Today is the opening day of the 115th Congress, on heels of the three most unproductive Congresses in modern history since World War II, and we are on the way to the most corrupt, disgraceful Congress in all of American history, including the Gilded Age years of the late 19th century.
It is as if the Republican majority in Congress is out to repeal the 20th century, going back to the 1920s Congresses that came before the Great Depression, caused by Republican policies, and rectified in great measure by Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal in the 1930s.
The whole concept of a national government that was concerned about the economic status of its people, promoted by the New Deal and Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society, as well as the reforms brought about under later Presidents, including Barack Obama, seem about to be wiped out in great measure by the nasty, vindictive, uncaring right wing Republican Party, which is not even embarrassed about getting rid of their ethics committee, brought about by Congressional scandals a decade ago. Now the thought is, who cares what the public thinks about sex and financial scandals, as we will simply push them under the rug!
That is why the news media, particularly the major newspapers and periodicals and electronic media MUST not allow themselves to be cowed into silence, as it is only the responsible news media that will be able to inform us of the truth and preserve light in a time of darkness.
This is a time for mourning, but one can be assured that the Republicans will pay the price long term for the sins, misdeeds, and even crimes they are now about to perpetrate in harming women, children, workers, the poor, the elderly, the sick, the disabled, the environment, racial minorities, gays and lesbians, immigrants, Muslims, and all other oppressed groups who now are faced with the most right wing extremist Congress in nearly a century.
I hear the GOP is planning to vote to repeal Obamacare, yet again.
House GOP have voted to get rid of the Ethics Office. http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/us/politics/with-no-warning-house-republicans-vote-to-hobble-independent-ethics-office.html
Speaking of the media, Joe Scarborough was at Trump’s New Year’s Eve party. He needs to be kicked off MSNBC. http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/02/media/joe-scarborough-mar-a-lago-new-years-eve-interview/index.html
I hear they got a lot of complaints and are now stepping back their action to get rid of the Ethics Office.
Megyn Kelly is leaving Fox News. http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/03/media/megyn-kelly-nbc-fox-news/index.html
Typical. Media is crediting Trump for the House GOP reversal on Ethics. Here’s the truth of what really happened. http://washingtonmonthly.com/2017/01/03/media-credits-trump-with-gop-house-reversal-on-ethics/#.WGwWO1k59x4.facebook
Sounds like NBC is in the process of planning to normalize Trump.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2017/01/04/nbc-building-trump-normalization-machine/214925
MSNBC’s prime-time voices like Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, and Lawrence O’Donnell are resisting efforts to normalize Trump. But it’s unclear whether they can win that fight with the leading voices at MSNBC and NBC News pushing the other way, much less with the network itself in bed with Trump.
It’s official. Greta Van Susteren is joining MSNBC during the 6 pm time slot. The announcement was made during Rachel Maddow’s show.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2017/01/greta-van-susteren-to-join-msnbc-233228
Southern Liberal – It remains to be seen how these women will act once they are away from FOX but I understand your concern.
Not sure how you conclude that an exodus from Fox to NBC means Liberal voices are diminished. Fox is clearly going through leadership transition and Greta and Megyn clearly see the writings on the wall and they’re getting out while they can. Easier to work for a company that knows what it is. Fox is going to be undergoing a bit of an identity crisis.
Everybody needs to remember the fact that Roger Ailes REQUIRED all his news people to report what HE decided was okay, and he made it a point to support the Republican agenda while specifically and purposely downplaying any and all Democratic victories. Fox is not news. I think these two ladies probably know that, but were under contractual obligations not to say so. It’s a paycheck, that’s all. If they don’t do fair and honest reporting the network isn’t going to keep them. Bank on that.
MSNBC is actually doing the truly “progressive” thing in the larger sense: Covering all sides. When we split to FOX on right and MSNBC on left, we miss the balance.
When we split, we are weak.
Perhaps they will hold each other accountable?
Perhaps they will go after CNN and BBC?
Certainly, they are going after FOX, leaving them with far-right-old-white-male-consciousness. How stunning to see the women walk and their abusive leader booted out in disgrace.
I think NBC AND MSNBC will be stronger.
MSNBC has been growing a powerful young group of progressive professional journalists into successful commenators and pundits including Steve Kornaki, Joy Reid, Ari Melber, Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and all the great campaign “road warriors.” They keep experimenting with new combinations and formats.
I am optimistic.
I agree totally, Rustbelt Democrat, and think this makes MSNBC much better and more of a real balance, although both Kelly and Van Susteren will not be told to spout a conservative view, and I think they will surprise us.
And the younger journalists are a great group!
According to Forbes, since MSNBC’s daytime schedule has moved away from political talking heads and towards breaking-news reporting, viewership has increased.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/01/05/former-fox-news-star-greta-van-susteren-moves-to-msnbc/#4fb3a7ef59af
I doubt Greta Van Susteren’s show will last. Nobody has done all that well in that 6 pm slot.
As for Megyn Kelly, she’s not going to be on NBC full time.
Ed Schultz, who used to be on MSNBC, is now on Russia’s propaganda channel. Once upon a time, I wanted to have him back. Now, I say, No Way.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/how-ed-schultz-transformed-from-msnbc-lefty-to-the-american-face-of-moscow-media/2016/12/20/320713f4-c322-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html?utm_term=.17f44027c814
I’m not a fan of either Megyn or Greta but I think a wait and see approach is best.
Wow, Rustbelt Democrat, on Ed Schultz!
Thanks for the info about Ed. Very disappointed that he’s become a traitor now.