Excellent point, Dr. Ben-Ghiat! It seems to me that we need a better English word for "autocracy." Both democracy and autocracy share the same "cracy" ending, which gives the false impression that the two forms of government are legitimate, equivalent choices.
Such a good observation. Average busy people need straight,clear verbiage. They lack the time for deep research & reading with only 24 hours in each day!
You can quote me “the fight for democracy will NEVER be over!”
I have often used the sentence “The media created and abetted trump!”
Apologies to those journalists who have written in defense of democratic principles and who have tried to focus a laser on trumps amoral, narcissistic and sociopathic personality!
Unfortunately for those who fight for democracy, the executives who control tV news media, and online print outlets believe that negative news sells not feel good stories!
Any publicity, bad or good, is welcomed by trump.
Each time trump’s name appears in print, it should be followed by twice impeached and coup leader whose followers led to the death of several Capitol police officers.
Just as trump’s propaganda machine continues to spew his lies, the pro democracy media must beat the drum telling the stories of his criminal behavior. He is a self styled mob boss with blood on his hands.
Ruth I can’t thank you enough for your insight and keeping us focused on the current behavior of GOP lies and especially Trump’s treason against Democracy as NOT normal politics. Ruth keep pressing, I’m with you.
The news media must identify Trump and his politics for what they really are. He uses fascist politics but that is rarely seen in the media. The media does not want to appear radical by making such a claim, as it could upset those on the right. We should not be affraid to offend fascists, as they have bad intent for our nation. Trump's sadism, Machiavellianism and secondary psychopathy should be made more known to the public. No man lacking a conscience should be anywhere near the White House. The 25th Amendment should have been used to remove him from office. This was a missed opportunity.
The 14th Amendment should be used to prevent him from running for POTUS. As soon as he announced that he is running, a move should have been made to stop him. To be fair, there is an action to consider this amendment's use. The Jan 6th Committee and DOJ must rush their task to form a conclusion, so that insurrection can be used against Trump, to stop his escalation of his agenda.
Fascism is insidious, and the longer it remains in society, the more it festers. The media needs to address the seriousness of this issue.
Ruth: It is sad that our media is more interested in clicks and money, rather than fulfilling its role as the true Fourth Estate. Please consider Dean Hannah Jones as a Lucid guest.
A few things to point to this week. If folks are unfamiliar, UTube contains many videos on the subject this site lectures on. One is able to watch original papers, seminars and academic gatherings. Our own good Dr. is on there in a number of areas. As social media sites become more difficult to maneuver, and definitely are platforms of mistrust, going to the source is helpful. A number of alternative social sites to Twitter have emerged. There are issues with all of them and the onslaught from the hundreds of thousands who have left Twitter, looking for a home, doesn't help. Again, UTube is a message board of reliable information, simply due to watching the lectures.
I will suggest, as the political scene heats up, there is a need to align oneself with truthful thought leaders. Learning as much as possible in order to engage in the fight from a solid foundation. The more we know, the less we will be thrown off course. All of the issues are connected. CRT is about a group of folks living in a fascist country, "FOR THEM", while the rest of us enjoyed our privilege. Seeing all the issues as ONE, is very enlightening. As Ruth states: "Neutrality is an Abdication of Duty." It is our duty as freedom fighters to arm ourselves with all possible knowledge to protect democracy. Neutrality is not an option.
One final note. Although she won't tell you, our esteemed host won a very prestigious award this week. Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat has been awarded a spot on the "Best Political History Books of All Time" list, by the highly regarded Book Authority. The award was for her exceptional work, "Strongmen." I am sure all who follow this site will join me in giving a well deserved congratulations to Ruth, for an award that honors such an outstanding person and work. It's a privilege to be on this site Ruth, thank you.
I also think that you can’t talk about the state of journalism today without also including the current state/environment of “Media Consolidation.” Before Trump (2016) the FCC media ownership rules prohibited a single firm from owning TV stations that reached more than 39 percent of the United States’ audience in order to promote local coverage and diversity issues. This was when TV signals were going through the “Air Waves” and there were two types of frequencies:
VHF (Channels 2-12) which were more powerful.
UHF (Channels 13 and higher) which were less powerful and more easily blocked by buildings, walls and peoples’ bodies. Later they were given an unfair “reach discount” (which was actually obsolete at the time and not needed under digital systems) by Republican Ajit Pai FCC Director under Trump in 2016.
Also under Trump, he denigrated reporters, called legitimate journalism “fake news” and called media firms the “enemy of the people.”
Trump appointed Republican Ajit Pai as FCC Director in 2016 and during his time in that position, Pai used the obsolete and not needed FCC loopholes to give advantages to various Media companies that were pro-Trump in order to help them “consolidate” and take over local TV stations. This media consolidation consistently gave Trump positive coverage.
At the time, Sinclair was the largest TV station and Sinclair forced its affiliate FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS local stations to present one-sided commentaries and opinions and so within this now digital reach that still had the obsolete “reach discount,” gave them 72 percent of the coverage/control under Trump!
Absolutely amazing that this happened so quickly and before almost anyone could ever have imagined!
Every fascist leader needs to control the media to be successful. What's frightening is how easily listeners of Trump propaganda get sucked into his maelstrom of BS.
The media consolidation is just a part of the larger corporate consolidation that has been going on since the advent of neoliberal economics here. Our politicians are not stopping it because they are being paid not to, by corporate K Street lobby money.
The machismo/victimhood model is a standard part of the fascism playbook. In fascism, the strict division between believers and those who do not follow fascism, creates a kind of paranoia about outsiders. Fascists feel besieged by outside forces, with a target being placed on their leader. They will do everything in their power to protect him. We saw some of this on Jan 6th.
Hard not to wonder how many journalists (at least among the younger ones) know much, if anything, about the world outside the United States. Putting things in a global perspective is essential, but it's a rarity these days. Thank you, Ruth, for keeping it front and center.
Thank you Steve. It is astounding how they continue the pattern of breaking norms and laws then whine that they are targets. A very strange dance that activates their followers.
Excellent point, Dr. Ben-Ghiat! It seems to me that we need a better English word for "autocracy." Both democracy and autocracy share the same "cracy" ending, which gives the false impression that the two forms of government are legitimate, equivalent choices.
Great point! "Autocracy" also sounds too similar to its opposite: "meritocracy"
Such a good observation. Average busy people need straight,clear verbiage. They lack the time for deep research & reading with only 24 hours in each day!
You can quote me “the fight for democracy will NEVER be over!”
I have often used the sentence “The media created and abetted trump!”
Apologies to those journalists who have written in defense of democratic principles and who have tried to focus a laser on trumps amoral, narcissistic and sociopathic personality!
Unfortunately for those who fight for democracy, the executives who control tV news media, and online print outlets believe that negative news sells not feel good stories!
Any publicity, bad or good, is welcomed by trump.
Each time trump’s name appears in print, it should be followed by twice impeached and coup leader whose followers led to the death of several Capitol police officers.
Just as trump’s propaganda machine continues to spew his lies, the pro democracy media must beat the drum telling the stories of his criminal behavior. He is a self styled mob boss with blood on his hands.
Also public health denier.
Ruth I can’t thank you enough for your insight and keeping us focused on the current behavior of GOP lies and especially Trump’s treason against Democracy as NOT normal politics. Ruth keep pressing, I’m with you.
The news media must identify Trump and his politics for what they really are. He uses fascist politics but that is rarely seen in the media. The media does not want to appear radical by making such a claim, as it could upset those on the right. We should not be affraid to offend fascists, as they have bad intent for our nation. Trump's sadism, Machiavellianism and secondary psychopathy should be made more known to the public. No man lacking a conscience should be anywhere near the White House. The 25th Amendment should have been used to remove him from office. This was a missed opportunity.
The 14th Amendment should be used to prevent him from running for POTUS. As soon as he announced that he is running, a move should have been made to stop him. To be fair, there is an action to consider this amendment's use. The Jan 6th Committee and DOJ must rush their task to form a conclusion, so that insurrection can be used against Trump, to stop his escalation of his agenda.
Fascism is insidious, and the longer it remains in society, the more it festers. The media needs to address the seriousness of this issue.
Ruth: It is sad that our media is more interested in clicks and money, rather than fulfilling its role as the true Fourth Estate. Please consider Dean Hannah Jones as a Lucid guest.
Excellent suggestion for a Lucid guest!
A few things to point to this week. If folks are unfamiliar, UTube contains many videos on the subject this site lectures on. One is able to watch original papers, seminars and academic gatherings. Our own good Dr. is on there in a number of areas. As social media sites become more difficult to maneuver, and definitely are platforms of mistrust, going to the source is helpful. A number of alternative social sites to Twitter have emerged. There are issues with all of them and the onslaught from the hundreds of thousands who have left Twitter, looking for a home, doesn't help. Again, UTube is a message board of reliable information, simply due to watching the lectures.
I will suggest, as the political scene heats up, there is a need to align oneself with truthful thought leaders. Learning as much as possible in order to engage in the fight from a solid foundation. The more we know, the less we will be thrown off course. All of the issues are connected. CRT is about a group of folks living in a fascist country, "FOR THEM", while the rest of us enjoyed our privilege. Seeing all the issues as ONE, is very enlightening. As Ruth states: "Neutrality is an Abdication of Duty." It is our duty as freedom fighters to arm ourselves with all possible knowledge to protect democracy. Neutrality is not an option.
One final note. Although she won't tell you, our esteemed host won a very prestigious award this week. Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat has been awarded a spot on the "Best Political History Books of All Time" list, by the highly regarded Book Authority. The award was for her exceptional work, "Strongmen." I am sure all who follow this site will join me in giving a well deserved congratulations to Ruth, for an award that honors such an outstanding person and work. It's a privilege to be on this site Ruth, thank you.
Journalism and Media Consolidation
I also think that you can’t talk about the state of journalism today without also including the current state/environment of “Media Consolidation.” Before Trump (2016) the FCC media ownership rules prohibited a single firm from owning TV stations that reached more than 39 percent of the United States’ audience in order to promote local coverage and diversity issues. This was when TV signals were going through the “Air Waves” and there were two types of frequencies:
VHF (Channels 2-12) which were more powerful.
UHF (Channels 13 and higher) which were less powerful and more easily blocked by buildings, walls and peoples’ bodies. Later they were given an unfair “reach discount” (which was actually obsolete at the time and not needed under digital systems) by Republican Ajit Pai FCC Director under Trump in 2016.
Also under Trump, he denigrated reporters, called legitimate journalism “fake news” and called media firms the “enemy of the people.”
Trump appointed Republican Ajit Pai as FCC Director in 2016 and during his time in that position, Pai used the obsolete and not needed FCC loopholes to give advantages to various Media companies that were pro-Trump in order to help them “consolidate” and take over local TV stations. This media consolidation consistently gave Trump positive coverage.
At the time, Sinclair was the largest TV station and Sinclair forced its affiliate FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS local stations to present one-sided commentaries and opinions and so within this now digital reach that still had the obsolete “reach discount,” gave them 72 percent of the coverage/control under Trump!
Absolutely amazing that this happened so quickly and before almost anyone could ever have imagined!
Excellent. Sinclair and Gray has taken over most of the rural market. One reason why propaganda is so pervasive in that part of the country.
Every fascist leader needs to control the media to be successful. What's frightening is how easily listeners of Trump propaganda get sucked into his maelstrom of BS.
The media consolidation is just a part of the larger corporate consolidation that has been going on since the advent of neoliberal economics here. Our politicians are not stopping it because they are being paid not to, by corporate K Street lobby money.
Thank goodness for this conference @ Howard University. Getting challenges & counter-moves into the light.
Thanks for this post. Hope you will write more about the brute/victim double image. How it is created and how it is maintained.
The machismo/victimhood model is a standard part of the fascism playbook. In fascism, the strict division between believers and those who do not follow fascism, creates a kind of paranoia about outsiders. Fascists feel besieged by outside forces, with a target being placed on their leader. They will do everything in their power to protect him. We saw some of this on Jan 6th.
We must work to find a strategy to unwind this personality-politics, as these creatures evolve.
Hard not to wonder how many journalists (at least among the younger ones) know much, if anything, about the world outside the United States. Putting things in a global perspective is essential, but it's a rarity these days. Thank you, Ruth, for keeping it front and center.
Notably also the Times headline gives a visual photo. Visuals speak to the unconscious, we do not realize/ give credence to that power.
Thank you Steve. It is astounding how they continue the pattern of breaking norms and laws then whine that they are targets. A very strange dance that activates their followers.