Powerful media figures now invoke sexist and racist tropes to cast themselves as so fragile and marginalized that critiques of their work constitute bullying and assault.
As a woman who has lived through many decades of changes this "fragile flower" BS from these women is repulsive. It undermines the vast gains that have been made for women. The USA article is disgusting to begin with (so thank you Glenn for being a strong voice for those without a voice) and then for the author (or her cohorts) to mount a defense based on hurt feelings compounds my disdain. Whether the Capitol rioters are guilty or not does not change their essential rights to effective legal counsel.
Jeff Bezos did not purchase the failing Washington Post because he was interested in journalism, of course. Controlling the narrative is central to maintaining power. In this age of so many independent sources of information available (for now) online, I am baffled that too many Americans continue to lap up the obvious lies and misinformation spewed forth by elite media. It seems that those with greater levels of education (schooling, I should say; indoctrination, not education, is what is taking place on American campuses) are those most inclined to swallow the propaganda from our corporate media. The "Woke" truly need to be awakened from their intellectual slumber.
The kindest "take" on the journalists who draw paychecks by passing off lies for truth, and disparaging truth-sayers as liars, is that they are ignoramuses. The only other possibility is that these folks are evil, serving the interests of an even greater evil. Actively seeking the destruction of globalization's victims leads me to think the second possibility is most likely.
There's a term for what they're doing, it's called "Woke Supremacy". One set of rules for the woke, another for the rest of us.
The best example of this I can think of is the WH Press Corp's treatment of Trump, vs. their treatment of Biden. In the one case, Acosta jumping up without being called on and screaming out at Trump "why are you torturing innocent children and putting them in cages?". In the other, all questions agreed upon beforehand, and Biden coming to the dais with pictures of the reporters to call on, their names, the questions, and the prepared answers for Biden to read back.
He's the powerful; he's the one that secretly fed them state secrets (which is the reason he was fired, or at least for lying about it). He's the epitome of "insider" and well-connected. Far from criticizing him, they actively promoted this. Journalism died long ago.
I have to tip my hat to USA Today. Not only does giving your entire journalistic staff the title of 'Intern' render them immune to criticism, it helps keep salaries low.
"Doctors Should Refuse to Treat Republicans." Is this where it's going? Trying to prevent citizens from obtaining legal representation through harassment and threats seems just as repellent.
Someone accused of a crime, be they Jeffery Dahmer or Harvey Weinstein, is entitled to legal representation under the law. This is for everyone's benefit, not just the accused- don't these people see that? A fair trial means the person convicted of the crime probably actually did the crime. A railroaded suspect convicted without proper representation means nothing.
I remember one of my first stories at a major newspaper as an intern, I was cautioned about running a perspective in an op-ed and told by a seasoned crime reporter, "when you write here you subject to the same standards as myself and any other writer," i.e.: we are not going to defend you on the grounds you are an intern. I wore that caution as a badge of honor, with an understanding that it informed integrity and principles that superseded my right to comfort. This is bizarre and unsettling, both the perspective of the story and the manipulative defensive. It goes against the entire philosophy of the SPJ code of ethics "minimize harm" section for starters. Utterly despicable.
Government, tech companies, and the mainstream press, will not be persuaded to stop the dangerous behaviors of cancelling those with whom they disagree politically.
I truly believe the most effective option, will be to create an alternative universe of private companies, either right leaning, and/or committed to not cancelling anyone.
Just as the mainstream press has been made less and less relevant by competion from alternative sources, the same must be done to create alternatives to GoFundMe, PayPal, AWS, Stripe / Square - maybe even Visa / MC - any vulnerable piece of the infrastructure needed for effect free speech, and effective monetary support for persons with disfavored political views.
This is far from over. I suspect it will get much worse. Playing defense by begging private companies to play fair, or for our corrupt oligarch controlled government to force companies to do the right thing, is foolish, IMO.
Glenn these journalists are not separate from the “power centers”. They are a de facto voice of the state. That pretty much explains all of their behavior.
That the USA Today reporters convinced Stripe and PayPal to shutdown the fundraising accounts for two defendants in the Jan. 6 riot was a most egregious interference by a time honored piece of shit newspaper.
As a woman who has lived through many decades of changes this "fragile flower" BS from these women is repulsive. It undermines the vast gains that have been made for women. The USA article is disgusting to begin with (so thank you Glenn for being a strong voice for those without a voice) and then for the author (or her cohorts) to mount a defense based on hurt feelings compounds my disdain. Whether the Capitol rioters are guilty or not does not change their essential rights to effective legal counsel.
Jeff Bezos did not purchase the failing Washington Post because he was interested in journalism, of course. Controlling the narrative is central to maintaining power. In this age of so many independent sources of information available (for now) online, I am baffled that too many Americans continue to lap up the obvious lies and misinformation spewed forth by elite media. It seems that those with greater levels of education (schooling, I should say; indoctrination, not education, is what is taking place on American campuses) are those most inclined to swallow the propaganda from our corporate media. The "Woke" truly need to be awakened from their intellectual slumber.
The kindest "take" on the journalists who draw paychecks by passing off lies for truth, and disparaging truth-sayers as liars, is that they are ignoramuses. The only other possibility is that these folks are evil, serving the interests of an even greater evil. Actively seeking the destruction of globalization's victims leads me to think the second possibility is most likely.
There's a term for what they're doing, it's called "Woke Supremacy". One set of rules for the woke, another for the rest of us.
The best example of this I can think of is the WH Press Corp's treatment of Trump, vs. their treatment of Biden. In the one case, Acosta jumping up without being called on and screaming out at Trump "why are you torturing innocent children and putting them in cages?". In the other, all questions agreed upon beforehand, and Biden coming to the dais with pictures of the reporters to call on, their names, the questions, and the prepared answers for Biden to read back.
These are the same journalists who said not a peep when fired Assistant FBI Director Andy McCabe raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal defense fees on GoFundMe. https://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-mccabe-gofundme-page-legal-defense-fund-how-much-money-2018-3?r=US&IR=T
He's the powerful; he's the one that secretly fed them state secrets (which is the reason he was fired, or at least for lying about it). He's the epitome of "insider" and well-connected. Far from criticizing him, they actively promoted this. Journalism died long ago.
Outstanding points on a solid foundation of truth. Finally, someone is telling it like it is. Thanks Glenn, for calling them out on their bullying.
Wow. Just wow. You are tough as nails Glenn. We flock to you because you tell the truth with clarity.
Frankly, it makes one want to contribute to the accused's defense funds. Just to spite these self-righteous fascist dolts.
I have to tip my hat to USA Today. Not only does giving your entire journalistic staff the title of 'Intern' render them immune to criticism, it helps keep salaries low.
Damn, Glenn, I love your reporting. But every time I read one of your articles . . . I get upset.
AOC did the same thing--calling Jimmy Dore's legit criticisms of her as "violence."
"Doctors Should Refuse to Treat Republicans." Is this where it's going? Trying to prevent citizens from obtaining legal representation through harassment and threats seems just as repellent.
Someone accused of a crime, be they Jeffery Dahmer or Harvey Weinstein, is entitled to legal representation under the law. This is for everyone's benefit, not just the accused- don't these people see that? A fair trial means the person convicted of the crime probably actually did the crime. A railroaded suspect convicted without proper representation means nothing.
I remember one of my first stories at a major newspaper as an intern, I was cautioned about running a perspective in an op-ed and told by a seasoned crime reporter, "when you write here you subject to the same standards as myself and any other writer," i.e.: we are not going to defend you on the grounds you are an intern. I wore that caution as a badge of honor, with an understanding that it informed integrity and principles that superseded my right to comfort. This is bizarre and unsettling, both the perspective of the story and the manipulative defensive. It goes against the entire philosophy of the SPJ code of ethics "minimize harm" section for starters. Utterly despicable.
Glenn deserves our maximum support.
Thank you, once again, Glenn for your invaluable work !!
Government, tech companies, and the mainstream press, will not be persuaded to stop the dangerous behaviors of cancelling those with whom they disagree politically.
I truly believe the most effective option, will be to create an alternative universe of private companies, either right leaning, and/or committed to not cancelling anyone.
Just as the mainstream press has been made less and less relevant by competion from alternative sources, the same must be done to create alternatives to GoFundMe, PayPal, AWS, Stripe / Square - maybe even Visa / MC - any vulnerable piece of the infrastructure needed for effect free speech, and effective monetary support for persons with disfavored political views.
This is far from over. I suspect it will get much worse. Playing defense by begging private companies to play fair, or for our corrupt oligarch controlled government to force companies to do the right thing, is foolish, IMO.
Glenn these journalists are not separate from the “power centers”. They are a de facto voice of the state. That pretty much explains all of their behavior.
That the USA Today reporters convinced Stripe and PayPal to shutdown the fundraising accounts for two defendants in the Jan. 6 riot was a most egregious interference by a time honored piece of shit newspaper.