Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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The Annoyed Man
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Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by The Annoyed Man »

Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press
By WILL RAHN CBS NEWS November 10, 2016, 6:00 AM
The mood in the Washington press corps is bleak, and deservedly so.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that, with a few exceptions, we were all tacitly or explicitly #WithHer, which has led to a certain anguish in the face of Donald Trump’s victory. More than that and more importantly, we also missed the story, after having spent months mocking the people who had a better sense of what was going on.

This is all symptomatic of modern journalism’s great moral and intellectual failing: its unbearable smugness. Had Hillary Clinton won, there’s be a winking “we did it” feeling in the press, a sense that we were brave and called Trump a liar and saved the republic.

So much for that. The audience for our glib analysis and contempt for much of the electorate, it turned out, was rather limited. This was particularly true when it came to voters, the ones who turned out by the millions to deliver not only a rebuke to the political system but also the people who cover it.
I think the mea culpa has come too late to burnish the permanently tarnished reputation of the 4th estate. I hold them in contempt. Most of us hold them in contempt. They have earned it.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

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RoyGBiv
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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by RoyGBiv »

Don't know whether to call the Waaaaambulance or kick him while he's down.
I know which would be more satisfying.
I am not a lawyer. This is NOT legal advice.!
Nothing tempers idealism quite like the cold bath of reality.... SQLGeek
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Jusme
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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by Jusme »

The Annoyed Man wrote:Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press
By WILL RAHN CBS NEWS November 10, 2016, 6:00 AM
The mood in the Washington press corps is bleak, and deservedly so.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that, with a few exceptions, we were all tacitly or explicitly #WithHer, which has led to a certain anguish in the face of Donald Trump’s victory. More than that and more importantly, we also missed the story, after having spent months mocking the people who had a better sense of what was going on.

This is all symptomatic of modern journalism’s great moral and intellectual failing: its unbearable smugness. Had Hillary Clinton won, there’s be a winking “we did it” feeling in the press, a sense that we were brave and called Trump a liar and saved the republic.

So much for that. The audience for our glib analysis and contempt for much of the electorate, it turned out, was rather limited. This was particularly true when it came to voters, the ones who turned out by the millions to deliver not only a rebuke to the political system but also the people who cover it.
I think the mea culpa has come too late to burnish the permanently tarnished reputation of the 4th estate. I hold them in contempt. Most of us hold them in contempt. They have earned it.

Great article TAM, thanks for posting it.

And I agree they have more than dug their own graves here with the thinking man and woman. However, I can already see that they are simply regrouping and trying to rationalize the slap in the face they and all of their social media followers received on Tuesday night. It would be great if they would turn towards introspection and see where they have failed, but they can't get past the idea that they "can't" be wrong here.

News used to be "just the facts". Facts that had been vetted, facts that would stand up to scrutiny, and that were devoid of the reporter's true feelings regarding them. Some exceptions would only be the outpouring of emotion during particularly tragic events, that would usually earn an apology from the reporter, for losing composure. Today, "they" are the story. "they" have to spin it to fit their ideals and attitudes, and include denigrating comments about anyone who might have a different opinion, or even facts to dispute the hypothesis.
I wish that they would read this article and then look in the mirror before returning to the air, but we all know that won't happen.
Take away the Second first, and the First is gone in a second :rules: :patriot:

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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by gthaustex »

TAM, thanks for posting this. I'm shocked to see something that frank on the CBS website. That said, I wonder if any of it will really set in for those who call themselves journalists?
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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by karder »

Excellent article. I worked around "journalists" for 26 years as a technician. This guy nails it.
“While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” ― Samuel Adams

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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by Abraham »

journalists?

Nah, PR personnel for the left...
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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by Pawpaw »

Image
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams
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Re: Commentary: The unbearable smugness of the press

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Post by mojo84 »

That entire article and he never offered an apology or said he's sorry.
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