cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
Can you post the text of this?
Examples of GOP Leadership
- Thread starter injinji
- Start date
DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
Paywalled I'm afraid, so many free goes a month.
printer
Well-Known Member
This week, I look at what media coverage of 2024 would look like if the media stopped normalizing the MAGA GOP, pick the person of the week and share what I’m checking off my bucket list.
What caught my eye
The fawning media reaction (Got more time! Stood out! Bump in the polls!) to the debate performance of Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy — a 9/11-, election- and climate change-denier who likened prominent Black leaders to the KKK wizards — suggests the media learned very little from the 2016 campaign and the Donald Trump presidency. The mainstream political press persists in treating debates as political games (Winners! Losers!) as the participants spout propaganda and defend the four-times-indicted and anti-democratic former president. (Media critic Margaret Sullivan smartly asked in the Guardian: “How can there be ‘winners’ in yet another milestone on the way to fascism?”)
The journalistic malpractice continued after the debate with hours of breathless coverage awaiting Trump’s arrival at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Then came 24/7 speculation as to whether Trump’s menacing mug shot would help or hurt him.
This sort of coverages shocks but does not surprise. The media has whistled past the graveyard of democracy for eight years. You want to ask: Can’t they recognize this is not simply another election to be gamified in pursuit of clicks and audience ratings?
In the Philadelphia Inquirer, columnist Will Bunch summed up the current dismal state of affairs:
What would responsible media look like? The media could educate the public and defend democracy. Serious news outlets could examine Trump’s sickening similarity to strongmen such as Silvio Berlusconi, Viktor Orban and Benito Mussolini. (And yet, rarely, do we get discussions about how Trump’s abusive treatment of women, toxic masculinity and misogyny perfectly fit within the tradition of fascist leaders from Mussolini to Berlusconi to Moammar Gaddafi.) Reports could discuss how the MAGA movement tracks previous fascist movements that invariably deify a leader and revel in a cult of personality. The media could explain how the GOP has morphed into an anti-democratic party that deploys violence and appeals to white nationalism and nostalgia.
Print, online and cable news could promote political literacy, helping voters understand how authoritarian movements cut deals with big business and religious fundamentalists to secure power. Instead of just reporting that Trump called the media or the judiciary biased, reporters should acknowledge that strongmen and their apologists degrade professional ethics — to discredit the truth.
Interviewers could routinely grill all Republicans about their party’s adherence to the “big lie,” demonization of law enforcement and support for congressional attempts to interfere with prosecution. And the media could seriously investigate how so many Americans have suspended logic, decency and devotion to the rule of law just as others around the world have fallen under the sway of demagogic leaders — rather than amplify their prejudices, conspiracies and anger. (Persisting to cast MAGA supporters as down-and-out working-class folks is misleading and condescending, and ignores the statistically significant correlation between Trump support and views on supposed persecution of White people, gender roles and Christian nationalism.) Lastly, it could stop featuring unenlightening and premature polling.
It is not as though journalists are unfamiliar with serious analysis. The media manages to expose elected foreign leaders who turn to authoritarian tactics (e.g., India’s Narendra Modi and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan). They figure out how to investigate right-wing nationalistic parties in Europe that spout racist tropes and cozy up to the Russians. Nevertheless, too few are willing to engage in exacting, sober journalism when it comes to domestic political coverage.
continued...
printer
Well-Known Member
continued...
Treating the GOP like an ordinary party — and the 2024 election like a run-of-the-mill race — allows the media to cling to false equivalencies and feigned neutrality. However, as long as the mainstream media practices business-as-usual journalism, millions of voters will remain oblivious to the dire state of American democracy. And worse, Trump and his party will benefit from the bizarre insistence on treating neo-fascists and their apologists like normal politicians.
Distinguished person of the week
U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts/AP)
U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan isn’t messing around.
In a tightly run hearing on Monday, she dispensed with a Trump attorney’s ludicrous demand for a 2026 trial date in the Jan. 6, 2021, criminal case. After checking with New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who is hearing the civil document falsification case, she set the trial date for March 4. (Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said he would cooperate in the interests of justice to accommodate other trial dates.)
We got a sense of the difference between Trump rhetoric (and the hysterical arguments from lawyer John Lauro) and how the law works. Chutkan warned an exercised Lauro to “take the temperature down.” She calmly explained that Trump would be treated like any other defendant. “Setting a trial date does not depend and should not depend on a defendant’s personal and professional obligations,” she said. "Mr. Trump, like any defendant, will have to make the trial date work, regardless of his schedule.”
She told Trump’s lawyers the case wouldn’t wait to go to trial in 2026, quickly dispensing with the argument that the Trump team needed at least as much time to prepare as it took for prosecutors to investigate. She wryly observed: “I don’t doubt from it that you’re working diligently, but I will say that you and I have a very, very different estimate of what of the time that’s needed to prepare for this case.” She also didn’t buy the notion that the number of documents determined the time needed to prepare.
In sum, Chutkan delivered a seminar in equal justice under the law. Americans should be grateful that Trump soon will have to face a jury of his peers on well-founded charges. This is what accountability looks like. This is the beauty of the rule of law.
Something different
I soon will be walking the grounds at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and watching matches at the U.S. Open tennis tournament. I’ve never attended a Grand Slam tournament, although this has been on my personal bucket list for a while. You wouldn’t think watching tennis in person is very exciting. However, television somehow slows the action, concealing the jaw-dropping speed of the ball and the lightning quickness of the players. In person, you realize just what magnificent athletes these players really are.
Attending an early-round match (or less-renowned tournaments, as I have over the years) lets you get a glimpse of the stars of the future. Yes, watching Sweden’s Stefan Edberg at the 1984 Olympics, you had the feeling he would turn out to be something special. (He eventually won 41 singles tournaments, including six grand slams.) After seeing American Taylor Fritz and Italian Jannik Sinner over the years at the D.C. Open, you had an inkling they would one day be stars. (Both are ranked in the Top 10.)
When I was a kid, the U.S. Open always meant the bittersweet end of summer and the return to school. This year, the tournament brings unbridled joy — a rare moment to enjoy world-class athletes, cherish memories (when they played on grass!) and guess who will be tomorrow’s champs.
Treating the GOP like an ordinary party — and the 2024 election like a run-of-the-mill race — allows the media to cling to false equivalencies and feigned neutrality. However, as long as the mainstream media practices business-as-usual journalism, millions of voters will remain oblivious to the dire state of American democracy. And worse, Trump and his party will benefit from the bizarre insistence on treating neo-fascists and their apologists like normal politicians.
Distinguished person of the week
U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts/AP)
U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan isn’t messing around.
In a tightly run hearing on Monday, she dispensed with a Trump attorney’s ludicrous demand for a 2026 trial date in the Jan. 6, 2021, criminal case. After checking with New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who is hearing the civil document falsification case, she set the trial date for March 4. (Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said he would cooperate in the interests of justice to accommodate other trial dates.)
We got a sense of the difference between Trump rhetoric (and the hysterical arguments from lawyer John Lauro) and how the law works. Chutkan warned an exercised Lauro to “take the temperature down.” She calmly explained that Trump would be treated like any other defendant. “Setting a trial date does not depend and should not depend on a defendant’s personal and professional obligations,” she said. "Mr. Trump, like any defendant, will have to make the trial date work, regardless of his schedule.”
She told Trump’s lawyers the case wouldn’t wait to go to trial in 2026, quickly dispensing with the argument that the Trump team needed at least as much time to prepare as it took for prosecutors to investigate. She wryly observed: “I don’t doubt from it that you’re working diligently, but I will say that you and I have a very, very different estimate of what of the time that’s needed to prepare for this case.” She also didn’t buy the notion that the number of documents determined the time needed to prepare.
In sum, Chutkan delivered a seminar in equal justice under the law. Americans should be grateful that Trump soon will have to face a jury of his peers on well-founded charges. This is what accountability looks like. This is the beauty of the rule of law.
Something different
I soon will be walking the grounds at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and watching matches at the U.S. Open tennis tournament. I’ve never attended a Grand Slam tournament, although this has been on my personal bucket list for a while. You wouldn’t think watching tennis in person is very exciting. However, television somehow slows the action, concealing the jaw-dropping speed of the ball and the lightning quickness of the players. In person, you realize just what magnificent athletes these players really are.
Attending an early-round match (or less-renowned tournaments, as I have over the years) lets you get a glimpse of the stars of the future. Yes, watching Sweden’s Stefan Edberg at the 1984 Olympics, you had the feeling he would turn out to be something special. (He eventually won 41 singles tournaments, including six grand slams.) After seeing American Taylor Fritz and Italian Jannik Sinner over the years at the D.C. Open, you had an inkling they would one day be stars. (Both are ranked in the Top 10.)
When I was a kid, the U.S. Open always meant the bittersweet end of summer and the return to school. This year, the tournament brings unbridled joy — a rare moment to enjoy world-class athletes, cherish memories (when they played on grass!) and guess who will be tomorrow’s champs.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
She hits a series of nails on the head. The ghosts of Cronkite and Murrow must be screaming.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
Yup, same here. Printer to the rescue.
When you see something worth reading and it might be your last free shot, consider leaving the link open long enough to c&p.
DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
That is why Trump's TV trial in Georgia is important, it lays out part of the conspiracy and will do it on national TV with most of Trump's supporters watching because he will be there. There is not much to be done about the media and how it covers events, except to get rid of foxnews who as a propaganda wing of the republican party does much damage and that are a dangerous force in America. Myself I watch MSNBC and have few of the complaints mentioned in her opinion, they seem to cover things in depth and with a proper perspective, I wouldn't even label them left, but definitely liberal and so am I. They follow journalistic standards and practices and support liberal democracy and the hosts appear to have a moral compass and are free to speak their minds.
I'm certain Trump will be disqualified to run in 24, the only question is when, before the primaries or before the election. Between his disqualification and convictions that should finish Trump, but his shit stain remains on Uncle Sam's pants and his supporters won't go away overnight. The best you can do is beat them at the polls, hold the fort and watch them self-destruct with as much help as you can provide. We are increasingly products of our media environment though, and the revolution in communications technology has made death threats easier to send or phone in than ever before.
They need to address the root causes though and I figure it is the cumulative wealth imbalance since the 1980's brought about by Reagan's fundamental economic policy changes that channeled more wealth to the top while reducing their taxes and the trend continued for decades. All the gains brought about by technology went to the top 10% since the 80s, we should be living better than in the 60s FFS. Add to that automation, rapid social change, globalization and migrant flows around the globe threatening small cultures and you have a recipe for the current situation. Grid lock in America makes change impossible or difficult and the global economic system is centered there and in the UK with its many tax havens.
DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
I try, but often the tweet is enough, I post my share of long opinion pieces.
OldMedUser
Well-Known Member
I just go into the privacy and security section of my settings in Firefox and remove the cookies for sites liek that then go back a read a few more free articles. Also have it clear out all cookies except for the ones I've specified for it to keep when I shut it down.
Or if you use a VPN like I do you can switch servers for a different ip addy.
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
Simply turning off javascript on a desktop browser will allow access to NYTimes, WaPo, etc.I just go into teh privacy and security section of my settings in Firefox and remove the cookies for sites liek that then go back a read a few more free articles. Also have it clear out all cookies except for the ones I've specified for it to keep when I shut it down.
Or if you use a VPN like I do you can switch servers for a different ip addy.
The only downside is the loss of mutimedia content; a fair tradeoff imho.
doublejj
Well-Known Member
Guess which state is opting out of energy-savings rebate program because it’s ‘woke’
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article278782484.html#storylink=cpy
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article278782484.html#storylink=cpy
printer
Well-Known Member
topcat
Well-Known Member
Capture the energy of your hurricanes, Ron, and pull yurseffs up by your bootstraps. Don't ask for social assistance from the gubmint. Yeah, walk the talk.
DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
Mitch gone and Donald disqualified going down in flames and in prison along with a lot of republicans, with democracy, the constitution, abortion, voting rights and even Ukraine on the table and the RNC near broke. I wonder how 2024 will turn out for them...
Senate Republicans Demand Special Meeting To Talk About Dying Mitch McConnel
72,175 views Sep 3, 2023
Republicans in the Senate are terrified that their leader for the last few decades, Mitch McConnell, might be moving closer to the light, and they are demanding that Republicans hold secret special meetings to discuss how to address his growing health problems. McConnell is tied to the fundraising success and electoral and legislative success of all Republicans, so they don't know how to handle the situation without hurting themselves before the election.
Senate Republicans Demand Special Meeting To Talk About Dying Mitch McConnel
72,175 views Sep 3, 2023
Republicans in the Senate are terrified that their leader for the last few decades, Mitch McConnell, might be moving closer to the light, and they are demanding that Republicans hold secret special meetings to discuss how to address his growing health problems. McConnell is tied to the fundraising success and electoral and legislative success of all Republicans, so they don't know how to handle the situation without hurting themselves before the election.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
It’s not a thing until it advances from vloggers’ fever dreams to real media.
Bagginski
Well-Known Member
It’s enough to give a fast-food fatass IBS (irritable bastard syndrome)You just imagine him raging on his golden toilet - furiously typing with short fat cheeto fingers - screaming and cussing.
Happy Friday
View attachment 5322969
DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
Mitch does not look well I think he has serious private health problems and looks in a terminal phase. He reminds me of FDR a few months before he passed away with rapid weight loss and a pale sallow complexion. I dunno if Mitch lasts the year from the looks of him, he will die in the saddle though, they all don't want to let go of power until the coffin lid closes on their arm.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
Is that being discussed in the real media?
DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
Yep, saw it on TV, his health concerns are all the talk and the other GOP senators are concerned enough to have a pow wow about it.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
I’m only seeing opinion pieces and reports on Nikki Haley’s opinion, ie. recursive opinion. No serious/informed projections of his health going forward, and certainly no data on his condition.
What non-opinion did you see on TV, and which network?