This is fucked up. In its seemingly endless attempt to lose every shred of credibility it may have left, the WaPo gives the lawyer for internet sex offender and DHS deputy press secretary Brian Doyle an opportunity to spin, spin, spin away.

Depression, likely triggered by the death of two siblings, may have led the Department of Homeland Security's deputy press secretary, Brian J. Doyle, to reach out to a Florida detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on the Internet, his attorney said today.

"Reach out"?!?!? Are you fucking kidding me? He wasn't reaching out to a detective. He was trying to mess with what he thought was a 14 year old girl. That's not trying to "reach out." Ugh. But please, continue.

[Doyle's defense attoryney] Helfand said the allegations against his client are serious, but he noted that Doyle has a stellar reputation.

"Mr. Doyle has risen to some of the highest levels of our government," Helfand said. "I understand that he has a spotless record."

*HAD* He *HAD* a spotless record. Possibly because he'd not been caught before. So, so stupid. If only there were a conservative blogger at WaPo to give us perspective on all this.

Voice of Reason: Yeah, okay, let the lawyer have his say since it doesn't matter anyway. Better examples are available for why the best use for the WaPo is lining in the birdcage.