Walter Cronkite must be spinning in his grave.
It's absolutely infuriating for a parasite like Mulvaney to be rewarded in this manner, and it's an absolute insult to the intelligence of the American public to hold him up as an expert voice.
Shame, shame, shame on CBS.
It's absolutely infuriating for a parasite like Mulvaney to be rewarded in this manner, and it's an absolute insult to the intelligence of the American public to hold him up as an expert voice.
And Edward R Murrow is rolling right alongside Cronkite. Shame on CBS, shame on the Supreme Court for their Citizens United garbage decision and woe betide the rest of us. We have work to do. Lots and lots and lots of work to do.
I needed to add this edit this morning. In 2021, the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to two journalists, Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa. Muratov is Russian, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, and someone who risks his life in order to give Russians accurate, truthful information. Maria Ressa, a Filipino-American, also risks her life to bring accurate information to Filipinos. And CBS hires Mulvaney? When journalists like Muratov and Ressa risk their lives to reveal the truth and protect democracy in autocratic countries?
Below. in Ellie Kona's comment you will find a list of CBS advertisers. Pick five and contact them today to tell them you will no longer buy their products. Then, call the CBS switchboard and tell them how unacceptable their choice is. The fourth estate is reeling towards autocracy in this country. We need to hold them accountable and make certain they understand how the majority of Americans voters think. No to trump and his minions.
Jeri, As reading through this thread, my mind kept turning to award winning citizen-journalist Bill Moyers, who, over his 25 years in broadcasting, worked assiduously against the grain of partisan politics by producing in-depth programs on controversial issues that took broad, non-partisan viewpoints to the public.
Barbara Bill Moyers had a remarkable career, as a Baptist minister who was press secretary for LBJ. In his numerous TV series his integrity was unimpeachable. He ranged from provocative series on people who had decided to end their own lives, the benefits of Oriental medicine, and controversial political issues to Sweet Honey and the RockтАЩs Bernice Reagan Johnson and the diverse impact of Amazing Grace.
My MoyersтАЩ favorite was Joseph CampbellтАЩs The Power of Myth. When Campbell calmly described the resurrection of Jesus as a myth found in other ancient folklore, Baptist minister Moyer politely listened with the look of someone who had just sucked on a bitter lemon.
Edward R. Murrow would have been as proud of Moyers as was Moyers of Murrow.
Keith, Thank you for writing. I sense this thread could serve as a catalyst for more of us to speak up and demand a more aggressive and independent media.
Keith, I'm with you on noting Bill Moyers' remarkable career. There were multiple programs of his which caught my attention. For example, one discussion he had with fellow Southerner, novelist John Grisham, as both agreed that Southern working people constantly voted against their own interests when voting Republican. On another episode, Moyers played the White House tapes of LBJ as he called congressmen to try and get support for the buildup of war in Vietnam.
I'm also in agreement with "The Power of Myth" (Moyers interviewing Campbell) as my favorite of Bill's presentations. I further recall in the episode discussing the death and resurrection of Jesus. Campbell went on to say of it, "The real message of Easter and Jesus's death and resurrection is about you--Have YOU died to your animal nature and been reborn in the Spirit?" With Easter approaching, that is certainly a worthy consideration for anyone.
Speaking years ago with a friend of mine who is a retired professor of history, I mentioned Campbell with his in-depth understanding and clarity. My friend replied, "Yes, he is someone who can see the 'Big Picture'."
In terms of comparing Murrow and Moyers, I think of Moyers as a blend of Edward R. Murrow and Ernie Pyle.
Heydon тАЬMoyers as a blend of Edward R Murrow and Ernie Pyle.тАЭ Spot on, although Murrow preferred Scotch and, for quite a while, double breasted suits, while Pyle drank whatever was available and slept wherever his soldier buddies found a spot.
Moyers did his job and he did it really well. (Former PBS employee here. I met Moyers and even provided background info to his team on occasion.) Sadly, Moyers is old news. Who can we point to today that is doing similar work in broadcast media? I don't watch the news - I read the news. Is there anyone you can point to that does a good job in your opinion?
Sheila, Though I realize your reply was not addressed to me, I would note, where I come from, Bill Moyers is hardly тАЬold news.тАЭ His articles repeatedly appear on course syllabi, perhaps because he raises questions about pressing media issues, including the mediaтАЩs capacity for shaping what counts as fact, the influence of those who hold power and status, and, especially, the repeal of long-established regulations meant to encourage a diverse and democratic media landscape.
CanтАЩt argue with any of that, Barbara. My point is that for those who watch the news today, what and whom should they watch? Those who understand MoyerтАЩs work, and I do, are looking for the next generationтАЩs true journalists and I havenтАЩt seen nor heard much about whom to watch, just who not to. We need someone like Moyers today, teaching to todayтАЩs audiences on the tube. Is there someone you watch that amplifies Moyers-style messaging?
I realize he isnt a journalist - but watching "Problem with Jon Stewart" is listening to the questions & attempts at answers on his show. The segments are on UTUBE - hes covered a LOT of various subjects - many that have been discussed here. His podcasts are on Apple tv - but I dont get that. I do however get emails each week - heres a link to his site.
A minor point: you say "what and who should they watch?" Please say "whom" here (and elsewhere) where it's called for; otherwise it makes my hair stand on end. Did you ever hear of the book, "For Who the Bell Tolls"? [I'm not criticizing your message, just the grammar.]
Sheila, Aside from Amy GoodmanтАЩs Democracy Now, I canтАЩt think of anyone else. That said, sometimes, an anchor hosts a brilliant guest. Hence, I tape certain programs ( e.g., All In with Chris Hayes), and when I have time, I run through the tape, pausing when I want to listen in on a conversation.
That's one of the first things that popped into my mind when I heard about the Mulvaney hiring. Dan may need to be tactful about his old employer, but given his past problems (i.e. the GW Bush story he famously got wrong and has had to live down) he might be in a position to criticise them now. We'll see...
Yes, I totally agree. That CBS introduced Mulvaney as simply a "former director of the OMB" is telling. I am disappointed in CBS but not surprised. There has been a right wing bias to their news shows for quite some time. Just watch Nora O'Donnell in the evenings and you will see what I am talking about. I also liked the quote from Charlie Pierce that Heather included in her latest letters-"When, oh lord, when will the elite political media treat the current Republican party as the threat to the Republic that they most obviously are". That pretty much says it all in a nutshell. Once again, I am thoroughly indebted to Heather for providing us, daily, of this information that the news media really need to be broadcasting but never will.
Nora O'Donnell leans right in her coverage. Margaret Brennan stands firmly in the camp, as evidenced by how to treats her guests on Face the Nation. I do miss John Dickerson. He was a suitable replacement for Bob Schieffer, who I very much enjoyed. Brennan challenges my ability to watch and listen.
I have no objection to CBS hiring Mulvaney, provided that during his appearances, he is hooked up to a lie detector with its readings displayed on the screen while he speaks.
Journalism Lite for hire. There needs to be a line of demarkation to separate Clicks and Likes hacks from honest Journalists, with a bust of Nora ODonnell awarded as the trophy for sell outs
I think this might be why CBS decided to hire Mulvaney. This could be a clever, although seriously shameless, ploy to draw viewers who ordinarily tune into Fox Entertainment Network ( does anyone besides me find "FEN" an ironic although appropriate acronymic? ) to CBS.
CBS is, like all media conglomerates, all about boosting their ratings. Saner viewers who have active memory cells might tune in for the gawk factor ("Really? Mick "It happens all the time -- get over it" Mulvaney?") before tuning out.
Apart from an excellent forum such as HCR provides here, how are we to assume the American public at large is capable of critical thinking anymore? I live in a rural area in upstate New York and it is Trumpland and evangelical. Their sole information sources are: "Newsmax," a Christian TV network, and right-wing social media. Yes, I agree that CBS has sunk low and I add another "shame" on them.
We cannot assume any sort of critical thinking from a majority of our population. I had a friend who used to call it "windsock thinking"; which ever way the windsock blows is how they think; no purpose or direction, no critical thought or assessment, just how the wind is blowing that day.
I think that, as a nation, we have been "carefully taught" not to think for ourselves.
The idea of "the public good" has been systematically denigrated by the Republican party for decades. That includes (especially) quality public education. The public has been dumbed down. We are reaping the results.
Very good question Lee Anne. When picking a jury you get to ask prospective jurors questions approved by the Judge. I looked for jurors whose profession or life skills required deductive reasoning (could be a caregiver), who understood association is not causation, who can evaluate data that we call admissible evidence in Court. A number of "Founders" were remarkable, Ben Franklin ( young printer) ; Abigail Adams (her letters to Jefferson) & crtical support of John; Alexander Hamilton ( dealt with mercantile ship captains as a Teen). Leaders are out there, could be a briliant Historian from Maine.
It's tricky, the freedom of speech and press. There must be a way that can let the public know what is factually true, and what is simply opinion. Zero guardrails are dangerous! And yet, here we are...
Hook up a lie detector to every news anchor/reporter. Seriously though -- couldn't they be required to cite their sources and have it displayed on the TV at least,
I've wondered about that. If the internet and social media were available at the time of the amendments, I wonder if Freedom of Speech and the Press would have come with some caveats about truth and facts. But how would that be determined?
"'What is truth,' retorted Pilate (to Jesus)." But he didn't wait for an answer. John 18:38.
I hardly can imagine how a returned Madison or Jefferson, surveying the American experiment, would regard what in their day was known as тАЬthe press,тАЭ which, in their view, would be more essential than the other branches of government, as its principal mission would be to present a wide range of informed views and nurture the fundamental ability of citizens to think critically about the pressing issues of the day.
ThereтАЩs the rub. We now have cultivated a citizenry that does not know how to think critically or even recognize what that is! They just regurgitate sound bites from wherever. Corporate controlled education anyone?
The "Don't Say Gay" bill isn't really about protecting children. It's about letting parents sue school districts who then have to spend THE DISTRICT'S OWN MONEY to defend the lawsuit, in addition to making the teaching profession that much more unpleasant. An additional way to dismantle public education.
True. And then they'll bitch about the taxes to pay those lawyers and lawsuits. This is the latest perversion of our government, to work outside the legislative process, similar to the Texas abortion law. This is the population that also complains about frivolous lawsuits.
Gary, not only is Cronkite spinning, but Eric Sevareid, Harry Reasoner, Roger Mudd, Edward R. Murrow, and my father too. I sat down with my father every night to watch the CBS Evening News, after which we watched NBC and ABCтАФcannot believe this. Also, the American people must realize the 11-point plan will not rescue them. How could the average American support this?
I'd purely love to see Rick Scott's scrawny amoral a** pinned to a wall by a reporter who asked him to explain how his plan "rescued" average U.S. citizens.
Media Execs are short sided and face a serious dilemma. They can only think about 2022 and 2024 for their ratings ( ratings determine how much revenue they can get from advertisers) but not further out than that.
That is a bad model for any business. Short term profit or long term growth. But their is twist. Once an authoritarian regime gains power, or all three branches of Government, what freedom is attacked first? Freedom of the Press. Then the power of the states will be eroded. Voting will become a "ceremony" rather than a real thing. Media wont be independently controlled, it will be state controlled. So these execs that think they are so smart now, will be unemployed under another former guy regime. If history is our guide, many will land in prison from Kangaroo courts and false charges from "Tax evasion", "false embezzlement" or "crimes against freedom"; or they will wind up mysteriously & suddenly dead. Corporate profits don't matter to an authoritarian regime.
ALL the networks become FOX, OAN, just extension of Sean Fascist Spicer and Katie Mac the digwit. If the Network exes are not smart enough to realize this, they need to read some books or at least some of these letters. The Advertisers will suffer too. DO they buy ads from a FG 2nd term regime? Do what they pay for advertising reflect market forces? Or political forces? Advertising money becomes political donations and corruption festers and becomes systemic throughout the American economy. Expertise and innovation evaporate off shore and economic malaise seeps in and drags down all of what makes America great. Education funding, the rule of law, basic social safety net dwindle. The military capable generals are replaced with political appointees. Flynn is made Sec Def, Pentagon budgets are skimmed and morale drops. Enemies take over places like Taiwan, South Korea, Ukraine and western Europe fall. Prices spike. NO one at the fed knows what do to. DOJ lets political donor/ friends get away with White collar crimes. Inequality sky rockets.
Is this is how empires fall? Is this how democracy fails?
Complete deregulation of business is not good for sustaining democracy. Complete deregulation of Mass Media is not sustainable to Democracies. Unbridled Capitalism is not a guarantee of Democracy.
"Normally, former officials in a presidentтАЩs administration can count on securing cushy contributor jobs with one of the many broadcast and cable news organizations. These roles, which can pay 6-figures annually to make occasional appearances on programming, have long been a staple of the revolving door between politics and media.
The Trump administration, however, has mostly bucked that trend. With the exception of Fox News Channel, which has hired a flurry of former Trump administration officials (former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, economic adviser Larry Kudlow, among others), most former Trump officials have been left off the list of network contributors elsewhere.
That is until this month, when CBS News made two notable hires. On March 29, it hired former congressman, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director and Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney as a political contributor. And on March 14 it hired former Trump National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster as a foreign policy and national security contributor.
A CBS News employee tells The Hollywood Reporter that outrage inside the network has not matched that from outside observers. While they said they thought MulvaneyтАЩs first appearance should have made clearer his roles in the Trump administration, ultimately what matters is that Mulvaney and McMaster are giving their unvarnished thoughts and opinions, while acknowledging their political histories and leanings. DonтАЩt be surprised if future appearances make the Trump connection more obvious.
Midterm years are often seen as an opportunity by TV news outlets to restock their contributor roster in advance of a presidential election year. Meanwhile, Trump is strongly considering another presidential run, and even if he doesnтАЩt, he is expected to have a powerful role in any primary process.
That means that networks will want people on staff well ahead of any primary with some insight into TrumpтАЩs thinking and mindset. And with many former Trump officials likely to be completely toxic to mainstream news organizations for supporting Jan. 6 (think former trade adviser Peter Navarro, chief of staff Mark Meadows, or campaign chief Steve Bannon), the list of former Trump administration officials who can provide that insight without being totally off-limits is a small one."
I respectfully disagree, Chris, and I stand by my original post.
Hiring a Mulvaney does NOT reflect the American publicтАЩs values, character, or intelligence тАУ it reflects the aspirations of those faceless entities Mulvaney and the Trumpists represent, and letting him speak is simply subsidized publicity and a free podium for their views. If we donтАЩt warm to such a concept itтАЩs because itтАЩs unearned and undeserved!
Trump got elected with just such assistance. He received of millions of dollars worth of free advertising from Fox, remember? WeтАЩd be foolish to encourage more of the same.
You say further that CBS is hedging its bets to be assured of political access later? Bah! The Republicans desperately want exposure! As тАШpolitical sourcesтАЩ theyтАЩd wither and die without the publicтАЩs positive attention. Following the best capitalistic tradition though, they should pay the going rate. Of all people they shouldnтАЩt be the ones being granted free advertising for their toxic views.
WeтАЩre in a war, and the days of not being held to account for oneтАЩs actions or inflammatory words need to end. Is that тАЬclear-eyedтАЭ enough? My тАЬmore superior-than-thou attitudeтАЭ was developed after hearing the Hannitys and Carlsons, and after watching the effects of todayтАЩs Republican policies in action. The Trumpists moan nonstop over the тАЬliberal biasтАЭ inherent in fact based news, but IтАЩm not fooled. TheyтАЩre just trying to avoid accountability.
Honest reporting and unbiased news presented on our public media shouldnтАЩt be too much to ask for, Chris.
I imagine CBS knows its audience. Certainly it knows what its sponsors want. I tend to agree with Chris about how America puts money first, but as an old person, I seem to remember it was not always as it is now. Gary, what you said, about the Republicans desperately wanting exposure is spot on. They have so far been able to get much more attention than their numbers would justify, let alone the quality of what they have to offer. Protect the already wealthy! Pull up the ladder! The lifeboat is full. Next time, make a reservation.
This might be a "both and" moment. I see truth in both statements. Protesting the hiring makes sense. And at the same time, we've got to get better at reaching the "Undecided, or mushy middle" with powerful messages that get to the heart of what moves people to vote for their own best interests rather than for sound bites that stir their prejudices. I'm working on what that might look like.
Nearly everyone who appears in the media, across almost the entire political spectrum, seems to accept that economic growth can and should continue indefinitely on a finite planet. Almost all believe that we should take action to protect life on Earth only when it is cost-effective. Even then, we should avoid compromising the profits of legacy industries. They appear to believe that something they call тАЬthe economyтАЭ takes priority over our life support systems.
. . . They believe that permitting a handful of offshore billionaires to own the media, set the political agenda and tell us where our best interests lie is fine.
Republicans are crooks, liars and manipulators of facts. Lessons I have learned over and over and over for decades. The both parties ЁЯТй is ЁЯТй. Period. IтАЩll listen when they can start being real.
They have horse and the cart reversed. They are not "gaining access" to Republicans. The Republicans are gaining access to the American people, through them. Remember how much, and how deeply, the Republicans lie. Remember how little vetting the news agencies do on these lies.
Fundamental business values, calculative intelligence, yes. I will add our expectation of immediate gratification. WhatтАЩs in it for me, I want it now. Chris, I agree that looking down on the тАЬdeplorablesтАЭ keeps them from listening to us, and it isnтАЩt a strategy to waste time high-five-ing each other instead of doing something productive. But finding like-minded people who have reasoned views and information to share, not just feelings, is blessed relief.
Sir...please don't tar all U.S. citizens with your broad brush, claiming all US citizens as characteristically lacking ideals. If ALL citizens lacked ideals we wouldn't have had a country in the first place; nor would we have a social safety net or laws (however precarious) protecting civil rights. There are many, many millions of us who cherish this country's ideals and want desperately to see them protected...enhanced and enlarged, as well, I might add.
Walter Cronkite must be spinning in his grave.
It's absolutely infuriating for a parasite like Mulvaney to be rewarded in this manner, and it's an absolute insult to the intelligence of the American public to hold him up as an expert voice.
Shame, shame, shame on CBS.
And Edward R Murrow is rolling right alongside Cronkite. Shame on CBS, shame on the Supreme Court for their Citizens United garbage decision and woe betide the rest of us. We have work to do. Lots and lots and lots of work to do.
I needed to add this edit this morning. In 2021, the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to two journalists, Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa. Muratov is Russian, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, and someone who risks his life in order to give Russians accurate, truthful information. Maria Ressa, a Filipino-American, also risks her life to bring accurate information to Filipinos. And CBS hires Mulvaney? When journalists like Muratov and Ressa risk their lives to reveal the truth and protect democracy in autocratic countries?
Below. in Ellie Kona's comment you will find a list of CBS advertisers. Pick five and contact them today to tell them you will no longer buy their products. Then, call the CBS switchboard and tell them how unacceptable their choice is. The fourth estate is reeling towards autocracy in this country. We need to hold them accountable and make certain they understand how the majority of Americans voters think. No to trump and his minions.
Bill Moyers told us
Jeri, As reading through this thread, my mind kept turning to award winning citizen-journalist Bill Moyers, who, over his 25 years in broadcasting, worked assiduously against the grain of partisan politics by producing in-depth programs on controversial issues that took broad, non-partisan viewpoints to the public.
Barbara Bill Moyers had a remarkable career, as a Baptist minister who was press secretary for LBJ. In his numerous TV series his integrity was unimpeachable. He ranged from provocative series on people who had decided to end their own lives, the benefits of Oriental medicine, and controversial political issues to Sweet Honey and the RockтАЩs Bernice Reagan Johnson and the diverse impact of Amazing Grace.
My MoyersтАЩ favorite was Joseph CampbellтАЩs The Power of Myth. When Campbell calmly described the resurrection of Jesus as a myth found in other ancient folklore, Baptist minister Moyer politely listened with the look of someone who had just sucked on a bitter lemon.
Edward R. Murrow would have been as proud of Moyers as was Moyers of Murrow.
Keith, Thank you for writing. I sense this thread could serve as a catalyst for more of us to speak up and demand a more aggressive and independent media.
Keith, I'm with you on noting Bill Moyers' remarkable career. There were multiple programs of his which caught my attention. For example, one discussion he had with fellow Southerner, novelist John Grisham, as both agreed that Southern working people constantly voted against their own interests when voting Republican. On another episode, Moyers played the White House tapes of LBJ as he called congressmen to try and get support for the buildup of war in Vietnam.
I'm also in agreement with "The Power of Myth" (Moyers interviewing Campbell) as my favorite of Bill's presentations. I further recall in the episode discussing the death and resurrection of Jesus. Campbell went on to say of it, "The real message of Easter and Jesus's death and resurrection is about you--Have YOU died to your animal nature and been reborn in the Spirit?" With Easter approaching, that is certainly a worthy consideration for anyone.
Speaking years ago with a friend of mine who is a retired professor of history, I mentioned Campbell with his in-depth understanding and clarity. My friend replied, "Yes, he is someone who can see the 'Big Picture'."
In terms of comparing Murrow and Moyers, I think of Moyers as a blend of Edward R. Murrow and Ernie Pyle.
Heydon тАЬMoyers as a blend of Edward R Murrow and Ernie Pyle.тАЭ Spot on, although Murrow preferred Scotch and, for quite a while, double breasted suits, while Pyle drank whatever was available and slept wherever his soldier buddies found a spot.
Moyers did his job and he did it really well. (Former PBS employee here. I met Moyers and even provided background info to his team on occasion.) Sadly, Moyers is old news. Who can we point to today that is doing similar work in broadcast media? I don't watch the news - I read the news. Is there anyone you can point to that does a good job in your opinion?
Sheila, Though I realize your reply was not addressed to me, I would note, where I come from, Bill Moyers is hardly тАЬold news.тАЭ His articles repeatedly appear on course syllabi, perhaps because he raises questions about pressing media issues, including the mediaтАЩs capacity for shaping what counts as fact, the influence of those who hold power and status, and, especially, the repeal of long-established regulations meant to encourage a diverse and democratic media landscape.
CanтАЩt argue with any of that, Barbara. My point is that for those who watch the news today, what and whom should they watch? Those who understand MoyerтАЩs work, and I do, are looking for the next generationтАЩs true journalists and I havenтАЩt seen nor heard much about whom to watch, just who not to. We need someone like Moyers today, teaching to todayтАЩs audiences on the tube. Is there someone you watch that amplifies Moyers-style messaging?
And, unfortunately, one of the "true journalists", Bob Costa left WAPO and joined CBS. What was he thinking?
I realize he isnt a journalist - but watching "Problem with Jon Stewart" is listening to the questions & attempts at answers on his show. The segments are on UTUBE - hes covered a LOT of various subjects - many that have been discussed here. His podcasts are on Apple tv - but I dont get that. I do however get emails each week - heres a link to his site.
https://www.theproblem.com/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Issue+%2321%3A+The+Problem+With+Vacation&utm_campaign=Issue+%2321+%28Final%29&vgo_ee=XnDlDto0OyMHYeCAVv4UQRwUnRnlmwiuCIJkd9A7F3A%3D
A minor point: you say "what and who should they watch?" Please say "whom" here (and elsewhere) where it's called for; otherwise it makes my hair stand on end. Did you ever hear of the book, "For Who the Bell Tolls"? [I'm not criticizing your message, just the grammar.]
Sheila, Aside from Amy GoodmanтАЩs Democracy Now, I canтАЩt think of anyone else. That said, sometimes, an anchor hosts a brilliant guest. Hence, I tape certain programs ( e.g., All In with Chris Hayes), and when I have time, I run through the tape, pausing when I want to listen in on a conversation.
Glad to hear people still pay attention to Moyers.
Dan Rather, too, is probably rather unhappy (and not feeling particularly Steady) about the hiring of Mulvaney.
I sent Mr. Rather a polite email early this morning and asked him to comment; I think Dan has a large Twitter community.
Yes, I follow him for his words of wisdom in this insane world.
I am looking forward to reading his next issue of Steady to find out!
That's one of the first things that popped into my mind when I heard about the Mulvaney hiring. Dan may need to be tactful about his old employer, but given his past problems (i.e. the GW Bush story he famously got wrong and has had to live down) he might be in a position to criticise them now. We'll see...
100%!
Yes, I totally agree. That CBS introduced Mulvaney as simply a "former director of the OMB" is telling. I am disappointed in CBS but not surprised. There has been a right wing bias to their news shows for quite some time. Just watch Nora O'Donnell in the evenings and you will see what I am talking about. I also liked the quote from Charlie Pierce that Heather included in her latest letters-"When, oh lord, when will the elite political media treat the current Republican party as the threat to the Republic that they most obviously are". That pretty much says it all in a nutshell. Once again, I am thoroughly indebted to Heather for providing us, daily, of this information that the news media really need to be broadcasting but never will.
Nora O'Donnell leans right in her coverage. Margaret Brennan stands firmly in the camp, as evidenced by how to treats her guests on Face the Nation. I do miss John Dickerson. He was a suitable replacement for Bob Schieffer, who I very much enjoyed. Brennan challenges my ability to watch and listen.
I have no objection to CBS hiring Mulvaney, provided that during his appearances, he is hooked up to a lie detector with its readings displayed on the screen while he speaks.
Brilliant.
I wish there was a HaHa emoji next to the heart! Thanks for providing a LOL moment in the midst of this challenging and somewhat distressing story.
Hahahaha!!!
Adam YamaguchiтАЩs CBS Reports are worth viewing - but hiring Mullany is beyond the pale, the sort of thing one would expect from Fox News.
I have watched MSM follow Rupert with the spin and lies. The тАЬboth sidesтАЭ that chump espoused has metastasized and is lethal to our democracy
Journalism Lite for hire. There needs to be a line of demarkation to separate Clicks and Likes hacks from honest Journalists, with a bust of Nora ODonnell awarded as the trophy for sell outs
Yes. The great CBS Reports!!. Also CBS's White Paper reports
I think this might be why CBS decided to hire Mulvaney. This could be a clever, although seriously shameless, ploy to draw viewers who ordinarily tune into Fox Entertainment Network ( does anyone besides me find "FEN" an ironic although appropriate acronymic? ) to CBS.
CBS is, like all media conglomerates, all about boosting their ratings. Saner viewers who have active memory cells might tune in for the gawk factor ("Really? Mick "It happens all the time -- get over it" Mulvaney?") before tuning out.
Apart from an excellent forum such as HCR provides here, how are we to assume the American public at large is capable of critical thinking anymore? I live in a rural area in upstate New York and it is Trumpland and evangelical. Their sole information sources are: "Newsmax," a Christian TV network, and right-wing social media. Yes, I agree that CBS has sunk low and I add another "shame" on them.
We cannot assume any sort of critical thinking from a majority of our population. I had a friend who used to call it "windsock thinking"; which ever way the windsock blows is how they think; no purpose or direction, no critical thought or assessment, just how the wind is blowing that day.
I think that, as a nation, we have been "carefully taught" not to think for ourselves.
The idea of "the public good" has been systematically denigrated by the Republican party for decades. That includes (especially) quality public education. The public has been dumbed down. We are reaping the results.
Actually, I think you could say with truth that the GQP is JOYFULLY reaping the results of their decades-old efforts at dumbing down U.S. citizens.
Love the windsock thinking comment. Gonna have to use that myself one of these days.
Very good question Lee Anne. When picking a jury you get to ask prospective jurors questions approved by the Judge. I looked for jurors whose profession or life skills required deductive reasoning (could be a caregiver), who understood association is not causation, who can evaluate data that we call admissible evidence in Court. A number of "Founders" were remarkable, Ben Franklin ( young printer) ; Abigail Adams (her letters to Jefferson) & crtical support of John; Alexander Hamilton ( dealt with mercantile ship captains as a Teen). Leaders are out there, could be a briliant Historian from Maine.
It's tricky, the freedom of speech and press. There must be a way that can let the public know what is factually true, and what is simply opinion. Zero guardrails are dangerous! And yet, here we are...
Hook up a lie detector to every news anchor/reporter. Seriously though -- couldn't they be required to cite their sources and have it displayed on the TV at least,
I've wondered about that. If the internet and social media were available at the time of the amendments, I wonder if Freedom of Speech and the Press would have come with some caveats about truth and facts. But how would that be determined?
"'What is truth,' retorted Pilate (to Jesus)." But he didn't wait for an answer. John 18:38.
Larry Tisch control CBS. File complaints with LTR, CNA, Bulova Watch, and with Jimmy TischтАЩs non addicted smokers at Lorillard, cc. Billy Tisch.
Who else knows this stuff? That's why you must write a book.
Jack... want to be my agent? WhatтАЩs your iPhone number? Sandy
Would love to but I'm retired in Fla. now, 90 next month, and really not up to the job.
Swell. Sandy
Yes. IтАЩm 83. Agent is 87 and terrific. LetтАЩs talk...
Want my home or iPhone? Sandy
Yes, Jack, I second!!
SandyтАЩs been around the block or two.
Thank you once again, Sandy. Keep тАШem coming.
Larry Tisch did not offer me $50,000 in cash to get his son Danny off tobacco.
I hardly can imagine how a returned Madison or Jefferson, surveying the American experiment, would regard what in their day was known as тАЬthe press,тАЭ which, in their view, would be more essential than the other branches of government, as its principal mission would be to present a wide range of informed views and nurture the fundamental ability of citizens to think critically about the pressing issues of the day.
ThereтАЩs the rub. We now have cultivated a citizenry that does not know how to think critically or even recognize what that is! They just regurgitate sound bites from wherever. Corporate controlled education anyone?
The "Don't Say Gay" bill isn't really about protecting children. It's about letting parents sue school districts who then have to spend THE DISTRICT'S OWN MONEY to defend the lawsuit, in addition to making the teaching profession that much more unpleasant. An additional way to dismantle public education.
True. And then they'll bitch about the taxes to pay those lawyers and lawsuits. This is the latest perversion of our government, to work outside the legislative process, similar to the Texas abortion law. This is the population that also complains about frivolous lawsuits.
WeтАЩll said.
And an additional "sound bite" guaranteed to rile up that portion of the hoi polloi who have been persuaded that God is against being gay.
Which is the intentтАФgovernment support of private schools is the target
Correction: Well said.
I would agree. Piece by piece. Steady .
I don't think you can blame all the failure to think critically on education that is influenced by business. there are many more actors on the stage.
I agree . Perhaps too general. I guess I was not thinking critically enough. Just one prong of a deeper problem.
DonтАЩt forget Texas and the textbook review process. Flattening the curve of critical thinking has been going on for decades.
https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2012/06/21/how-texas-inflicts-bad-textbooks-on-us/
Gary, not only is Cronkite spinning, but Eric Sevareid, Harry Reasoner, Roger Mudd, Edward R. Murrow, and my father too. I sat down with my father every night to watch the CBS Evening News, after which we watched NBC and ABCтАФcannot believe this. Also, the American people must realize the 11-point plan will not rescue them. How could the average American support this?
I'd like to add Gwen Ifill, Cokie Roberts and Dorothy Kilgallen to that esteemed list.
Agreed, especially Cokie.
I'd purely love to see Rick Scott's scrawny amoral a** pinned to a wall by a reporter who asked him to explain how his plan "rescued" average U.S. citizens.
Along with Edward R. Murrow & Fred Friendly.
Another reason not to watch CBS.
In 2016, CBS President is quoted, тАЬYes, Tru$$ is bad for the country, but he is great for ratings!тАЭ
Media Execs are short sided and face a serious dilemma. They can only think about 2022 and 2024 for their ratings ( ratings determine how much revenue they can get from advertisers) but not further out than that.
That is a bad model for any business. Short term profit or long term growth. But their is twist. Once an authoritarian regime gains power, or all three branches of Government, what freedom is attacked first? Freedom of the Press. Then the power of the states will be eroded. Voting will become a "ceremony" rather than a real thing. Media wont be independently controlled, it will be state controlled. So these execs that think they are so smart now, will be unemployed under another former guy regime. If history is our guide, many will land in prison from Kangaroo courts and false charges from "Tax evasion", "false embezzlement" or "crimes against freedom"; or they will wind up mysteriously & suddenly dead. Corporate profits don't matter to an authoritarian regime.
ALL the networks become FOX, OAN, just extension of Sean Fascist Spicer and Katie Mac the digwit. If the Network exes are not smart enough to realize this, they need to read some books or at least some of these letters. The Advertisers will suffer too. DO they buy ads from a FG 2nd term regime? Do what they pay for advertising reflect market forces? Or political forces? Advertising money becomes political donations and corruption festers and becomes systemic throughout the American economy. Expertise and innovation evaporate off shore and economic malaise seeps in and drags down all of what makes America great. Education funding, the rule of law, basic social safety net dwindle. The military capable generals are replaced with political appointees. Flynn is made Sec Def, Pentagon budgets are skimmed and morale drops. Enemies take over places like Taiwan, South Korea, Ukraine and western Europe fall. Prices spike. NO one at the fed knows what do to. DOJ lets political donor/ friends get away with White collar crimes. Inequality sky rockets.
Is this is how empires fall? Is this how democracy fails?
Complete deregulation of business is not good for sustaining democracy. Complete deregulation of Mass Media is not sustainable to Democracies. Unbridled Capitalism is not a guarantee of Democracy.
Yep.
I thought that was CNNтАЩs President. All I could think of: televising the bread and circusesтАж
I havenтАЩt read any comments yet other than the one IтАЩm replying to. So what IтАЩm saying may be duplicated below.
I have written a substantial email to CBS morning news to express my pure outrage over this news. (I even invoked Walter Cronkite in it.)
I did much searching for the appropriate contact. In the end I sent it to audsvcs@cbs.com.
ItтАЩs an odd address. So if anybody has a correction of where to send it, please reply.
And if youтАЩre interested I can post the contents of my email in another comment.
IтАЩve already got feedback that I sent it to a wrong - possibly non-existent -address.
Please help if you can.
I sent my letter to the interviewer of Mulvaney - Anne-Marie Green.
green@cbsphilly.com.
I urge you to do the same.
"Normally, former officials in a presidentтАЩs administration can count on securing cushy contributor jobs with one of the many broadcast and cable news organizations. These roles, which can pay 6-figures annually to make occasional appearances on programming, have long been a staple of the revolving door between politics and media.
The Trump administration, however, has mostly bucked that trend. With the exception of Fox News Channel, which has hired a flurry of former Trump administration officials (former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, economic adviser Larry Kudlow, among others), most former Trump officials have been left off the list of network contributors elsewhere.
That is until this month, when CBS News made two notable hires. On March 29, it hired former congressman, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director and Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney as a political contributor. And on March 14 it hired former Trump National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster as a foreign policy and national security contributor.
A CBS News employee tells The Hollywood Reporter that outrage inside the network has not matched that from outside observers. While they said they thought MulvaneyтАЩs first appearance should have made clearer his roles in the Trump administration, ultimately what matters is that Mulvaney and McMaster are giving their unvarnished thoughts and opinions, while acknowledging their political histories and leanings. DonтАЩt be surprised if future appearances make the Trump connection more obvious.
Midterm years are often seen as an opportunity by TV news outlets to restock their contributor roster in advance of a presidential election year. Meanwhile, Trump is strongly considering another presidential run, and even if he doesnтАЩt, he is expected to have a powerful role in any primary process.
That means that networks will want people on staff well ahead of any primary with some insight into TrumpтАЩs thinking and mindset. And with many former Trump officials likely to be completely toxic to mainstream news organizations for supporting Jan. 6 (think former trade adviser Peter Navarro, chief of staff Mark Meadows, or campaign chief Steve Bannon), the list of former Trump administration officials who can provide that insight without being totally off-limits is a small one."
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cbs-mick-mulvaney-hire-2024-election-1235122356/
But what if Navarro, Bannon, and Meadows are in jail ... for refusing to comply with the law?
And why is not Mick Mulvaney headed to jail for the things that he did that was determined to be illegal?
I respectfully disagree, Chris, and I stand by my original post.
Hiring a Mulvaney does NOT reflect the American publicтАЩs values, character, or intelligence тАУ it reflects the aspirations of those faceless entities Mulvaney and the Trumpists represent, and letting him speak is simply subsidized publicity and a free podium for their views. If we donтАЩt warm to such a concept itтАЩs because itтАЩs unearned and undeserved!
Trump got elected with just such assistance. He received of millions of dollars worth of free advertising from Fox, remember? WeтАЩd be foolish to encourage more of the same.
You say further that CBS is hedging its bets to be assured of political access later? Bah! The Republicans desperately want exposure! As тАШpolitical sourcesтАЩ theyтАЩd wither and die without the publicтАЩs positive attention. Following the best capitalistic tradition though, they should pay the going rate. Of all people they shouldnтАЩt be the ones being granted free advertising for their toxic views.
WeтАЩre in a war, and the days of not being held to account for oneтАЩs actions or inflammatory words need to end. Is that тАЬclear-eyedтАЭ enough? My тАЬmore superior-than-thou attitudeтАЭ was developed after hearing the Hannitys and Carlsons, and after watching the effects of todayтАЩs Republican policies in action. The Trumpists moan nonstop over the тАЬliberal biasтАЭ inherent in fact based news, but IтАЩm not fooled. TheyтАЩre just trying to avoid accountability.
Honest reporting and unbiased news presented on our public media shouldnтАЩt be too much to ask for, Chris.
I imagine CBS knows its audience. Certainly it knows what its sponsors want. I tend to agree with Chris about how America puts money first, but as an old person, I seem to remember it was not always as it is now. Gary, what you said, about the Republicans desperately wanting exposure is spot on. They have so far been able to get much more attention than their numbers would justify, let alone the quality of what they have to offer. Protect the already wealthy! Pull up the ladder! The lifeboat is full. Next time, make a reservation.
This might be a "both and" moment. I see truth in both statements. Protesting the hiring makes sense. And at the same time, we've got to get better at reaching the "Undecided, or mushy middle" with powerful messages that get to the heart of what moves people to vote for their own best interests rather than for sound bites that stir their prejudices. I'm working on what that might look like.
ЁЯСПЁЯП╝ЁЯСПЁЯП╝ Truth and the rule of law are required for democracy. Propaganda is very effective.
Something from George Monbiot in the Guardian:
Nearly everyone who appears in the media, across almost the entire political spectrum, seems to accept that economic growth can and should continue indefinitely on a finite planet. Almost all believe that we should take action to protect life on Earth only when it is cost-effective. Even then, we should avoid compromising the profits of legacy industries. They appear to believe that something they call тАЬthe economyтАЭ takes priority over our life support systems.
. . . They believe that permitting a handful of offshore billionaires to own the media, set the political agenda and tell us where our best interests lie is fine.
Republicans are crooks, liars and manipulators of facts. Lessons I have learned over and over and over for decades. The both parties ЁЯТй is ЁЯТй. Period. IтАЩll listen when they can start being real.
They have horse and the cart reversed. They are not "gaining access" to Republicans. The Republicans are gaining access to the American people, through them. Remember how much, and how deeply, the Republicans lie. Remember how little vetting the news agencies do on these lies.
Bestowing undeserved credibility, that's what it is. It proves that Fox-iti$ is contagiou$.
Fundamental business values, calculative intelligence, yes. I will add our expectation of immediate gratification. WhatтАЩs in it for me, I want it now. Chris, I agree that looking down on the тАЬdeplorablesтАЭ keeps them from listening to us, and it isnтАЩt a strategy to waste time high-five-ing each other instead of doing something productive. But finding like-minded people who have reasoned views and information to share, not just feelings, is blessed relief.
Sir...please don't tar all U.S. citizens with your broad brush, claiming all US citizens as characteristically lacking ideals. If ALL citizens lacked ideals we wouldn't have had a country in the first place; nor would we have a social safety net or laws (however precarious) protecting civil rights. There are many, many millions of us who cherish this country's ideals and want desperately to see them protected...enhanced and enlarged, as well, I might add.