Comments on: The Post’s “Powerful Few”: Newspaper Under Fire for Arranging Dinners Between Reporters, Lobbyists, and Politicians http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/ Res ipsa loquitur ("The thing itself speaks") Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:36:13 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65497 Jill Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:19:31 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65497 Glenn Greenwaold points out that the NYTimes will call the actions of the Iranian govt. torture, but when these same acts are committed by our own govt. they cannot bring themselves to call it what it is: torture. This shaping of the news and refusal to be honest is all of piece with the desire for access to high govt. officials. The press should do its job. There are reporters who have risked everything to get to the truth--we desperately need those people now. "The NYT calls Iranian interrogation tactics "torture" http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/ Glenn Greenwaold points out that the NYTimes will call the actions of the Iranian govt. torture, but when these same acts are committed by our own govt. they cannot bring themselves to call it what it is: torture. This shaping of the news and refusal to be honest is all of piece with the desire for access to high govt. officials. The press should do its job. There are reporters who have risked everything to get to the truth–we desperately need those people now.

“The NYT calls Iranian interrogation tactics “torture”

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

]]> By: Buddha Is Laughing http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65417 Buddha Is Laughing Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:33:06 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65417 mespo, "I often wonder if any of the Washington Fourth Estate read this blog?" I've often wondered that myself. I'm thinking I might be surprised at the number. What I'd really like to know though is have any of them ever contributed. Now that would be telling, wouldn't it? mespo,

“I often wonder if any of the Washington Fourth Estate read this blog?”

I’ve often wondered that myself. I’m thinking I might be surprised at the number. What I’d really like to know though is have any of them ever contributed. Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it?

]]> By: lottakatz http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65414 lottakatz Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:24:28 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65414 Jim Byrne; I love that clip, CF is the late-night guy, very much in the mold of the Steve Allen Tonight Show. Jim Byrne; I love that clip, CF is the late-night guy, very much in the mold of the Steve Allen Tonight Show.

]]> By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65358 Jill Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:37:27 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65358 I just heard this on the way home. If we have a coup here the WP a-holes will be at the Whitehouse bidding to tape the freely given confessions followed by the executions. (from marketplace) "Telesur excels in Honduras coverage As the coup in Honduras continues, few are seeing scenes from the turmoil due to heavy media censorship. Venezuelan news outlet Telesur is breaking through, but the coverage comes at a personal cost. Dan Grech explains." http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/03/pm_telesur/ I just heard this on the way home. If we have a coup here the WP a-holes will be at the Whitehouse bidding to tape the freely given confessions followed by the executions. (from marketplace)

“Telesur excels in Honduras coverage

As the coup in Honduras continues, few are seeing scenes from the turmoil due to heavy media censorship. Venezuelan news outlet Telesur is breaking through, but the coverage comes at a personal cost. Dan Grech explains.”

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/03/pm_telesur/

]]> By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65192 Jill Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:03:52 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65192 The last paragraphy of this interview by Glen Greenwald with Charlies Savage is particularly important in this context. Here they are discussing Obama's policies on "the war on terror" Charlie Savage points out that the rehtoric, repeated time and again, which is obviously what the WP is on board with, is shaping public opinion. It is confusing people as to what is actually happening in favor of what they are repeated lead to believe is happening. This is a real danger. "...GGObama's generalized approach to the war on terror is not just similar to Bush's, but it's actually strengthening Bush's policies, because in Goldsmith's view, one of the flaws, one of the mistakes that Bush made, was by not seeking congressional authority in the beginning, he failed to get as much support, as much entrenchment for these policies legally, as he would have been able to had he gone to Congress. And that Obama is actually being more successful in institutionalizing these war on terror policies than even Bush and Cheney were, not only because he's draining it of a partisan conflict, as you described earlier, but because by going to Congress and vowing to work with Congress, he's providing a much firmer foundation for these policies and ensuring that they endure for a longer time and might be more invulnerable to judicial challenge as well. Do you agree with Goldsmith's view, that not only is Obama replicating a lot of these policies, but actually strengthening them through his approach? CS: Absolutely. That was a great article, and it also reflected the themes of his book, in which he similarly talked about what a great strategic error it was for people in the Bush administration to be so unilateral in their rhetoric. His point was not just making a show of going to Congress, but it was also saying the right things as far as, we really want to respect checks and balances and separation of powers and oversight, we are worried about the Constitution as we do these things, and so it sort of reassures people that as executive power is accreting, that it's not going to be abused when you hear the person talking like that. Even if under the surface of things the power is the same, as opposed to Bush who made a show of saying, I can do this on my own, the heck with what you think, and so forth. Even if what's happening on the ground is the same, that rhetoric provides a political context which bolsters public confidence rather than undermining it. But this is all sort of stage-craft, the pageantry surrounding a reality that may be quite similar. But I think what Goldsmith would also say – and I think he's probably also right about this – that it's not just empty rhetoric, right? Saying the right thing over and over again, and making a show of going to Congress adds up to substance after a while. It adds up to – people should go read that article for themselves, I'm sort of mangling, I don't want to leave the impression that he was saying or that I think there's nothing to this. There's something to it, but maybe not as much as the casual listener would be led to believe." http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/radio/2009/07/02/savage/index1.html The last paragraphy of this interview by Glen Greenwald with Charlies Savage is particularly important in this context. Here they are discussing Obama’s policies on “the war on terror” Charlie Savage points out that the rehtoric, repeated time and again, which is obviously what the WP is on board with, is shaping public opinion. It is confusing people as to what is actually happening in favor of what they are repeated lead to believe is happening. This is a real danger.

“…GGObama’s generalized approach to the war on terror is not just similar to Bush’s, but it’s actually strengthening Bush’s policies, because in Goldsmith’s view, one of the flaws, one of the mistakes that Bush made, was by not seeking congressional authority in the beginning, he failed to get as much support, as much entrenchment for these policies legally, as he would have been able to had he gone to Congress. And that Obama is actually being more successful in institutionalizing these war on terror policies than even Bush and Cheney were, not only because he’s draining it of a partisan conflict, as you described earlier, but because by going to Congress and vowing to work with Congress, he’s providing a much firmer foundation for these policies and ensuring that they endure for a longer time and might be more invulnerable to judicial challenge as well.

Do you agree with Goldsmith’s view, that not only is Obama replicating a lot of these policies, but actually strengthening them through his approach?

CS: Absolutely. That was a great article, and it also reflected the themes of his book, in which he similarly talked about what a great strategic error it was for people in the Bush administration to be so unilateral in their rhetoric. His point was not just making a show of going to Congress, but it was also saying the right things as far as, we really want to respect checks and balances and separation of powers and oversight, we are worried about the Constitution as we do these things, and so it sort of reassures people that as executive power is accreting, that it’s not going to be abused when you hear the person talking like that. Even if under the surface of things the power is the same, as opposed to Bush who made a show of saying, I can do this on my own, the heck with what you think, and so forth. Even if what’s happening on the ground is the same, that rhetoric provides a political context which bolsters public confidence rather than undermining it. But this is all sort of stage-craft, the pageantry surrounding a reality that may be quite similar.

But I think what Goldsmith would also say – and I think he’s probably also right about this – that it’s not just empty rhetoric, right? Saying the right thing over and over again, and making a show of going to Congress adds up to substance after a while. It adds up to – people should go read that article for themselves, I’m sort of mangling, I don’t want to leave the impression that he was saying or that I think there’s nothing to this. There’s something to it, but maybe not as much as the casual listener would be led to believe.”

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/radio/2009/07/02/savage/index1.html

]]> By: Buddha Is Laughing http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65150 Buddha Is Laughing Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:18:32 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65150 I really hate to agree with the Scotsman, but if you haven't checked out Craig Ferguson's show, you really should. He's comedy gold. To my mind, possibly the funniest guy on TV let alone just late night. I really hate to agree with the Scotsman, but if you haven’t checked out Craig Ferguson’s show, you really should. He’s comedy gold. To my mind, possibly the funniest guy on TV let alone just late night.

]]> By: Jim Byrne http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65149 Jim Byrne Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:15:55 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65149 <i>If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government...The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair.</i> Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 28 Our elected representatives, much like some judges and prosecutors (as we have seen in recent posts) do what they will because they know all to well, that they will, most likely, not be held accountable. I'll be interested in the commentary of late-night comedian Craig Ferguson when he hosts the Boston 4th of July celebration. (airing on CBS at 10 PM eastern 7/4/09). For those that aren't familiar with Craig; he became a U.S. Citizen last year. If you've never seen the clip below; it's very good. Enjoy. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRVQ4xwwmQ&hl=en&fs=1&] If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government…The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 28

Our elected representatives, much like some judges and prosecutors (as we have seen in recent posts) do what they will because they know all to well, that they will, most likely, not be held accountable.

I’ll be interested in the commentary of late-night comedian Craig Ferguson when he hosts the Boston 4th of July celebration. (airing on CBS at 10 PM eastern 7/4/09).

For those that aren’t familiar with Craig; he became a U.S. Citizen last year. If you’ve never seen the clip below; it’s very good. Enjoy.

]]> By: Buddha Is Laughing http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65137 Buddha Is Laughing Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:12:58 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65137 OFF TOPIC BUT OF HISTORICAL NOTE: Rare original copy of the Declaration of Independence found in UK. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/02/declaration-of-independen_n_224721.html OFF TOPIC BUT OF HISTORICAL NOTE:

Rare original copy of the Declaration of Independence found in UK.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/02/declaration-of-independen_n_224721.html

]]> By: mespo727272 http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65129 mespo727272 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:35:04 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65129 Buddha: "Anyone surprised by this has never read WaPo. As a source for serious unspun news, they’ve sucked for a long time now." **************** I often wonder if any of the Washington Fourth Estate read this blog? Buddha:

“Anyone surprised by this has never read WaPo. As a source for serious unspun news, they’ve sucked for a long time now.”

****************

I often wonder if any of the Washington Fourth Estate read this blog?

]]> By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65127 Jill Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:31:53 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65127 Agreed to the shoddy reporting. Here's why this revelation is much worse. This is active engagement in something which is particularly dangerous in a "free" society. The WP is brokering marriages between interests groups and govt. officials and assisting in the representation to the public of the policies that emerge from these marriages. The kind word for this is PR, but the truth is they are engaging in propgandizing the population. If they have done this at the behest of our govt. our govt. is breaking the law. WP isn't even a bad newpaper. It's not a newspaper at all. It is helping to form stories and limit discussion outside the confines of the demands of their co-conspirators. This is like the govt. presenting hand picked "defense experts" to give an analysis of how well the wars are going, only it is even more corrupt. Agreed to the shoddy reporting. Here’s why this revelation is much worse. This is active engagement in something which is particularly dangerous in a “free” society.

The WP is brokering marriages between interests groups and govt. officials and assisting in the representation to the public of the policies that emerge from these marriages. The kind word for this is PR, but the truth is they are engaging in propgandizing the population. If they have done this at the behest of our govt. our govt. is breaking the law.

WP isn’t even a bad newpaper. It’s not a newspaper at all. It is helping to form stories and limit discussion outside the confines of the demands of their co-conspirators. This is like the govt. presenting hand picked “defense experts” to give an analysis of how well the wars are going, only it is even more corrupt.

]]> By: Buddha Is Laughing http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65107 Buddha Is Laughing Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:55:53 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65107 Anyone surprised by this has never read WaPo. As a source for serious unspun news, they've sucked for a long time now. Anyone surprised by this has never read WaPo. As a source for serious unspun news, they’ve sucked for a long time now.

]]> By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65106 Jill Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:44:06 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65106 A.Y., But no mistakes here. They know what they're doing, why they're doing it and they have no place as a newspaper unless someone takes over and cleans house. A.Y.,

But no mistakes here. They know what they’re doing, why they’re doing it and they have no place as a newspaper unless someone takes over and cleans house.

]]> By: Anonymously Yours http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65105 Anonymously Yours Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:33:51 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65105 The fliers got out and weren’t vetted. Vetting: A thorough and diligent review of a prospective person or project prior to a hiring or investment decision. Vetting most often refers to an individual or group, such as how a board of directors will "vet out" a prospective CEO or other top management position. Vetting of potential suppliers of a contract or business service is a common practice for the managers of a publicly-traded company, where past business results, costs and personal relationships all figure into the final decision. Mistakes are sometimes made. The fliers got out and weren’t vetted.

Vetting:

A thorough and diligent review of a prospective person or project prior to a hiring or investment decision. Vetting most often refers to an individual or group, such as how a board of directors will “vet out” a prospective CEO or other top management position. Vetting of potential suppliers of a contract or business service is a common practice for the managers of a publicly-traded company, where past business results, costs and personal relationships all figure into the final decision.

Mistakes are sometimes made.

]]> By: winski http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65104 winski Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:15:53 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65104 Washington Post Publisher Katharine Weymouth said “Absolutely, I’m disappointed. This should never have happened. The fliers got out and weren’t vetted. They didn’t represent at all what we were attempting to do. We’re not going to do any dinners that would impugn the integrity of the newsroom.” IF any one believes this dribble they are (at best) DELUSIONAL!! WaPo got caught with their collective pants down and are trying to back-track on the initiative as quickly as possible....It's truly a sad day to find the once-mighty Washington Post has sunk to these levels... Washington Post Publisher Katharine Weymouth said “Absolutely, I’m disappointed. This should never have happened. The fliers got out and weren’t vetted. They didn’t represent at all what we were attempting to do. We’re not going to do any dinners that would impugn the integrity of the newsroom.”

IF any one believes this dribble they are (at best) DELUSIONAL!! WaPo got caught with their collective pants down and are trying to back-track on the initiative as quickly as possible….It’s truly a sad day to find the once-mighty Washington Post has sunk to these levels…

]]> By: Anonymously Yours http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65098 Anonymously Yours Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:26:20 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65098 Jill Off Topic and on the side. I am not sure what mental/social/emotional problems that other person has. I hope that they can accept reality in what ever form it takes. I do not know you but you are ok in my book. Jill

Off Topic and on the side.

I am not sure what mental/social/emotional problems that other person has. I hope that they can accept reality in what ever form it takes.

I do not know you but you are ok in my book.

]]> By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65096 Jill Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:14:48 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65096 It really does go well beyond trading favors for access. They are actively involved in arranging meetings, apparently, so everyone can stay on message, and heh- what a nice profit as well. It is incredibly difficult to find real news in this nation. McClatchy refused to suck up. They went three or four layers down in the govt. and produced accurate accounts of events. I find myself going all over the net, just to have even an ounce of luck in understanding what is actually going on in the world and my own nation. 30 pieces of silver costs a lot more these days. It really does go well beyond trading favors for access. They are actively involved in arranging meetings, apparently, so everyone can stay on message, and heh- what a nice profit as well. It is incredibly difficult to find real news in this nation. McClatchy refused to suck up. They went three or four layers down in the govt. and produced accurate accounts of events. I find myself going all over the net, just to have even an ounce of luck in understanding what is actually going on in the world and my own nation. 30 pieces of silver costs a lot more these days.

]]> By: Flower Child Gone to Seed http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65092 Flower Child Gone to Seed Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:02:10 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65092 Silly me: I had thought the press were merely whores. It appears they are pimps as well. Silly me: I had thought the press were merely whores. It appears they are pimps as well.

]]> By: Anonymously Yours http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65091 Anonymously Yours Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:00:04 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65091 What the hell is wrong with a newspaper having a spin and pay or get paid for it. FOX and CNN do it already, Bush had Rather fired for doing his job. We have not had objective journalism since Ronnie Wilson Regan took office. Yes I do find a lot wrong with it. What the hell is wrong with a newspaper having a spin and pay or get paid for it. FOX and CNN do it already, Bush had Rather fired for doing his job. We have not had objective journalism since Ronnie Wilson Regan took office.

Yes I do find a lot wrong with it.

]]> By: Jill http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65085 Jill Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:42:51 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65085 I salute whoever leaked this flier. If they have even one ounce of integrity this story will be covered fully in their own newspaper, taking it to the top of every group involved. Certainly Ms. Weymouth should resign immediately. It is not credible that she knew nothing. This guts the idea of a free press, both literally and figuratively. Many people have suspected this unhealthy trade fair between the govt., business and the "press" has been going on for quite some time. I'm glad it's exposed. I hope someone stays on this story and exposes all of it. An independent press is crucial to a free society. This is a betrayal of a real trust they should have upheld. I salute whoever leaked this flier. If they have even one ounce of integrity this story will be covered fully in their own newspaper, taking it to the top of every group involved. Certainly Ms. Weymouth should resign immediately. It is not credible that she knew nothing. This guts the idea of a free press, both literally and figuratively. Many people have suspected this unhealthy trade fair between the govt., business and the “press” has been going on for quite some time. I’m glad it’s exposed. I hope someone stays on this story and exposes all of it. An independent press is crucial to a free society. This is a betrayal of a real trust they should have upheld.

]]> By: Mike Appleton http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65082 Mike Appleton Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:29:03 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65082 "or it can operate..." Sorry. “or it can operate…” Sorry.

]]> By: Mike Appleton http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/02/the-posts-powerful-few-newspaper-under-fire-for-arranging-dinners-between-reporters-lobbyists-and-politicians/#comment-65081 Mike Appleton Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:28:31 +0000 http://jonathanturley.org/?p=12414#comment-65081 The Washington Post can do journalism or it can't operate as a broker for lobbyists. It can't do both. There is no conceivable explanation that would remove the ethical stench from this idiotic plan. The Washington Post can do journalism or it can’t operate as a broker for lobbyists. It can’t do both. There is no conceivable explanation that would remove the ethical stench from this idiotic plan.

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