tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78114820057068906102024-03-05T17:47:00.205-05:00JOURNALISM - DIGITAL MEDIA - POLITICS - JOE PEYRONNINPersonal Experiences and Reflectionsjoepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.comBlogger514125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-11170998841241477482020-06-02T12:38:00.000-04:002020-06-02T15:29:00.977-04:00I Can't Breath<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 9pt 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;">The brutal death of George Floyd at the hands
of police is just the latest tragic example of racism in America, a disease
that has plagued this country since its founding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
While tens of thousands of demonstrators across the country are demanding
justice, to change the subject President Donald Trump has desperately seized upon pictures of those
disproportionate few who are rioting. "I
will fight to protect you - I am your president of law and order and an ally of
all peaceful protestors," Trump said while holding a up bible and standing
in front of a church near the White House. He is gambling that the
best chance for his struggling reelection campaign is to shift the debate from
the long-standing issue of racial injustice to the rioting. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
In a call earlier in the day with the nation's governors, Mr. Trump said,
"The word is dominate. If you don't dominate your city and state,
they're going to walk away with you. And we're doing it in Washington, in
DC." Dominate is just the tactic plantation owners used when their
slaves got out of line. Speaking at Boston's Faneuil in February 1842,
Frederick Douglass said, "My back is scarred by the lash--that I could
show you--I could make visible the wounds of this system upon my soul."
"This system" has changed very little since. How many African
Americans have died brutally at the hands of police, white supremacists, or the
KKK since the country's founding? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
Those who are afraid of racial equality think African Americans "should
know their place." That place often means being confined, trapped
deep in the nation's inner cities, or in America's rural areas.
Education, healthy food and medical care are unavailable for most.
They are highly susceptible to pandemics and police. Police
use-of-force is the sixth leading cause of death for young black men according
to a <a href="https://news.umich.edu/police-sixth-leading-cause-of-death-for-young-black-men/"><span style="color: #888888;">2019 study</span></a> released by the University of
Michigan, Rutgers and Washington University. Young black men are 2.5
times more likely to be killed by police than young white men.
Use-of-force includes asphyxiation. In the words of George Floyd, "I
can't breath." </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
Former President Barack Obama wrote in an article published in the <a href="https://medium.com/@BarackObama/how-to-make-this-moment-the-turning-point-for-real-change-9fa209806067"><span style="color: #888888;">Medium</span></a> that "the heightened activism
of young people in recent weeks, of every race and every station, makes me
hopeful." He added, "<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into
peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real
turning point in our nation’s long journey to live up to our highest
ideals."</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
But how many "turning points" has this country failed to capitalize
on in the past? The Founding Fathers declared all men are created equal,
but intentionally failed to mention the slaves. More than 600,000 men
died during the Civil War, but little changed for African Americans. How
many Rodney King, Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, Eric Garner, or Michael Brown
police killings have been turning points in the past? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
A majority of Americans think President Trump is a racist, according to a <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/new-yahoo-news-you-gov-poll-most-americans-say-trump-is-a-racist-and-want-him-to-stop-tweeting-160841770.html"><span style="color: #888888;">Yahoo News/YourGov poll</span></a> released June
1. But is President Trump simply the personification of America's
struggle with its original sin? He appears incapable of compassion,
understanding or empathy. His approach is to mobilize millions of
supporters by fanning the flames of hatred and division that have paralyzed the
nation's racial progress in the past. He knows that by mobilizing the
American military against protestors he will appeal to the country's
"law and order" voting constituency. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
But how is the death of George Floyd law and order? The
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a
threat to justice everywhere." </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
On Monday George Floyd's brother Terrence called for an end to the violence,
saying, "that's not going to bring my brother back at all."
Speaking to protestors at the site of his brother's death, he said, "So
let's do this another way. Let's stop thinking that our voice don't
matter and vote." </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
Will the death of George Floyd truly be a turning point for America? Does
America have the strength, the conviction and the determination to bend the
moral arc toward justice for all? Will all of its people be treated
equal? </span></div>
joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-67140162035677703122018-09-13T12:10:00.000-04:002018-09-13T12:10:00.124-04:00The Anonymous Resistence<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">"There is a quiet resistance within the administration of people choosing to put country first." These were the words of an anonymous author who wrote a scathing Op-Ed essay on President Donald Trump that was published September 5 in <i>The New York Times. </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">The author bluntly added, "The root of the problem is the president's amorality." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">The Op-Ed painted a disturbing picture of a White House in chaos and a president whose instincts are "anti-democratic." </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">The writer described how "many Trump appointees have vowed to do what we can to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Mr. Trump's more misguided impulses until he is out of office." In an effort to reassure readers, the author added, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">It may be cold comfort in this chaotic era, but Americans should know that there are adults in the room." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While the contents of the Op-Ed were deeply troubling, attention quickly shifted to who the author was and a debate over whether <i>The Times</i> should have granted the essayist anonymity. In an introduction to the essay <i>The Times </i>noted it had decided to take the "rare step of publishing an anonymous Op-Ed essay." It further explained, "We believe publishing this essay anonymously is the only way to deliver an important perspective to our readers." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 19px;">Journalists should always be reluctant to grant news sources anonymity; it should be a last resort. The public is entitled to as much information as possible about a source in order to make a better judgment about the news content. Anonymous sources often have an agenda, or an ax to grind. For instance, they may want to undermine decision they disagree with, or may want to cast doubts about another person. Therefore, a journalist must always question the source's motives. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 19px;">Most established news organizations require that a reporter check with their supervisor before granting anonymity. Reporters should keep in mind that inaccurate information can result in legal action and damaging credibility problems. Therefore, any information received from an anonymous source must be carefully vetted and researched. For this Op-Ed letter, <i>The Times </i>explained it determined its authenticity, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">Through direct communication with the author, some background checking and the testimony of the trusted intermediary." The paper's Op-Ed editor and owner both approved publishing the essay, while the news department had no role in the decision. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 19px;">The Op-Ed essay rocked the White House at its foundations. A series of written denials from more than a dozen senior administration officials quickly followed. President Trump called on the Justice Department to launch an investigation into the author's identity. FBI Director Christopher A. Ray declined on Thursday to say whether he would begin an investigation. But he did note, </span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 19.263px;">“I can tell you I didn’t write it. I didn’t have anything to do with it.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The controversy over the use of anonymous sources intensified with the publication of legendary reporter Bob Woodward's new book, "Fear: Trump in the White House." The book depicts a White House in total chaos, and a senior staff managing an incompetent president. In a note to his readers, Woodward wrote, "Interviews for this book were conducted under the journalist ground rule of 'deep background.' That means that all the information could be used but I would not say who provided it." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">Of course, Trump responded to the book on Twitter. "The Woodward book is a scam. I don't talk the way I am quoted. If I did I would have not have been elected President. These quotes were made up." </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">Woodward was part of </span><i style="color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">The Washington Post </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">investigative team that helped break the Watergate scandal, which led to President Richard Nixon's resignation in August 1974. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">Woodward stands by his book and explained his use of anonymous sources on the podcast </span><i style="color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">The Daily</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111516; font-size: 20px;">"You won't get the straight story from someone if you do it on the record," Woodward said. "You will get a press release version of events." He added that w</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111516; font-size: 20px;">ithout allowing anonymity, "we wouldn't have got the most important stories about what Watergate was about."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111516; font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #111516; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;">It is clear that had the author of <i>The New York Times</i> anonymous Op-Ed piece been named that person would have been subject of ruthless personal attacks from President Trump and his supporters. After all, the president had tweeted "TREASON" shortly after the essay was published. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111516; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #111516;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;">Can the newspaper be forced to identify the author? Op-Ed editor Jim Dao explained, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">The First Amendment clearly protects the author’s right to publish an essay criticizing the president, and absolutely nothing in the Op-Ed involves criminal behavior. We intend to do everything in our power to protect the identity of the writer and have great confidence that the government cannot legally force us to reveal it."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19px;">Thankfully, there are adults in the room at <i>The Times</i>!</span></span><br />
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joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-8595956795393138772018-07-13T10:26:00.000-04:002018-09-19T10:29:02.499-04:00A Free Press <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">(I delivered the following remarks to a gathering of Fullbright Scholars from around the world at New York University on July 12.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is a delight to be <a href="https://www.thehofstrachronicle.com/category/news/2018/4/17/sigma-delta-tau-suspended-amid-pledging-concerns">with you this morning</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>first</u></b>
35 years of my career I worked in broadcast news – I began in 1970 as producer,
then a White House producer during the Carter and Reagan administrations, later
I was the CBS News Washington Bureau Chief and then the Executive Vice President
for CBS News in New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1995 I was
recruited by Rupert Murdoch to become President of Fox News, before the cable
channel was launched, and I left a year later when the newly appointed Chairman
of News, Roger Ailes, told me he wanted to create and “alternative news
channel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I don’t do
alternative news, and quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I later
founded and ran Telemundo’s news division.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Spanish language network is based in Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was inspired to become a journalist by two great CBS News
broadcasters, Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would later work with Walter at CBS News,
then the “most trusted man in America.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that a free press is important for a
democracy because it enables the public to make informed decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But news organizations were even then under
attack from government leaders for their quote “biased coverage” of the Vietnam
War, for fanning the flames of the Civil Rights movement, and soon for making
up the Watergate scandal, which would bring down President Richard Nixon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were not easy times for the news
media—in fact the Nixon administration ordered illegal wiretaps on reporters,
and one of its members told the head of CBS News, “We will break your
network.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>History would show that the
journalists had it right, and their coverage changed public opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of our Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, once wrote,
“The only security of all is a free press – the agitation it produces must be
submitted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It keeps the waters
pure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But today we see great polarization in America, not only in
the public debate, but also in the consumption of news and information. The
explosion of social and online news sources, and the impact of 24-hour news
channels that are filled with political opinion, has created communication
silos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, the conservative
Fox News Channel (Trump’s favorite), or the liberal MSNBC news channel are
examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people consume only information
that reinforces their own biases, and they seldom hear other views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Moreover, President Donald Trump is waging an unprecedented
attack on the media, as are many of his supporters. Trump calls the media “the
enemy of the American people,” or,<span style="background: rgb(254 , 254 , 254); color: #262626;"> </span><span style="background: #fefefe; color: #262626;">"among the most dishonest groups of
people I have ever dealt with", </span>and he regularly decries what he
calls “fake news.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His attacks are meant
to distract Americans, and to deter and discredit journalists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regrettably, these attacks are having some
impact on the American people as polls show distrust in the media
increasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worse, The Radio Television
Digital News Association reported that there were 44 physical attacks on
reporters in 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirty of those
attacks came during the civil unrest in Charlottesville Virginia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And the consequences of the president’s attacks on the press
are felt around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Committee
to Protect Journalists says these attacks are “Undermining press freedoms
everywhere.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Committee reported that
262 journalists were in jail at the end of 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
report that 33 have been killed so far this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the toughest world leaders on press
freedom are Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping in China and Recep Erdogan of Turkey,
all leaders Trump greatly admires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Dean Baquet, the Executive Editor of the New York Times, this
past April said, Trump’s attacks <span style="background: white; color: #121212;">“</span><span style="background: white; color: #121212;">hurts
the media. //And I think this is debilitating.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron has often observed the
attacks have a “corrosive effect on democracy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In an interview earlier this year he said, “</span><span style="color: #404540; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trump certainly is
trying to undermine confidence in our reporting. But we know what our mission
is. And our mission is to try to find the truth, to get at the truth. And
that's what we try to do every day.”</span><span style="background: white; color: #121212;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CNN’s President, Jeff Zucker, who is a
frequent Trump punching bag, told a business conference earlier this year, </span><span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;">“The one thing I know for sure is that Donald
Trump has made American journalism great again.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In fact,
the Washington Post, The New York Times and many other news organizations have
done award-winning journalism on the Trump administration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Washington Post regularly tracks Trump’s
penchant for lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far they have
recorded more than 3,500 false or misleading statements by the president since
he’s been in office, that is about seven each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is: Trump’s core supporters
don’t care; they know he lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
problem is that members of the president’s Republican Party refuse to correct
or challenge his lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is:
that the Fox News Channel peddles the president’s misleading statements as fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its viewers are fed alternate facts and live
in an alternate reality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Trump
plays to the biases and fears of his core supporters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Former
Trump adviser Steve Bannon told author Michael Lewis, “The Democrats don’t
matter—the real opposition is the media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the way to deal with them is to flood the zone with (crap).” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has never in U.S. history been a
shrewder president when it comes to dominating the day’s news, and getting his
unfiltered message directly to the people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">By
contrast, I remember dealing with President Reagan and his administration while
I was a White House producer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
communications operation was very sophisticated, and they were very successful
in driving the day’s news agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a tension, of course, between the media and the White House, but there was
a great deal of respect both ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President Reagan called Freedom of the Press
”a fundamental tenet of American life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What can
the media do to respond to Trump’s endless attacks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>News organizations should do what they do
best, provide original reporting in search of the truth, to hold the government
at all levels accountable, to inform the public and to serve as our Founding
Fathers intended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>News organizations
must be open and transparent about their processes; they should immediately
correct the record if there is a mistake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For
sure, journalists cannot become the political opposition to Trump—that is a
losing strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That also runs against
the fundamental standards of fairness and transparency that most established
news organizations live by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Marty
Baron’s words, “we’re not at war, we’re at work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that seems to be a successful approach
as subscriptions for both the Post and Times are up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But the
long-term solution is, in part, to educate young students about the essential
role the free press plays in America, and to give them insight into how a
quality editorial process works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;">Another
step would be to get thought leaders and politicians to defend the role of a
free press, to explain that mean-spirited and frivolous attacks on the press
only undermine a core value of this country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Republican Senator John McCain in his op-ed
piece in the Washington Post earlier this year wrote, </span><span style="color: black;">“While (Trump) administration officials often condemn
violence against reporters abroad, Trump continues his unrelenting attacks on
the integrity of American journalists and news outlets. This has provided cover
for repressive regimes to follow suit.”</span><span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2b2c30;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today,
the media is experiencing rapidly changing business models that have resulted
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for users to access content anywhere and at anytime, and for anyone to be a
publisher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now live in a 24-7 news
cycle in which the news deadline is right now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No wonder everything is now labeled “Breaking News” as outlets compete
for viewers in a media environment saturated with choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of these is a serious challenge for
the news media, and must be met head-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But nothing would be more devastating than the loss of a free
press.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-89278438936707870442018-03-09T08:26:00.000-05:002018-03-09T08:26:01.767-05:00Student Profile of MeA former NYU student of mine at NYU did my profile for his magazine class. It was all shot at NYU's journalism department. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PbPLE1MP17VxgxU9UlgVtYiASlZrt-hc/view?ts=5aa18ddb">LINK</a>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-49991278809433815522018-02-02T08:44:00.002-05:002018-02-02T08:52:17.337-05:00Trump Attacks on the Press<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For decades the White House press has
served the American public as the source for news from the nation’s highest
office. But the emergence of powerful social media tools, such
as Twitter and Facebook, allow the White House to bypass the established channels
and go directly to the people. Further, at the same time, unprecedented attacks
of the press by President Donald Trump has eroded public trust in the
press. While the White House press has had to adapt to technological
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From America’s
earliest days there has been a tension between the president and the
press.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">President George Washington, who was
often angered by the bad press he received, complained of being "buffeted
in the public prints by a set of infamous scribblers.” </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7811482005706890610#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: large;"> In his second
term, President Thomas Jefferson instructed state attorneys general in New
England to prosecute newspaper editors for sedition in response to harsh
criticism he had received.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">He later
wrote a friend, </span></span><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Nothing can now be believed which is seen in
a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted
vehicle.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7811482005706890610#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">But newspapers were the only source of news and information
about the presidents for much of America’s history.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">They were usually highly partisan and biased
in their news coverage and editorial opinions.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">In the 1800’s, perhaps no president was more effective in managing his
communications with Americans than Abraham Lincoln.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">He courted and charmed newspaper editors,
and sometimes leaked information to newspapers. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Rather than make a speech or proclamation, or
court reporters that waited outside his White House office, he sent private
letters to newspapers knowing they would be published.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Lincoln understood the power of public
opinion, especially during a brutal Civil War.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">In 1858, during his debate with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln declared,
“Public sentiment is everything.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">With
public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed.”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">He continued, “Consequently, he who molds
public sentiment, goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7811482005706890610#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the late 1800’s, correspondents stood outside the White House
seeking meetings with the president or interviews with his guests as they
departed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toward the end of the century
reporters were allowed to sit at a table inside the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon they would be allowed to wait in the
front lobby where they would use public pay phones to call in their
stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this prime vantage point
they could observe comings and goings, and button hole visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to covering the president nothing is more
important that access.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">President Theodore Roosevelt was the first to
designate office space for the press, and he would often meet with the press,
and he instituted daily briefings by his secretary.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7811482005706890610#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Such an arrangement was mostly beneficial to
both parties.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The president wanted to
get information to the public, and the press wanted the latest
information.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The development of radio offered President Franklin D. Roosevelt
an opportunity to speak directly to a mass audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roosevelt conducted 28 fireside chats, the
term used to describe the broadcasts, during which he addressed the American
people about his New Deal initiatives and World War II. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Harry Truman became a media pioneer of sorts when he
delivered the first televised presidential address in October 1947.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were only 40,000 television sets in the
country at the time, but 40 million Americans listened to the address on
radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1948, Truman became the first
presidential candidate to air a paid political ad on television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, most of the White House coverage
came from newspaper beat reporters housed just down the hall in the West Wing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">By 1960 more than 50 million American households had a
television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fact was not lost on
Senator John Kennedy who would leverage the power of television, as well as his
youth and good looks, to win the 1960 Presidential Election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kennedy had become the first television
president, and the medium disrupted the status quo in the White House press
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Television was a mass medium that
provided a forum for presidents to address unfiltered millions of
Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Richard Nixon authorized the construction of a new
larger pressroom in 1969, which would include space for press briefings,
conferences and press offices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new
press center was built over an indoor swimming pool located down the hall from
the Oval Office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was prime West
Wing real estate and would ensure that the press had close access to the
administration’s staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This became essential during the Watergate
crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The new press center layout featured a podium on the far west
end, nearest the communication staff offices that reporters could visit
throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dozens of seats we
placed in front facing the podium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
platform for cameras was set up behind the seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each major news organization had a small
office in the rear of the press center, or one floor below. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These offices could each accommodate a couple
of reporters, who filed their reports by phone or, for radio and television, by
microphone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Gerald Ford, who had taken over the presidency when
Nixon resigned, found himself on the defensive much of the time, especially
after he pardoned Nixon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ford considered
reopening the pool and moving the press, but his plans stalled when he received
the cost estimate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President Jimmy
Carter, who defeated Ford in 1976, seemed to be inconvenienced and annoyed by
the press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His one term in office
included a diplomatic success, Egypt and Israel, and many setbacks, oil
shortages, inflation and the Iranian hostage crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election in a
landslide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a former television
star and California governor who surrounded himself with a sophisticated
communications team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James Baker, White
House Chief of Staff, and his deputy, Michael Deaver, were masters at managing
the press and the message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day the
White House communications team tried to get the press to cover its planned
agenda, in order to drive the news coverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They paid close attention to the president’s television image, which
they knew provided the most powerful connection with Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In 1984, The CBS Evening News aired a segment critical of
President Reagan’s budget reported by correspondent Lesley Stahl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The video she used showed Reagan being
presidential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after the story
aired Stahl called a senior Reagan official.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expecting he would be angry, she was shocked when he responded
favorably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The official responded,</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You guys in Televisionland haven't figured it out, have
you? When the pictures are powerful and emotional, they override if not
completely drown out the sound. I mean it, Lesley. Nobody heard you."</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7811482005706890610#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> (I was the CBS Evening News senior Washington producer at the time.)</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Bill Clinton’s press secretary Mike
McCurry began the custom of televising daily press briefings, which were
broadcast live on CNN, the only cable news channel at the time, and by the
networks when there was a major story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
idea was to get the White House’s spin directly to the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCurry would later regret his decision, declaring
in 1998, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s performance art and
theater of the absurd.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the
height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, which nearly cost Clinton his
presidency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In 2000, President Clinton named the White
House press center the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brady was Reagan’s press secretary when he
was severely injured during the attempted assassination of President Reagan in
1981.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2006-7 the press center was
remodeled and modernized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As the national press became more powerful,
administrations worked harder to control the message and the president’s
image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The expansion of cable news
channels, and the growing frustration of presidents wanting to get their story
directly to the people, led to an increase in presidential interviews with
local news outlets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would allow
administrations to bypass national news channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The advent of social media provided presidents
with a new channel with which to directly reach Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President Barack Obama was tagged the “first
social media president.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While President
Obama used Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram, these services were still
relatively new, especially in the early stages of his presidency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Donald Trump, who used Twitter
effectively during his campaign, communicates often several times a day with
his 47 million Twitter followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trump has generally used Twitter to attack
his opponents, including the mainstream media, which he regularly calls “fake
news.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even his supporters have criticized
his heavy use of Twitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Trump
defends his use of Twitter, for instance, telling the Fox Business Channel in
October 2017, “I doubt I would be here if it weren’t for social media, to be
honest with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trump’s first press secretary, Sean Spicer,
declared that the president’s tweets were official.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The </span></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">President is the
President of the United States, so they're considered official statements by
the President of the United States," he told reporters at his daily
briefing in June 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noted that the
president has 110 million followers on social media, adding, “The president is
the most effective messenger of his agenda.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The president’s extensive use of social media
has redefined how White House reporters cover the White House.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The president’s habit of tweeting early in
the morning frequently drives news coverage for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White House staff often scrambles to explain
to reporters what the president may have meant by his latest tweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Trump knows Twitter gives him an
unfiltered conduit to his followers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the daily White House briefing has
become a show targeted at one person, the president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The president watches the daily briefing
carefully and critiques his press secretary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many times his spokesperson has attacked reporters, or offered misleading
and false answers to the press. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Press secretary Sarah Sanders once had to
admit she was flying without a safety net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She explained, “I hadn’t had a chance to have a conversation with the
president…I went off the information that I had.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Media critic and New York University professor
Jay Rosen responded to the deterioration of the daily briefings with the
suggestion that news organizations should send their interns instead of star reporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a post on his site, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pressthink.org</i>, he explained, “When I say #sendintheinterns I mean
it literally: take a bold decision to put your most junior people in the
briefing room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recognize that the real
story is elsewhere, and most likely hidden.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He concluded, “That’s why the experienced news reporters need to be
taken out of the White House, and put on other assignments.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many publications, including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New
York Times, The Washington Post </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
The Wall Street Journal, </i>have done some of their best reporting on the
Trump White House from what Rosen calls “outside in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have assigned reporters to cover and
investigate stories and issues surrounding the presidency with a great deal of
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marty Baron, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Washington</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Post’s</i> executive editor, speaking at
Columbia University in October, said the attacks are having a “corrosive effect
on democracy,” and then observed, “The whole purpose of these attacks is to
destroy our credibility with the American people, but it’s also to intimidate
us.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But the shear weight of attacks from the
president and his supporters on the press and on Twitter is eroding American’s
confidence in the media according to numerous polls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facts are being weaponized, news is being
spun, and partisan agendas are being advanced at an alarming rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social media is flooding the political
ecosystem with alternate realities, Russian bots and disinformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President
Trump has fueled this disturbing trend, and he has redefined White House press
coverage in an unprecedented manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
old way old way of covering the president has become obsolete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">Marty Baron observed, “Trust in the press and
trust in the presidency is starting to intersect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in a strange way, Trump has brought us
together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baron and many other
journalists are doubling down on the basics of journalism and original
reporting believing it will be validated over the long run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The American press has journeyed a torturous
road throughout this nation’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this president and these times may be its most difficult
challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully it will again
endure. Thomas Jefferson said</span><span style="color: #262626;">, “</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Our
liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without
being lost.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Randall, William Sterne, “George Washington: A Life,” Henry Holt and Company,
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Jefferson, Thomas, “Jefferson: Political Writings,” Cambridge University Press,
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Holzer, Harold, “Lincoln and the Power of the Press: The War for Public
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Jacobs, James, “The President the Press, and Proximity,” The White House
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Stahl, Lesley, “Reporting Live,” Touchtone, New York, NY, 1999, 236. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-8950614769138037172018-01-15T12:53:00.000-05:002018-01-15T12:53:37.820-05:00Dr. King's Words Live On<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As America celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many reflected on the words of this great civil rights leader. In 1964, Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work combating racial injustice through acts of nonviolence and civil disobedience. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, while standing on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, 50 years later, Dr. King's words still inspire and animate the spirit of equality for all, no matter one's race, creed, color or place of birth. "I have a dream," Dr. King said at the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington, "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yet today we have a president who uses race to divide the country in order to pander to many of his supporters. Today we have an inarticulate president who bullies and blusters anyone who threatens or challenges him. We have a president who does not appeal to our better angels, rather who demonically fans the flames of hatred and fear. Dr. King once warned, "We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since its founding, America has stood as a beacon of hope and freedom for those who live outside its borders. That beacon has been tarnished by President Donald Trump. Last week, in a private meeting with congressmen about immigration, he asked, "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" Dr. King once said, "Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">President Trump has often made conscientiously stupid comments. "When Mexico sends its people," he said in announcing his candidacy for president, "they're not sending their best...they're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists, and some, I assume, are good people." As a candidate for president, following a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California, he declared, "Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representative can figure out what in the hell is going on." King once observed, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More than a dozen women have made sexual misconduct allegations against Trump. Throughout his career he has demeaned women. "If I were running '<i>The View'</i>, I'd fire Rosie O'Donnell," he said in 2006, "I mean look at her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I'd say 'Rosie, you're fired." As the host of <i>The Apprentice</i> he observed, ""All of the women on <i>The Apprentice</i> flirted with me--consciously or unconsciously, that's to be expected." And he was recorded on an <i>Access Hollywood</i> tape saying, "I'm automatically attracted to beautiful (women). I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything." Dr. King once said, "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last August white supremacists, white nationalists, Klansmen, neo-Confederates, and neo-Nazis demonstrated in Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting racist and anti-semitic slogans, while carrying semi-automatic weapons, swastikas, anti-Muslim banners and Trump/Pence signs. A man linked to white-supremacists rammed his car into a group of counter-protestors, killing one person and injuring 19. Incredulously, President Trump did not denounce racists. Instead, he blamed everyone, "We condemn in the strongest terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides." King would have observed, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Amid all his controversial statements and inappropriate actions, those who support President Trump, whether they are staff or members of Congress, have defended the president with lies and misleading statements. Although many are shocked by what the president says, they remain silent for partisan reasons. As he insults world leaders, as he undermines the American Democracy, as he exaggerates his IQ and wealth, they play along. "My IQ is one of the highest--and you all know it! Please don't feel so stupid or insecure; it's not your fault," Trump has said. These loyalists, these sinecures, these family members know that all that is required is their loyalty and silence. To them, Dr. King would say, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In his 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King said, "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." He added, "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of humanity." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dr. King's inspirational words and deeds, which will endure through the ages, powerfully symbolize how great America can be. "The time is always right to do what is right." </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-41292414803129660822018-01-02T20:15:00.000-05:002018-01-02T20:22:13.872-05:00Journalism Fights for its Life<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In his important year-end post for his site <a href="http://pressthink.org/2017/12/show-work-new-terms-trust-journalism/">PressThink</a>, New York University journalism professor and critic Jay Rosen warned, "the world has changed and journalists are in the fight of their lives." Rosen's point is that the way for journalism to earn trust has changed because users now have more choices and more control. He then provides a thoughtful list of ways is which journalists can win trust through transparency. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But how does one win the trust of everyone in the era of Trump, who now is a bully with the White House pulpit? The president proudly claimed in an interview with the Fox Business Channel last October that he "started this whole fake news thing." Of course, that is not true. In fact, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/01/02/president-trump-has-made-1949-false-or-misleading-claims-over-347-days/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_fact-check-trump-505am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.7c8c71ee9d7b">the Washington Post</a>, "President Trump has made 1,950 false or misleading claims over 347 days." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That the president frequently lies is not fake news, and it is not new news. <a href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000160-2864-d9e9-a365-ef7f68650000">A Morning Consult/Political poll</a> last December found that only 36% of those sampled thought the president is honest. In fact, 51% of those polled believe he is dishonest, while 60% think he is reckless. Yet his almost daily attacks against the press, mostly false or misleading, have staggered many members of the press. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. <a href="https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/freedom-press-2017">Freedom House</a> reports that freedom of the press is in decline around the world, including here in the United States. A record number of journalists have been imprisoned worldwide, including twenty-one on "fake news" charges. Senator John McCain issued <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/13/media/john-mccain-press-freedom/index.html">this warning to President Trump</a> in December on Twitter, "@POTUS must understand his harmful rhetoric only empowers repressive regimes to jail reporters and silence the truth." </span><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Soon after his return to the White House, following a holiday break in Florida, the president launched another fusillade on Twitter against one of his favorite targets, The New York Times. "The failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, "to give the news impartially, without fear of FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved," his first tweet read. It continued on a second, "Get impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all your phony and non-existent "sources," and treat the President FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you won't have to write and apology to your readers for a job poorly done!" </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Clearly the president's claims of fake news and his attacks on news organizations are all a tactic. If he was innocent of sin, if his White House was free of scandal, if his agenda was popular with the masses, he wouldn't have to protest too much. But he doth protest an awful lot! He loves to spin his own alternate reality and lash out at the press. His communications' staff, assorted acolytes and members of Congress echo his attacks because it is in their own personal interest, and the mainstream media is an easy target. Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron stoically observed last year, "We are not at war with the administration, we are at work." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But for more news channels, more news sites online, and the growing amount of users who get their news from social media, opinion is now the currency of the realm. An enormous amount of Americans get their information from sources they feel agree with their views, i.e., one's that are consistent with their core beliefs. And some news outlets carefully craft their content to appeal to their likely viewers, and to advance a political agenda. This has left </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">America so politically divided it is hard for people from different regions or ideologies to agree on basic facts, let alone have an rational and calm discussion. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">More transparency is important, absolutely, but do Sean Hannity's 3.2 million viewers care if he is transparent? Few of his viewers check around with different sources to get the other side of the argument. And they don't care that Hannity regularly consults with President Trump, who is a big fan of his program. Sure, Hannity is not a journalist, but he is on the Fox News Channel. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The big question is at what point will Americans say enough is enough with the attacks on the press. At what point will Americans be motivated enough to devote time to study all sides of the issues. At what point will Americans take the time to be well informed before making decisions about elected officials, as our Founding Fathers had intended when they wrote the First Amendment. The Fathers wanted to assure that America would not be ruled by a despot, rather that it would always be ruled by the people. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The press is not perfect, but most major news organizations have a process to assure that all of the facts are fully vetted before they are published, and to assure fairness, impartiality, independence and accountability. On the other hand, the administration, the Congress, and government agencies are not always transparent and accountable to the people. That will only happen with a strong and vibrant press. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Journalists may be in a fight for their lives, due to evolving business models and rapid changes in technology, but their survival is essential for the maintenance of this great democracy. </span></span><br />
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joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-30674233067173874082017-12-23T11:18:00.000-05:002018-01-02T20:18:40.803-05:00It's Good to be King<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The King and his retinue have departed the nation's capital and arrived at their royal vacation retreat, Castle Mar-a-Lago. There the royal family will gather to celebrate the holiday season with wealthy dukes and duchesses who will loyally and unabashedly express their overwhelming adulation for their divine leader and his unsurpassed brilliance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Fawning over their great leader seems especially appropriate this holiday season. The King from Queens had just signed a tax bill that will give millions of dollars in tax breaks to His Royal Highness and members of the royal family, as well as to the nation's lords and ladies. Of course, the vast majority of the citizens will receive crumbs, which will become apparent to them in the coming years. All of this will be funded by huge deficits that will be passed on to their children. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Shortly following the passage of the tax bill, His Royal Highness was besieged with the praise from Republican members of Congress and from his cabinet. "You have spurred an optimism in this country that is setting records," said the vice president. The King must receive devotion and fealty from those who serve him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">But that optimism is limited to only a few. The King is not popular among his country's masses. He has continuously resorted to bullying and bluster to rule his subjects. He has demeaned opponents with schoolyard epithets, and he has humiliated others in order to get want he wants. His daily rants and raves have unsettled even those closest to him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">All of this has been to the delight of the Tsar of Russia, who up until recently was considered an enemy. Now the King and the Tsar have formed a close bond. And the Tsar is pleased with how the King has disrupted democracy in his own country and around the world. This is why he extended the King his help in winning the throne. These men are so much alike. And the King trusts the Tsar more than the servants in his own nation's justice and intelligence departments.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Many thoughtful observers are saddened by how the King has lowered the standards of his office. They point to his self-dealing and manifest crudeness. They cite the many scandals that have plagued his reign, his outrageous actions towards women and minorities, and the constant dishonesty and deception that the King has practiced. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">His intemperate, impulsive and reckless behavior has taken global allies aback, and it has unnecessarily</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> stirred the drums of war. The King exploits fear naturally. His instinct is always to divide in order to conquer.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">For the nearly year since the King ascended to his throne the nation has continuously been on edge. Most citizens have been shaken by the constant tumult, and have tired of the contemptuous antics. Meanwhile, under his rule meaningful government programs dealing with the environment, healthcare, consumer and basic human rights have been slashed or eliminated. Corporations and the wealthy donors have been richly rewarded. None more generously than members of the royal family and friends.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Many of his most ardent supporters will gather in Castle Mar-a-Lago this weekend to celebrate the holiday by kissing the ring of their great benefactor. The dark clouds that have formed over His Royal Highness and his reign will be ignored. Instead, it will be a scene reminiscent of the Romanov's. And the King will thrive in this exclusive and alternate reality he has created as he soaks up the praise that will be lavished on him by his obsequious followers.</span></span><br />
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In the words of the late Tom Petty, an American icon, "It's good to be King and have your own way." </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-23788309468239285922017-12-08T12:56:00.001-05:002017-12-08T12:59:30.854-05:00The GOP Targets Entitlement Programs<span style="font-size: large;">Republicans have long coveted deep cuts in federal entitlement programs. Up to now Democrats have thwarted their attempts to slash America's social safety net. But that may change in the coming year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">House Speaker Paul Ryan is openly making the case, and he has robust support from the Republican controlled Congress. On Wednesday, Ryan said, "We have a welfare system that's trapping people in poverty and effectively paying people not to work. We've got to work on that." Ryan added, in an interview on <a href="https://khow.iheart.com/featured/ross-kaminsky/content/2017-12-06-speaker-of-the-house-paul-ryan/">Ross Kaminsky's radio show</a>, "We're going to have to get back next year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and deficit." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ironically, Ryan's bold pronouncement comes as Republicans in Congress work to reconcile their so-called tax reform legislation. The hastily crafted bill, when enacted, will disproportionately benefit high-income earners and large corporations while adding up to $1.5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. Their justification is that the measure will increase economic activity, which will add jobs and grow wages. But few economists agree with this misguided premise. In fact, this tax bill is merely a sop to wealthy Republican donors who threatened to cut off their donations to the party unless taxes are cut. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With even larger deficit spending as a result of the tax cuts, Republicans can turn their attention to reducing federal expenditures. The largest drivers of federal spending are Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, military spending and interest on the debt. Defense and interest payments will not be cut. That pretty much leaves the entitlement programs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Starving the beast" is a political strategy conservatives developed decades ago for reducing government spending. In 1978, economist and future Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told a congressional committee, "Let us remember that the basic purpose of any tax cut program in today's environment is to reduce the momentum of expenditure growth by restraining the amount of revenue available and trust that there is a political limit to deficit spending." Liberal economist Paul Krugman later observed, "Rather than proposing unpopular spending cuts, Republicans would push through popular tax cuts, with the deliberate intention of worsening the government's fiscal position. Spending cuts could be sold as a necessity rather than a choice." Speaker Ryan and Republicans are doing just that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the Republican tax proposal is passed and signed by President Donald Trump, there will be no going back. Most Republicans in Congress have signed on to the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The pledge, authored by political activist Grover Norquist, states that the signatories will never vote to raise taxes under any circumstances or they will be challenged in their next Republican primary election. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A possible hurdle to entitlement cuts could be President Trump, who as a candidate <a href="https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/596338364187602944?lang=en">tweeted in 2015</a>, "I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid." </span><span style="font-size: large;">But the president, who is obsessed with winning political victories, will likely endorse any GOP initiative, proclaiming that proposed changes to entitlements are meant to save the programs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The federal government and the states currently jointly fund Medicaid. Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including the elderly, low-income adults, children and people with disabilities. Speaker Ryan favors converting Medicaid into a block grant program for states and then capping the grants. But <a href="https://www.cbpp.org/blog/block-grant-funding-falls-significantly-over-time-data-show">historical data</a> on grants indicates that over time this will result in a decline in Medicaid funding. And the nation's neediest citizens will feel the impact. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nonetheless, there is broad support among congressional Republicans and their wealthy donors for reducing the cost of entitlements. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who is the Republican Senate Finance Committee Chair, summarized the sentiment of his colleagues last week <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/hatch-chip-help-themselves-05e0cac2e3df/">in a speech on the Senate floor.</a> "I have a rough time wanting to spend billions and billions and trillions of dollars to help people who won't help themselves, won't lift a finger, and expect the federal government to do everything." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the Republican dream of undoing entitlement programs established by President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society may finally be within their reach. </span><br />
<br />joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-25783643035988420742017-11-03T19:36:00.001-04:002017-11-03T19:36:12.388-04:00The GOP Plan: Cut Taxes and then Entitlements<span style="font-size: large;">The Republicans proposed a tax reform package Thursday that would, if signed into law, radically alter current tax laws and provide a huge windfall for corporations and millionaires. It would also add $1.5 trillion to the national debt over 10 years, so Republicans are already eyeing huge cuts in social programs to make up the difference. It will be a transfer of wealth from the needy to the greedy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">President Donald Trump stands to be a big winner if the proposed bill passes. The bill calls for the elimination of the estate tax by 2024. Trump's estate is worth a little over $3 billion, so this would mean Trump's children stand to inherit well over $1 billion more than they will under current law. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The bill also eliminates the alternative minimum tax, which some individuals are subject to today. Trump would have paid $30 million less in federal taxes had the AMT been eliminated in time for the 2005 returns. No wonder the president is pushing Congress so hard to pass this bill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Corporations are the big winners under the legislation. They will see their federal tax rate reduced from 35 percent to 20 percent. Republicans claim that the corporate tax rate is currently the highest in the world. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday, "With this plan, we are making pro-growth reforms, so that yes, America can compete with the rest of the world." It should be noted that few U.S. corporations currently have to pay the full rate. Meanwhile most small businesses, the main driver of jobs in the economy, will not benefit under the GOP proposal. One special interest group spokesperson described the measure as a "war" on small businesses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The proposal calls for only three tax brackets in an effort to "simplify" returns. The top individual bracket, for those with the highest income, is reduced to 35 percent. The lowest tax bracket goes from 10 percent to 12 percent, with individuals making up to $24 thousand annually paying no taxes. Nonetheless, the benefits for individual taxpayers will depend on their income, where they live and the type of tax breaks they claim. For instance, the measure caps the amount of state and local taxes that can be deducted from one's gross income. The bill also ends the electric car tax credit while increasing taxes on wind and solar energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Congressional Republicans and the president are desperate for a win after having accomplished nothing legislatively this year, even though they control both houses of Congress and the White House. So they must succeed with the tax cuts they promised last election or Republicans will be more vulnerable in the 2018-midterm elections. An ABC/Washington Post poll released Thursday shows that half of all Americans oppose the GOP plan, while 75 percent of Republicans favor it. Sixty percent of all Americans polled believe the plan favors the wealthy. Another concern for congressional Republicans is the thin majority they have in the Senate. To compound matters, Trump's harsh attacks against GOP Senators John McCain, Jeff Flake and John Corker has put the measure in further jeopardy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is estimated that only $300 billion of the $1.5 trillion proposed tax cuts would go to individuals. Corporations would get $1 trillion in cuts, and heirs to estates would get the remainder, about $200 billion (including the Trumps). Nonetheless, enactment of the tax cuts will mean Republicans can move on to one of their favorite targets: entitlements. They will use the exploding debt as a justification for deep cuts in Medicaid and Medicare; only they will call it "reform." They will propose block grants and caps on the rate of growth. It will amount to billions of dollars in reductions. And people in need, especially seniors and the poor, will feel the impact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the GOP long game, it is consistent with their core philosophy of smaller government, and a win on taxes will give them a head of steam to rein in entitlements. But to follow the Republican playbook will lead to an even larger disparity between rich and poor Americans. And the immense income disparity in this country today, the richest nation in the world, is already an inexcusable tragedy! </span><br />
joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-35555796671339625122017-11-01T21:18:00.000-04:002017-11-02T08:17:05.432-04:00Trump's Moment of Truth Is Coming<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">President Donald Trump leaves this week for an important 12-day trip to Asia where he will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. But most of the president's attention is focused on the special counsel investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 Presidential Election following the indictments of two key Trump campaign officials and the guilty plea of a former campaign adviser.<br /><br />U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in a report this past January that Russia interfered in the election at the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to help Trump win. Ultimately, Putin felt that Trump, if elected, would ease crippling U.S. sanctions on Russia that were initially imposed because of Russia's annexation of Crimea. President Barack Obama imposed additional sanctions last January because of Russia's meddling in the election. <br /><br />Trump avoided criticizing Putin throughout his campaign, and, in fact, frequently praised him. In August, Congress overwhelmingly passed additional sanctions against Russia for its election interference, which Trump signed even though he said he was opposed to the measure. Of course, he had no choice because Congress would have overridden a Trump veto.<br /><br />Questions arose throughout the campaign as to whether members of the Trump campaign had colluded with the Russians. Suspicions heightened when several key members of the Trump campaign failed to report meetings with Russian officials. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, former national security adviser General Michael Flynn and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner all had to subsequently amend their disclosure forms. <br /><br />President Trump has frenetically tried to derail the Russia investigation and clear his name. One of his first acts in office was to have a private diner with then FBI Director James Comey. According to Comey, Trump sought Comey's personal loyalty and asked that the FBI director make a statement clearing him. Comey had been investigating possible collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign. On May 9, Trump dismissed Comey and later told NBC News, "When I decided to do it, I said to myself, I said 'you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story, it's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should have won.'" Critics immediately declared that Trump had obstructed justice, which is an impeachable offense.<br /><br />The acting attorney general appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller to take over the investigation. Mueller, a Republican, is one of the most highly respected attorneys in Washington, yet he became the target of attacks from the White House. Three congressional committees have been investigating Russia's role in the election since earlier this year. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mueller put together a top team of criminal attorneys and began interviewing witnesses. Their efforts began to bear fruit this week with the announcement that a grand jury had indicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his close associate, Rick Gates. Manafort and Gates had done millions of dollars in business with Russian oligarchs that they failed to report on their federal tax forms. Mueller may be using the indictments to squeeze Manafort for more information relating to Russian interference. </span><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><br /><br />A few hours later, Mueller revealed that Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos had pleaded guilty to perjury. Papadopoulos admitted that during the campaign he had tried to set up a meeting with Russian officials to obtain Hillary Clinton's "missing" emails in an effort to help the Trump campaign. At about the same time during the campaign, Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner took a meeting at Trump Tower in New York, which was arranged by Russians seeking to pass on "dirt" about Hillary Clinton. Mueller has promised Papadopoulos a reduced sentence for his cooperation, and there is speculation that he has plenty more to offer about Trump campaign collusion with the Russians. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Meanwhile, Trump and White House officials have tried to shift the story to Hillary Clinton for her alleged role as Secretary of State in approving the sale of uranium to a Canadian company controlled by Russians. The Trump claim is that the Russians donated $145 million to the Clinton foundation in return for her approval. The big flaw with this charge is that Clinton had no role in making the decision. </span><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><br /><br />Monday's indictments and guilty plea have many White House officials near panic. There are internal debates over what the president should do next. Some Trump allies are urging the president to fire Mueller. But if he did so he would be inviting congressional Republicans to consider his impeachment. This would create a constitutional crisis that the nation hasn't seen since Watergate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #500050;">Meanwhile, Mueller and his team are continuing to interview witnesses, including White House staff, and more indictments are expected in the near future, according to some reports. At some point the president may be questioned under oath about what he knows of obstruction of justice and collusion. The criminal charge for collusion would be conspiracy. </span><span style="color: #500050;">Of course, lying to a grand jury is perjury. </span><span style="color: #500050;">So the president would then be facing his moment of truth. </span></span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-56990315436827859002017-10-05T15:06:00.001-04:002017-10-05T17:50:37.189-04:00Trump's Fake News Obsession <span style="font-size: large;">When he finds himself on the defensive, President Donald Trump's go-to tactic is to lash out at the press. On Thursday, Trump once again went on Twitter to unleash his latest assault. "Why isn't the Senate Intel Committee looking into the Fake News Networks in OUR country to see why so much of our news in just made up-FAKE!" he posted. In Trump's world the press should provide a continuous stream of praise for his presidency. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trump is not ignorant about the Founding Father's original intent when they codified a free press in the Constitution. He simply wishes to ignore it in order to manipulate public opinion on his own behalf. Trump is obsessed with how he is perceived, and his regular Twitter storms, directed at the press and other critics, reveal an excessively narcissistic and thin-skinned man. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trump's latest Twitter tirade followed new developments in the many government investigations into Russian interference with last November's election, and whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians. On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/04/us/politics/senate-intelligence-committee-russia-election-trump.html">Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr said</a>, "The Russian intelligence service is determined - clever - and I recommend that every campaign and every election official take this very seriously." As to whether anyone in the Trump campaign colluded, Burr said, "The issue of collusion is still open." Along with the Senate committee, a House committee and a special counsel, headed by Robert Mueller, are also investigating Russian interference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trump is frustrated with these investigations and has sought to end them, including firing former FBI Director James Comey. That action and his other attempts to derail the probes have led to allegations that the president obstructed justice. Major news organizations, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have aggressively reported on the Russian investigations, many times breaking new ground while drawing the ire of the president. Burr responded to Trump's tweet Thursday, saying <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/politics/richard-burr-senate-russia-investigation-news-organizations/index.html">he would hold the news organizations accountable</a>, "If, in fact, we find news organizations have not covered it factually, I think you will see that in our report." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">White House news leaks and fierce infighting have also spilled into the press. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly called the president a "moron" during a Pentagon meeting this summer, according to NBC News. It is no secret that Tillerson and Trump have been at odds on staffing and policy issues for months, but it was noteworthy that, rather than denying he made the remark, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/04/politics/tillerson-trump-moron/index.html">the secretary told reporters Wednesday</a>, "I'm not going to deal with petty stuff like that." Trump tweeted, "The @NBCNews story has been totally refuted by Sec. Tillerson and @VP Pence. It is #FakeNews. They should issue an apology to AMERICA!" NBC News stands by their report. Republican Senator Bob Corker added to the controversy Wednesday <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/04/politics/bob-corker-mattis-tillerson-kelly/index.html">when he told reporters</a>, "I think Secretary Tillerson, Secretary (Jim) Mattis and Chief of Staff (John) Kelly are those people that help separate our country from chaos."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Trump administration response in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria's devastation of Puerto Rico received sharp criticism, especially from the Mayor of San Juan, its capital and largest city. While a majority of island's 3.4 million residents struggled with no power, water and food shortages, enormous destruction, Trump inexplicably blamed the problems on the mayor's poor leadership. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Trump visited Puerto Rico earlier this week he was more focused on the island's financial woes than comforting, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/03/trump-puerto-rico-budget.html">telling local government officials</a>, "you threw our budget a little out of whack, but that's fine." He then compared Hurricane Maria with Katrina, suggesting the hurricane that hit New Orleans more than a decade ago was worse. Later, while visiting a relief shelter, the president tossed rolls of paper towels to residents, which humiliated many Puerto Ricans who watched. His visit was widely criticized in the press, which led Trump to tweet, "Wow, so many Fake News stories today. No matter what I do of say, they will not write or speak the truth. The Fake News Media is out of control!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In August the president lashed out at the press following its coverage of remarks he had made following the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, several days earlier, which resulted in the death of one protester. In those remarks, the president blamed "both sides" instead of singling out Nazis and white nationalist groups for the violence. At a subsequent campaign rally in Phoenix, t<a href="http://time.com/4912055/donald-trump-phoenix-arizona-transcript/">he president called the news media "sick people."</a> He added, "It's time to expose the crooked media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions and yes, by the way, they are trying to take our history away our history and our heritage." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Could it be that more Americans are growing tired of the president's penchant to distort, twist and misstate the truth? According to a just released <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-effect-media-poll/the-press-branded-the-enemy-by-trump-increasingly-trusted-by-the-public-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKCN1C813L">Reuters/Ipsos poll</a> of more that 14,000 respondents, confidence in the news media is increasing. Nearly half of those surveyed have at least some confidence in the press, and increase of nearly 10 percent over the past year. Meanwhile, Trump's average approval rating is below 40 percent, according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html">Real Clear Politics</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">President Trump is a deeply flawed man whose beleaguered presidency has been filled with scandal, missteps and controversy. Trump's extreme selfishness makes it impossible for him to be empathetic, self-reflective, mindful and truthful. At her news briefing Thursday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders justified the president's press attacks, saying, "we should call on all media to a higher standard." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, Sarah, we should demand that President Trump apply the highest standards to his presidency. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-52240638719592612832017-09-21T14:24:00.002-04:002017-09-21T14:24:43.725-04:00The GOP Plays Politics With Your Health<span style="font-size: large;">President Donald Trump has had an awful first nine months in office. His scandal plagued White House has been in a continuous state of chaos. He has failed to unite the country, let alone his own party. President Trump's approval ratings are at a historic low for any president, so he is desperate for a legislative win. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now beleaguered Republicans in Congress are hastily focusing their efforts on passing their latest repeal and replace measure for Obamacare in a effort to fulfill a longstanding political promise. The bill is sponsored by Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy. The president, who has not read the measure, is enthusiastically cheering them on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Republican's latest version of healthcare legislation will replace Obamacare with a measure that will leave untold millions of Americans without health coverage. The exact impact and cost of their proposed legislation is not known because the GOP is rushing the bill through without an official scoring by the Congressional Budget Office. They are also circumventing regular Senate procedures to take advantage of a short window that allows them to pass the measure with just 50 votes and a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will bring the legislation up for a vote next week, according to his spokesperson. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Under the GOP measure current expanded Medicaid funding for Obamacare recipients will be converted into block grants to the states that will be capped, putting states in the position of having to pay for any future shortfall. Many state governors oppose the measure because they will immediately lose funding they have committed to paying, including Republicans. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said Wednesday, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Sentinel SSm A", "Sentinel SSm B", Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I can't support a bill that takes $3.9 billion away from the people of the state of New Jersey." The authors of the bill seek to equalize the base per-person the federal government gives states. But this would penalize those that are wealthier, for instance, Democratic states like New York, California and New Jersey, and benefit poorer Republican states like Mississippi and Alabama. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Sentinel SSm A", "Sentinel SSm B", Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Graham-Cassidy bill would end Obamacare's individual mandate that requires everyone to buy health insurance or pay a penalty. A pool including both healthy and unhealthy people was set up to help control insurance costs. However, this bill will provide no incentive for healthy individuals to enroll in the market, which means only those in need of health care are likely to sign up. The cost burden would fall heaviest on seniors, a fact not lost on AARP, which said in a statement on Wednesday, the bill "could increase premiums and out-of-pocket cost by as much as $16,174 a year for a 60-year-old earning $25,000 annually if the wanted to keep their current coverage." The AMA put it more bluntly in a tweet Tuesday, "Graham-Cassidy would result in millions losing coverage, destabilize insurance markets, decrease access to affordable care." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Sentinel SSm A", "Sentinel SSm B", Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obamacare had protections for those individuals with pre-existing health conditions, they could not be denied health insurance. Trump, who during his campaign said that insurers should not be able to deny insurance to those with a pre-existing condition, tweeted Wednesday; "I would not sign Graham-Cassidy if it did not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. It does. A great Bill. Repeal & Replace." Technically the bill says it will not repeal Obamacare's rules about pre-existing conditions. However, it does allow states opt out of rules, like a ban on charging higher premiums for sick people, the requirements on prescription drugs, the rules around how much insurers can increase premiums because of a customers age--elderly are more likely to have pre-existing conditions. In a statement, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association warned, "The bill contains provisions that would allow states to waive key consumer protections, as well as safeguards for those with pre-existing medical conditions."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sentinel SSm A, Sentinel SSm B, Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">This last ditch effort by Republicans comes two months after the Senate failed to pass a Republican repeal to Obamacare. Meanwhile, bi-partisan health care negotiations, that had been proceeding in the Senate, came to an abrupt halt as Republican Lamar Alexander announced the talks had reached an impasse. This came as a surprise to Democrats who charge that this is a tactic to get wavering GOP senators to vote for Graham-Cassidy. Nonetheless, a group of 10 bipartisan governors sent a letter Wednesday to the Senate leadership arguing for a bipartisan solution and against Graham-Cassidy. Some observers say that if Graham-Cassidy passes, it will be with a strictly party line vote just like Obamacare was. They say that will add chaos to implementation because the bill does not have broad support.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clearly, the best alternative is to fix the problems that exist in Obamacare. But that would be anathema for <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sentinel SSm A, Sentinel SSm B, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Republicans who are largely focused on getting entitlement spending under control. They are determined to reduce the size of the federal government. They are committed to shifting responsibility to the states. Of course, they need the projected savings Graham-Cassidy would provide to help finance their tax "reform" proposal, which would largely benefit the wealthy. And those wealthy Republican donors have threatened to withhold campaign contributions unless a health care bill signed into law. Furthermore, House Speaker Paul Ryan says he has greased the skids for the bill in his chamber. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the GOP leadership is intensely focused on fulfilling their campaign promise of repealing Obamacare. Kansas Republican Senator Pat Roberts told Vox, "Restoring decision-making back to the states is always a good idea, but this is not the best possible bill--this is the best bill possible under the circumstances." He added, "If we do nothing, I think it has a tremendous impact on the 2018 elections--and whether Republicans still maintain control and we have to gavel." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other words, passing and enacting Graham-Cassidy is not about doing what's best for the American people, it's about doing what's best for the Republican Party. It is not about doing the right thing; it is all about fulfilling a political promise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No wonder nearly 70% of all Americans disapprove of Congress. And it's only going to get worse if Graham-Cassidy passes. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-43545779808521393702017-08-26T15:53:00.001-04:002017-08-26T16:08:44.871-04:00Trump Undermines America's Core Values<span style="font-size: large;">President Donald Trump promises to "Make America Great Again," but his words are nothing more than an advertising slogan. Rather, his actions since taking office are undoing decades of progress towards a better America and undermining the very core values enshrined its Constitution: liberty, equality, justice and democracy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." But under Trump all men are not created equal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For instance, last week Trump directed the military to stop an Obama-era directive that allowed transgender individuals to be recruited into the armed forces. The order also bans the Department of Defense from providing medical treatment for transgender individuals currently serving in the military. In July Trump caught the military by surprise when he tweeted, "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgenders in the military would entail." But a 2016 Rand Corp study commissioned by the Defense Department concluded that letting transgender people serve would have "minimal impact" on readiness and healthcare costs. There are currently several thousand transgender people serving their country in the military. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Voting rights are also being assaulted by the Trump administration. Just weeks after winning the election but losing the popular vote, Trump took to Twitter to claim, "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." Trump assembled a commission in May to substantiate his false claims about voter fraud. New York University's Brennan Center for Justice found, "examination after examination of voter fraud claims reveal fraud is very rare, voter impersonation is nearly nonexistent, and much of the problems associated with alleged fraud relates to unintentional mistakes by voters or election administrators." Why is the Trump administration intent on spending millions of taxpayer dollars in search of a problem that doesn't exist? The answer is voter suppression. They are determined to impose policies that will discourage or make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to vote, especially minorities and the elderly who tend to vote for Democrats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trump has used anti-immigrant rhetoric to fuel anger in his base supporters, especially against Hispanics and Muslims, the latter for whom his has issued a travel ban affecting six predominantly Muslim countries. Former Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio regularly violated the rights of undocumented Hispanic immigrants, using racial profiling and inhumane treatment against them. Last month he was convicted of criminal contempt of court by a federal district court judge for failing to stop using these tactics. But crassly under the cover of Hurricane Harvey, on Friday President Trump issued a controversial pardon for Arpaio, an early Trump supporter, tweeting, "I am pleased to inform you that I have just granted a full Pardon to 85 year old American patriot Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He kept Arizona safe!" The pardon received bipartisan condemnation, including from Arizona Senator John McCain, who said in a statement, "The president has the authority to make this pardon, but doing so at this time undermines his claim for the respect of rule of law as Mr. Arpaio has shown no remorse for his actions." Alas, this may be just a precursor for pardons Trump will issue in the future for his loyalists and family members who are under investigation in the expanding Russia probe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The president has gone to great lengths recently to explain his failure to attack white supremacists and the KKK, blaming the "fake media" for misrepresenting what he said. However, the president regularly whips up supporters at his rallies with attacks on the press. At a rally last week in Phoenix, the president leveled his latest assault, saying, "It's time to expose the crooked media deceptions...they're very dishonest people." He added, "The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news." Yet the remarks he says were misrepresented were delivered by him on television and viewed by millions of viewers. When Trump's back is against the wall he needs an enemy to lash out against, and the media is an easy target. But his rages against the news media are deeply concerning as they may have a chilling affect or worse on a free press. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trump is clearly angry about his news coverage and frustrated with his lack of legislative success since taking office. He has tried to derail the many investigations underway into Russian interference in last November's election, and, according to the Washington Post, he has made more than 1,000 false or misleading claims over the past eight months. One of his biggest lies is that he has had one of the most successful presidencies in history. To the extent Trump has accomplished anything, regretfully it is to undermine civil rights, human rights, voting rights, and press freedoms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Popular author Stephen King hit the nail on the head when he tweeted last month, "The news is real. The president is fake." But, sadly, Donald J. Trump is the president. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-10309047107270934982017-08-12T15:31:00.001-04:002017-08-12T15:31:18.230-04:00Trump: The Divider-in-Chief<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The man who promised "I alone can fix it" in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last July has accomplished very little after six months in office as president. Instead, President Donald Trump has instilled a culture of chaotic infighting at the White House, he has failed to articulate a coherent foreign policy and unnerved America's closest allies, and he has fueled unprecedented divisiveness within the Republican Party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Trump's bombastic campaign rhetoric mobilized millions of frustrated Americans to vote for him last November and secure him an Electoral College victory. He made many brash and unrealistic promises, but thankfully he has failed to deliver on most of them. Trump has not drained the swamp in Washington; he has only muddied the waters. He has not built a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. He has not reformed taxes, he has not fixed healthcare, and he has done nothing with the nation's infrastructure despite the fact that Republicans control both houses of Congress and the presidency. Instead, he has blamed Congress for his lack of progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Trump has been on the defensive about Russia's interference on his behalf in the presidential election. He fired FBI Director James Comey, he has considered firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Russian investigation, and he has harshly attacked Russia special counsel Robert Mueller for his widening probe into the scandal. Yet he thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for expelling 755 people from the American embassy in Moscow in response to new economic sanctions approved by Congress. "I'm very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll," Trump inexplicably said apparently not knowing that these diplomats and staff will continue to be paid. Where's the outrage Mr. President?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While the stock market has reached a record high in anticipation to reduced corporate taxes and regulations, there is a growing concern about the future. Trump's favorability rating in the national polls has slumped to a record low for any modern day president. Even some of his most loyal supporters are beginning to raise their eyebrows. But Trump has tried to manipulate public opinion through his constant use of Twitter, often attacking the "fake media" and his opponents. The tweeter-in-chief explained his reason last month, "My use of social media in not Presidential - it's MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great Again!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last December, then President-Elect Donald Trump laid out his military policy. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," he said at Ft. Bragg. "Instead, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will." But Trump's failure to effectively govern the country, and his inability to stop investigations into Russian interference and possible collusion with his campaign, may have changed his perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A timely leak that a U.S. intelligence agency "assesses North Korea has produced nuclear weapons for ballistic missile delivery, to include delivery by ICBM-class missiles," triggered a brash response from the president. "North Korea best not make any more threats against the United States," he said at a meeting on the opioid crisis at his New Jersey golf club. "They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen." Trump's shoot from the hip response rattled diplomats and military experts because an attack on North Korea would lead to millions of casualties in South Korea and the region, including Americans. Nonetheless, Trump continued his threats on Friday saying the U.S. was "locked and loaded," although the military had taken no additional action. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But the president was not done issuing threats. Following a meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and UN Ambassador Nikki Hailey the president directed remarks at Venezuela, which has been in a state of crisis under its president, Nicolas Maduro. "You know, we are all over the world and we have troops all over the world in places that are very, very far away," he said. "Venezuela is not very far away and the people are suffering, and they are dying. We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option if necessary." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly the man who had campaigned vigorously against senseless wars was warmongering. American diplomats scrambled to ease growing tensions in both Asia and South America. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Trump by phone on Saturday to "avoid remarks and actions that escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula." And Peru's foreign minister, Ricardo Luna, who has been a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government, issued a statement, saying in part, "All foreign and domestic threats to resort to force undermine the goal of reinstating democratic governance in Venezuela, as well as the principles enshrined in the UN charter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As tensions escalated with North Korea and Venezuela, violence broke out in Charlottesville, Virginia, led by hundreds of white nationalists protesting the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee, a Confederate army general. The Virginia governor declared at state of emergency. The former imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke, was among the protestors. "We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump," Duke told reporters Saturday, to "take our country back." President Trump, who failed to denounce David Duke and the KKK during his campaign, tweeted a response on Saturday that failed to specifically mention the KKK. "We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America! Let's all come together as one!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As events around the world continue to spin out of control the man who bragged "I alone can fix it" has once again revealed himself to the world as unqualified to be president. Trump told Reuters reporters last April, "I thought it would be easier." Unfortunately, the longer Trump is president the tougher it gets for everyone else. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-59315059320193566582017-07-20T21:32:00.001-04:002017-07-20T21:43:33.923-04:00"Very Unfair to the President"<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Donald Trump has completed the first six months of his scandal plagued and underachieving presidency on the defensive about Russia, health care, his temperament and Twitter. Recent polls show that Trump's overall favorability is at an all-time low, and up to now his loyal supporters have continued to back him, although a small minority of them is beginning to have doubts according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In an interview with the New York Times Wednesday the president was in full attack mode, his default tactic when he feels pressure. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was among the first members of Congress to support then candidate Donald Trump. His support was rewarded with one of the most important cabinet posts, but Sessions recused himself from overseeing the Russian investigation, which was the right thing to do. But not according to the president. "Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job and I would have picked somebody else," Trump said. He then added, "It's extremely unfair, and that's a mild word, to the president. So he recuses himself, I then end up with a second man, who's a deputy." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Worse than that, Trump noted that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is from Baltimore. "So his deputy he (Sessions) hardly knew," Trump recalled. "Rod Rosenstein, who is from Baltimore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There are very few Republicans in Baltimore, if any." Then he points out that Rosenstein appoints Special Counsel Robert Mueller to look into Russian interference in the election. Mueller had interviewed for FBI Director with the president the day before he was appointed to head the investigation. In his New York Times interview Trump reveals he reacted, "I said, what the hell is this all about? Talk about conflicts." Then Trump made a threat relating to Mueller. "There were many other conflicts that I haven't said, but I will at some point," he said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Trump accused Comey of trying to use as leverage a secret dossier with sensational but uncorroborated allegations regarding the president. "When he brought it to me, I said this is really made-up junk," Trump said of the allegations. Comey had earlier told a Congressional hearing that he told the president of the dossier because he thought the media may be publishing it soon. Trump said Comey's testimony was "loaded up with lies."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Trump's interview reflects a man who is concerned that the special counsel has expanded his investigation into the financial dealings of Trump businesses. U.S. banking regulators are reviewing hundreds of millions of dollars in loans the Trump organization received from Deutsche Bank, according to the New York Times. Deutsche Bank recently paid more than $600 million in penalties to U.S. and British regulators for laundering money for Russian entities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bloomberg reports, quoting a person familiar with the investigation, that "FBI investigators and others are looking at Russian purchases of apartments in Trump buildings, Trump's involvement in a controversial SoHo development in New York with Russian associates, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow and Trump's sale of a Florida mansion (at a huge profit) to a Russian oligarch." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Trump was asked by the New York Times, "If Mueller was looking at your finances, and at your family's finances, unrelated to Russia, is that a red line?" Trump responded, "I think that's a violation. Look, this is about Russia." But then the reporters followed up asking if he would fire Mueller, Trump said, "I can't answer that question because I don't think it's going to happen."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Trump could not directly fire Mueller. He would have to order Rosenstein to do it, the man who appointed the special counsel in the first place. Rosenstein has testified to Congress he will not fire Mueller. Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions vowed at a news conference Thursday to stay on, "We are serving right now. The work we are doing today is the kind of work that we intend to continue." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a constitutional crisis involving the investigation into Trump finances looming over the horizon, the president's comments and actions betray a man with something to hide. He is scared, he is vulnerable, he is angry. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Washington Post reported late Thursday that Trump's lawyers are "actively building a case" against what they believe to be Mueller's conflicts of interest. The paper also reports that Trump has asked about his power to pardon aides and family members. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sure, Trump can feel like the victim, he can feel that he is being treated unfairly, but he has brought it all upon himself. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">Nothing will stop the special counsel. And if Trump fires Mueller, another will be appointed. If he pardons aides and family members from criminal charges, he will risk being removed from office. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">The truth will be revealed, justice will be done. America will be great again. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-22582374744631817232017-07-01T15:42:00.000-04:002017-07-01T16:02:37.561-04:00Trump's Twitter Tirades<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Donald Trump's latest vicious personal attacks on Twitter are abusive, demeaning and shameful. Yet the president and many of his supporters approve of his tactics, saying that he is just fighting back against the daily barrage of "fake media" attacks. The president hopes to discredit his media critics with schoolyard taunts and mudslinging because he believes it will appeal to his most ardent supporters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The president has focused his latest assault of insults on MSNBC anchors Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the hosts of the weekday program "Morning Joe." Saturday he tweeted, "Crazy Joe Scarborough and dumb as a rock Mika are not bad people, but their low rated show is dominated by their bosses. Too bad!" Scarborough is a former Republican Congressman and Brzezinski is an experienced news anchor who is the daughter of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, a highly respected foreign policy expert and American diplomat. "Morning Joe" is the second highest rated cable news program in the morning, drawing nearly one million daily viewers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The conflict with Scarborough and Brzezinski has been intensifying since Trump took office. The anchors have been increasingly vocal about Trump's lies and many of his actions as president. Last week The Washington Post revealed that a fake Time Magazine cover showing Trump was hanging in the bar of his Doral Golf Resort in Florida. The cover displayed a large headline: "Donald Trump: The 'Apprentice" is a television smash." That cover has since been removed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Brzezinski and Scarborough talked about the phony cover last week on their program. Trump pounced with a series of morning tweets Thursday. "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). The how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came," he began with his first tweet. He continued with a second tweet, "...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">These tweets shook Washington as even many frustrated Republicans described them as inappropriate. Scarborough and Brzezinski, who recently got engaged, delayed their scheduled vacation to respond to Trump Friday morning. Both anchors denied Trump's account of what happened New Year's Eve, saying it was Trump who asked them to come by. Then Scarborough revealed that the White House had asked him to seek forgiveness of the president for his critical coverage or The National Enquirer would publish an article revealing his then secret relationship with Brzezinski. The publisher of The National Enquirer is David Pecker, a close friend of the president. Trump soon responded on Twitter to their appearance. "Watched low rated @Morning_Joe for the first time in a long time. FAKE NEWS. He called me to stop a National Enquirer article. I said no! Bad show," Trump wrote. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sadly Trump's outrageous behavior is sexist and it is just the latest in a series of misogynistic attacks he has leveled against women over the years. Last August in a debate Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly confronted Trump. "You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs' and disgusting animals," she noted. Trump interrupted, "Only Rosie O'Donnell." "Look at that face," he said last year of his then opponent Carly Fiorina. "Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?" Early last year his tweeted an unflattering picture of Senator Ted Cruz's wife next to one of Melania Trump, adding "a picture s worth a thousand words." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When he feels cornered or he is getting criticized, Trump's default position is to get mean. There are no limits to his impulsive strikes. This is the way he has operated throughout his life. Businessmen who have dealt with him describe what they call Trump's "punch-hug." In intense negotiations he has yelled, used personal insults and foul language, only to later come back with a hug, as if to say "Come on, don't you see it my way?" White House press spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Thursday, "I don't think you can expect someone to be personally attacked day after day, minute by minute and sit back," she said. "The American people elected a fighter, they didn't elect somebody to sit back and do nothing." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But Americans don't want Trump to tweet. Before his most recent spat with Brzezinski, Fox News released a poll showing just 13 percent of Americans approve of Trump's tweeting, while 46 percent disapproved. A slim majority of those polled said they consider the president's online posts as official statements. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Trump White House has struggled to accomplish its agenda. Its efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare have failed. Its efforts for tax reform have been stalled, and its controversial immigration ban has struggled in the courts. Meanwhile, the president has insulted allies, demeaned NATO, and he has failed to stop North Korea's nuclear program. He is described as furious about the ongoing investigations into the role Russia played in the American elections, and whether members of the Trump campaign colluded in that effort. He has frequently used Twitter to attack the investigations and those conducting them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It will be interesting to see how Trump handles Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet next week for the first time since he took office. Will he even bring up the Russian interference? Will he use his punch-hug technique on Putin to insist he end Russian meddling in America's elections, to withdraw from Crimea and Ukraine, and that he end his support for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is probably more likely he will ask Putin what steps he would suggest to control the American press. Then after the meeting he will tweet, "Vlad and I had a GREAT meeting! We are going to work together to make America GREAT again!"</span> joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-44019660232402541732017-06-29T13:58:00.001-04:002017-06-29T13:58:07.554-04:00On Being Presidential<span style="background-color: #f7f8f8; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">President Donald J. Trump:</span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: #f7f8f8; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">In a </span><a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/880408582310776832" style="background-color: #f7f8f8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a7cc4; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease;" target="_blank">two-part</a><a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/880410114456465411" style="background-color: #f7f8f8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a7cc4; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease;" target="_blank"> tweet</a><span style="background-color: #f7f8f8; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">, Trump said he “heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore).” He then went on to hit Brzezinski: “how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came … to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!”</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f7f8f8; font-family: ff-tisa-web-pro, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;">This is cyberbullying, and indicative of the president's severe lack of character and sanity. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-92213436091235750822017-06-26T17:38:00.002-04:002017-06-26T17:38:54.059-04:00GOP Senators: Where's Your Heart?<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Senate Republicans are pushing hard for a vote this week on their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, aka the ACA. But the Senate plan takes coverage away from 22 million Americans, according to a report from the Congressional Budget Office released on Monday. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">The CBO also projects the plan will reduce the deficit by $321 billion over the next decade. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">And the bill's authors utilized some trickery to get their bill scored slightly better than its House counterpart proposal, which President Donald Trump called "mean." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Senate GOP proposal will phase out Medicaid's expansion, it will cap Medicaid spending to the states, it will repeal Obamacare taxes used to fund the program, and it will restructure subsidies to insurance customers. The federal government currently picks up between 50 and 100 percent of the states' healthcare costs. The Republicans want to reduce these costs through block grants that are capped to slow growth. This will leave it to the states to cover any difference and administer healthcare. But the effect will be to reduce federal Medicaid spending over time, leaving millions of those who need support most without health insurance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In January President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-vows-insurance-for-everybody-in-obamacare-replacement-plan/2017/01/15/5f2b1e18-db5d-11e6-ad42-f3375f271c9c_story.html?utm_term=.393718cf4da1">told <i>The Washington Post</i></a>, "We are going to have insurance for everybody. There was a philosophy in some circles that if you can't pay for it, you don't get it. That's not going to happen with us." The House GOP earlier had passed their version of health care, which President Trump feted at a White House ceremony with Congressional Republicans. But later he turned on them by describing the bill as "mean." Now he is pushing for passage of the Senate Republican bill, which is not dissimilar to the House version. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Health care represents one sixth of the U.S. gross domestic product, or more than $2.6 trillion. Medicaid spending has reached $575 billion annually. The Health Insurance Association of America defines Medicaid as a "government insurance program for persons of all ages whose income and resources are insufficient to pay for health care." Republicans have long strived to cut Medicaid costs in an effort to reduce the U.S. deficit. They believe that block granting it to the states will make it more efficient.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The federal government's options for reducing Medicaid costs are limited. It can reduce the number of people covered, it can reduce the benefit coverage, it can pay less for benefits, it can get doctors and hospitals to accept less in reimbursement, or it can ask beneficiaries to pay more. Both the House and Senate bills would have a devastating impact millions of Americans by throwing the problem to the states and cutting the growth of Medicaid subsidies over time through a cap on spending. While the CBO shows that healthcare price increases will in a couple years be less under the Senate version than Obamacare, those covered will get less for their money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For more than seven years Republicans have railed against Obamacare. President Trump campaigned heavily against Obamacare, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/03/trump-obamacare-repeal-promise-so-easy/">pledging at a Florida rally in October to repeal and replace it</a>. "That begins with immediately repealing and replacing the disaster known as Obamacare," he promised. "You're going to have such great health care, at a tiny fraction of the cost--and it's going to be so easy." Four months later a frustrated President Trump told reporters, "It's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew health care could be so complicated." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Senate Republican leadership turned this complicated task over to thirteen of its members, all men, who then crafted its health care bill behind closed doors. The measure was released to the public last Thursday, leaving little time for public scrutiny. The Affordable Care Act, by contrast, was debated over months of hearings and Republicans added more than one hundred amendments to the legislation. Clearly Senate Leader Mitch McConnell knew his caucus's bill would be unpopular. But now President Trump is championing the Senate bill, even though it will adversely impact millions of his own supporters while giving tax breaks to the rich, like the Trump family. All Trump, a self-proclaimed dealmaker, cares about is making a deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately, someone has to pay if health care is to cover those who can least afford it. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">The American Medical Association sent a letter to Leader McConnell warning that the Senate's Obamacare repeal plan could hurt America's "most vulnerable citizens." </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The key to covering more Americans while lowering health insurance costs is risk sharing, where the healthy contribute to pay the costs.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> But Congressional Republicans are more focused on fulfilling their campaign promise to repeal Obamacare, even at the risk of losing Congressional seats in the 2018 Midterm elections, especially in those states that have already accepted Medicaid coverage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet President Trump is </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/879326984794517507" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">exhorting Republicans on Twitter</a>--</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">driving them to close the deal and perhaps off the cliff in 2018. "Republican Senators are working very hard to get there, with no help from the Democrats. Not easy! Perhaps just let OCare crash & burn!" he tweeted Monday. Of course it would be easier to fix Obamacare, and former House Speaker John Boehner warned Republicans that once you give people and entitlement you can't take it away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So Republicans have replaced a "mean" proposal with a less mean proposal. Now passage rests in the hands of a handful of uncommitted Senate Republicans. Were Hippocrates, the father of medicine in Western Culture, alive today he would give each of them this advice: "Do no harm."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But this is politics, and nobody knew it could be so complicated.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-71167782339905129762017-06-12T16:01:00.000-04:002017-06-12T16:01:07.909-04:00Trump's Tangled Web<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">President Donald Trump's tangled web of scandals has plagued his administration, paralyzed his domestic agenda and undermined America's long cherished global relationships. Arizona Senator John McCain, a Republican and no fan of Trump's, criticized the president in an interview with the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/11/donald-trump-foreign-policy-approach-qatar">Guardian</a>. Asked if America's global standing was much better under President Barack Obama he responded, "As far as American leadership is concerned, yes."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">South Carolina's Senator Lindsay Graham, who ran against Trump in the GOP primaries last year, expressed his frustration with the president on <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-senator-lindsey-graham-on-face-the-nation-june-11-2017/">Face the Nation Sunday</a>. "<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022;">Well, I think it was true that he's not under investigation for colluding with the Russians, and I don't think what was said amounts to obstruction of justice. Now, what the president did was inappropriate," he said. Then, perhaps addressing Trump, he added, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202022;">You may be the first president in history to go down because you can't stop inappropriately talking about an investigation that if you just were quiet, would clear you."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202022;">Following reports that the president may have shared classified information with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador last month, Tennessee's Senator Bob Corker provided reporters a gloomy <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/16/corkers-downward-spiral-rebuke-of-trump-is-a-call-for-less-drama.html">characterization of the White House</a>. "Obviously, they're in a downward spiral right now and have got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that's happening." Following former FBI Director James Comey's damning testimony about the president last week, some Republicans are straining to explain their continued support for Trump even though he reportedly asked Comey to publicly exonerate him. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2017/live-updates/trump-white-house/james-comey-testimony-what-we-learn/paul-ryan-on-trump-hes-just-new-to-this/?utm_term=.4bd20497f57a">House Speaker Paul Ryan explained</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">"</span><span style="color: #333333;">The president's new at this. He's new to government, and so he probably wasn't steeped in the long-running protocols that establish the relationships between the Department of Justice, FBI and the White House. He's just new to this." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As the dark cloud of scandal hangs over the White House, the president is having difficulty filling key positions throughout his administration. Staff shakeups are rumored, with the latest being a report by <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/11/donald-trump-reince-priebus-deadline-239411">Politico</a> that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus has until July 4th to clean up the mess. Meanwhile, against the advice of his advisers, Trump continues to strike out on Twitter. "I believe the James Comey leaks will be far more prevalent than anyone ever thought possible. Totally illegal? Very 'cowardly!'" he wrote Sunday.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The president has repeatedly hinted for weeks that there may be tapes of his conversations with James Comey. If tapes do exist they could set the record straight on exactly whether he asked Comey in their private meetings to end the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom he fired last month. Skeptics note that it is hard to believe that the president would not immediately release a tape that supports his account of the Comey meetings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the White House is doing all it can to change the subject, but with little success. On Monday, President Trump held his first meeting with his full cabinet, reminding his team, "We're here to change Washington." He called Democrats "obstructionists" and went on to tout his own accomplishments as president. With news cameras rolling on the proceeding, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-claims-historic-success-despite-obstructionist-democrats-n771101">he said</a>, "Never has there been a president--with few exceptions, in the case of FDR he had a major Depression to handle--who passed more legislation, who's done more things than what we've done." Well President Trump, you are certainly no FDR, President Harry Truman passed more legislation than you, and much of what you have passed is not significant. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">New York Times correspondent <a href="https://twitter.com/GlennThrush">Glenn Thrush tweeted</a> about the event, "This interminable cabinet (camera) spray, where everybody pays tribute to Trump, is one of the most exquisitely awkward public events I've ever seen." The beleaguered Reince Priebus even thanked Trump for the "blessing" of being able to work for him. Maybe that will buy Priebus more time? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Tuesday the nation's attention will turn to Attorney General Jeff Session's public testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which he requested. Session has said he wants to answer questions raised by Comey's testimony last Thursday. Session's knows his most important audience will be the president. Trump was reportedly angry at Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation, and there have been rumors that the attorney general is on thin ice. Sessions had earlier failed to report meetings that he had with Russian officials during the transition. Before recusing himself, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/politics/jeff-sessions-russian-officials-meetings/index.html">Sessions said</a>, "I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries about the Trump campaign."</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> That was not true.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Can Jefferson Beauregard Sessions really be trusted to answer Senator's questions accurately in a public hearing with Donald Trump holding the sword of Damocles over his head? Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #aab8c2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">e</span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-52631701881309178282017-05-27T12:05:00.001-04:002017-05-27T13:00:53.250-04:00Trump Staff Shake Up<div class="content-list-component bn-content-list-text text" data-beacon-parsed="true" data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"citation"}}" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 720px; min-width: initial; padding: 0px; width: 704px;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The crisis surrounding the Trump White House and its possible ties to Russia deepened with the disclosure of unreported meetings between the Russian ambassador and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser. The disclosure raises questions about whether Kushner was intentionally concealing the meetings, and, if so, why? Meanwhile, President Trump has retained private legal counsel, and he is reported to be considering a major staff shakeup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Washington Post</em> reported Friday that Kushner proposed setting up a back-door channel to the Russians using their facilities during the transition. He did so in a meeting last December with Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak and Michael Flynn, who served as national security adviser to the president briefly before he was fired. <a class="bn-clickable" data-beacon-parsed="true" data-beacon="{"p":{"lnid":"The Washington Post","mpid":1,"plid":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-ambassador-told-moscow-that-kushner-wanted-secret-communications-channel-with-kremlin/2017/05/26/520a14b4-422d-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_kushner-705pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.669bbe2572fb"}}" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-ambassador-told-moscow-that-kushner-wanted-secret-communications-channel-with-kremlin/2017/05/26/520a14b4-422d-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_kushner-705pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.669bbe2572fb" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: rgb(13, 190, 152) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Washington Post </a><a class="bn-clickable" data-beacon-parsed="true" data-beacon="{"p":{"lnid":"reported","mpid":2,"plid":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-ambassador-told-moscow-that-kushner-wanted-secret-communications-channel-with-kremlin/2017/05/26/520a14b4-422d-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_kushner-705pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.669bbe2572fb"}}" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-ambassador-told-moscow-that-kushner-wanted-secret-communications-channel-with-kremlin/2017/05/26/520a14b4-422d-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_kushner-705pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.669bbe2572fb" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: rgb(13, 190, 152) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">reported</a> that Kushner’s proposal took Kislyak by surprise. A former U.S. intelligence official quoted in the paper called Kushner’s idea, “extremely naive or absolutely crazy.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the Senate Intelligence Committee has stepped up its inquiry into Russian interference into the 2016 presidential race by requesting all Russian related documents, emails and phone records beginning June 2015 from the Trump organization, according to the <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Post</em>. Investigations are being conducted by committees in the Senate and House, as well as by the FBI.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The number of leaks pertaining to these investigations is extraordinary, and some appear to come from within the White House. Below the surface members of Trump’s team have been deeply divided, which is not surprising given Trump’s management style. Moreover, the sheer weight of these daily revelations is taking attention away from other issues, and they have disrupted any progress with Trump’s agenda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Russians want economic sanctions imposed on it by the U.S. eased, including those imposed by President Obama for its meddling in the U.S. elections. In a meeting during the transition last December, Mike Flynn gave the Russian ambassador the impression that sanctions could be revisited after Trump took office. U.S. intelligence has concluded that the Russians interfered in the November election to tip the scales in favor of Trump over Hillary Clinton. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Clinton of being behind anti-government protests in his country and tough on sanctions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kushner also held a previously undisclosed meeting with Russian banker Sergey Gorkov, who is chairman of VneshEconomBank, a Russian government institution that is under U.S. sanctions. Putin used that bank to finance the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, which cost a record $50 billion, and he and Gorkov are close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In March, <a class="bn-clickable" data-beacon-parsed="true" data-beacon="{"p":{"lnid":"Reuters reported","mpid":3,"plid":"http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-trump-property/"}}" href="http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-trump-property/" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: rgb(13, 190, 152) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Reuters reported</a> that, “at least 63 individuals with Russian passports or addresses have bought at least $98.4 million worth of property in seven Trump-branded towers in southern Florida.” Both Kushner and Trump have had to raise money to fund their extensive real estate businesses. Last week, <a class="bn-clickable" data-beacon-parsed="true" data-beacon="{"p":{"lnid":"The Washington Post revealed","mpid":4,"plid":"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/financial-crimes-and-why-trump-is-right-to-worry"}}" href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/financial-crimes-and-why-trump-is-right-to-worry" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: rgb(13, 190, 152) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Washington Post revealed</a>, “The investigative work now being done by the FBI also includes determining whether any financial crimes were committed by people close to the president.” In a written statement, Kushner’s attorney said, “Mr. Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings. He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">President Trump held no news conferences during his just completed trip overseas, leaving his aides to fend with reporter questions about Russia. Conservative Bill Kristol tweeted Saturday, “It’s not only that the Trump administration wanted a back channel to Russia, it’s that the Trump family did.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next week President Trump will have many tough issues to deal with. They include his unrealistic and callous budget proposal, his ineptness in dealing with health insurance, and whether the U.S. should withdraw from the Paris Accord on climate change. But no issues will be more difficult than the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the U.S. Election, questions about Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey, and Russia’s relationships with the Trump administration and family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not even a staff shakeup will bring the president any relief.</span></div>
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joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-34863436489307963462017-05-21T08:44:00.000-04:002017-05-21T08:45:23.382-04:00More on Roger Ailes<br />
<header class="entry-header" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 25px; max-width: 810px;"><span class="meta-category" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.4rem; line-height: 2rem; width: 810px;"><a class="herald-cat-5" href="http://news.hofstra.edu/category/inthenews/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0288d1; display: inline-block; padding-bottom: 2px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: border-bottom 0.15s ease-in; vertical-align: top;">IN THE NEWS</a> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999;">•</span> <a class="herald-cat-78" href="http://news.hofstra.edu/category/academics/communications/journalism/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0288d1; display: inline-block; padding-bottom: 2px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: border-bottom 0.15s ease-in; vertical-align: top;">JOURNALISM</a> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999;">•</span> <a class="herald-cat-50" href="http://news.hofstra.edu/category/academics/communications/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0288d1; display: inline-block; padding-bottom: 2px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: border-bottom 0.15s ease-in; vertical-align: top;">LAWRENCE HERBERT SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION</a></span><h1 class="entry-title h1" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 4rem; line-height: 5rem; margin: 0px;">
Joe Peyronnin on Roger Ailes’ Legacy</h1>
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Joe Peyronnin, a journalism professor in the <a href="http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/SOC/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0288d1; padding-bottom: 2px; transition: 0.15s ease-in;">Lawrence Herbert School of Communication</a> and<br />
former president of Fox News (1995-96), spoke with <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">CBS Newsradio 880</span> and the <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-me-roger-ailes-dies-20170518-story.html" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0288d1; padding-bottom: 2px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: border-bottom 0.15s ease-in;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Los Angeles Times</em> </a></span><br />
about the legacy of Fox News Channel founder and former chairman Roger Ailes, who died Thursday,<br />
May 18 at age 77. He also writes about his experiences with Ailes in his <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/roger-ailes-and-fox-news_us_591e1f90e4b07617ae4cbaa8" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0288d1; padding-bottom: 2px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: border-bottom 0.15s ease-in;">Huffington Post</a></span> column.</div>
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Listen to the WCBS 880 report:</div>
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joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-56973237004718669752017-05-18T18:23:00.000-04:002017-05-18T18:48:51.356-04:00Roger Ailes and Fox News<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<span data-offset-key="4rl1q-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Roger Ailes was a brilliant and fearless television executive who built from scratch the most powerful conservative news brand in television. Ailes died Thursday at the age of 77, and less than year after he resigned as Fox News CEO in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-offset-key="4rl1q-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">N</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">o one would have bet on the success of the Fox News Channel when it was launched in 1996. CNN had dominated the cable news world, and Microsoft and NBC News had just teamed up to create MSNBC. But Ailes had a vision and a mission to create a voice for conservative Americans that he felt would be successful in tapping into the “silent majority.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was Fox News President in 1995, having been hired by Rupert Murdoch to create a "proper news organization." Murdoch hated CNN and its founder, Ted Turner. My challenge at that time was that no other senior executive at Fox was interested in airing network news programming or creating a news channel. The Fox owned local stations, which aired their own very profitable newscasts in the morning and at night, did not want to turn programming time over to the network. Meanwhile, a cable news channel would be extremely expensive to build, and it would be very costly to obtain cable clearances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-offset-key="fg34e-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">After months of frustration I put together a news service and produced some network news specials using a core news staff that I had hired. Later, I put together a plan for a Sunday morning public affairs program I titled, </span><span data-offset-key="fg34e-0-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Fox News Sunday</span><span data-offset-key="fg34e-0-2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">. I identified several anchors, many of whom Murdoch rejected as too liberal. We finally agreed to hire the late Tony Snow, a conservative columnist and former White House spokesperson for President George H. W. Bush.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Murdoch had greatly admired Roger Ailes for his politics, tenacity and bombast. When Ailes left NBC in late 1995, Murdoch hired him as Chairman of Cable and News. I was asked to report to Ailes, a breach of my contract. Ailes reached out to me to arrange a luncheon meeting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ailes got right down to business at lunch. He said, "I need you, I don't know anything about news." But soon the conversation turned to an attack of the news media. Ailes said he hated CNN and Ted Turner. He told me he wanted to create an "alternative news channel," a conservative alternative. He then asked me why I was liberal. He added that he knew I had worked for "The Communist Broadcasting System (CBS News)." I said that I didn't think CBS News was liberal, and that I had always worked hard to provide fair coverage in all my work. He asked me to stay on, saying, "It's up to you, you have a good reputation, but let me know you're decision soon." Ailes was in a hurry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Following our lunch I reflected on Ailes' political work for Republicans, from President Richard Nixon to President Bush. I thought about his role in creating many misleading political commercials, and his ruthless reputation. He was well known for his bullish and brutish style of management; you had to be totally loyal to Ailes or you were out. And I remembered the role he played in the infamous live television showdown between CBS News anchorman Dan Rather and President Bush. I was the CBS News Washington Bureau Chief at the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-offset-key="bj4bi-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">Ailes had accompanied President Bush to his remote interview location on Capitol Hill. When Rather asked the president about his involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal, Bush testily responded, ''It's not fair to judge my whole career by a rehash on Iran. How would you like it if I judged your career by those seven minutes when you walked off the set in New York?'' Rather had, in fact, walked of the set a year earlier when a U.S. Open tennis match ran long and preempted the first few minutes of </span><span data-offset-key="bj4bi-0-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">The CBS Evening News</span><span data-offset-key="bj4bi-0-2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">. It turned out that Ailes had prepared cue cards for the president and held them up under the camera lens to assist Bush. Ailes saw the interview as an opportunity for Bush to win over wavering conservatives who viewed Rather as the personification of the liberal media.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the hours that followed my luncheon with Ailes, I found out he had asked members of my staff of they were liberal or conservative. He terminated some who he thought were liberal, or he didn't think he could control. That night I decided I had had enough. The next day I told Ailes I was resigning because I do not do "alternative journalism." I agreed to help during my transition, which would give my lawyer time to work out my contract.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-offset-key="epj32-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">R</span></span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">oger and I periodically remained in contact, and I appeared dozens of time on panels for </span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">The Strategy Room,</span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;"> a Fox News internet program</span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">. </span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-4" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;"> But then one of Roger's many spy's reported to him that I had been quoted about our luncheon in Senator Al Franken's 2003 book about Fox News, </span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Lies (and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them).</span><span data-offset-key="bum3m-0-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;"> I was told I was banned from all Fox News programs and I wasn't to call Roger again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is hard not to admire Ailes' brilliance as a cable programmer, he created one of he most powerful news organizations ever, and he decided what stories would be emphasized throughout each day. He became powerful and rich doing what he loved to do. But he was anything but fair and balanced as a journalist and as an executive. Ailes user fear and intimidation to rule his empire, and he created a workplace atmosphere where sexual harassment was overlooked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Still, he had many devoted supporters and friends, including President Donald Trump. He always thanked the television crew members, and, according to reports, he donated a large amount of his earnings to charities, including religious organizations.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While Ailes resigned from Fox in disgrace, for more than a decade he was one of the most powerful media executives in the world. Yet, no other media executive did more to divide the country. A</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">fter all, Ailes was the founding father of alternative news. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-84001356869055084552017-05-15T17:12:00.000-04:002017-05-15T17:12:17.010-04:00Priming the GOP<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">President Donald Trump's actions over the past couple weeks should be particularly alarming for all Americans, even for those whom have steadfastly supported him. His approval ratings are at an historic low for a president this early in their term. Yet, for the most part, Congressional Republicans remain reticent, although pressure is building on them to show courage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In 1776, <a href="https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/genesis-university-virginia">Thomas Jefferson warned</a>, "Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." Tyranny, the cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control, has been a growing characteristic of America's 45th President, who wants to bring an end to the many investigations into Russia's ties to the Trump campaign. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The fact that Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, the man who was leading the FBI investigation, is chilling. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">That the president would undercut his surrogates and admit flat out that the Comey firing was in part due to the Russian investigation is stunning and may be obstruction of justice. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/transcript-donald-trump-nbc-news/">Trump told NBC News' Lester Holt last week</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">“I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story; it’s an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should have won.” Trump added that the investigation should have been "over with a long time ago," and disingenuously continued, "I might even lengthen out the investigation, but I have to do the right thing for the American people." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">The president took the trouble to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/politics/fbi-james-comey-fired-letter/">note in his dismissal letter</a> to Comey that the director told him, "on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation." But according to those who know the director it is highly unlikely that Comey would give such assurances. Of course, only an extreme egotist would invite the FBI director over for dinner and then ask if he is personally under investigation. And only an extreme narcissist would ask Comey for his total loyalty before agreeing to keep him on at the FBI. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">The president regularly confuses ethical behavior with his personal interest, as if to say, "If it's good for me, it's ethical." He sees no boundaries when it comes to the FBI investigation. He recognizes no lines when it comes to the many financial conflicts of interest he and his family have in the U.S. and around the world. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">Even so, Trump's supporters still believe he will keep his campaign promises, that his obvious bluster is authenticity, that he truly cares about those left behind. How's that working now? Obamacare is still the law, meaningful tax reform is boxed up behind health care legislation, the North American Free Trade Agreement is still in place, nothing has happened on infrastructure, the national debt continues to explode, job creation is modest, and American taxpayers will pay for whatever wall is ultimately built along the border with Mexico. Meanwhile, North Korea is out of control, the Iran nuclear deal has not been altered, there is no "secret strategy" to defeat ISIS, the U.S. Embassy in Israel has not moved to Jerusalem, Trump now says China is <i>not </i>a currency manipulator, and Russians are taking advantage of the president in the Oval Office and in Syria.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">Thankfully many of Trump's campaign promises have not come true. His replacement for Obamacare would knock 20 million people out of coverage, and give an $800 billion tax break to the wealthy. His "tax reform" plan would add trillions to the national debt, and his unconstitutional anti-Muslim travel bans have been blocked by the U.S. courts. Last month Trump told Reuters, "This is more work than in my previous life. I thought it would be easier." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">Of course, Trump blames the the fake media for his failures and problems. He has even proposed ending the daily White House briefings. But even some leading Republicans think that's a bad idea. In 1776, Jefferson wrote on how to prevent tyranny, "It is believed that the most effectual means of preventing this would be, to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #121212;">Trump ridiculously claimed the other day that he came up with the term, "priming the pump." Apparently they don't use that phrase at the Wharton School, even though President Franklin Roosevelt began using it in 1937 during the Great Depression. But this is yet another example of how Trump makes it up as he goes. And rumors of a massive White House staff shakeup once again highlights the fact that Trump will throw anyone under the bus for his own transgressions and shortcomings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans stand silently by as Democrats feel increased optimistism about their chances in the 2018 midterm elections. </span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811482005706890610.post-75352737693510391452017-05-03T15:48:00.001-04:002017-05-04T12:19:47.798-04:00Colbert-Trump Flap<div class="content-list-component bn-content-list-text text" data-beacon-parsed="true" data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"citation"}}" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 720px; min-width: initial; padding: 0px; width: 715px;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">CBS late night talk show host Stephen Colbert has been on a roll lately, outdrawing NBC’s <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tonight Show</em> in the household ratings since January. Colbert’s rating’s growth has been largely fueled by his scathing anti-Trump monologues that drip with derision and contempt. But Colbert may have gone one insult too far Monday night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In an appearance on <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">CBS This Morning, </em>President Trump abruptly ended and interview by CBS News Political Director John Dickerson when he was pressed to explain his charge that President Barack Obama wired tapped him. Earlier in the interview the president called Dickerson’s Sunday program “<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Disgrace the Nation</em>“ instead of <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Face the Nation, </em>and indicated Dickerson may be peddling fake news. This was an unprecedented series of presidential insults never seen on network television before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Later that day Colbert jumped to the defense of his CBS News colleague, saying, “John Dickerson has way too much dignity to trade insults with the president of the United States to his face. But I, sir, am no John Dickerson.” More than 10 minutes of Trump insults spewed forth from Colbert, which included a roll of toilet paper and a banana. Colbert’s relentless verbal tongue lashing was similar to a boxer pounding a staggering opponent. Colbert’s denouement came with a burst of energy. “I love your presidency. I call it <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Disgrace the Nation.</em> You’re not the POTUS. You’re the bloatus. You’re the glutton with the button. You’re a regular Gorge Washington. You’re the presi-dunce, but you’re turning into a real prick-tator. Sir, you attract more skinheads than free Rogaine. You have more people marching against you than cancer. You talk like a sign language gorilla who got hit in the head. In fact, the only thing your mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin’s c*** holster.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The closing Putin reference has set off a firestorm of criticism, especially from the right, calling Colbert’s remarks obscene and homophobic. Some have ludicrously tried to compare Colbert to former Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly, who left the network following a sexual harassment scandal. Thousands have used the Twitter hashtag #FireColbert. But where were these concerned citizens when Trump said Fox host Megyn Kelly had “blood coming out of her wherever,” or when he insulted Mexicans as rapists, or he humiliated a physically disabled reporter, or he was recorded referring to how celebrities can handle women, “Grab them by the p***y. You can do anything?” Of course, they voted for Trump. Hypocrisy always rears its ugly head in politics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sadly, the simple fact is that, when it comes to public comments and tweets, President Donald Trump has set the bar for decency to a pathetic new low. Trump has now inspired comedians to descend to his level in order to get a few extra laughs, and for many viewers Colbert’s Putin comment clearly was in poor taste. Regretfully, this is not a laughing matter because it only further divides the country. It is time for President Donald Trump to finally stop with the endless personal insults and name calling. Conversely, comedians can dial their monologues a few notches and still be very funny. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And what should Colbert do in the face of all this criticism? On his Wednesday night program he said he had no regrets, except he “would change a few words that were cruder than they needed to be.” Perhaps he might have used Trump’s own words following the release of that embarrassing tape recording about celebrities? “This was locker room banter...I apologize if anyone was offended.” <span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; word-spacing: 2.55px;"> </span></span>joepeyronnin.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355332521831964053noreply@blogger.com0