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November 28, 2008
Exclusive: ‘All the news that is fit to print’: NYT Columnist Should Re-Read the Constitution
Freedom of speech, and by extension a free press, is one thing – but providing safe haven for plagiarists (Jayson Blair) and fantasy island ideologues who clearly need a lesson in American History and democracy (Gail Collins) is quite another. The NY Times Op Ed author Collins should be thankful that her paper, like much of society seems to have dummied down and has lowered the bar on standards to accommodate some of its writers. Her inane suggestion in the NY Times November 22nd edition that President Bush and Vice President Cheney step aside now so that Speaker of the House Pelosi can become the first woman President –well it is scary, loony and laughable. Apparently having the first African-American isn’t enough to be proud about in the world court; we now need to accelerate an event in advance of what the public has yet to make real – an elected woman president or vice president. Beyond the lack of decency and hatred that seems to typify the anti- Bush constituency, and most of the media, is the almost ludicrous belief that all things opposite Bush are somehow anointed, righteous and worthy of dismantling 200 years of history, precedent and U.S. norms.
At first reading, admittedly under the influence of a willing suspension of disbelief, or perhaps overcome with the intoxication of incredulity, I thought the piece was tongue in cheek; then after re-reading it was clear this was another hit piece on President Bush, and another example of the insatiable need of the Left to be accommodated in the now – not in the later.
Though I am loathe to put the spotlight on that which is better thrown away or used to wrap the excreta from a parakeet, sometimes outrage requires illuminating the offense.
Verbatim, here’s an excerpt of Collin’s suggestion:
We have an economy that’s crashing and a vacuum at the top. Bush — who is currently on a trip to Peru to meet with Asian leaders who no longer care what he thinks — hasn’t got the clout, or possibly even the energy, to do anything useful. His most recent contribution to resolving the fiscal crisis was lecturing representatives of the world’s most important economies on the glories of free-market capitalism. Putting Barack Obama in charge immediately isn’t impossible. Dick Cheney, obviously, would have to quit as well as Bush. In fact, just to be on the safe side, the vice president ought to turn in his resignation first. (We’re desperate, but not crazy.) Then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would become president until Jan. 20. Obviously, she’d defer to her party’s incoming chief executive, and Barack Obama could begin governing. As a bonus, the Pelosi presidency would put a woman in the White House this year after all. On the downside, a few right-wing talk-show hosts might succumb to apoplexy. That would, of course, be terrible, but I’m afraid we might have to take the risk in the name of a greater good.
Hmmm, “desperate but not crazy” – yeah …don’t abandon the insanity defense so soon Ms. Collins. Anyone not drinking the Kool-Aid has to believe the suggestion is crazy. And why are we “desperate?” The nation isn’t collapsing. Our economy is facing serious challenges but there aren’t barbarians at the gate, breadlines on Main Street, or riots in the Capitol. The mall parking lots are crowded, the ticket receipts from the latest Eagles and Bon Jovi concerts have been substantial and the airports are pretty full. The sky isn’t falling.
In the Left’s zeal to condemn George Bush for everything from a bad economy to eczema and the closing of a few Starbucks cafes, they ignore the fact President Bush has kept the United States attack free since 9/11, helped strengthen the military, intelligence and law enforcement communities, upgraded our domestic preparedness capabilities across domains including health, emergency medical and public health response. Our homeland security is still a work in progress to be sure but it is better than how he found it the day after the last administration left the building.
Have there been problems on the President Bush watch? Absolutely! But name a President, including Harry Truman, JFK or Bill Clinton that didn’t have a stain (if you’ll excuse the pun) on their record if not elsewhere. Hatred and partisanship, even if one is a member of the winning party, is not justification for abandoning our values, laws or the legacy the Founding Fathers gave us. They establish the three branches of government and more than a few ways to slow change down exactly because they understood mob mentality, and the power of personality.
John Adams often decried people taking matters into their own hands, opining “we are a nation of laws, not men.” Yet Collins would have us believe President Bush deserves disrespect, ignoring a doctrine of fairness or the dangers of taking matters into peoples’ hands instead of the rule of law, by recommending an early exile because she thinks so or because the nation is undergoing difficult times. The voters already spoke; the Left will get their candidate in the Oval Office soon enough. But to suggest actions based on “the greater good” defense in lieu of laws could send us down a slippery if not Machiavellian (ends justify the means) slope.
There are lots of temptations that we face “for the greater good” – some argue we should profile the heck out of airport travelers from the Middle East and save the rest of us the unnecessary inconvenience of wider spread screening. After all who perpetrated 9 11? It certainly wasn’t Scandinavian blondes or Irish red-heads that murdered 3000 people on that fateful day. Yet we do screen everyone because our Constitution trumps security concerns. Imagine if we used the “greater good” defense and implemented targeted screening (profiling – which is, by the way a pretty good police tool)? The left, ACLU, certainly Collins and the same people who agree with calling for a temporary abandonment of common decency and the laws of the land would go through fits of apoplexy. My, oh my - the danger of “let’s make a deal with the law” when it suits us. Given emotions are labile and the law is not; we are more likely to secure our republic under laws than under frenzied partisans.
In a pitifully lame game of moral equivalence, Collins continues to yammer on against President Bush and comparing some perceived virtue of President elect Obama…“But while there’s been no drama with Obama” – Was she on the International Space Station these last few months? No drama? Hmm, let’s list a few issues – the last minute birth certificate saga described by Joan Swirsky also of the NY Times; that document magically appearing and being certified, ACORN, Bill Ayres, Rev. Wright….No drama? Shall we push the pause button Ms. Collins so you can catch up? Or can we pass you a note with the correct answers in study hall?
The differences between much of the Right and the Left are many, not the least of which are a love of country, obedience to law, a sense of duty, decorum and respect. Unlike much of the Left, the Right is unwilling to vote against our next president or our nation just to win a campaign. The Right may not have voted for Barack Obama but most are willing to take a page out of the Reagan playbook – trust but verify and give him the benefit of the doubt.
President Elect Obama to take office in advance of the official January 20th date designated for presidential succession is an example of government by caprice. It is what tyrants, anarchists and despots enjoy – playing footloose with the rule of law that we are all governed by, whether it is convenient or not.
“Those who have much, much is expected.”
The NY Times is a venerable entity. It is a far better newspaper than the Highlights magazine-level silliness that was on the Op Ed page November 22nd. And this does not do justice to the powers invested in the Fourth Estate by the Framers. A free press is critical to the safety of a nation and freedom of the citizenry, but only when it acts equitably and with integrity and impartiality. Partisan journalism is not journalism; it certainly isn’t news. Sure Op Ed pages were set aside for opinion and analysis that goes beyond fact based reporting. But there are boundaries. The protections invested in a free press must be guarded, relished and respected. A nation without a free press would resemble 21st century Russia, China and all closed societies. In the aftermath of journalists being killed and media outlets controlled by Putin Inc, the value of a free press serving as the voice of the voiceless becomes clear. But when the media become an extension of a candidate’s public relation program, or ideology driven and in the process attempt to silence dissenting voices it is a betrayal of the public trust. Clearly civilized people can agree to disagree and multiple opinions must be given a voice.
We’d be naïve to think the media exist for journalism alone; it is a business entity and commerce is always a driver. I willingly coughed up the $ for a Sunday Times as part of the weekend ritual. But the expectation of greatness cannot be met solely on volume. On the other hand, Collins must have an audience, right? Otherwise why would she have a voice? Or is she merely an extension of the “Obama is gonna save us” crowd? Speak about the cult of personality. And Adolph Ochs is spinning in his grave! This early 20th century icon in publishing enhanced the value of the NY Times and strengthened the prestigious 150 year plus institution that at one time was the bastion of quality journalism, freedom of the press and a dutiful steward of the people. How it now allows such Op Ed pieces is a sad sign of the times. Almost makes me wish for the “fairness doctrine” to be implemented so equal time can be given to an author with a different opinion, if not greater grasp of U.S. history and the Constitution. Except that this “doctrine” would only grant the Left greater air time on the radio and not balance the scales on the rest of the decidedly liberal media – television, cable, print.
One wonders if the media will scrutinize the next administration as closely as the present one has been microanalyzed? Scrutiny is what helps increase the transparency in an institution that, regardless of party in office, avoids openness. But every misstep of the Bush administration was magnified regardless of importance. Can we expect the same when Obama is in charge? Do we really expect him to be perfect? Will the Obamamania carry forward and mesmerize the media into a trance like state for the next four years, allowing his administration to enjoy little critical examination? Thank Heaven for the Internet; perhaps it is the 21st century guarantor of fairness in reporting? At the very least it provides a valuable forum for the disenfranchised centrist, conservative and Republican.
This is a dangerous time in America; not just from without but from within. While we can all celebrate an amazingly run campaign that captivated the interests of the world for a variety of reasons – good and suspect, and embrace the historic moment a person of African American heritage was elected to the Presidency, let us not forget Obama is mortal. He, like the rest of us – Democrat and Republican, faces a broken government, difficult economy and global threats in need of our combined efforts.
There are serious problems that we need to face; but every generation has a set of challenges needing to be addressed. In the early 20th century it was disease, poor sanitation, child labor and World War I. We are now blessed with public schools, it is illegal to employ kids in sweat shops, drink clean water, breathe relatively pure air and eat safer food; something much of the world lacks. Our problems are real but let us put them into perspective. Most of us do not go to bed hungry; we have a responsibility to help those in the U.S. who do. We do not have assassinations or hit squads; we mostly follow laws. That is what we should celebrate. How we handle contemporary problems will define history’s judgment of this generation.
History has shown us that charismatic leaders can tap into the euphoria and emotion of their followers to do good or evil. When we consider abandoning long held practices for the benefit of a leader – even a popular one, we jeopardize the republic. The responsibility of the press is to serve the public – to shed light on darkness, to inform, investigate and ultimately unmask practices that will harm the public and the nation. The media seem to be mesmerized by the incoming President. The practice of using a media podium to rant against those with whom we disagree, or to cheer candidates we support undermines a proud profession, and is an abandonment of responsibility. In the end it is a disservice to everyone.
January 20th will come soon enough. Regardless who is in the White House, this is a time to work together as Americans. It is also a time for self examination; the media needs to rethink what it is accomplishing, where it is going and how it defines itself. Allowing hit pieces, and rambling personal attacks is beneath a professional media and is more appropriate for “throw aways” or smoky comedy clubs. In the end when the din of the cheap laughs ends, what has been accomplished? Has the reader been enlightened? Has the nation been well served? Did the piece affirm the stature of the journal?
“All the news that is fit to print” – A statement of fact, or wishful thinking? Hopefully the New York Times’ New Year’s resolution will be to live up to that simple yet powerful motto. In challenging times, the people should be able to trust the media.
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Dr. Robin McFee is a physician and medical toxicologist. An expert in WMD preparedness, she is a consultant to government agencies, corporations and the media. Dr. McFee is a member of the Global Terrorism, Political Instability and International Crime Council of ASIS International. She has authored numerous articles on terrorism, health care and preparedness, and coauthored two books: Toxico-Terrorism by McGraw Hill and The Handbook of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Agents, published by Informa/CRC Press.
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