duke of Wellington received an unpleasant letter.

'My Lord Duke,' it began, 'in Harriette Wilson's Memoirs, which I am about to publish, are various anecdotes of Your Grace which it would be most desirable to withhold, at least such is my opinion.  I have stopped the Press for the moment, but as the publication will take place next week, little delay can necessarily take place.'

The letter, signed by one Joseph Stockdale, a pornographer and scandal-monger, was a naked attempt at blackmail.  The Duke was a field marshal, cabinet minister, national hero, husband and father, while Harriette Wilson was a famous London courtesan past her prime, then living in exile in Paris.  Wellington was being asked to pay money to be left out of her memoirs.

His response is famous: 'Publish and be damned]' And they did. Through 1825 the memoirs appeared by instalments, each with a dramatis personae listing the notables named in order of rank - 'Dukes: Argyll, Beaufort, de Guiche, Leinster . . .' and so on through earls and viscounts down to humble esquires.

London society was thrilled and scandalised.  Half the aristocracy was named in the book, and painted in a most unflattering light.  The memoirs went through 31 editions in one year; excerpts were pirated and sold as illustrated broadsheets and French and German editions quickly appeared to delight the gossips of the Continent.

To repeat the quote

Publish and be damned.

I think that sums it up.

And, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, went on to be Prime Minister from 1828 to 1830 and again in 1834, and to hold several other high offices, including Leader of the House of Lords.  It appears the scandal did him little harm.

I do think Mr Trump should suggest the money given to Ms Stormy Daniels be returned, since she seems to have been unable to uphold her end of the bargain, although I getting it back is a game not worth the candle.

Hat tip to my Brother Lance.

Regards  —  Cliff