Re: the media - especially the New York Times - 40 members of Indivisible West Marin sent this letter to the senior management at the Times a couple weeks ago. Many of us have unsubscribed. You too can let them know how you feel about their political/election coverage. It's an extremely important part of our work and I'm so grateful for Robert's focus on this critical issue.
NO LONGER BEHIND THE TIMES
"We the undersigned are writing in protest of your on-going, often inaccurate, and prejudicial coverage of the political news as it relates to President Biden, the Democrats and polling. The inordinate amount of coverage you give to Biden’s age and the remnants of a lifelong speech impediment are uncalled for, especially considering how little you cover Trump’s obvious mental and moral deficiencies and the threat he poses to our democracy.
This is not a “politics as usual” time. We expect you to hold up a mirror to Trump’s bullying speeches and posts, hate-filled behavior, mental lapses, and weaknesses in the polls at least as often as your headlines and stories report negatively on Biden and the outlook for his election in November. Daily, Trump undermines every aspect of what’s required for our democracy to function and remain viable. Your political coverage does not adequately reflect that reality.
A free press should be a guardian of democracy. This does not conflict with fair and accurate political reporting.
Although we have been lifelong readers, many of us have already unsubscribed or plan to do so in conjunction with signing this letter."
The Times - led by a third generation pimp born on third base who thinks he hit a triple and is so entitled that if President Biden won't do an in-person interview with the Sulzberger pimp, he will go campaign for Trump because he knows if Trump gets in and goes after the press, he would never do that to the nation's finest fishwrap.
That collection of over-educated, under-intelligent trust fund babies is going to be sooooo surprised, staring out from the wrong side of the barbed wire fence surrounding the "relocation center" in West Texas they got sent to.
I frequently wonder just what the press thinks will happen to it in a country headed by someone whose dictator aspirations are clear. It's doubtful even their overt willingness to pander will save them.
Yes. I wonder the same. I mean just for one, Do they not remember his multiple references to the press as the enemy of the people? And you don’t have to look too hard at his track record to realize everyone he gets involved with his eventually thrown under the bus … or threatened to be hung in front of the capital.
Yes,I totally agree.Trump would turn on the NYT and other msm in a New York moment just as he does for all who he perceives as his enemies, those who have not adequately kissed his backside.It is ironic that canceling one’s NYT subscription is becoming an act of patriotism.
They think it will be "others". Never themselves. The point is the cruelty. When "others" become scarce, new "others" will be defined to perpetuate the insatiable cruelty.
As tfg likes to take his cues and advice from his buddy Putin I suspect the planned working camps to be in colder climates further north. Governor Noem might also have some suggestions given her experience with local gravel pits.
Yes.I agree.If TFG gets another shot at manning and destroying our democracy, we may all be on the edge of his prospective VPs dog murdering gravel pit, NYT staff included thank you very much.
Sulzberger is incredibly stupid if he doesn't think Don Snorleone is going to make them bend over and grab their ankles if he finds his way back to the WH.
I have a similar problem with the New Castle pa News, Newsonline, that will not let me comment or publish my letter to the editor. They have a Facebook page, but I am no longer on Facebook.
Thank you, Alexandra, along with the other 39 members of Indivisible West Marin, for sending this powerful letter to the New York Times. Such a beautiful act and collective statement, of truth. I especially love this: "A free press should be a guardian of democracy."
Will copy & send to all friends who are NYTimes subscribers-the NYT has been such a source of frustration & anger over their biased coverage despite numerous letters & complaints.
I went to cancel the NYT, they countered with $4/month for a year, so I stay for now. Help's me keep tabs on what has become a maddening experience in anti-democracy editorial bias. AG Sulzberger is destroying the once-formidable NYT.
Thank you Robert, for taking time for us during your special visit. I love your reference to your fitness routine! I'm not sure how I feel about being 10 1/2 years older than you, so I'll just be grateful to be here, and sharing in the community you and Jill have built. Much love and many birthday blessings. 💙 🎂 🙏🏼 🌷 💗
All Americans should heed President Biden's advice that you have so beautifully articulated: "Rise up to the seriousness of the moment." The "reality TV" element of the Quadefendant's constant behavior is not only lacking in entertainment value, it's downright dangerous.
I appreciate your referring to the Quadefendant as, "Defendant Trump." Please continue to do so. So many commentators refer to him as, "ex-," "former-," or most egregiously, just, President..." It's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
I loved your description of your exercise routine that may not have prepared you adequately for your 7000 foot workload, but rest assured that you have thousands of fans cheering you on and wishing you many more birthdays even more memorable than this one. My exercise routine these days (I'm a year and a half older) is pretty much limited to some mental gymnastics, jumping to conclusions, throwing fits, and running off at the mouth; I guess I should find something a bit more strenuous.
Loved your line on your exercise routine, Bob. Here's a tribute from this old gag writer -- "Consider that line stolen." I'll use it. And do a little more for real exercise too. Walking, even. And while I'm handing out unsolicited advice, Robert, please stop shoveling wet, heavy snow. Dangerous. I like to do it here in Indiana...(I'm 75), but all the advice is Don't, so I've stopped for the most part.
With many good comedians there is an element of truth and reality; and in the laughter there comes a move to action, intellectual, political, and physical. With admiration, thanks.
Regrettably, I don’t find media’s normalization of Trump—replete with “horserace polls as a valid framework for assessing the electability of someone who has vowed to destroy…democracy”—incomprehensible. Rather, I see this phenomenon as symptomatic of news media outlets becoming increasingly integrated into major corporations whose very existence relies on the ability to turn a profit for investors. Hence, 6 months out from an election, our only recourse, in my view, is to act together to put pressure on a given outlet to correct the record when media misrepresent important information or events.
I respect all of you who have cancelled your subscriptions to the NYT. I understand your rationale. For the moment, we continue to subscribe AND complain vociferously about their coverage, and urge change, leveraging slightly from the inside. It may be a mistaken tactic, I understand, but subscribers need to demand change as well, from the inside. I think Stephen Berg's point that other newspapers need to call out the NYT on their coverage. These media cartel's are all complicit with one another and big money, BUT a newspaper war like the old days may not be a bad idea.
Awful as the NYT might be on this day or that, the Times is still the paper that gets read and recounted on morning news shows. Keep the pressure on from the outside and the inside.
This is what I’m trying to do too. I subscribe to both Wapo and NYT just so that I can occasionally email the journalist(s) or editor(s) to complement or question their articles or ask why are they covering the horse race rather than the important issues that we face.
Joan, Thank you for writing. I appreciate your commitment to holding journalists accountable for providing necessary and relevant information so that everyday, ordinary people can make reasoned and informed decisions and engage in the kind of deliberation that democracy requires.
We need to go all-out on OFFENSE to defeat 45 & MAGA.
There are so very many actions being taken to improve people's everyday lives, in addition to the major crises a true leader must address.
45 wouldn't read the PDB, his priorities are all wrong, and with no policies (other than give more money to the rich and privileged) the dystopia he complains constantly about is only a fraction of what he would cause. He has no sense of humor. He doesn't even have a dog. (Noem would shoot it.)
Leigh McGowan is a treasure, thanks for sharing. I follow her on Twitter (and she followed me back, yay!). Especially this clip on VP Harris should be saved and then be ready to be passed around as often as possible when the role of the VP candidates on the respective tickets will be discussed. And that time will come.
Leigh's clip is spot on! And I know a little bit about it. I wrote my master thesis in political science on the role of the Vice Presidency in the US governmental system and in 2015 I had the pleasure of a 45 minute one-on-one with then CA AG Kamala Harris.
I will add that I have been at several (as in more than three, less than a dozen) events with Madame Vice President Kamala Harris as headliner. She is working hard, traveling the world, representing the nation WELL, connecting with vital issues, responding to critical demographics (including the generations after 1990, and particularly since 9/11/2001), adding perspectives beyond the "rich white male," and doing more with her family ties (DOUG) to the Jewish heritage and faith than Ivanka ever did under 45.
When it comes to "democracy," black women have been the last allowed rights and the most determined and dedicated to using their hard-earned political power to move the arc of the moral universe toward JUSTICE. No need to go into the controversies over Black support of criminal tRump - just suffice it to say the vast majority of us heed Maya Angelou's advice
"when they show you who they are, believe them...the FIRST time."
(Sorry for the following run-on sentence)
From the standpoint of visibly standing up, power and activism for human rights, voting rights, and law and order, so proud of Stacey Abrams, Letitia James, Fani Willis, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and on and on...
Robert shares: "I have exhausted myself ... over the Supreme Court’s apparent intention to recognize presidential immunity for violating the criminal laws of the US." Ginni Thomas. Clarence Thomas couldn't afford to do the decent thing and recuse himself. He had to protect his conspiring wife. Roberts, Thomas, Alito and Gosuch really are a set of antedeluvian thugs dressed up in robes of false honor. They have sullied the very steps of the courthouse. It's as bad as drd Scott's days under Chief Justice Taney. Judicial activism run amok.
Robert, 68 is the new 50…but do remember that weekend warrior-related events really are a thing. Take good care and as some bear (not from the Sierras) might say, HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY.
Thanks Robert, Happy Birthday! You exhibit what the country needs the most at this time, awareness, critical reasoning, empathy and decency. You are the whole package!
Oh, my goodness, Robert...I didn't realize how much snow you were "blessed" with! How you managed the time to inform us as well is truly amazing. Good on Jill for her expertly having ushered in your latest of birthdays. I have no doubt it was fun times for all. Thanks for saving the best for last!
I urge everyone to read Heather Cox Richardson’s April 28 posting. It begins with a commentary on statements about Trump made by former AG Barr in a CNN interview and proceeds to describe the historical downward trend of democratic norms and actions in the last 40 years. This is a long-term goal of the GOP and its realization has taken hold. It is terrifying and a real wake up call for anyone who believes in what this country was supposed to stand for!
Re: the media - especially the New York Times - 40 members of Indivisible West Marin sent this letter to the senior management at the Times a couple weeks ago. Many of us have unsubscribed. You too can let them know how you feel about their political/election coverage. It's an extremely important part of our work and I'm so grateful for Robert's focus on this critical issue.
NO LONGER BEHIND THE TIMES
"We the undersigned are writing in protest of your on-going, often inaccurate, and prejudicial coverage of the political news as it relates to President Biden, the Democrats and polling. The inordinate amount of coverage you give to Biden’s age and the remnants of a lifelong speech impediment are uncalled for, especially considering how little you cover Trump’s obvious mental and moral deficiencies and the threat he poses to our democracy.
This is not a “politics as usual” time. We expect you to hold up a mirror to Trump’s bullying speeches and posts, hate-filled behavior, mental lapses, and weaknesses in the polls at least as often as your headlines and stories report negatively on Biden and the outlook for his election in November. Daily, Trump undermines every aspect of what’s required for our democracy to function and remain viable. Your political coverage does not adequately reflect that reality.
A free press should be a guardian of democracy. This does not conflict with fair and accurate political reporting.
Although we have been lifelong readers, many of us have already unsubscribed or plan to do so in conjunction with signing this letter."
The Times - led by a third generation pimp born on third base who thinks he hit a triple and is so entitled that if President Biden won't do an in-person interview with the Sulzberger pimp, he will go campaign for Trump because he knows if Trump gets in and goes after the press, he would never do that to the nation's finest fishwrap.
That collection of over-educated, under-intelligent trust fund babies is going to be sooooo surprised, staring out from the wrong side of the barbed wire fence surrounding the "relocation center" in West Texas they got sent to.
I frequently wonder just what the press thinks will happen to it in a country headed by someone whose dictator aspirations are clear. It's doubtful even their overt willingness to pander will save them.
Yes. I wonder the same. I mean just for one, Do they not remember his multiple references to the press as the enemy of the people? And you don’t have to look too hard at his track record to realize everyone he gets involved with his eventually thrown under the bus … or threatened to be hung in front of the capital.
Yes,I totally agree.Trump would turn on the NYT and other msm in a New York moment just as he does for all who he perceives as his enemies, those who have not adequately kissed his backside.It is ironic that canceling one’s NYT subscription is becoming an act of patriotism.
Reminds me of Pastor Niemoller: “First, they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist…”
They think it will be "others". Never themselves. The point is the cruelty. When "others" become scarce, new "others" will be defined to perpetuate the insatiable cruelty.
and who thinks all news is fake news
As tfg likes to take his cues and advice from his buddy Putin I suspect the planned working camps to be in colder climates further north. Governor Noem might also have some suggestions given her experience with local gravel pits.
West Texas without air conditioning in the summer or heat in the winter is as bad as it gets.
Yes.I agree.If TFG gets another shot at manning and destroying our democracy, we may all be on the edge of his prospective VPs dog murdering gravel pit, NYT staff included thank you very much.
This post by Malcolm Nance
on the college protests makes a similar point on who will be “surprised” if Trump wins.
We need to see the protests as a prelude to what will be in the streets of Chicago during the convention. We are warned.
https://open.substack.com/pub/malcolmnance/p/will-the-free-palestine-college-protests?r=kqt9l&utm_medium=ios
Yes, :-(
Sulzberger is incredibly stupid if he doesn't think Don Snorleone is going to make them bend over and grab their ankles if he finds his way back to the WH.
Here are the emails we used:
agsulzberger@nytimes.com (Chairman and Publisher)
meredith.levien@nytimes.com (President and CEO)
joe.kahn@nytimes.com (Executive Editor)
letters@nytimes.com
I have a similar problem with the New Castle pa News, Newsonline, that will not let me comment or publish my letter to the editor. They have a Facebook page, but I am no longer on Facebook.
Yes. I too have cancelled my NYT subscription. Now they still send me links, but I delete them.
And, a belated Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a good time.
I did the same. Cancelled NYT some time ago. And just like Linda, I still get ads from NYT to re-subscribe, but I delete them.
I applaud your efforts but what is really needed is another newspaper writing an article about readers abandoning the Times.
Thank you, Alexandra, along with the other 39 members of Indivisible West Marin, for sending this powerful letter to the New York Times. Such a beautiful act and collective statement, of truth. I especially love this: "A free press should be a guardian of democracy."
After two years of procrastinating we cancelled the NYT.
Yes, I too have unsubscribed! 🤷♀️😵💫
Will copy & send to all friends who are NYTimes subscribers-the NYT has been such a source of frustration & anger over their biased coverage despite numerous letters & complaints.
A heartfelt Thank You to the 40 members of Indivisible West Marin!
Thanks for sharing -- I've cancelled my NYT subscription as well and used your letter as a model for my own message.
Go West Marin from East Marin! Xo
I went to cancel the NYT, they countered with $4/month for a year, so I stay for now. Help's me keep tabs on what has become a maddening experience in anti-democracy editorial bias. AG Sulzberger is destroying the once-formidable NYT.
Great letter. Thank you for sharing. I have unsubscribed as well.
Thank you Robert, for taking time for us during your special visit. I love your reference to your fitness routine! I'm not sure how I feel about being 10 1/2 years older than you, so I'll just be grateful to be here, and sharing in the community you and Jill have built. Much love and many birthday blessings. 💙 🎂 🙏🏼 🌷 💗
These days, reading the news could count as cardio at least.
Thanks for the LOL!!! Then I'm in great shape!!
All Americans should heed President Biden's advice that you have so beautifully articulated: "Rise up to the seriousness of the moment." The "reality TV" element of the Quadefendant's constant behavior is not only lacking in entertainment value, it's downright dangerous.
I appreciate your referring to the Quadefendant as, "Defendant Trump." Please continue to do so. So many commentators refer to him as, "ex-," "former-," or most egregiously, just, President..." It's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
I loved your description of your exercise routine that may not have prepared you adequately for your 7000 foot workload, but rest assured that you have thousands of fans cheering you on and wishing you many more birthdays even more memorable than this one. My exercise routine these days (I'm a year and a half older) is pretty much limited to some mental gymnastics, jumping to conclusions, throwing fits, and running off at the mouth; I guess I should find something a bit more strenuous.
Loved your line on your exercise routine, Bob. Here's a tribute from this old gag writer -- "Consider that line stolen." I'll use it. And do a little more for real exercise too. Walking, even. And while I'm handing out unsolicited advice, Robert, please stop shoveling wet, heavy snow. Dangerous. I like to do it here in Indiana...(I'm 75), but all the advice is Don't, so I've stopped for the most part.
I was being a little facetious, but I really should work on my fitness a bit. Physical atrophy is at least as unhealthy as intellectual atrophy.
With many good comedians there is an element of truth and reality; and in the laughter there comes a move to action, intellectual, political, and physical. With admiration, thanks.
Bob you need to do real exercise to stay young and healthy.
I used some comedic license . . . .
Mine was revoked many years ago.
Waka, waka! Bob, were you in the business?
Nope. I just capitalize on irony and enjoy double entendres.
Regrettably, I don’t find media’s normalization of Trump—replete with “horserace polls as a valid framework for assessing the electability of someone who has vowed to destroy…democracy”—incomprehensible. Rather, I see this phenomenon as symptomatic of news media outlets becoming increasingly integrated into major corporations whose very existence relies on the ability to turn a profit for investors. Hence, 6 months out from an election, our only recourse, in my view, is to act together to put pressure on a given outlet to correct the record when media misrepresent important information or events.
Hit them where it really hurts in their revenue
Stephen, While you make a good point, I’m partial to exposing deception and seeking the truth.
I respect all of you who have cancelled your subscriptions to the NYT. I understand your rationale. For the moment, we continue to subscribe AND complain vociferously about their coverage, and urge change, leveraging slightly from the inside. It may be a mistaken tactic, I understand, but subscribers need to demand change as well, from the inside. I think Stephen Berg's point that other newspapers need to call out the NYT on their coverage. These media cartel's are all complicit with one another and big money, BUT a newspaper war like the old days may not be a bad idea.
Awful as the NYT might be on this day or that, the Times is still the paper that gets read and recounted on morning news shows. Keep the pressure on from the outside and the inside.
This is what I’m trying to do too. I subscribe to both Wapo and NYT just so that I can occasionally email the journalist(s) or editor(s) to complement or question their articles or ask why are they covering the horse race rather than the important issues that we face.
Joan, Thank you for writing. I appreciate your commitment to holding journalists accountable for providing necessary and relevant information so that everyday, ordinary people can make reasoned and informed decisions and engage in the kind of deliberation that democracy requires.
I enjoy the community you have gathered in this space, Robert Hubbell.
Here's a video with good talking points.
How well do you know the VP?
Politics Girl (Leigh McGowan) does a terrific job of presenting "facts."
https://youtu.be/eQUaWPZ4A2E?si=1mPnq7yvHJBbzIyV
We need to go all-out on OFFENSE to defeat 45 & MAGA.
There are so very many actions being taken to improve people's everyday lives, in addition to the major crises a true leader must address.
45 wouldn't read the PDB, his priorities are all wrong, and with no policies (other than give more money to the rich and privileged) the dystopia he complains constantly about is only a fraction of what he would cause. He has no sense of humor. He doesn't even have a dog. (Noem would shoot it.)
Leigh McGowan is a treasure, thanks for sharing. I follow her on Twitter (and she followed me back, yay!). Especially this clip on VP Harris should be saved and then be ready to be passed around as often as possible when the role of the VP candidates on the respective tickets will be discussed. And that time will come.
Leigh's clip is spot on! And I know a little bit about it. I wrote my master thesis in political science on the role of the Vice Presidency in the US governmental system and in 2015 I had the pleasure of a 45 minute one-on-one with then CA AG Kamala Harris.
WOW!
I will add that I have been at several (as in more than three, less than a dozen) events with Madame Vice President Kamala Harris as headliner. She is working hard, traveling the world, representing the nation WELL, connecting with vital issues, responding to critical demographics (including the generations after 1990, and particularly since 9/11/2001), adding perspectives beyond the "rich white male," and doing more with her family ties (DOUG) to the Jewish heritage and faith than Ivanka ever did under 45.
When it comes to "democracy," black women have been the last allowed rights and the most determined and dedicated to using their hard-earned political power to move the arc of the moral universe toward JUSTICE. No need to go into the controversies over Black support of criminal tRump - just suffice it to say the vast majority of us heed Maya Angelou's advice
"when they show you who they are, believe them...the FIRST time."
(Sorry for the following run-on sentence)
From the standpoint of visibly standing up, power and activism for human rights, voting rights, and law and order, so proud of Stacey Abrams, Letitia James, Fani Willis, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and on and on...
Here is her Register Democrats, Save the World - a conversation with Jason Berlin from FieldTeam6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVUsBHUBvS8
https://www.fieldteam6.org/actions
Plus Trump hates dogs.
The job (with the snow) was never done - same as ours with Trumpism.
Robert shares: "I have exhausted myself ... over the Supreme Court’s apparent intention to recognize presidential immunity for violating the criminal laws of the US." Ginni Thomas. Clarence Thomas couldn't afford to do the decent thing and recuse himself. He had to protect his conspiring wife. Roberts, Thomas, Alito and Gosuch really are a set of antedeluvian thugs dressed up in robes of false honor. They have sullied the very steps of the courthouse. It's as bad as drd Scott's days under Chief Justice Taney. Judicial activism run amok.
Robert, 68 is the new 50…but do remember that weekend warrior-related events really are a thing. Take good care and as some bear (not from the Sierras) might say, HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY.
Thanks Robert, Happy Birthday! You exhibit what the country needs the most at this time, awareness, critical reasoning, empathy and decency. You are the whole package!
Will SCOTUS grant Trump immunity? To quote Balki Bartokomous, "of Course not - don't be ridiculous."
Does SCOTUS want Trump to win? Of course they do; some have already admitted they want their replacements chosen by a Republican.
What are among the very few options SCOTUS has available to help Trump win in the least disruptive manner? (ie: let the voters decide.)
Delay, delay, delay.
The voters should decide on *them.* I vote to kick Thomas, Alito, Roberts, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett out the door.
Oh, my goodness, Robert...I didn't realize how much snow you were "blessed" with! How you managed the time to inform us as well is truly amazing. Good on Jill for her expertly having ushered in your latest of birthdays. I have no doubt it was fun times for all. Thanks for saving the best for last!
Happy Birthday Robert!!!And a special thanks for your important column which I read every morning. 😅💪😍
Happy Birthday, Mr. Hubbell. Thank you for writing to us in the midst of all that snow, all that work, and on your birthday, no less.
Just wanted also to say that I love your audio presentations, and I look forward immensely to the return of them.
Monday! Apologies. The hotel we stayed at on Sunday night has horrible internet service. very slow to upload.
For those who haven’t seen his full remarks at the White Correspondents’ Dinner it’s ~ 10 minutes. President Biden rocked it ! 💙
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBtXUXknvtE
Thank you so much for the link, Kathy! Laughter and tears in equal measure watching him!
Happy Birthday 🎉🎊 Thank you for help keeping me sane in these difficult times
I urge everyone to read Heather Cox Richardson’s April 28 posting. It begins with a commentary on statements about Trump made by former AG Barr in a CNN interview and proceeds to describe the historical downward trend of democratic norms and actions in the last 40 years. This is a long-term goal of the GOP and its realization has taken hold. It is terrifying and a real wake up call for anyone who believes in what this country was supposed to stand for!
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/april-28-2024?r=8atsp&utm_medium=ios