BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?

Subject: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 09:33 AM

BBC, Guardian, Politco, CNN, Daily Mail and others are banned from WH briefings by Spicer and may not ask any questions, The President will not be questioned.

The pressuring of Senate and house investigation to tell the press there is no Russia story as well as Priebus Chief of Staff telling two FBI officials to stop their investigation is the story that the President will not answer to.

We do not know what the AG Sessions will do.

If banning decrees seem to work for Trump we will see many more.

This sounds like a Miller and Bannon policy.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 09:48 AM

The Media is massively biased and too powerful, it requires urgent regulation......It only reflects the opinions of a small section of the population.....The "liberal" elite.

I have been watching CNN for a few months now, there is no alternative voice on that channel.
I have seen no Mainstream US news outlet which has consistently supported your new President.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 09:56 AM

Again, Ake, you are such a Trump apologist you don't understand what the fuck you're talking about. Better to be silent and not appear so foolish; learn from the people who live here and experience this disaster than to snipe from Scotland where you don't have a dog in this fight.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 09:57 AM

So only media who "consistently support" the President should be persona grata?   Is that what you're saying? And who gets to decide? Do apprise us.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: gillymor
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:02 AM

If anyone here had any doubt that ake is a fascist, his last post should absolutely obliterate that doubt.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:10 AM

Ronald Reagan abolished the media fairness doctrine. Fox pretends it still exists with the fair and balanced nonsense.

The people in Congress who are suppose to run the investigation decided not to lie to the FBI and admitted they called the press telling them there is no Russia story. That is important. That should be the lead story, Banning the media is the reaction.

Journalists need only continue to do there job. We know Spicer whose job it is to lie, will not clarify truth in his briefings.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:14 AM

It was certainly a dreadful post, gillymor, that's for sure.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:15 AM

I think the Media should reflect opinion equally
When EVERY outlet supports one faction then you have the seeds of Fascism.    Even Fox did its best to see Donald John defeated.

The establishment is strong, they band together, the last thing they support is democracy.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:22 AM

Acme.....you appear to think a huge section of the US electorate are very stupid indeed.....as stupid as me perhaps?

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:25 AM

Good, what is the counter fact regarding the WH asking the chairmen if investigations to smother the Russian story by calling the press and tell them there is no story? They went ahead and did as asked.

THE Opposite of the truth is not an equal reflection of opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:27 AM

All things are not created equal, yet you would consider the lunatic view equal to the mainstream. The 97% of scientists who know that climate change is a real Thing are placed on equal footing with the 3% religious zealots who interpret scripture. We know better than to say it is an actual "debate" between scientists and crackpots. Again, you don't know what you're talking about.

You keep saying things you think are true, hoping if you say them often enough, they will be. If that fascist shoe fits, Ake, wear it.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:41 AM

When Comey and an agent admit to being ordered by the White House to stop investigating and when both Senate and House chairmen admit to the WH pressure to tell the press to lay off the Russia story it is a fact Not an opinion.
Of course they all could recant. And that too would then become a fact if they did so.

Folks this is an impeachable offense.

It is the same offense Nixon was charged as the first reason for his impeachment.

Trading Bannon trump for Pense is no gift.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 11:08 AM

"The Media is massively biased and too powerful, it requires urgent regulation."
By a fascist President - I don't think so!!!
".....as stupid as me perhaps?"
Nah - nobody's that stupid
"I have been watching CNN for a few months now,I have been watching CNN for a few months now,"
Would this be the same time as yo tune in to ANN COULTER ?
How do they compare?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 11:25 AM

Jim I suppose you remember the "good old days"...and some not so old days when the UK media mobbed every move towards the political Left, how Mr Corbyn is demonised in every paper, how the establishment howled in in horror and the media snapped into line when the people revolted over the policies of the EU.   Do you remember that Jim, how you used to damn the Fascist Press?

Well quadruple that and you have the American Media....all establishment lackeys to the core.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 11:29 AM

Although I rarely defend any of Twitler's actions, I have been reminded that, at one point, Fox News was excluded from White House press briefings by the Obama administration.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 11:55 AM

I have been watching CNN for a few months now, there is no alternative voice on that channel.

I presume you would want Kellyann Conway with her "alternative facts" (i.e., LIES) as that "Alternative Voice".


I have seen no Mainstream US news outlet which has consistently supported your new President.

That's not their job. They don't support Holocaust deniers or the KKK either.

Jesus wept.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 12:44 PM

" Do you remember that Jim, how you used to damn the Fascist Press?"
I never at any time condemned the press out of hand - nor did I describe it as fascist - certainly not all of it.
o you honestly believe all of this frightening shit has anything to do with truth?
I'm sure you watched as I dis, while Trumps experts declared his inauguration gathering at the White House the largest in American history - up against the to arial shorts of Trump's and Obama's showing Obama's massive lead.
And you would put our right to information in the hands of such a bunch of proven liars?
Trump has banished all but your "establishment lackeys" and replaced them with the likes of Ms Coulter.
I asked what was your alternative - I receive no reply, which was what I predicted.
You are one creepy individual - Mr Goebbels would have cherished your support
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 12:45 PM

They support the establishment, and you my friend should know that.
The establishment is the enemy of change, sometimes we need one step back to take two forward.
Party Politics are about to become obsolete in the UK, time to smell the coffee Greg.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 01:44 PM

"They support the establishment, and you my friend should know that."
Trump is the establishment and you are giving him theright to control the press
Not all of them do anyway - Trump is just removing the ones that don't support his establishment - you bloody well know that, which is why you won't give us your alternative
You rally are a fascist - and that is an analysis, not an insult
Go lok up the definition of the term, you'll find it in the same dictionary as "leberal"
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 02:16 PM

....as stupid as me perhaps?

It would be cruel of me to day that no-one is that stupid. But I can't resist it :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 02:19 PM

Once Obama had 2 reporters barred from one briefing over bad decorum issues.

He did not ban the LA Times NYTimes BBC Guardian Politico Daily Mail NYPost CNN and others as Trump did to hush the Russian Mess.

Who is next?

You suppose Jeff Sessions was told to stand down but never recuse himself?

Only Democratic Party organizations must be barred?
Perhaps Democrats will be decreed illegal like the Communist party was.

If Ake is happy to shut up and obey remember he was only following orders.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 05:35 PM

First they came for the climate scientists and I was not a climate scientist. Then they came for the huddled masses and I was not a refugee. Then they came for journalists and I became deaf! And dumb!

But I shall hear again (Huzzah!) when the Atom Drums Bop.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 06:06 PM

Trying to work out what this is all about here. I get that trump gvt has banned some news outlets. So does this mean that joe public won't know what's going on ? Or that the press won't have a say in what the trump admin should do ? Or that they won't be able to put questions / accusations to him ?   And how does this make him like hitler ?

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 06:23 PM

Say good-night, Pete.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 07:43 PM

Try to keep up, Pete. I know it's Sunday and you've had other things on your mind, but...

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 08:50 PM

"There are very good articles in it [the US Constitution]: and very bad. I do not know which preponderate. What we have lately read in the history of Holland, in the chapter on the Stadtholder, would have sufficed to set me against a Chief magistrate eligible for a long duration, if I had ever been disposed towards one: and what we have always read of the elections of Polish kings should have forever excluded the idea of one continuable for life. Wonderful is the effect of impudent and persevering lying. The British ministry have so long hired their gazetteers to repeat and model into every form lies about our being in anarchy, that the world has at length believed them, the English nation has believed them, the ministers themselves have come to believe them, and what is more wonderful, we have believed them ourselves. Yet where does this anarchy exist? Where did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusets? And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it's motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20. years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independant 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Convention has been too much impressed by the insurrection of Massachusets: and in the spur of the moment they are setting up a kite to keep the hen yard in order. I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted."
            -- Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13   Nov. 1787

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 10:01 PM

A lot of that quotation is also natural manure. Have a read of Leonard Levy's "Jefferson And Civil Liberties" some time.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 02:25 AM

I dont think being dismissive of pete is a good enough answer, so i wll spell it out a bit as I see it.

Leave the current administration aside for the moment and think of all politicians everywhere. How often do they admit they have done something wrong or step down over an offence before it is the public eye? Even when they apologise in Parliament or elsewhere you will see their and their collegues statements are much more "Sorry for being found out" than "sorry for doing wrong." It would be better if politicians stepped down when they did wrong, but they don't. For that reason mechanisms to hold them to account are vital. And for all its faults, that is one of the main roles of the media.

By restricting the media to only those "on your side" you stop this happening and so free the politicians from any form of critical assessment. And this is one part of the first amendment: it forbids any law infringing the freedom of the press. Unfortunately the people who framed the amendments were lawyers so it did not occur to them that there are plenty of other ways of infringing the freedom of the press without creating laws. Nevertheless it is clear the intention was to ensure the goverment did not interfere with a free press.

The President has also made noises saying he wants all sources to be identified. Cast your mind back (if needs be) to when you were say 30. Imagine you have strong grounds to believe your boss is committing a crime - fraud or embezzlement perhaps. You do not have photographic evidence. Are you prepared to go public and risk not only your job but also all your future career? A few are, but most of us are not that brave. An anonomous means of alerting people to this is essential, or the crime continues undiscovered. The press have always been one of these options. Cutting this will, as Trump said, cause a lot of the stories to dry up. But it will not stop the crime and it will allow more.

Of course the media is far from perfect and often frankly despicable: no one says otherwise. It would be great if it did more investigative journalism and less froth. But even with all its faults it performs a role vital to an effective democracy.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: akenaton
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 02:50 AM

Nice post "D", but the present power of the entertainment and news media was never visualised decades ago.

When that power is concentrated on one side of the equation it becomes a sort of tyranny in itself.

These threads are a microcosm of the national picture, where infantile lists of insults take the place of reasoned discussion.

The West as a power block is in decline, there is a new world order being formed, we need to get up to speed in order to take our place within it.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 03:43 AM

"These threads are a microcosm of the national picture, where infantile lists of insults take the place of reasoned discussion."
Reasoned argument requires to and fro response
You refuse to qualify your support for Trump and you have yet to explain what you would put in place of the media you are happy to see cencord by the World's most dangerous fascist.
How is "reasoned discussion" possible in the face of such dishonest cowardice?
JIm Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 05:48 AM

Oh come on chaps and chapesses.
You wouldn't expect an extremist to like a medium, now would you?

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 06:29 AM

'Trump is the establishment......'

is he?

the military don't seem to like him. his own party don't seem that keen.

that first debate - when he was stalking round the stage - i thought the only establishment that would be interested was a mental hospital.

watch this space!!

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: TheSnail
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 06:50 AM

akenaton
The Media is massively biased and too powerful, it requires urgent regulation......

First Amendment - Religion and Expression. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 06:57 AM

Aside from the fact that "the establishment" is a hazy concept at best, Trump is solidly a member of whatever it is. Just because a few fellow-denizens thereof have recognised that he's a thuggish thicko doesn't mean he's out of the club. Surely one of the most vital pillars of the establishment is the capitalist system. Anyone care to deny that he's one of capitalism's staunchest champions? If not, tell me how he made his dough!

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 07:15 AM

If not? If so? Gahd, I'm easily confused...

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 08:14 AM

apparently he inherited it.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 08:22 AM

According to PBS, he blew most of his inheritance on stupid deals. Because he had this media reputation on the apprentice programme, the banks bought his name and they bung him a few quid every time they put up a building - they charge something to call it Trump Tower.

I've been think of naming my garden shed Trump Garden Shed. - and seeing if he'll sue.

I'm not sure he's the establishment. I think maybe he's a huckster - a bit like Maxwell was in this country. don't breathe indoors the wallpaper isn't paid for, sort of thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Greg F.
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 08:23 AM

Leave the current administration aside for the moment...

Now here we have a pretty puerile suggestion - since the discussion is ABOUT the current administration.

you appear to think a huge section of the US electorate are very stupid indeed...

Well Ake, lets take a look at that. Leaving aside for the moment the fact that a yuuuuge section of the U.S. electorate beileves that Ex-Prez Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya, and a thousand other examples, I give you the yuuuge section of the U.S. electorate that believes that Trump's inauguration crowd was the largest ever - despite incontrovertible evidence that it wasn't.

Now if that isn't very stupid indeed I don't know what would be.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 08:43 AM

Less than half of Americans wants Trump to be Trump.
Trump wants to be a dictator. Even GWB said being President would be much easier for a dictator to run America

What do dictators do? They shut down and replace the press. They Ban. They imprison and often murder. Fear does the rest for all but the brave and the martyrs.

With all we know about dictators how long will this go on? How far will the destruction (deconstruction) of democracy go on"

When dictators become the establishment there is hell to pay for decades. The innocent suffer. The guilty crawl back into society and find like minded solace as they did in Germany.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 09:07 AM

Thanks Dmcg for your thoughtful and reasoned response. I do have some questions though to clarify. Does this move by trump mean that the press outlets in question will not know what happened and was said . That they will not be allowed to write editorials expressing their opinions and political bias . Or that the secret police will be on their doorstep ?    The foregoing has , and still is the norm in many states that don't get to vote a new head of state or president in every few years .   Is this , perhaps less than best directive , really worthy of hitler and totalitarian states comparison ?

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Teribus
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 09:57 AM

Where did Trump get his money? He inherited millions and then proceeded to turn those millions into billions.

On the power of the press thing.

How many people think that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was carried out because Saddam Hussein had WMD?

How many people think that Tony Blair stated that Iraq could strike the UK with WMD within 45 minutes?

MSM were responsible for both misrepresentations - nobody said either.

Iraq was invaded and occupied because Iraq under Saddam Hussein was refusing to comply with the terms and conditions of the Safwan Ceasefire Agreement - the invasion was to ensure and verify beyond all doubt that Iraq DID NOT have any WMD.

It was a British tabloid newspaper The Sun who came out with the 45 minute story, completely misrepresenting what Tony Blair had said in Parliament about the time it takes to arm munitions with WMD and have them ready for use. Saddam could not strike the UK, his military just did not have the capability, but he could strike British Sovereign Territory in Cyprus.

On both those stories had the press simply reported the story faithfully relaying what people had said then there would have been no misunderstandings. Instead they reported what they thought people had said - different thing entirely.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 10:12 AM

Traveling home with his mother from Jamaica Mohamed Ali's son was temporarily detained for hours to investigate after his admission of being a Muslim. Customs says that had nothing to do with it.
He had a terrorist sounding name I guess.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/02/25/customs-alis-son-wasnt-detained-because-hes-muslim/98419924/

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 10:50 AM

WHERE DID TRUMP GET HIS MONEY FROM?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 11:26 AM

TRUMP'S BUSINESS DEALINS in DETAIL
AND MORE
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 11:37 AM

i simply cannot understand why you have any time for the chap Keith, and please don't leap in with calling him a fascist or whatever Jim.

Trump is odd. he reminds me of Jimmy Saville.

as Bo Diddley said, you can't judge a book by looking at its cover.....however if it stinks like shit, you'd be daft spreading it on a sandwich.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 11:46 AM

Teribus, we don't KNOW that Trump turned millions into billions. He has lost close to a billion, we know that from one leak that showed he hasn't paid taxes in years, but until he releases his taxes there is no further material from which to extrapolate. He may be close to broke and just be hiding it.

Greg F, you left something unsaid in this explanation: Leaving aside for the moment the fact that a yuuuuge section of the U.S. electorate beileves that Ex-Prez Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya, and a thousand other examples, I give you the yuuuge section of the U.S. electorate that believes that Trump's inauguration crowd was the largest ever - despite incontrovertible evidence that it wasn't. The crackpot dentist Orly Taitz may have started it, but Trump picked it up and ran with it for years - so his cockeyed behavior "informed" his many television fans to begin with. He worked to spoil the Obama presidency - the press was all over that one though, and easily proved that Obama was a full-fledged US citizen. And Trump's still playing to that TV fanbase with the arguments that the press is telling fake stories. Those viewers evidently think his showmanship is truth telling of some sort, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Ake is arguing all of these points just to argue. He's finding a whole bunch of willing participants in these threads. You need to stop feeding the troll, just don't acknowledge his presence or answer his questions and it won't become part of the thread, just a blip people skip over.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 12:02 PM

When my lad was younger he used to enjoy watching the professional wrestling put out by 'WWE'. At one point in time Trump 'fought' and beat the WWE president, Vince McMahon. I get the impression that some people believe anything as long as it is on TV. Surprised that Trump has never brought that up as being one of his wins!

Or has he?

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 12:07 PM

Does this move by trump mean that the press outlets in question will not know what happened and was said

Yes, It means exactly that. They will get any press releases, of course, but they won't get the chance either to ask questions themselves or to hear answers given to others. For those they are not able to make their interpretation of the answers, but at best an interpretation of someone else's interpretation and only that if the other person - who is essentially their competitor, remember- is willing to give it.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 12:10 PM

I should have said some of the questions will be to understand what exactly any press release means. You cannot assume another party will even ask for the clarification you seek.

Subject: RE: BS: Press Banned from WH who's next?
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 12:28 PM

A bit of a misunderstanding there, Greg. The reason I said "leaving the current administation aside for the moment' was because I wanted to make a statemwnt about all politicians, which includes Trump and co but was not reatricted to them. If you interpreted it as excluding Trump, I apologise.