With just a modicum of cooperation the media could put Trump's feet to the proverbial fire. When Trump refuses to answer a direct question, the reporter called upon next should follow up and insist that he answer the question posed. Rephrase it if necessary, but don't let him avoid a topic. Instead the next reporter sticks to their own script and lobs Trump a (usually) multi-layered, open ended question that amounts to an invitation for more BS and bluster. Trump has certainly screwed the pooch, but so has the "elite" media.
"And what lessons are the press learning from Trump's Vietnam?" Eric, I continue to wonder and ask WHY the press seems to not learn? Is it to maintain access? Is it structural in the industry? Decisions are made: what are the rationales? This is the new version of what has been occurring for 3+ years.
Eric, put the blame where it belongs - the administration is at fault. The "government", the federal employees in the government would have responded vigorously had tRump and his sycophants permitted them to. The administration owns this, don't mistakenly saddle the career civil servants and the government with the blame.
But Eric’s point is that the media isn’t doing a good job either. I would say the media are being pretty tough on Trump but there are very important stories that they aren’t giving nearly enough attention. For example the fact the the federal government is “sweeping up” states’ orders of critical medical supplies and diverting them to other states ought to be talked about at least as much as Trump’s idiotic suggesting that injecting bleach might work. Trump told the states they were on their own and couldn't rely on the federal stockpile then has the feds confiscate the supplies the states do buy and gives the to other states. He is using those supplies as political leverage. That is a shocking story that should be getting a lot more attention. If Trump gets as much criticism for that as he did for his bleach cocktail musings I would bet those confiscations would stop.
As for Howell Raines, I find it cowardly that he chose to reference the Vietnam War. He was the Executive Editor of the Times during the WMD propaganda assault by Bush and Cheney. A lot of people are dead because the Times allowed itself to be used to give credibility to those lies. The reporting by the Times’s Judith Miller was a major factor in selling the WMD propaganda to the rest of the media. Jonathan Landay and Warren Strobel had that story right because they talked to the WMD experts at the CIA instead of just being scribes for Cheney’s guys Scooter Libby, Ahmed Chalabi, etc.
I agree, but I think it is important that it be clear, the administration is at fault, otherwise tRump and the 'cons will use every opportunity to blame "the government ", the incompetent government, not tRump, mcconnell, etc.
As for the media, I read a long piece this morning where the author criticized tRump for asserting false information, and using every 'polite' synonym for lies and lying, but never using any of the "L words", which permits a reader, if so inclined to think, 'well he was wrong but it was an honest mistake'. It is nice that some journalists are starting to call out lying for what it is, but 'the media's still have a long way to go. Kudos to those in the WH press pool who are demonstrating real journalism!
With just a modicum of cooperation the media could put Trump's feet to the proverbial fire. When Trump refuses to answer a direct question, the reporter called upon next should follow up and insist that he answer the question posed. Rephrase it if necessary, but don't let him avoid a topic. Instead the next reporter sticks to their own script and lobs Trump a (usually) multi-layered, open ended question that amounts to an invitation for more BS and bluster. Trump has certainly screwed the pooch, but so has the "elite" media.
"And what lessons are the press learning from Trump's Vietnam?" Eric, I continue to wonder and ask WHY the press seems to not learn? Is it to maintain access? Is it structural in the industry? Decisions are made: what are the rationales? This is the new version of what has been occurring for 3+ years.
Eric, put the blame where it belongs - the administration is at fault. The "government", the federal employees in the government would have responded vigorously had tRump and his sycophants permitted them to. The administration owns this, don't mistakenly saddle the career civil servants and the government with the blame.
good point, I think try to do that here. If there’s any doubt, I def lay blame 1600 Penn Ave
But Eric’s point is that the media isn’t doing a good job either. I would say the media are being pretty tough on Trump but there are very important stories that they aren’t giving nearly enough attention. For example the fact the the federal government is “sweeping up” states’ orders of critical medical supplies and diverting them to other states ought to be talked about at least as much as Trump’s idiotic suggesting that injecting bleach might work. Trump told the states they were on their own and couldn't rely on the federal stockpile then has the feds confiscate the supplies the states do buy and gives the to other states. He is using those supplies as political leverage. That is a shocking story that should be getting a lot more attention. If Trump gets as much criticism for that as he did for his bleach cocktail musings I would bet those confiscations would stop.
As for Howell Raines, I find it cowardly that he chose to reference the Vietnam War. He was the Executive Editor of the Times during the WMD propaganda assault by Bush and Cheney. A lot of people are dead because the Times allowed itself to be used to give credibility to those lies. The reporting by the Times’s Judith Miller was a major factor in selling the WMD propaganda to the rest of the media. Jonathan Landay and Warren Strobel had that story right because they talked to the WMD experts at the CIA instead of just being scribes for Cheney’s guys Scooter Libby, Ahmed Chalabi, etc.
Raines is also the father of the NYT's institutional and reflexive Clinton-hatred. He's certainly qualified to speak about disinformation.
Yes agree. It’s shocking to think that lifesaving supplies will be grabbed and given to “ friendlier” states. That IS the story. Also criminal, imho.
I agree, but I think it is important that it be clear, the administration is at fault, otherwise tRump and the 'cons will use every opportunity to blame "the government ", the incompetent government, not tRump, mcconnell, etc.
As for the media, I read a long piece this morning where the author criticized tRump for asserting false information, and using every 'polite' synonym for lies and lying, but never using any of the "L words", which permits a reader, if so inclined to think, 'well he was wrong but it was an honest mistake'. It is nice that some journalists are starting to call out lying for what it is, but 'the media's still have a long way to go. Kudos to those in the WH press pool who are demonstrating real journalism!
amazing that even today journalists won’t use “L” word for Trump