The lap dogs of democracy who didn’t bark at Trump

[FSogol]

A must read from Dana Milbank in today's Washington Post. Milbank tears into Joe Scarborough and Mark Halperin

...This is not to pick solely on Halperin, with whom I have clashed over the years. Trump exploited a profession dominated by process journalism, and the entire cable news industry irresponsibly gave Trump unfiltered and uncritical coverage as he mounted his assaults on democracy and civility — the equivalent of millions of dollars of free ads that propelled him to the nomination.

In an ordinary presidential campaign, press neutrality is essential. But in Trump we have somebody who has threatened democracy by talking about banning an entire religion from entering the country; forcing Muslims in America to register with authorities; rewriting press laws and prosecuting his critics and political opponents; blacklisting news organizations he doesn’t like; ordering the military to do illegal things such as torture and targeting innocents; and much more. In this case, attempting neutrality legitimized the illegitimate.

It’s not just a concern of the “elites” — nor a dismissal of the real grievances of Trump’s followers — to condemn a candidate’s reluctance to accept a bedrock principle of democracy. There’s nothing “brilliant” about a campaign for the presidency that makes scapegoats of women, immigrants and racial and religious minorities. It’s not “impressive” to consort with white supremacists. It’s not “fair and even” to ignore that much of what Trump has done is a threat to democratic institutions.

And it is absolutely appropriate to “take sides” in a contest between democracy and its alternative.

Whole article at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-lap-dogs-of-democracy-who-didnt-bark-at-trump/2016/10/24/26ba3418-9a28-11e6-9980-50913d68eacb_story.html?utm_term=.2504007cac36

[dalton99]

1. About damn time

[FSogol]

2. Seriously n/t

[barbtries]

3. this title gives lap dogs a bad name.

my chihuahuas protest.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. Dana, the smirking pot, calling the kettles......

take a look back at this smarmjobber, folks

[uponit7771]

5. +1, then went to stupid emails to establish their meme of "they're both bad" full of false ...

... equivalence stupidity

[Cha]

6. Wow, I like the way Milbank righteously tears into them..

Halperin and Scarborough were wrong; a Post-ABC News poll found that 65 percent disapproved of Trump’s refusal. But that’s beside the point: What Trump said was reckless and dangerous — and saying so has nothing to do with soy lattes.

“Morning Joe” has come in for a large share of criticism for cheering on the rise of Trump. And contributor Halperin’s praise for Trump’s tactical genius has been particularly soulless.

Mahalo for this, FSogal What a treat.. we all knew joe s & mark h were mediawhores extraordinaire so it's particularly satisfying.

I saw an article earlier by Greg Sargent where he call's drumpf's utterings "pig slop".

As Trump stares a loss in the face, even his favorite lies are failing him

But if Trump’s strategy is all about dragging Clinton down into the pig slop with him — and about generally spraying a fine mist of pig slop over the whole process, to make (some) voters turn away in disgust — it looks as if this all may end with Trump floundering around in the pig slop all alone. (And are there any signs that this is boosting GOP voter enthusiasm?)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/10/24/as-trump-stares-a-loss-in-the-face-even-his-favorite-lies-are-failing-him/?utm_term=.dacc42cd5464