The Atlantic: “The Shame and Disgrace Will Linger”
The headline above is taken from this article in The Atlantic Magazine that begins:
August 10, 1969: San Clemente, California—President Richard Nixon accused his predecessor Lyndon Baines Johnson of complicity in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Speaking with reporters on the first day of a 10-day stay at his Pacific Ocean vacation home …
If this were any other U.S. presidency–literally any other one–we might feel comfortable projecting how these days will be regarded by posterity, how order will restore itself from chaos, how decency will reemerge from hatred–on the basis of how, as they say, “the pendulum swings.” Yet that may not be such a solid bet just now, as it appears at this point that America has normalized the concept of Trump as president. Which means that from here, anything is possible.
We seem to have come to terms with his 13 lies per day, his wanton cruelty, his overt encouragement of white nationalism, his attempts to destabilize world peace, his support of tyrants, his constant assault on the environment and biosphere, on education, on the treasury, on healthcare, and on living standards of the 99.9% whose net worth isn’t measured in eight or more figures. Our Congress is in receipt of a report from independent counsel that points to ten points of obstruction of justice, yet any talk of impeachment is brief and inconsequential.
Sometimes, when someone accidentally falls from the top of a tree he’s climbed, instinct kicks in and as if by miracle, he grabs a hold of a branch, rights himself, and climbs back up. Sometimes he falls to his death. At this point, predictions are hard to make.
Craig,
It’s hard to believe you are unaware each time you post a comment like the one above, you are contributing to the very thing you claim to detest.
Your hateful comment is just the latest in a nearly three year campaign of blind loathing and obsessive abuse toward the President.
You are part of a media tragedy. I find it hard to believe that the entire liberal, left media and political machine has become so obsessed with Donald J Trump they have long abandoned the virtues in which they once so passionately believed.
Old fashioned values such as fairness, objectivity, calm analysis even accuracy have been completely replaced by hypocritical “outrage”, fantasy , abuse, tirades of hate, lynch-mob speculation,etc.
The leftist media attacked the President invoking speculation of his “close” association with disgraced financier, Jeffery Epstein. This was followed by bizarre accusations toward the President’s involvement in Epstein’s suicide by various Democrat politicians.
The President defending his position, pointing out he ended all contact with Epstein more than 20 years ago. The President also observed he had far less to fear from any ‘revelations’ than a number of Democrats who in recent years received money, free use of private aircraft, attended parties etc from Epstein.
The relationship between Epstein and Bill and Hillary Clinton is far more recent and intimate. It requires an explanation.
(Most likely explanation is just guilt by association).
It’s becoming increasingly obvious the Obama administration weaponized the country’s law enforcement and intelligence apparatus to sabotage a rival political campaign and then tried to cover it up.
A biased and irresponsible media only interested in sensationalism, is contributing climate of hostility, rage, and doubt.
As a result of losing any semblance of impartiality or objectivity the leftist media have suffered a litany of ongoing embarrassments.
Most of the media have lost all credibility with the American public.
This started with the media guaranteeing they had solid evidence the Trump campaign colluded and conspired with the Russians to influence the outcome of the 2016 election to reporting every unproven allegation of rape against Brett Kavanaugh.
The Politico headline, “Why God is Laughing at Brett Kavanaugh.” is a great example of the viciousness and unfairness of the media.
In a bid to stay relevant in the age of social media, most outlet, even previously reputable papers like the NYT, have degenerated into a race for the bottom, by adopting the same standards as the most flaky ranters on social media.
The lies, distortions half-truths and downright fantasies have become substitutes for careful research, prudent analysis and objectivity.
Catholic high school kids wearing Make America Great Again hats were “mocking” and “laughing at” a Native American elder, the media screamed. Except it wan’t true.
Hillary Clinton will win definitely the presidency.
The stock market will tank after Trump is elected. Donald Trump won’t serve a full term. White supremacy is on the rise and poses a greater threat to national security that Islamic extremism because Trump and Republicans are using special “code words” to fan the flames of racism. There is no national emergency at the southern border. The Trump Administration is the first to lock migrant children “in cages.”
Ex-FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, in leaked memo’s accused Carter Page, of being a foreign agent.
They sought a government warrant, in a secret court, using a knowingly discredited dossier filled with rumors and innuendo as proof, obtained from a British political operative in the pay of Hillary Clinton and the Democrat party.
The purpose of this illegally obtained warrant? To put pressure on Carter Page to invent testimony about the Trumps conspiring with the Russians to influence the 2016 election. (Page never was charged with any crime.)
How could such events take place in America in 2018 ? Why aren’t you outraged ?
In recent polls 74 percent of all voters said the media has done more to divide the country since Trump took office. Only 16 percent said the media is trying to unite Americans.
The media no longer clarifies, calms and educates the public. Their voice is no longer one of perspective and accurate information.
In this era, the media (with a few exceptions) is hell-bent on destroying national institutions and respect for office holders.
Hysteria,humbug and snide outrage are the order of the day. Outrageous exaggerations, wild accusations and hyperbole in the name of sensationalism dominates what passes for journalism.
When the President initiates a valuable or humane policy, you either sneer of ignore the event, instead preferring to be “outraged’ by some imagined conspiracy theory.
Your vision has become so poisoned by your own prejudice you are no longer capable of rational judgement.
In such an atmosphere, how can your contribute to “bringing America together” ?