Gannon's Back -- at the National Press Club?

James Guckert/Jeff Gannon (insert distasteful joke about male escorts here) has been invited by the National Press Club to take part in a panel discussion about blogging and journalism. The Press Club's Web site is calling the event a discussion about the differences between "bloggers" and "journalists." In response to criticism for including G/G, the Press Club added a bunch of other bloggers to the panel.

G/G told Editor & Publisher that he always considered himself a legitimate journalist, and "perhaps their invitation is recognition of that." Well, Jeff/Jim, they also invited "Wonkette" and no one has ever confused her with a journalist, so don't get your hopes up.

Even more proof that the Press Club isn't attempting to convey the title of "legitimate journalist" on this dude is the statement from Mike Madden, a Gannett News Service reporter and a member of the Press Club's Professional Affairs committee: "The panel came together because we wanted to discuss some issues that came about from the Gannon case. So we thought, why not try to get him?" Madden further stated G/G will be there "because the panel is presumably going to talk mostly about his case," that the panel "is not intended to be a forum for [G/G] to present his side unchallenged," and that "journalists should be given a chance to question him."

They're laughing at you Jeff/Jim, not with you.