I shall look carefully for the articles on the WP opinion pages supporting the freedoms currently under fire by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent groups, including the right wing pseudo-Christian organizations and corporate churches. For example, the freedom of women to control their own bodies and to travel inside the US for any purpise, including obtaining an abortion where it is legal; the freedom to love, regardless of gender, including to marry; the freedom to express one's individual sexuality and to obtain medical care supporting that expression; the freedom to practice non-Christian religious beliefs (or no religious beliefs) without oppression; the freedon to assemble peacably to petition the government without threats of violence from the government or its paramilitary offshoots; and the freedom to challenge the existing federal executive administration without being silenced or attacked.
>> "The administration has massively intensified its control over the media since taking power" <<
Which couldn't even begin to happen if the media wasn't a fully willing participant.
It's not that Trump intensified his control, it's that Bezos and his fellow lickspittles (and I include in that every reporter that still works for the Post, the Times, or any of the other propaganda outlets that once actually used to be a source of news) raced to willingly hand control over to him.
The bully showed up and said "I'm going to..." and the legacy media said "No need to finish that thought. Let me just bend over here."
Either a willing participant - or held at gunpoint. Almost literally. We have no idea to what extent death threats to editors have increased since Trumpkopf took office.
You’re seeking excuses for them. I’ve not seen reports of Bezos being threatened by Trumpers but even if he is, it’s ridiculous to think someone worth well over $200 billion isn’t already so well protected he can just ignore them.
Not at all. The owners of lamestream media don't give a shit about anything other than profit, and you're right, they have plenty of security. They're not the ones under the gun. But individual reporters, columnists and editors? That's a different ballgame.
1) That doesn't make a lot of sense. Bezos has made the Post full fascist cheerleader so why would folks there be targeted by the MAGAts they're supporting?
2) And if the thought is there are still good reporters etc. working there they should stop because all they're doing is adding a sheen of legitimacy, playing enabler to a coward and the fascists he's sucking the dicks of.
3) And if the threats would follow them wherever they go to be reporters and that affects their work, if it makes them hesitant to report, then they're in the wrong line of business.
It was a nice relationship while it lasted. We've been through thick and thin together. From 'Nam to Watergate`, you were always there for us. But you're not there anymore. It's time for us to part ways.
He’s sees his only duty as raking in as much for himself as possible.
His idea of “diversity of opinion” is to have a wide range of wingnuts.
"These measures could directly impact The Washington Post, potentially limiting its access to information and thus its relevance as one of the nation’s most important papers."
Therefore, Bezos took it upon himself to eliminate the WP's relevance of his own accord, and beat Chump to the punch. Way to go Jeffy.
"Zuckerberg is now a believer in ‘free speech’ again"
"Free speech", translation: right wing propaganda.
"While “personal liberties” and “free markets” sound like universally appealing principles, we should examine what these terms actually mean in Bezos's context."
They are euphemisms for wingnut and especially MAGAnut propaganda. You might call it MAGAganda.
"The Washington Post is one of the most influential and respected newspapers in the United States..."
You mean "was".
"In some ways we should be grateful for Bezos openly pandering to Donald Trump and humiliating his staff at the Washington Post. It is an illuminating example of how the American oligarchical system works."
Sometimes in order to drain an infection, it needs to be brought to the surface first. Bozo Bezos has "generously" done this for us now.
P.S.
Has anyone else noticed how poorly substack handles newlines in comments?
>> "These measures could directly impact The Washington Post, potentially limiting its access to information and thus its relevance as one of the nation’s most important papers." <<
Really, Ben? Read what you wrote carefully. You're saying the Post would have lost its relevance as an important paper if it DIDN'T suck up to the fascists. That to remain an important source of news it HAD TO switch to, as you put it, "pump[ing] out right wing propaganda".
Not to remain an important source of real news, but to remain a viable business. It's a subtle distinction at first glance, but if you look closely, it fits Bezos' goals.
Yes, that's what he wrote literally. But if you read between the lines, what need, from Bozo Bezos' perspective, is there to remain one of the nations most important newspapers? The answer is profit (and influence). Again, we're talking about the owner's (Bozo Bezos) perspective here.
Washington Post: "Democracy Dies in Darkness"
Bezos: "I'll show you how to make sure it does."
I shall look carefully for the articles on the WP opinion pages supporting the freedoms currently under fire by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent groups, including the right wing pseudo-Christian organizations and corporate churches. For example, the freedom of women to control their own bodies and to travel inside the US for any purpise, including obtaining an abortion where it is legal; the freedom to love, regardless of gender, including to marry; the freedom to express one's individual sexuality and to obtain medical care supporting that expression; the freedom to practice non-Christian religious beliefs (or no religious beliefs) without oppression; the freedon to assemble peacably to petition the government without threats of violence from the government or its paramilitary offshoots; and the freedom to challenge the existing federal executive administration without being silenced or attacked.
I won't hold my breath.
Resist. React. Repeat.
To quote a famous former President, “Elections have consequences”.
I stopped Wapo once Bezos bought it. I look for the best writers in other areas.
Yuck! So long WAPO - You a po excuse for a paper now -
>> "The administration has massively intensified its control over the media since taking power" <<
Which couldn't even begin to happen if the media wasn't a fully willing participant.
It's not that Trump intensified his control, it's that Bezos and his fellow lickspittles (and I include in that every reporter that still works for the Post, the Times, or any of the other propaganda outlets that once actually used to be a source of news) raced to willingly hand control over to him.
The bully showed up and said "I'm going to..." and the legacy media said "No need to finish that thought. Let me just bend over here."
Either a willing participant - or held at gunpoint. Almost literally. We have no idea to what extent death threats to editors have increased since Trumpkopf took office.
You’re seeking excuses for them. I’ve not seen reports of Bezos being threatened by Trumpers but even if he is, it’s ridiculous to think someone worth well over $200 billion isn’t already so well protected he can just ignore them.
Not at all. The owners of lamestream media don't give a shit about anything other than profit, and you're right, they have plenty of security. They're not the ones under the gun. But individual reporters, columnists and editors? That's a different ballgame.
1) That doesn't make a lot of sense. Bezos has made the Post full fascist cheerleader so why would folks there be targeted by the MAGAts they're supporting?
2) And if the thought is there are still good reporters etc. working there they should stop because all they're doing is adding a sheen of legitimacy, playing enabler to a coward and the fascists he's sucking the dicks of.
3) And if the threats would follow them wherever they go to be reporters and that affects their work, if it makes them hesitant to report, then they're in the wrong line of business.
1. Agreed.
2. Like you and me, they have rent to pay, families to feed, etc. They are leaving, but not rapidly in droves.
3. Some will feel that way, and some won't.
I regret that I had already canceled my WaPo subscription and can’t cancel it again.
"I regret that I have but one life to give for my country".
The Washington Post won’t be getting any looks from my eyeballs. Time for a tagline change.
YOU support MAGA, WE BOYCOTT YOU
Dear WAPO,
It was a nice relationship while it lasted. We've been through thick and thin together. From 'Nam to Watergate`, you were always there for us. But you're not there anymore. It's time for us to part ways.
Yours always, or maybe not so much,
America
He’s sees his only duty as raking in as much for himself as possible.
His idea of “diversity of opinion” is to have a wide range of wingnuts.
"These measures could directly impact The Washington Post, potentially limiting its access to information and thus its relevance as one of the nation’s most important papers."
Therefore, Bezos took it upon himself to eliminate the WP's relevance of his own accord, and beat Chump to the punch. Way to go Jeffy.
"Zuckerberg is now a believer in ‘free speech’ again"
"Free speech", translation: right wing propaganda.
"While “personal liberties” and “free markets” sound like universally appealing principles, we should examine what these terms actually mean in Bezos's context."
They are euphemisms for wingnut and especially MAGAnut propaganda. You might call it MAGAganda.
"The Washington Post is one of the most influential and respected newspapers in the United States..."
You mean "was".
"In some ways we should be grateful for Bezos openly pandering to Donald Trump and humiliating his staff at the Washington Post. It is an illuminating example of how the American oligarchical system works."
Sometimes in order to drain an infection, it needs to be brought to the surface first. Bozo Bezos has "generously" done this for us now.
P.S.
Has anyone else noticed how poorly substack handles newlines in comments?
>> "These measures could directly impact The Washington Post, potentially limiting its access to information and thus its relevance as one of the nation’s most important papers." <<
Really, Ben? Read what you wrote carefully. You're saying the Post would have lost its relevance as an important paper if it DIDN'T suck up to the fascists. That to remain an important source of news it HAD TO switch to, as you put it, "pump[ing] out right wing propaganda".
That's some twisted apologist logic.
Not to remain an important source of real news, but to remain a viable business. It's a subtle distinction at first glance, but if you look closely, it fits Bezos' goals.
Ben didn’t write “to remain a viable business.” He wrote “ to remain of one the nation’s most important papers.”
The distinction isn’t subtle at all.
Yes, that's what he wrote literally. But if you read between the lines, what need, from Bozo Bezos' perspective, is there to remain one of the nations most important newspapers? The answer is profit (and influence). Again, we're talking about the owner's (Bozo Bezos) perspective here.
I'm going to stick to what he actually wrote and not get pulled into a discussion which replaces that with what you wanted it to say.
Suit yourself.