Washington Post

Jeff Bezos, The Washington Post, And Eugene Robinson And Ruth Marcus

Ronald 2 Comments

The Washington Post, considered one of the two best, most complete and informative “national” newspapers, alongside the NY Times, has lost two top columnists who served decades and transformed journalism.

Eugene Robinson and Ruth Marcus were the “cream of the crop” in political journalism, but the Washington Post owner, Jeff Bezos, also owner of Amazon, and the second wealthiest billionaire behind Elon Musk, has chosen to emasculate the opinion pages of the newspaper,caving in to Donald Trump!

The Washington Post will survive without Robinson and Marcus, but it will lose credibility and legitimacy in many corners, and will undermine the pursuit of truth and facts.

This is a clear and present danger to American democracy and the rule of law!

Trump Threatens Actions Against NPR, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, NY Times, Washington Post–Challenge To Accurate News Coverage!

Ronald 2 Comments

Donald Trump has been lashing out against a free press, guaranteed under the First Amendment

In his political speech at the Department of Justice last Friday, totally inappropriate, he called for ending the licenses of news stations, including CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, and CBS.

Trump also is calling for the end of government support of PBS and NPR. And he has attacked the two leading newspapers of record–the NY Times and Washington Post.

Trump has pressured changes by the management of cable stations and newspapers to appease his administration, a very alarming development.

He has also called, specifically, for the firing of Nicolle Wallace and Rachel Maddow, and applauded the fact that Joy Reid was removed from MSNBC.

Trump has had past fights with Jim Acosta, who recently left CNN.

He has managed to convince Jeff Bezos, one of the three wealthiest billionaires, and owner of the Washington Post, to interfere with free expression by columnists, leading many to leave that paper, and causing a major drop in online subscriptions.

He is trying to promote an obedient press that will not report anything negative about his Presidency, wishing to promote mistruths rather than truth and facts.

Courageous and principled journalists are refusing to bend to his demands, and he has called them enemies, and many of these people and organizations may face outrageous and illegal prosecutions by the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is only too willing to bend to the President’s wishes and whims.

The survival of a free press and news media is urgent to preserve American democracy and the rule of law, so this is an ongoing battle that must be fought without retreat!

Censorship Is Harming Journalism And Truth! :(

Ronald 5 Comments

Journalism is being harmed by the decision of news media to bend to the will of Donald Trump, and to put controls on criticism and exposing the truth.

The Washington Post publisher, Jeff Bezos, has bent to threats from Trump, and has changed the editorial independence of one of the premier newspapers in America, leading to resignations by major contributors, many with a long, treasured history with the second most prominant newspaper in America.

CNN has pushed out well known figures, including, notably, Jim Acosta, who has caused antagonism with Trump, since the first Trump Presidency.

MSNBC has dismissed Joy Reid, a major critic of Trump, and like CNN, is perceived as reacting to Trump criticism by “bending the knee”.

Trump has also called for Rachel Maddow and Nicolle Wallace to be fired, but it seems that they are “safe” at this point, but clearly, there is pressure on that news channel.

Trump has also called for revoking FCC authorization for the major networks of NBC, ABC, and CBS.

The thought that a President could wield such threats is horrifying, and an indication that Trump is ready and willing to bring enough pressure to end the concept of a free press.

But the resistance to such a situation must be unrelenting, that no further concessions can be allowed to occur!

Early Estimation Of Potential Republican Presidential Nominees In 2028

Ronald 1 Comment

The Washington Post just published an article on ten potential Republican Presidential contenders to succeed Donald Trump in 2028.

It is a literal horror list!

At the top of the list are Vice President JD Vance, and Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump, Jr.

Vance, already, in six weeks, has compiled a public persona that has not gone over well in public opinion polls, and makes earlier Republican Vice Presidents look better by comparison, including not only broadly respected Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, but also far less impressive Vice Presidents, including Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney, and Mike Pence. Only Spiro Agnew, at this point, would rate lower than Vance.

Trump Jr. is not a very smart or impressive individual, who clearly has been harmed over his life by the parental abuses his father visited upon him, with many stories of their difficult relationship.

Once we go beyond these two top contenders, we have Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as number 4; and Kristi Noem, former South Dakota Governor and now Homeland Security Secretary as number 8—both having many negatives in their public record.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (formerly Senator from Florida) as number 5 and Nikki Haley (former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador) as number 6, are comparatively more palatable, but one cannot accept that either really has a great chance for the future. Rubio surving in the Cabinet for four years seems unlikely, and Haley has aliented Trump supporters by her fierce campaign against Trump in 2024.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp at number 3 was a major Trump critic in the past, and outgoing Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin at number 7 did not meet the expectations of many that he was a major player.

Finally, at the bottom two slots of ten listed are former Fox host Tucker Carlson at number 10, and enterpreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (who is running for Ohio Governor in 2026) at number 9. Needless to say, they are both obnoxious beyond the pale, and make everyone else on the list comparatively palatable.

This is an indication of how horrendous the future of the Trump dominated Republican Party looks at this moment in 2025.

But the question is can the Democratic Party recover and offer a real alternative in the future?

Any chance of the survival of the American Republic beyond Donald Trump is a real question, without a clear-cut answer!

Donald Trump’s Attack On News Media And The Free Press

Ronald 3 Comments

Donald Trump has declared war on a free news media, and is clearly out to do whatever he can to suppress truth and facts.

Trump and his party in Congress has threatened to take away the public support of National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

He has launched lawsuits, or threatened such, against CBS, ABC, and major newspapers.

The Pentagon under Pete Hegseth has replaced major news media with work stations from the most substantial organizations to those with far less reputation and expertise.

So the following have been denied frontline status—NBC News, the NY Times, National Public Radio, Politico, CNN, Washington Post, and The Hill.

They are being replaced by: NY Post, Breitbart News, Daily Caller, Washington Examiner, One America News Network, Newsmax, and the Huffington Post, with all but the latter being right wing media sources.

These actions are designed to create an “obedient” news media that will inform the American people what propaganda Donald Trump and his administration want to be promoted as facts and truth, rather than actual reality, but it will not work, as a free press will defy Trump’s attempts to destroy the First Amendment!

Civil Liberties of Speech And Press Under Attack By Trump!

Ronald 2 Comments

It is extremely alarming that Donald Trump is mounting an attack on the basic civil liberties of the First Amendment, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Trump has launched lawsuits against major news organizations, both print and electronic, and major players in social media, including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook most prominently, are bowing to Trump, and agreeing to stop monitoring the truth level of published material, afraid otherwise of being prosecuted.

And the Washington Post publisher, Jeff Bezos, who is also owner of Amazon, would not allow an endorsement of Kamala Harris by the journalism staff, and the same with the Los Angeles Times.

The most powerful and wealthy oligarchs of technology, including Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Elon Musk, also the three wealthiest billionaires in the world, are sacrificing the freedoms of all of us for their own selfish, and ego centered protection.

So Disinformation is now in, propaganda and lies, rather than truth telling, a very dangerous move toward authoritarianism!

Preemptive Pardons Essential To Protect Courageous Leaders!

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There is growing discussion of the concept of “preemptive” pardons being given by President Joe Biden, to a whole group of political figures who helped investigate and bring Donald Trump and others around him to legal accountability, particularly for the January 6 US Capitol Insurrection, but also other illegal activities.

The list could include all members of the January 6 House Committee that investigated the Insurrection, but also others who have been openly critical of Donald Trump over the years, which is legion in numbers.

The fear is that Donald Trump and his FBI nominee Kash Patel want revenge and retribution against political “enemies”, and even those in journalism and the media, which makes for a list that could be massive.

Clearly, not everyone who might be endangered by civil or criminal charges that might be brought by the FBI can be calculated, as to the risk of prosecution.

But beyond the list this author and blogger presented two days ago, there is real concern about such politically courageous figures as:

Liz Cheney
Adam Kinzinger
Adam Schiff
Jamie Raskin
General Mark Milley
Prosecutor Jack Smith

and innumerable Trump Administration employees who broke with Trump.

Even Dr Anthony Fauci, who had such a sterling career since Ronald Reagan onward, has become the target of those lunatics who think that the Pandemic and response to it was mishandled, a disgraceful lie!

And there is danger to the free press, including the NY Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, and PBS, among others.

We are entering dark times, brought about by the stupidity, ignorance, and self-centeredness of so many Americans, including people I know personally, who only care about “Me, Myself and I”, and not the nation at large.

At this rate, our American democracy, rule of law, and enforcement of the Constitution is in dire straits!

Alarming That Billionaire Owners Of Media Are Staying Neutral On Presidential Endorsements!

admin 9 Comments

An alarming development as the Presidential Election of 2024 nears, is that the billionaire owners of two highly significant and reputable national newspapers have refused to allow their staffs to make an endorsement for President. The Washington Post has had 76 Pulitzer Prizes in its history, and the Los Angeles Times has had more than 40 in its history.

Jeff Bezos of the Washington Post and Patrick Soon-Shiong of the Los Angeles Times have prevented endorsements in the most significant Presidential race since 1940 and 1860. This is billionaire cowardice, kowtowing to the authoritarian threat of Donald Trump!

Their actions, interfering with the editorial board and staff, is causing alarm and provoking resignations, as well as cancellation of subscriptions by readers, as it seems clear that the personal business interests of both men are getting in the way of principles and public safety at a crucial moment in the fight for protection of democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law!

Additionally, the New York Post, owned by the Rupert Murdoch family, the most despicable newspaper owner imaginable, has decided to endorse Donald Trump, after having backed away from support two years ago after the legal cases against Donald Trump were made clear as a result of the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection.

Trump Threatens News Media And First Amendment: Alarming Development!

admin 4 Comments

Donald Trump has been critical of news media for years, due to their reporting of his antics and illegalities and immoralities.

But recently, he has indicated his intention to shut down critical news media if he is returned to the Oval Office.

This threat to the First Amendment and freedom of the press is highly alarming, and no decent person should think that it is acceptable that he could go ahead and try to shut down the press, both print and cable!

Trump has issued threats against such reputable sources as the NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR and PBS among others.

In his world, only right wing media, such as FOX NEWS CHANNEL would exist, and yet even that network has come under attack from him during his Presidential campaign.

If Donald Trump is returned to the White House, the nation will be in the grips of an authoritarian Fascist regime, so it cannot be allowed to occur!

Loss Of A True Statesman: Florida Governor And Senator Bob Graham!

admin 4 Comments

The state of Florida and the nation has lost a true statesman, former Governor and Senator Bob Graham, who passed away at the age of 87.

Graham was a class act as Florida Governor from 1979-1987, and as a US Senator from 1987-2005.

A leader who was of Presidential stature, he was on the short list for Vice President for Bill Clinton in 1992 and Al Gore in 2000, and briefly sought the Presidency himself in 2004.

He was a very effective governor of the Sunshine state, a true star when compared to recent Republican governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. His emphasis was on promotion of the environment and advancement of education.

Graham was Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee from 2001-2003, and worked to oppose the Iraq War under George W. Bush as based on faulty intelligence.

A half brother with the same last name, Phil Graham, came to own the Washington Post.

Florida has not been the same politically since Democrats such as Bob Graham left office, and as Republicans took over state government and domination of Congressional seats.