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Press On
Author: BobR
Date: 02/08/2017 14:52:49
With pResident tRump firmly ensconced in the Oval Office, there's been a lot of talk about dictators and autocrats. While tRump may think he was supreme power to do what he wants, he is slowly learning that we are indeed a democracy, and his every whim will not be catered too... at least - not as long as there is an opposition.
Here in DC there is a museum dedicated to the sacred notion of a free press, and those who have been sacrificed maintaining it. Our Founding Fathers felt it necessary to include it in the very first amendment to the Constitution. With that in mind, it's clear that the tRump Regime has acted in a way that deserves comparison to countries like Syria and Cuba where dissent is squashed with an iron fist: he has targeted the press.
There are too many instances of him demonizing the press during the campaign to bother with linking them all. It was a staple of his stump speech. At the same time, that same press was giving him untold hours of free air time. It was an ugly symbiotic relationship.
Once he got elected, though, that relationship should have changed. As President Obama stated upon his first election success to the presidency, he knew he was the president for ALL Americans, and had heard their voices (those who voted for McCain). It was clear, though, that the press was still "on notice", and they were well aware of it. pResident tRump set the tone with his first press conference after getting elected showing he wasn't planning on tempering his beligerance, nor his contempt for media for reporting the truth. This is when he called CNN "fake news", and refused to take a question from them.
This likely prompted what prompted Jake Tapper at CNN to warn us what to expect as long as tRump was in office:
And then... there was the infamous first press conference by the president's Press Secretary. It wasn't so much a "conference" as Sean Spicer throwing a tantrum and berating journalists. He took no questions.
Fortunately for all of us, the press is not going to be cowed by this nonsense. They are not backing down at all; they are not being intimidated. Here are a few samplings:
CNN has been doing a lot of the pushing back because they have taken the brunt of the abuse. It is nice to see at least a couple FOX "News" folks pushing back as well. Even though CNN has been guilty of over-sensationalizing a story, or getting it wrong in a rush to get it first, they are one of our best bulwarks against a mafia-like regime that would prefer to control the narrative. They - and ALL media that report the truth - deserve our support.
Here in DC there is a museum dedicated to the sacred notion of a free press, and those who have been sacrificed maintaining it. Our Founding Fathers felt it necessary to include it in the very first amendment to the Constitution. With that in mind, it's clear that the tRump Regime has acted in a way that deserves comparison to countries like Syria and Cuba where dissent is squashed with an iron fist: he has targeted the press.
There are too many instances of him demonizing the press during the campaign to bother with linking them all. It was a staple of his stump speech. At the same time, that same press was giving him untold hours of free air time. It was an ugly symbiotic relationship.
Once he got elected, though, that relationship should have changed. As President Obama stated upon his first election success to the presidency, he knew he was the president for ALL Americans, and had heard their voices (those who voted for McCain). It was clear, though, that the press was still "on notice", and they were well aware of it. pResident tRump set the tone with his first press conference after getting elected showing he wasn't planning on tempering his beligerance, nor his contempt for media for reporting the truth. This is when he called CNN "fake news", and refused to take a question from them.
This likely prompted what prompted Jake Tapper at CNN to warn us what to expect as long as tRump was in office:
Tapper explained that he’s experienced being yelled at by both presidents and press secretaries and on both sides of the aisle. However, “I’ve never seen the effort to delegitimize an organization for a story that you don’t like that has been proven.†He went on to say that the story is 100 percent accurate.
“[Trump] was obviously trying to get us to stop focusing on the story, and just to discredit all of us,†Tapper continued. “And you know, that’s too bad — it’s not a huge shock that he would try to do that.â€
[...]
“[The Trump transition team] tried to say that the entire organization was illegitimate. And when they were doing that, I challenged them for that, specifically because it’s an important principle to stand up for — we’re all supposed to be in this together.â€
Tapper offered a warning to journalists from other news organizations if they didn’t stand up to Trump’s bullying. “You’re next,†he said.
And then... there was the infamous first press conference by the president's Press Secretary. It wasn't so much a "conference" as Sean Spicer throwing a tantrum and berating journalists. He took no questions.
Fortunately for all of us, the press is not going to be cowed by this nonsense. They are not backing down at all; they are not being intimidated. Here are a few samplings:
- Jake Tapper tells KellyAnne Conway that tRump's claim that terrorist attacks weren't covered is "just false"
- CNN shoots down Spencer claim that they retracted their statement about KellyAnne Conway's credibility
- FOX "News"'s Shepard Smith says about White House terrorism reporting claim: "What They’re Saying Is Not True. Again."
- CNN doesn't back down against Republican Congressman spewing talking points, then mocks him afterward
CNN has been doing a lot of the pushing back because they have taken the brunt of the abuse. It is nice to see at least a couple FOX "News" folks pushing back as well. Even though CNN has been guilty of over-sensationalizing a story, or getting it wrong in a rush to get it first, they are one of our best bulwarks against a mafia-like regime that would prefer to control the narrative. They - and ALL media that report the truth - deserve our support.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 02/08/2017 14:31:33
wickedpam on 02/08/2017 14:31:33
Morning 
Comment by 
BobR on 02/08/2017 14:53:35
BobR on 02/08/2017 14:53:35
BLOG IS POSTED
Comment by 
Raine on 02/08/2017 14:59:34
Amen, Bob.
Raine on 02/08/2017 14:59:34
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 15:03:39
good morning?
This was mentioned on the show and I had to see if it was true. It is and I am stunned.
Raine on 02/08/2017 15:03:39
good morning? This was mentioned on the show and I had to see if it was true. It is and I am stunned.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/08/2017 15:14:54
What the absolute fuck is going on in the world!
wickedpam on 02/08/2017 15:14:54
Quote by Raine:
This was mentioned on the show and I had to see if it was true. It is and I am stunned.
What the absolute fuck is going on in the world!
Comment by 
Scoopster on 02/08/2017 15:21:34
Scoopster on 02/08/2017 15:21:34
Mornin' all 
If I recall, there was some similar shit happening at the Vatican during the runup to WW2.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
This was mentioned on the show and I had to see if it was true. It is and I am stunned.
What the absolute fuck is going on in the world!
If I recall, there was some similar shit happening at the Vatican during the runup to WW2.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/08/2017 15:38:16
Will in Chicago on 02/08/2017 15:38:16
Good morning, bloggers!!!
Winter is back in force here. High 25, with wind chills approaching or less than zero today.
My interview went well, and I am working on a few things.
I am angry with Mitch McConnell silencing Senator Warren. The Democrats should try to block Trump's appointees and agenda as America has seldom seen such a selection of incompetent and immoral people asked to be in high national office.
Winter is back in force here. High 25, with wind chills approaching or less than zero today.
My interview went well, and I am working on a few things.
I am angry with Mitch McConnell silencing Senator Warren. The Democrats should try to block Trump's appointees and agenda as America has seldom seen such a selection of incompetent and immoral people asked to be in high national office.
Comment by 
TriSec on 02/08/2017 15:40:53
TriSec on 02/08/2017 15:40:53
Howdy folks.
We had some freezing rain right as the morning rush hour kicked off, which in turn led to a 55 CAR pileup out on route 128; it's been closed for hours.
There were at least 15 more on 93 north, and a dozen on the Eliot Bridge (Near Harvard) all around the same time.
Interesting morning.
Satan vs. the Pope is fitting somehow. I'm just going to make some popcorn.
We had some freezing rain right as the morning rush hour kicked off, which in turn led to a 55 CAR pileup out on route 128; it's been closed for hours.
There were at least 15 more on 93 north, and a dozen on the Eliot Bridge (Near Harvard) all around the same time.
Interesting morning.
Satan vs. the Pope is fitting somehow. I'm just going to make some popcorn.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/08/2017 15:42:42
Scoopster on 02/08/2017 15:42:42
Here's what pisses me off re: McConnell's rules lawyering.
RIGHT AFTER she was told to sit down & shut up, Sen. Merkley took the floor and read the EXACT SAME LETTER that Warren was reading. He received no such reprimand from the chair.
Then this morning, Sen. Udall (not sure which one) also read it, and was not reprimanded.
It's clearly obvious that this is either a personal grudge against Warren, or something even more simple and debased - outright sexism.
RIGHT AFTER she was told to sit down & shut up, Sen. Merkley took the floor and read the EXACT SAME LETTER that Warren was reading. He received no such reprimand from the chair.
Then this morning, Sen. Udall (not sure which one) also read it, and was not reprimanded.
It's clearly obvious that this is either a personal grudge against Warren, or something even more simple and debased - outright sexism.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 15:46:13
. Fixed it.
Raine on 02/08/2017 15:46:13
Quote by Scoopster:
Here's what pisses me off re: McConnell's rules lawyering.
RIGHT AFTER she was told to sit down & shut up, Sen. Merkley took the floor and read the EXACT SAME LETTER that Warren was reading. He received no such reprimand from the chair.
Then this morning, Sen. Udall (not sure which one) also read it, and was not reprimanded.
It's clearly obvious that this is either a personal grudge against Warren, or something even more simple and debased - outright sexism.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/08/2017 15:51:45
And now Sherrod Brown.
It'll be interesting when say Amy Klobuchar starts reading it.
Scoopster on 02/08/2017 15:51:45
Quote by Raine:. Fixed it.Quote by Scoopster:
Here's what pisses me off re: McConnell's rules lawyering.
RIGHT AFTER she was told to sit down & shut up, Sen. Merkley took the floor and read the EXACT SAME LETTER that Warren was reading. He received no such reprimand from the chair.
Then this morning, Sen. Udall (not sure which one) also read it, and was not reprimanded.
It's clearly obvious that this is either a personal grudge against Warren, or something even more simple and debased - outright sexism.
And now Sherrod Brown.
It'll be interesting when say Amy Klobuchar starts reading it.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 16:04:45
I am really pissed about this.
Raine on 02/08/2017 16:04:45
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:. Fixed it.Quote by Scoopster:
Here's what pisses me off re: McConnell's rules lawyering.
RIGHT AFTER she was told to sit down & shut up, Sen. Merkley took the floor and read the EXACT SAME LETTER that Warren was reading. He received no such reprimand from the chair.
Then this morning, Sen. Udall (not sure which one) also read it, and was not reprimanded.
It's clearly obvious that this is either a personal grudge against Warren, or something even more simple and debased - outright sexism.
And now Sherrod Brown.
It'll be interesting when say Amy Klobuchar starts reading it.
I am really pissed about this.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 16:05:56
Raine on 02/08/2017 16:05:56
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 16:22:09
Raine on 02/08/2017 16:22:09
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:23:23
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:23:23
My email to Yertle:
Hey, Sen, McConnell,
Good job! You made yourself look like the sexist mook you are by silencing a woman without doing the same to other senators reading the same letter and not censuring them. You are bad at your job, aren't you? Remember, there are more of us than there are Trump-humping opportunists who put their party above the country every chance they get. Keep up the great work!
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 16:24:17
This happened earlier this morning.
Raine on 02/08/2017 16:24:17
This happened earlier this morning.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:28:32
Beg pardon, Cheetolini, I think my high school friend who's been doing immigration law for 30 years knows more that you.
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:28:32
Quote by Raine:
This happened earlier this morning.
Beg pardon, Cheetolini, I think my high school friend who's been doing immigration law for 30 years knows more that you.
Comment by BobR on 02/08/2017 16:28:34
BobR on 02/08/2017 16:28:34
Resistance
Persistence
Insistence
Persistence
Insistence
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:30:40
And then, there at the end, he makes it about himself.
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:30:40
Quote by Raine:
This happened earlier this morning.
And then, there at the end, he makes it about himself.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:37:35
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:37:35
We had a bit of scary weather in the 'hood last night.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 16:50:31
I'm glad you ok.
Those things are scary as hell.
Raine on 02/08/2017 16:50:31
Quote by Mondobubba:
We had a bit of scary weather in the 'hood last night.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
I'm glad you ok.
Those things are scary as hell.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:51:16
It is in effect, a giant weather shart.
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:51:16
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
We had a bit of scary weather in the 'hood last night.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
I'm glad you ok.
Those things are scary as hell.
It is in effect, a giant weather shart.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 16:52:31
Raine on 02/08/2017 16:52:31
This interview with Rep. Maxine Waters is pretty astounding. (SMSHow)
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:53:28
On of the retired derby girls got hit much harder, trees and fences down in her neighborhood. She said she got more damage from this than Matthew.
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 16:53:28
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
We had a bit of scary weather in the 'hood last night.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
I'm glad you ok.
Those things are scary as hell.
On of the retired derby girls got hit much harder, trees and fences down in her neighborhood. She said she got more damage from this than Matthew.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 17:01:22
I;m not surpised.
We that Dercho a few years back and a couple of blocks looks like a tornado hit.
Raine on 02/08/2017 17:01:22
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
We had a bit of scary weather in the 'hood last night.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
I'm glad you ok.
Those things are scary as hell.
On of the retired derby girls got hit much harder, trees and fences down in her neighborhood. She said she got more damage from this than Matthew.
We that Dercho a few years back and a couple of blocks looks like a tornado hit.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/08/2017 17:06:42
Scoopster on 02/08/2017 17:06:42
Sean Sphincter cites the Olympic bombing in 1996 as justification for the travel ban
Hey Sean, Eric Rudolph is a WHITE NATIONALIST, EVANGELICAN CHRISTIAN and US CITIZEN, NOT A FOREIGNER AND NOT A MUSLIM
Hey Sean, Eric Rudolph is a WHITE NATIONALIST, EVANGELICAN CHRISTIAN and US CITIZEN, NOT A FOREIGNER AND NOT A MUSLIM
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 17:08:55
Things went WOOSH!, then the power went out.
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 17:08:55
Quote by Raine:I;m not surpised.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
We had a bit of scary weather in the 'hood last night.
Trees down, no power from 10:30 last night, I don't know if it back yet. Wasn't on this AM when I left this morning.
I'm glad you ok.
Those things are scary as hell.
On of the retired derby girls got hit much harder, trees and fences down in her neighborhood. She said she got more damage from this than Matthew.
We that Dercho a few years back and a couple of blocks looks like a tornado hit.
Things went WOOSH!, then the power went out.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 17:18:48
I cannot even bleieve this.
They are disgusting.
Raine on 02/08/2017 17:18:48
Quote by Scoopster:
Sean Sphincter cites the Olympic bombing in 1996 as justification for the travel ban
Hey Sean, Eric Rudolph is a WHITE NATIONALIST, EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN and US CITIZEN, NOT A FOREIGNER AND NOT A MUSLIM
They are disgusting.
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 17:22:31
That headline -- it wasn't imaginary -- I love the NYDN, but that was a real attack and people died. over a hundred people were injured.
My heart still goes out for Richard Jewel.
Fuck this administration.
Raine on 02/08/2017 17:22:31
Quote by Raine:I cannot even bleieve this.Quote by Scoopster:
Sean Sphincter cites the Olympic bombing in 1996 as justification for the travel ban
Hey Sean, Eric Rudolph is a WHITE NATIONALIST, EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN and US CITIZEN, NOT A FOREIGNER AND NOT A MUSLIM
They are disgusting.
That headline -- it wasn't imaginary -- I love the NYDN, but that was a real attack and people died. over a hundred people were injured.
My heart still goes out for Richard Jewel.
Fuck this administration.
Comment by BobR on 02/08/2017 17:26:42
Maybe he meant the lost city of Atlantis - lost to a terrorist attack by radical mermaids
BobR on 02/08/2017 17:26:42
Quote by Raine:I cannot even bleieve this.Quote by Scoopster:
Sean Sphincter cites the Olympic bombing in 1996 as justification for the travel ban
Hey Sean, Eric Rudolph is a WHITE NATIONALIST, EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN and US CITIZEN, NOT A FOREIGNER AND NOT A MUSLIM
They are disgusting.
Maybe he meant the lost city of Atlantis - lost to a terrorist attack by radical mermaids
Comment by Raine on 02/08/2017 17:27:22
PRIMAL SCREAM
Raine on 02/08/2017 17:27:22
PRIMAL SCREAM
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 19:25:50
Yeah, those radical mermaids, they fall for some land bound prince and they want legs.
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 19:25:50
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:I cannot even bleieve this.Quote by Scoopster:
Sean Sphincter cites the Olympic bombing in 1996 as justification for the travel ban
Hey Sean, Eric Rudolph is a WHITE NATIONALIST, EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN and US CITIZEN, NOT A FOREIGNER AND NOT A MUSLIM
They are disgusting.
Maybe he meant the lost city of Atlantis - lost to a terrorist attack by radical mermaids
Yeah, those radical mermaids, they fall for some land bound prince and they want legs.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 19:50:15
Feeling better?
Mondobubba on 02/08/2017 19:50:15
Quote by Raine:
Feeling better?
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 02/08/2017 20:28:10
I just missed that sucker. I was able to take the exit before and go around it. A couple of minutes either way and ........
Ain't no way I'm doing anything but staying home tomorrow. A foot o'crap.
trojanrabbit on 02/08/2017 20:28:10
Quote by TriSec:
Howdy folks.
We had some freezing rain right as the morning rush hour kicked off, which in turn led to a 55 CAR pileup out on route 128; it's been closed for hours.
There were at least 15 more on 93 north, and a dozen on the Eliot Bridge (Near Harvard) all around the same time.
Interesting morning.
Satan vs. the Pope is fitting somehow. I'm just going to make some popcorn.
I just missed that sucker. I was able to take the exit before and go around it. A couple of minutes either way and ........
Ain't no way I'm doing anything but staying home tomorrow. A foot o'crap.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/08/2017 20:33:04
Yeeeep! My boss already said I can work from home tomorrow.
Scoopster on 02/08/2017 20:33:04
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by TriSec:
Howdy folks.
We had some freezing rain right as the morning rush hour kicked off, which in turn led to a 55 CAR pileup out on route 128; it's been closed for hours.
There were at least 15 more on 93 north, and a dozen on the Eliot Bridge (Near Harvard) all around the same time.
Interesting morning.
Satan vs. the Pope is fitting somehow. I'm just going to make some popcorn.
I just missed that sucker. I was able to take the exit before and go around it. A couple of minutes either way and ........
Ain't no way I'm doing anything but staying home tomorrow. A foot o'crap.
Yeeeep! My boss already said I can work from home tomorrow.