Reflections by scholars, activists & WaPo staffers

And then there's Loser Donald spreading disinformation.

Timothy Snyder, Yale University historian, author of On Tyranny, Road to Unfreedom, On Freedom, and more reflecting on the WaPo and LATimes decision to nix endorsements for Kamala Harris. Snyder points out the danger in obeying Fascist commands and expectations in advance.

Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and professor of practice at Rochester Institute of Technology David Cay Johnston's statement, posted last night to Facebook, as a counter argument to people cancelling WaPo subscriptions.

That some Americans say that they are cancelling the WaPo, LATimes, Detroit News and presumably other newspaper subscriptions is deeply disturbing because as journalists we should be more open than any other segment of society to differences of opinion.

The editorial page(s) belong to the publisher. They are his or hers to use and abuse. More than a few times when I was with the LA Times my front page exposes drew editorials disparaging or dismissing my reporting. The publisher's entitled -- just so long as he or she keeps their hands off the news report.

Criticism and disagreement are central to journalism. [AND democracy] So is diversity of perspective and giving voice to a broad range of viewpoints.

I join those who are angry/disappointed/furious/outraged/upset/ by Bezos and Soon-Shiong not endorsing in the 2024 presidential race. This is a democracy-threatening dereliction of duty.

But we don’t ignore principles in disagreements. Well, not unless you are, like Donald, utterly unprincipled.

It makes no sense to deny yourself the serious news reports of the WaPo and LAT because of a decision on the editorial page(s).

That's no reason to cancel subscriptions and harm both the great work and the solid journalists soldiering on at these three and other newspapers. And in canceling your subscriptions you hurt yourself and our democracy. Shame on those of you who cancelled, action I hope you quickly reverse.

Criticize the feckless publishers. Shame them. Picket. Hell, yell at them if you encounter them on the street. [The LOUD Minority: Why Protests Matter in American Democracy]

But canceling subscriptions gets their attention because they are already subsidizing money-losing newspapers.

My critique:

1. If you did this out of fear off Trumpian retribution, this won't save you. Donald is not one to make fine distinctions in his hatred and lust for vengeance. The time to curry favor by bowing to his majestic view of his own perfect omnipotence was years ago, not now. Donald says he will punish those who dared to criticize him. You should believe him but react with courage not cowardice even if you believe, as I do, that down the road of a Trumpian dictatorship lie firing squads with me and other journalists likely to be lawlessly executed.
2. If you did this because you want more tax cuts for you and your fellow billionaires you have revealed yourselves to be selfish, shallow, immoral and in the long run incredibly stupid because for those with more than enough while tens of millions live in economic fear will breed more political resentment and ultimately revolution against oligarchs (See France, 1789).
3. The decent and proper next step is to explain your reasoning. Write your own editorial and sign it. And then authorize your editorial board to both critique your work and express their expert opinions about the best qualified candidate. This would show that you believe in robust debate and actually care about making our democracy endure. [Emphasis, and reference to Gillion's book, ADDED by the Arizona Eagletarian]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/25/post-columnist-no-endorsement-2024-trump-harris/ The newspaper’s refusal to endorse a presidential candidate is a mistake.

If you have not yet done so, VOTE. VOTE early if possible in your state/county/community.

P.S. In the unlikely event Trump wins, WE do NOT obey in advance based on his outrageous and ridiculous claims of retribution or other Fascist measures. We WILL, as need be, organize and resist.

In the meantime, I'm still confident Kamala Harris will win the election; Arizonans will approve a constitutional amendment (to the state constitution) ensuring reproductive freedom to all women Prop 139. I am hopeful Arizonans will strike at the heart of GOP hegemony in state lawmaking by approving Prop 140 (Make Elections FAIR). For the record, all other statewide ballot measures were referred by the GOP dominated Arizona Legislature. In case it matters to you, I voted NO on all (except 139 and 140) of them.

As to county funding, transportation and school district measures, I voted YES (City of Maricopa and Pinal County).

I also support Terry Goddard and Heather Macre for re-election to the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board.