D4N, I read what you are talking about in The New York Times, Washington Post, Politico, VOX and other sources. HCR's 'NOTES' are full of links to the 'free press'. We are suffering from the loss of local, journalistic outlets. There are gulfs and gaps, but the landscape is not barren either. As citizens we deserve and need more; we also…
D4N, I read what you are talking about in The New York Times, Washington Post, Politico, VOX and other sources. HCR's 'NOTES' are full of links to the 'free press'. We are suffering from the loss of local, journalistic outlets. There are gulfs and gaps, but the landscape is not barren either. As citizens we deserve and need more; we also need to work together to get the 'free press' democracies cannot survive without.
Yes, Fern, that is the problem. Something like 30,000 jobs have been lost in journalism, but one of the bright spots is that individuals with remarkable skills—like Judd Legum and groups like ProPublica — have been able to flourish independently. And, of course, Substack gives someone like Heather Cox Richardson a platform, whereas in more conventional journalism, she might be reduced to sound bites as a talking head. The issue, of course, is that a reader has to be dogged to FIND trustworthy news, which is why I'm so happy that a man who seems to be an ordinary citizen, duped by Fox News, can seek reliief and maybe even have some credibility with like-minded individuals.
This is an exact happening , the common folk or close resemblance , get to have a say, yea 🙌
...it’s broader expose to the majority’s -our nation’s opinions -all the while overshadowed by the incessant bantering of the Jim Jordan’s , the Tuberville’s and the sickening minority cacophony .
After now years of NOT putting up clear evidence NOT shutting their lying lips NOT honoring their oaths, but with ‘still yet’ malice and deviant intent spewing hatred and placating this treasonous ‘base ‘. All this plus a SCOTUS that hands down verdicts that PUT DOWN trusted relied upon laws and on top of that won’t uphold any collective ethics that all other court appointees have to abide by...
I’m disgusted...period.
I’m so sick of hearing it I have turned off the TV, choose only to stream as NOT to have to listen to incessant commercials touting their product is the best, and delete most emails because they’re all asking for donations near 2 years out from an election . Money has become the driving source vs dedication and protection to principles for ...
WE THE PEOPLE!
The country is fine 🗣️HELLO !!!! 65-70% of which wants the freedoms being taken away by the very people we entrusted to care for it.
As for the people who keep voting the liars back in ...sorry isn’t exactly my sentiment
As for the dark money backing this BS...I hope you get to walk in the moccasins of the people who suffered from your selfish ignorance
As for the ‘Christian’ pastors/fellowship who walked away from His Path ...Lord forgive them ..for they DO know what they DO....
Permitting ‘Letters to an American’ , The Lucid, Hopium, and so many other excellent honest sources ...to be published in every state by the ‘free press’ to avail the majority of TRUTH , of FACTS vs what ifs / the could bes or out and out LIES...is such an excellent idea.
I’m going to VOTE 💙
I’m going to continue to pray for everyone with my tongue properly in my mouth
I’m going to speak out , encourage, and promote Democracy again, and again, and again...
Wow!!! Patricia, I wish I’d met you 40 years ago!!! You are a woman after my heart 💙! I LOVE everything you have said, and honestly, I couldn’t have said it any better! WOW!!!!!!!
Thank you Daniel, we have likely fought/worked for/taught the solutions together anyhow. Writing and my vote is the last vestige to bring what’s needed to the masses. I’m inspired by the best Heather , was my first introduction, and since then many more , many of whom I can afford only their teasers. Going back to the land MANY years ago is a limited income to pick carefully with.
So carry on with your charm , write , and be engaged , inspired, and a purveyor of truth. The world needs this ❤️
Like I said. I don’t know you, personally, but sure wish I did. You definitely sound like a really special woman. And, yes, Heather, E. Jean Carroll, Robert Reich, and several others are whim I read daily on here. There’s others I listen to their video podcast, and read their postings, but I’m unable to afford their subscriptions. On my little law enforcement and firefighting pension and lax social security, I can’t afford many of these subscriptions.
I’d spend over $200 a month if I had it, because since my wife passed last year, and me stint living in the woods and under a bridge before my youngest step-son found me and got me this place, all I have to do every day now is breathe with my oxygen machines, breathing machines, and lay here and read, and write. That’s my life now. Miserable as hell!
Let’s keep meeting like this …🤣🤭 Thank you for your service Daniel, a claim with no minimals, and the many who never could but wanted to….🙌 and enjoy the story too. Prayers for your Mrs. May your writing soar🫶
If the press is allowed to scapegoat ordinary Americans for ratings, what's next? Epps is a Trump fan who actually tried to stop the stampede to the doors of the Capitol on Jan 6th. The irony is that Fox needed to believe in the insurrection and the ludicrous "Stop the Steal," but it couldn't, so it ruthlessly took a man whose only crime was being there and objecting to what was happening, slandered him and ruined his life, for ratings. If a jury doesn't shut down Fox for good, there is no justice left in America.
Well answered by you. If we ever doubted the need for a free press, those doubts should have vanished as soon as fox started spewing lies and trying to kill our country.
We REALLY need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. Thanks ronnie raygun!
An important point is support of the outlets we read. Subscriptions pay for the work. I can’t afford to pay them all, but my budget has been increasingly being targeted toward substack while maintaining a local, state and national newspaper, along with the Atlantic, Propublica, and Wapo. Spread the money around folks. Freedom isn’t free
Thomas Frank in his seminal book, "What's the Matter With Kansas," explains how propaganda promulgated by extreme right-wing groups use wedge issues (abortion, immigration, undeserving folks getting government handouts, gay rights, women's rights, etc.) to get ordinary people to vote against their best economic and social interests. That $32 trillion national debt has gone mostly into the pockets of the wealthy, at the expense of 98% of our population. The Right uses culture wars to drain our treasury.
I know. I am a 6th generation Texan. My family was among the first white settlors of Texas, arriving in 1830. My great, great uncle, William Depriest Sutherland, age 18, was one of those who died at the Alamo. Some of my cousins now support Texit and some only get their "info" from OAN, Fox and Newsmax. I joined the U.S. Army in 1960, was sent to Monterey, California to learn Chinese at the Army Language School. For me, California was "The Promised Land." I was born in Uvalde and started school there. Miss Annie Robb was a 3rd grade teacher there in 1946-1947. My family moved from Uvalde during the mid part of my 2nd grade so I was never in her class. She wasn't much taller than her students, white haired even then.
Love the story, keep telling it and be proud Richard . There are a lot of you , and other Texans , aware of what’s going on , the dangers it promotes, who will vote knowing to chose wisely not following the circus act. Thanks you for speaking out! ❤️☮️
I’ve loved a lot of ‘mutts’ , Jeri. Have no shame in saying/being ‘ in the fold’. And truly feel compelled to go out and search for the one lost hoping the 99 are safe during my ‘quest’.😉
Love your posts too. Thanks for your wonderful efforts.
The Texas War of Independence was fought because the white settlors wanted to keep slaves and Santa Anna objected. My great grandfather's brother was the one who died at the Alamo. It was a high price to pay. Our family has a two volumne genealogy put together in the 1950's. Of course, this cousin is not included, neither are some of those who were given up for adoption at birth (out of wedlock) and are just now learning what a huge family they have. We welcome them with open arms.
My family history gets more interesting in a number of respects. My great, great uncle, William Depriest Sutherland, had a younger brother, Thomas Shelton Sutherland who became my great grandfather. He was a slave owner and had a daughter with one of his slaves around 1850. We have now connected with her great, great granddaughter through DNA. I have wanted to get together with her as does my cousin, Christy Carpenter, the daughter of my cousin, Liz Sutherland Carpenter. But, she's not up to it at this time. So, perhaps in time.
And, in addition to Thomas Franks' book, there is the one by Nancy MacLean entitled "Democracy in Chains," described as The deep history of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America," a piercing examination of the Right's relentless campaign to eliminate unions, suppress voting, privatize public education, stop action on climate change and alter the constitution."
In a word - we've got trouble, big time. They've got a 40-year lead on us.
Nancy is very good and thorough. She puts to rest any question about whether we're striving to save our democracy. I feel that our goal is that articulated by Frances Perkins last century: "The people are what matter to government, and a government should aim to provide all the people undere its jurisdiction the best possible life." And, add to that Albert Einstein's theory of government: "I am an adherent of the ideal of democracy , although I well know the weaknesses of the democratic form of government. Social equality and economic protection of the individual appeared to me always as the important ommunal aims of the state." We're at war with those who want a white Christian oligarchical autocracy.
My rent was just raised by $100 a month. I'm not going to be able to afford more than one or two Substacks. I can't afford newspapers. I read ProPublica for free. I hate WaPo.
Sadly, our “free press” has followed Rupert and the Money-making model for a while now. Where is Walter who, told it like it was, with nary a whiff of entertainment to be found. True, there are some journalists who have a voice, but investigative journalists are rarer than hen’s teeth,
while “opinion” journalists abound.
I still take a local paper, although I had to switch since the one I had subscribed to for 20 years decided to add 8 conservative opinion writers to their crew. Hell NO, said I.
Where is Paul Krugman - New York Times; where is Rachel Maddow - MSNBC; where is Christiane Amanpour - CNN and PBS; Where is Robert Woodward - Washington Post; Where is Eugene Scott - Washington Post; Where is Fareed Zakaria - CNN; Where is Kate Stafford - AP; Where is Sally Ho - AP; Where is Jeff Leen - editor in charge of The Washington Post's dedicated investigative units; Where is Carol Leonnig - Washington Post; Where is Amy Brittain - Washington Post; Where is Roger Cohen - New York Times; Where are Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb - Seattle Times...
Jeri Chilcutt, just a few names above, a little drop, a hint... We need more good journalists to cover local, state and rural areas, no doubt, but I wouldn't give credit to a villain of the facts for how expensive it is to run a newspaper. We are reaching the American people in different ways and need to focus on the areas that require much more 'free-press'.
Fern There are excellent journalists such as you mention, ProPublica, and other excellent news sources at The Atlantic and elsewhere. However, in our FALSE FACT environment, relatively few Americans bother to read or listen to critical thinking.
It took the House January 6th Committee to highlight for the public the calumny of the Capitol Hill insurrection.
We are, as my Chilean friends would say, in un dialog con mudos (a dialogue of mutes).
The water is available if someone is thirsty. As I once heard “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it think.”
No argument here,, where I live Rupert rules the fools. Every day, I feel like I live in pre-war Germany where there is zip interest in MSNBC, WaPo, NYT, PBS, or anything besides Fox and clones. Sorry for the peek into my world.
What’s happening to CNN? I turned it on the other night and Kaitlin Collins was interviewing Mike Pence and he blathered on about the failed Biden administration and how Democrats are destroying our country. the next night Anderson Cooper interviewed Chris Christie who was (is) the only R attacking Trump, but also about how Democrats were ruining our country. Admittedly I turned them both off mid-interview but what’s happened to CNN that they’re giving time to these Republicans who are the real destroyers of our democracy?
Why don’t they report on the strength of the American economy because of Biden’s policies? I only see reported is the polling that shows most voters think Biden is too old to run, but evidently not Trump, who is nearly as old.
I unwisely tuned into the first few minutes of the Today show this morning. Besides the weather, one of the top stories was about the cocaine found in the White House and people (i.e., Republican members of Congress) upset that the Secret Service investigation has ended without any information released about how the cocaine got there and whose it was. Really, THAT's the most important national story?! Needless to say, I turned off the TV at that point.
This morning, MSNBC carried as part of the "breaking news" that the House narrowly passed the hotly contested NDAA -- and then proceeded to air the presser with McCarthy, Scalise, Emmer, Stefanik, Kiggans, and LaLota, in which they heaped criticism on Democrats, talked about "woke," and nearly broke their arms patting themselves on the back for having squeezed out a passage.
I'm personally disgusted that MSNBC aired the statements by this pack of power-mongering TFG sycophants.
The Republicans always seem to be nothing, if not consistently dedicated to heaping praise on themselves and being loathsome.
Republicans are the equivalent of clickbait. Look what 60 Minutes did recently by airing a puff piece about MTG, and CNN with its obscene Trump "town hall." It's a mentality that reminds me of the old freak shows, except that millions of Americans don't see Republicans as freaks. I see the same kind of thing even on my local news channels where they broadcast Republican-related stories but don't provide any rebuttal by Democrats.
Excellent Fern, I copied in addition to reading, to print later for others seeking good journalism.I share (as you know) what i subscribe to also. Often feels like a minimal effort to HELP our Democracy but often the best I can do anymore.
Thank you, Patricia, we are working together with millions upon millions more. Your words and commitment boost our efforts. I would like to add Politico, SLATE, ProPublica, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Nature Brief...I'll stop there, but there are more!
Politico, Seriously? Talking Points Memo, emptywheel, Dan Froomkin, the LA Times, BBC America are more.
I also think it should be made clear that there is always the danger of creating an echo chamber by only reading and watching news points of view we're comfortable with. This is what Fox News has done, and it would be worse if every one of us just huddled in front of MSNBC every night because Rachel Maddow and Ari Melber. But this is what a lot of people do. These people are "good" because they don't challenge you but justify your opinions.
It is not barren, but the mainstream media rarely calls out the lies. There are some good journalists, but overall “reporting” does not challenge their statements very often.. and HOW a is it that Fox is still the main source of news on our military bases???? This might be the most damaging of all .
'Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims as president. Nearly half came in his final year.' (THE WASHINGTON POST) I second the call for more journalism in local, state and rural areas. As disappointed as you my be with mainstream media, I am startled by how little effort and awareness many Americans have, including, perhaps, some subscribers, of the excellent journalism by reporters around the country as well as published in The New York Times and The Washington Post. As for the reporting on the 'lies', I see that subject covered quite a lot.
'Pinocchio effect' confirmed: When you lie, your nose temperature rises'
Source:
University of Granada
'When a person lies, he or she experiences a "Pinocchio effect", which is an increase in the temperature around the nose and in the orbital muscle in the inner corner of the eye. In addition, when we perform a considerable mental effort our face temperature drops, and when we have an anxiety attack our face temperature rises, according to a pioneering study that has introduced new applications of thermography.' (ScienceDaily)
Fox may be the main source of news on our military bases, but I'll bet the story about Sen. Tuberville holding up military promotions isn't even mentioned. (NPR had a good story about it yesterday, though.)
Suzanne, there are many accounts of military bases airing Fox News. I have not, however, been able to find any reports indicating that 'Fox is still the main source of news on our military bases????' as you wrote. That would be very bad news. I would like to follow up. If you have a source or sources for your statement, please provide me with the sources' names and links,. Thank you.
Thanks Fern. Problem seems to be that there are smaller numbers of 'us' that understand the divides > yielding a monstrous big problem in search of a large'ish medium. Small i can do little to effect changes that address the largest issue which is 'the megaphone of broadcast' monopoly, or in this case in particular - too many outlets and too few with willingness to advocate 'truth' - as it is on this plane, which is revealing and accepting 'facts in evidence'. Trying is all I've got brother. Thanks again...
Hi D4N. I think that I understand what you mean by indicating that the fragmentation of American society mitigates against any kind of common understanding among us. We may not agree on how big that middle is. The mid-terms were not the anticipated disaster and the economy is better than expected. I wonder as the evidence in various cases mount against Trump, whether a fair number of Republicans give up the ghost. I think that Trump is a model case and an important starting point. I could go through a number of other big obstacles but sticking with we have to keep working on this. We have no choice, D4N. There are no grounds for giving up.
D4N, I read what you are talking about in The New York Times, Washington Post, Politico, VOX and other sources. HCR's 'NOTES' are full of links to the 'free press'. We are suffering from the loss of local, journalistic outlets. There are gulfs and gaps, but the landscape is not barren either. As citizens we deserve and need more; we also need to work together to get the 'free press' democracies cannot survive without.
Yes, Fern, that is the problem. Something like 30,000 jobs have been lost in journalism, but one of the bright spots is that individuals with remarkable skills—like Judd Legum and groups like ProPublica — have been able to flourish independently. And, of course, Substack gives someone like Heather Cox Richardson a platform, whereas in more conventional journalism, she might be reduced to sound bites as a talking head. The issue, of course, is that a reader has to be dogged to FIND trustworthy news, which is why I'm so happy that a man who seems to be an ordinary citizen, duped by Fox News, can seek reliief and maybe even have some credibility with like-minded individuals.
This is an exact happening , the common folk or close resemblance , get to have a say, yea 🙌
...it’s broader expose to the majority’s -our nation’s opinions -all the while overshadowed by the incessant bantering of the Jim Jordan’s , the Tuberville’s and the sickening minority cacophony .
After now years of NOT putting up clear evidence NOT shutting their lying lips NOT honoring their oaths, but with ‘still yet’ malice and deviant intent spewing hatred and placating this treasonous ‘base ‘. All this plus a SCOTUS that hands down verdicts that PUT DOWN trusted relied upon laws and on top of that won’t uphold any collective ethics that all other court appointees have to abide by...
I’m disgusted...period.
I’m so sick of hearing it I have turned off the TV, choose only to stream as NOT to have to listen to incessant commercials touting their product is the best, and delete most emails because they’re all asking for donations near 2 years out from an election . Money has become the driving source vs dedication and protection to principles for ...
WE THE PEOPLE!
The country is fine 🗣️HELLO !!!! 65-70% of which wants the freedoms being taken away by the very people we entrusted to care for it.
As for the people who keep voting the liars back in ...sorry isn’t exactly my sentiment
As for the dark money backing this BS...I hope you get to walk in the moccasins of the people who suffered from your selfish ignorance
As for the ‘Christian’ pastors/fellowship who walked away from His Path ...Lord forgive them ..for they DO know what they DO....
Permitting ‘Letters to an American’ , The Lucid, Hopium, and so many other excellent honest sources ...to be published in every state by the ‘free press’ to avail the majority of TRUTH , of FACTS vs what ifs / the could bes or out and out LIES...is such an excellent idea.
I’m going to VOTE 💙
I’m going to continue to pray for everyone with my tongue properly in my mouth
I’m going to speak out , encourage, and promote Democracy again, and again, and again...
I’m going to VOTE 💙
Wow!!! Patricia, I wish I’d met you 40 years ago!!! You are a woman after my heart 💙! I LOVE everything you have said, and honestly, I couldn’t have said it any better! WOW!!!!!!!
Thank you Daniel, we have likely fought/worked for/taught the solutions together anyhow. Writing and my vote is the last vestige to bring what’s needed to the masses. I’m inspired by the best Heather , was my first introduction, and since then many more , many of whom I can afford only their teasers. Going back to the land MANY years ago is a limited income to pick carefully with.
So carry on with your charm , write , and be engaged , inspired, and a purveyor of truth. The world needs this ❤️
Like I said. I don’t know you, personally, but sure wish I did. You definitely sound like a really special woman. And, yes, Heather, E. Jean Carroll, Robert Reich, and several others are whim I read daily on here. There’s others I listen to their video podcast, and read their postings, but I’m unable to afford their subscriptions. On my little law enforcement and firefighting pension and lax social security, I can’t afford many of these subscriptions.
I’d spend over $200 a month if I had it, because since my wife passed last year, and me stint living in the woods and under a bridge before my youngest step-son found me and got me this place, all I have to do every day now is breathe with my oxygen machines, breathing machines, and lay here and read, and write. That’s my life now. Miserable as hell!
Let’s keep meeting like this …🤣🤭 Thank you for your service Daniel, a claim with no minimals, and the many who never could but wanted to….🙌 and enjoy the story too. Prayers for your Mrs. May your writing soar🫶
I greatly appreciate your support, Patricia. I truly do. Of v CB purse we’ll continue to converse on here..
If the press is allowed to scapegoat ordinary Americans for ratings, what's next? Epps is a Trump fan who actually tried to stop the stampede to the doors of the Capitol on Jan 6th. The irony is that Fox needed to believe in the insurrection and the ludicrous "Stop the Steal," but it couldn't, so it ruthlessly took a man whose only crime was being there and objecting to what was happening, slandered him and ruined his life, for ratings. If a jury doesn't shut down Fox for good, there is no justice left in America.
Well answered by you. If we ever doubted the need for a free press, those doubts should have vanished as soon as fox started spewing lies and trying to kill our country.
We REALLY need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. Thanks ronnie raygun!
An important point is support of the outlets we read. Subscriptions pay for the work. I can’t afford to pay them all, but my budget has been increasingly being targeted toward substack while maintaining a local, state and national newspaper, along with the Atlantic, Propublica, and Wapo. Spread the money around folks. Freedom isn’t free
Straight news isn’t free either, but Goebbels-style propaganda saturates the airwaves, wanted or not.
Thomas Frank in his seminal book, "What's the Matter With Kansas," explains how propaganda promulgated by extreme right-wing groups use wedge issues (abortion, immigration, undeserving folks getting government handouts, gay rights, women's rights, etc.) to get ordinary people to vote against their best economic and social interests. That $32 trillion national debt has gone mostly into the pockets of the wealthy, at the expense of 98% of our population. The Right uses culture wars to drain our treasury.
You just described Texas, it's not just Kansas anymore.
I know. I am a 6th generation Texan. My family was among the first white settlors of Texas, arriving in 1830. My great, great uncle, William Depriest Sutherland, age 18, was one of those who died at the Alamo. Some of my cousins now support Texit and some only get their "info" from OAN, Fox and Newsmax. I joined the U.S. Army in 1960, was sent to Monterey, California to learn Chinese at the Army Language School. For me, California was "The Promised Land." I was born in Uvalde and started school there. Miss Annie Robb was a 3rd grade teacher there in 1946-1947. My family moved from Uvalde during the mid part of my 2nd grade so I was never in her class. She wasn't much taller than her students, white haired even then.
Love the story, keep telling it and be proud Richard . There are a lot of you , and other Texans , aware of what’s going on , the dangers it promotes, who will vote knowing to chose wisely not following the circus act. Thanks you for speaking out! ❤️☮️
Thank you, Patricia. I am telling more in my reply to Dianna.
Great family history. Genealogy can make fools of the people who think that there are "pure" anything. We all are mutts,, pretty much
I’ve loved a lot of ‘mutts’ , Jeri. Have no shame in saying/being ‘ in the fold’. And truly feel compelled to go out and search for the one lost hoping the 99 are safe during my ‘quest’.😉
Love your posts too. Thanks for your wonderful efforts.
Thank you, from one mutt to another…
The Texas War of Independence was fought because the white settlors wanted to keep slaves and Santa Anna objected. My great grandfather's brother was the one who died at the Alamo. It was a high price to pay. Our family has a two volumne genealogy put together in the 1950's. Of course, this cousin is not included, neither are some of those who were given up for adoption at birth (out of wedlock) and are just now learning what a huge family they have. We welcome them with open arms.
Great history your family has!!
My family history gets more interesting in a number of respects. My great, great uncle, William Depriest Sutherland, had a younger brother, Thomas Shelton Sutherland who became my great grandfather. He was a slave owner and had a daughter with one of his slaves around 1850. We have now connected with her great, great granddaughter through DNA. I have wanted to get together with her as does my cousin, Christy Carpenter, the daughter of my cousin, Liz Sutherland Carpenter. But, she's not up to it at this time. So, perhaps in time.
And, in addition to Thomas Franks' book, there is the one by Nancy MacLean entitled "Democracy in Chains," described as The deep history of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America," a piercing examination of the Right's relentless campaign to eliminate unions, suppress voting, privatize public education, stop action on climate change and alter the constitution."
In a word - we've got trouble, big time. They've got a 40-year lead on us.
Indeed they do, and they have set the stage for further cheating. Thanks for MacLean ref.
Nancy is very good and thorough. She puts to rest any question about whether we're striving to save our democracy. I feel that our goal is that articulated by Frances Perkins last century: "The people are what matter to government, and a government should aim to provide all the people undere its jurisdiction the best possible life." And, add to that Albert Einstein's theory of government: "I am an adherent of the ideal of democracy , although I well know the weaknesses of the democratic form of government. Social equality and economic protection of the individual appeared to me always as the important ommunal aims of the state." We're at war with those who want a white Christian oligarchical autocracy.
100%
And Florida, Idaho, Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana, Utah and a few others.
Clicks and likes are driven by divisiveness, right?
No way, Jose.!! (-:
People used to donate or tithe to their church. Journalism is my "religion". I pay for all the enlightening news sources.
Those you mentioned and The NY Times, New Yorker, Democracy Now, R. Reich, Heather,..plus Wikipedia and more.
My rent was just raised by $100 a month. I'm not going to be able to afford more than one or two Substacks. I can't afford newspapers. I read ProPublica for free. I hate WaPo.
As do I, Dave.
Sadly, our “free press” has followed Rupert and the Money-making model for a while now. Where is Walter who, told it like it was, with nary a whiff of entertainment to be found. True, there are some journalists who have a voice, but investigative journalists are rarer than hen’s teeth,
while “opinion” journalists abound.
I still take a local paper, although I had to switch since the one I had subscribed to for 20 years decided to add 8 conservative opinion writers to their crew. Hell NO, said I.
Where is Paul Krugman - New York Times; where is Rachel Maddow - MSNBC; where is Christiane Amanpour - CNN and PBS; Where is Robert Woodward - Washington Post; Where is Eugene Scott - Washington Post; Where is Fareed Zakaria - CNN; Where is Kate Stafford - AP; Where is Sally Ho - AP; Where is Jeff Leen - editor in charge of The Washington Post's dedicated investigative units; Where is Carol Leonnig - Washington Post; Where is Amy Brittain - Washington Post; Where is Roger Cohen - New York Times; Where are Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb - Seattle Times...
Jeri Chilcutt, just a few names above, a little drop, a hint... We need more good journalists to cover local, state and rural areas, no doubt, but I wouldn't give credit to a villain of the facts for how expensive it is to run a newspaper. We are reaching the American people in different ways and need to focus on the areas that require much more 'free-press'.
Fern There are excellent journalists such as you mention, ProPublica, and other excellent news sources at The Atlantic and elsewhere. However, in our FALSE FACT environment, relatively few Americans bother to read or listen to critical thinking.
It took the House January 6th Committee to highlight for the public the calumny of the Capitol Hill insurrection.
We are, as my Chilean friends would say, in un dialog con mudos (a dialogue of mutes).
The water is available if someone is thirsty. As I once heard “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it think.”
I am reminded of an IBM ad from long ago: THINK OR THWIM.
No argument here,, where I live Rupert rules the fools. Every day, I feel like I live in pre-war Germany where there is zip interest in MSNBC, WaPo, NYT, PBS, or anything besides Fox and clones. Sorry for the peek into my world.
What’s happening to CNN? I turned it on the other night and Kaitlin Collins was interviewing Mike Pence and he blathered on about the failed Biden administration and how Democrats are destroying our country. the next night Anderson Cooper interviewed Chris Christie who was (is) the only R attacking Trump, but also about how Democrats were ruining our country. Admittedly I turned them both off mid-interview but what’s happened to CNN that they’re giving time to these Republicans who are the real destroyers of our democracy?
Why don’t they report on the strength of the American economy because of Biden’s policies? I only see reported is the polling that shows most voters think Biden is too old to run, but evidently not Trump, who is nearly as old.
I unwisely tuned into the first few minutes of the Today show this morning. Besides the weather, one of the top stories was about the cocaine found in the White House and people (i.e., Republican members of Congress) upset that the Secret Service investigation has ended without any information released about how the cocaine got there and whose it was. Really, THAT's the most important national story?! Needless to say, I turned off the TV at that point.
My thoughts it was a plant by a Republican.....Maybe, Kevin! Or his soulmate MTG!
Most likely it fell out of a visitor's pocket when they turned over their cell phone. It's just "Hunter Biden!!!" fodder for the Republicans.
This morning, MSNBC carried as part of the "breaking news" that the House narrowly passed the hotly contested NDAA -- and then proceeded to air the presser with McCarthy, Scalise, Emmer, Stefanik, Kiggans, and LaLota, in which they heaped criticism on Democrats, talked about "woke," and nearly broke their arms patting themselves on the back for having squeezed out a passage.
I'm personally disgusted that MSNBC aired the statements by this pack of power-mongering TFG sycophants.
The Republicans always seem to be nothing, if not consistently dedicated to heaping praise on themselves and being loathsome.
Republicans are the equivalent of clickbait. Look what 60 Minutes did recently by airing a puff piece about MTG, and CNN with its obscene Trump "town hall." It's a mentality that reminds me of the old freak shows, except that millions of Americans don't see Republicans as freaks. I see the same kind of thing even on my local news channels where they broadcast Republican-related stories but don't provide any rebuttal by Democrats.
It's been widely written about - CNN is shifting to the right. I don't watch TV news except for occasionally BBC America and NPR.
CNN was hurting for money! They are trying to get Fox viewers!
Excellent Fern, I copied in addition to reading, to print later for others seeking good journalism.I share (as you know) what i subscribe to also. Often feels like a minimal effort to HELP our Democracy but often the best I can do anymore.
Thanks for you superb commenting and input.
Thank you, Patricia, we are working together with millions upon millions more. Your words and commitment boost our efforts. I would like to add Politico, SLATE, ProPublica, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Nature Brief...I'll stop there, but there are more!
Politico, Seriously? Talking Points Memo, emptywheel, Dan Froomkin, the LA Times, BBC America are more.
I also think it should be made clear that there is always the danger of creating an echo chamber by only reading and watching news points of view we're comfortable with. This is what Fox News has done, and it would be worse if every one of us just huddled in front of MSNBC every night because Rachel Maddow and Ari Melber. But this is what a lot of people do. These people are "good" because they don't challenge you but justify your opinions.
It is not barren, but the mainstream media rarely calls out the lies. There are some good journalists, but overall “reporting” does not challenge their statements very often.. and HOW a is it that Fox is still the main source of news on our military bases???? This might be the most damaging of all .
'Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims as president. Nearly half came in his final year.' (THE WASHINGTON POST) I second the call for more journalism in local, state and rural areas. As disappointed as you my be with mainstream media, I am startled by how little effort and awareness many Americans have, including, perhaps, some subscribers, of the excellent journalism by reporters around the country as well as published in The New York Times and The Washington Post. As for the reporting on the 'lies', I see that subject covered quite a lot.
'Pinocchio effect' confirmed: When you lie, your nose temperature rises'
Source:
University of Granada
'When a person lies, he or she experiences a "Pinocchio effect", which is an increase in the temperature around the nose and in the orbital muscle in the inner corner of the eye. In addition, when we perform a considerable mental effort our face temperature drops, and when we have an anxiety attack our face temperature rises, according to a pioneering study that has introduced new applications of thermography.' (ScienceDaily)
Fern, darling, you never cease to amaze me! :)
Do I appreciate your warm embrace, absolutely; thank you, dear Marlene!
Fox may be the main source of news on our military bases, but I'll bet the story about Sen. Tuberville holding up military promotions isn't even mentioned. (NPR had a good story about it yesterday, though.)
Suzanne, there are many accounts of military bases airing Fox News. I have not, however, been able to find any reports indicating that 'Fox is still the main source of news on our military bases????' as you wrote. That would be very bad news. I would like to follow up. If you have a source or sources for your statement, please provide me with the sources' names and links,. Thank you.
And banks and hotels!
What?! Are you serious? I did not know this!
Thanks Fern. Problem seems to be that there are smaller numbers of 'us' that understand the divides > yielding a monstrous big problem in search of a large'ish medium. Small i can do little to effect changes that address the largest issue which is 'the megaphone of broadcast' monopoly, or in this case in particular - too many outlets and too few with willingness to advocate 'truth' - as it is on this plane, which is revealing and accepting 'facts in evidence'. Trying is all I've got brother. Thanks again...
Hi D4N. I think that I understand what you mean by indicating that the fragmentation of American society mitigates against any kind of common understanding among us. We may not agree on how big that middle is. The mid-terms were not the anticipated disaster and the economy is better than expected. I wonder as the evidence in various cases mount against Trump, whether a fair number of Republicans give up the ghost. I think that Trump is a model case and an important starting point. I could go through a number of other big obstacles but sticking with we have to keep working on this. We have no choice, D4N. There are no grounds for giving up.
Fern, in my area the paper is Republican owned. Actually, we have mostly obituarys and arrests of the drug users and dealers. It is sad!
It there a fair amount of local advertising as well? If so, it could than be simply an advertising supplement.
Yes! They do well during an election year!
Low cost, good revenue and no journalism. It is a cash register.
And it costs me $120 per year for 2 papers a week.