One could write reams on the pathology of power but sadly Obama has
possibly succumbed to all temptation and his adoring press has to
date protected him from ever paying the price.
Obama was given a free pass to the presidency by our press and it was
astonishing to watch. Yet we expect to rely on this press to dig up
the dirt and hold a candidate's feet to the fire. That is what has
largely happened. Yet none of the problems facing an Obama candidacy
were ever properly vetted and aired. What we discover now turns out
to be disasterous and the results are disasterous.
Thus it is bitingly ironic if he has turned on the folks who put him
there. I am not sure who is more deserving.
New York Times
Reporter: “One could write reams on the pathology of power but sadly Obama has
possibly succumbed to all temptation and his adoring press has to
date protected him from ever paying the price.
Obama was given a free pass to the presidency by our press and it was
astonishing to watch. Yet we expect to rely on this press to dig up
the dirt and hold a candidate's feet to the fire. That is what has
largely happened. Yet none of the problems facing an Obama candidacy
were ever properly vetted and aired. What we discover now turns out
to be disasterous and the results are disasterous.
Thus it is bitingly ironic if he has turned on the folks who put him
there. I am not sure who is more deserving.
New York Times
Reporter: “Obama Hates The Press”
October 10, 2014
by jonathanturley
While President Barack
Obama continues to assure the public that he is protecting privacy
and the press, his Administration continues to do precisely the
opposite in court with comprehensive attacks on civil liberties. A
good example is the continued abuse of two-time Pulitzer prize winner
and New York Times investigative reporter and author James
Risen. Risen continues to be threatened by the Justice Department
with arrest because he is protecting the identity of his sources.
Risen spoke this weekend and observed simply that “Obama hates the
press.”
Risen
spoke at a journalism conference at Colby College in Waterville where
he was awarded the annual Elijah Parish Lovejoy award for journalism.
The Obama Administration has continued a scorched Earth campaign
against reporters and whistleblowers. Risen was targeted after he
wrote about a failed CIA operation to disrupt Iran’s nuclear
weapons program. Democrats who decried such actions under Bush have
largely remained silent in the face of a far worse record under
Obama.
Risen dismissed the
army of apologists who deflect criticism of Obama in his campaign
against the press: “I don’t think any of this would be happening
under the Obama administration if Obama didn’t want to do it. I
think Obama hates the press. I think he doesn’t like the press and
he hates leaks.”
He also criticized
Holder as someone selected due to his loyalty and ability
to protect Obama from direct criticism, an issue that I
discussed recently in a column.
Risen reflects a
growing view among many reporters (that parallels a similar view
among civil libertarians) of Obama. Indeed, I just had dinner with
two leading reporters who have been staunch supporters of Obama but
now view him in similar terms. Much like Nixon, Obama and his
subordinates seem to blame the media for scandals as well as
whistleblowers. They treat the problem as not the abuses of
power or failed programs but the disclosure of such failings.
It is more than just a Nixonian “shoot the messenger” approach.
They want to kill the message itself.”
October 10, 2014
by jonathanturley
While President Barack
Obama continues to assure the public that he is protecting privacy
and the press, his Administration continues to do precisely the
opposite in court with comprehensive attacks on civil liberties. A
good example is the continued abuse of two-time Pulitzer prize winner
and New York Times investigative reporter and author James
Risen. Risen continues to be threatened by the Justice Department
with arrest because he is protecting the identity of his sources.
Risen spoke this weekend and observed simply that “Obama hates the
press.”
Risen
spoke at a journalism conference at Colby College in Waterville where
he was awarded the annual Elijah Parish Lovejoy award for journalism.
The Obama Administration has continued a scorched Earth campaign
against reporters and whistleblowers. Risen was targeted after he
wrote about a failed CIA operation to disrupt Iran’s nuclear
weapons program. Democrats who decried such actions under Bush have
largely remained silent in the face of a far worse record under
Obama.
Risen dismissed the
army of apologists who deflect criticism of Obama in his campaign
against the press: “I don’t think any of this would be happening
under the Obama administration if Obama didn’t want to do it. I
think Obama hates the press. I think he doesn’t like the press and
he hates leaks.”
He also criticized
Holder as someone selected due to his loyalty and ability
to protect Obama from direct criticism, an issue that I
discussed recently in a column.
Risen reflects a
growing view among many reporters (that parallels a similar view
among civil libertarians) of Obama. Indeed, I just had dinner with
two leading reporters who have been staunch supporters of Obama but
now view him in similar terms. Much like Nixon, Obama and his
subordinates seem to blame the media for scandals as well as
whistleblowers. They treat the problem as not the abuses of
power or failed programs but the disclosure of such failings.
It is more than just a Nixonian “shoot the messenger” approach.
They want to kill the message itself.
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