Mar 15, 2022·edited Mar 15, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you, Robert, but don't make a promise you should not keep! Your Concluding Thoughts were not a "personal outburst" burdening us; rather, they were a well-articulated expression of righteous exasperation against inane money-motivated shallowness in the media. Bring it on!
When I watched Lawrence O'Donnell push back against the venerable Alexander Vindman in real time on 3/09/22, I was impressed at O'Donnell's persistent, deft argument that nevertheless fostered a respectfully persuasive debate--a model for high school and college Speech & Debate students. (BTW Speech & Debate teams are a great way to channel teenagers' love of argument!)
Then as we laud Lawrence O'Donnell, let us also honor Marina Ovsyannikova for her sheer guts to protest Putin's war on state-run TV--assuring her arrest and potentially brutal treatment:
"Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of Russia's state-run Channel 1, burst onto the live broadcast of the network's most-watched news show on Monday evening, yelling 'Stop the war!' and holding up a sign that said 'They’re lying to you here.'" Her lawyer released to the international media a video she recorded prior to her action. She explained she has a Ukrainian father and Russian mother who have never been enemies, and Putin's war is fratricide.
Bravo, Robert! Both for showing us that President Biden is indeed the man we need in this critical moment in history. He is literally saving the world with his steady experienced and empathetic hand. And, second defining what journalism needs to be. I have been looking for the Edward R. Murrow of our time. Now you've convinced me of what I suspected; Lawrence O'Donnell is that person. Bravissimo!
Mar 15, 2022·edited Mar 15, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Love the truthiness! I don't watch TV and have stopped listening to NPR. Should we get past the current crises (Ukraine, Jan 6, Covid, voter suppression) I hope we can move towards regulating media so that large corporations can't buy up smaller outfits. We need LOTS of local journalism (Would Boebert have been a viable candidate if a local newspaper has dug up all that we currently know?) and a move away from profit as motivator. I do think that newsletters (such as this one) is a direct consequence of loss of journalism to profit/edutainment. And while I'm at it, I have long-held belief/position that visual and audio news can't compete with news that is read because of the complexities the brain can take in as it reads but can't when watching. Democracies became possible when the printing press made news available.
As expected, authoritarian Putin shut down ALL COMMUNICATION links in and out of Russia to block the truth from challenging his lies. But he sent 200,000+ conscripted soldiers as cannon fodder from throughout the country believing it to be a training exercise or to put down some Nazis activity. These drafted soldiers have come to know the evil truth of their mobilization as well as the military incompetency that has traveled with them, AND THEY WILL GO HOME ULTIMATELY THE SPREADER OF TRUTH THROUGHOUT THEIR MOTHERLAND PUTIN BELIEVES HE HAS KEPT IN THE DARK! The KGB dictator may be closer than he can understand to his recurring nightmare of being trapped in Mussolini’s fate!
I’ve been a card carrying “Hubbell” fan and reader for a long time but have never written a comment. I applaud your rant this morning as I have been ranting along the same lines for some time. I don’t mean right wing screeds—I mean the NYT, the Washington Post, and NPR. Don’t they realize what’s at stake? Not only do I not want to hear what some idiot in some town has to say, as a time dominating piece, not only do I not want to hear challenges to Biden’s agenda or actions out of some misplaced sense of fairness or balance, I certainly don’t want to hear their soundbites to make them seem clever or newsworthy. I’m not sure I blame the reporters—I blame the editors, their bosses, who set the tone. It’s time for the intelligent arm of the 4th estate to fight for democracy’s survival, for all our survival. Oh my, maybe someone will say they are as biased as Tucker Carlson! So what? If what we have is bias, and I’ll posit some truth to that, bring it on.
The shallowness of so much of today's news really is a problem. Certainly one cause of that is that news has become a business model. It's very hard to put on 24 hour news programs that also have substantial thought and consideration filtering what's broadcast. We, and all the world, would be, at least in some ways, better off if news was once again a daily hour at 6:00pm. Then the editors, writers and broadcasters could put some thought into what is presented. This problem surely afflicts the left as much as the right.
Mar 15, 2022·edited Mar 15, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Rant away Robert. I especially love the "Who are these People"? I ask myself that every day more than once and have been for the last 6 years at least? About journalists and blind ambition and this America (world) we live in where children starve and billionaires move bridges so their yachts can fit under them. Where people organize their lives around power and inhumanity, sometimes in the name of a God they propose to serve. Where racism thrives and cruelty predominates and climate scientists stop working, because just how many reports can you write that say the earth will soon be unsustainable for human life, and those in power do nothing. We have been given the gift of a magnificent planet and the ability to birth children and hopefully watch them grow and live out their lives in peace and serenity. "When will we ever learn, when will we ever learn?" Funny, I used to listen to Dylan's intense, wordy, deep music, now it's those simple lines that so often come to mind. Thank you as always for your wisdom.
I agree with Ellie Kona Completely!!! Thank you for your intelligent outbursts!!! I have them daily but they are not as intelligent as yours. Oh Well!!! You are a National Treasure. Thank you. Saundra Friedman
"Get a grip. Grow up. Do your job—at least the job you thought you would do when you decided to become a journalist and before you took a detour into being a high-priced entertainer. " Alas, I fear that we have a generation or two that, for the most part, were not educated as journalists, but rather got degrees in "media communications". I keep wondering how the Merrill School of Journalism at Northwestern views all of this. There are some good journalists coming out of PBS News Hour...it's refreshing to see.
I also agree with the comment made that news stations running 24/7 has contributed to news morphing from journalism into entertainment.
I'm glad people are still talking about getting the MiG fighter planes into Ukraine. One thought that occurs to me: why not have the Ukrainian pilots go into Poland by car/train/bus, etc and then fly the planes into Ukraine themselves? Or if leaving from Poland with the planes is still a problem, have them fly the planes to a neutral (non-NATOcountry) and then fly them into Ukraine from there? Can you send this idea to someone who could act on it?
The polls are meaningless "feel good or feel bad" blather. I have lost count of the number times the polls were wrong. There was that big one in 2016... I find them mind blowing - especially the small number of participants and how they are selected and reached. If anyone on this forum knows an outfit that truly gets an accurate slice of Americans (voters, please) I would appreciate some help on this.
Robert, that rant was wonderful. Perhaps you could add a "special section" at least once a week just before or after the "Concluding Thoughts". Call it "Robert Lets it Rip".
Thanks for all your hard work. And your commitment to fairness and accuracy (corrections, yay!) are a sign of your integrity. Kudos.
Mar 15, 2022·edited Mar 15, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you again, Robert! Two points: 1) Journalism. I believe journalism should be licensed or, at the very least, that those who practice it have proof of accreditation. You need a license to drive a car, practice medicine and so on. As a former professional journalist who practiced without a license myself, I can cite all kinds of examples of journalistic malpractice, not the least of which is rewriting press releases and calling it journalism, or copycat journalism, etc. Most so-called journalists (and their editors, whose job it supposedly is to assure that the writers are on the level) are incredibly lazy. There is a code of ethics but nobody knows about it except the licensed journalists (i.e., those with a degree in journalism). 2) Biolabs: The Pulitzer-winning science writer Laurie Garrett has written extensively about the fact that there are thousands of biolabs all over the world, and we don't have a handle on even how many there are or their safety levels. I have a very good friend, a senior official in Obama's administration, who was tasked with checking out biolabs in Kazikistan. He found a half-eaten sandwich in an unlocked refrigerator which were stored vials of anthrax, etc. The windows were open. This is not to defend wacko theories, but to state that biolabs are a very real danger; there have even been leaks here in the U.S. I wrote about this in a book I co-authored, "The End of Epidemics" with Dr. Jonathan Quick.
Thank you, Robert, but don't make a promise you should not keep! Your Concluding Thoughts were not a "personal outburst" burdening us; rather, they were a well-articulated expression of righteous exasperation against inane money-motivated shallowness in the media. Bring it on!
When I watched Lawrence O'Donnell push back against the venerable Alexander Vindman in real time on 3/09/22, I was impressed at O'Donnell's persistent, deft argument that nevertheless fostered a respectfully persuasive debate--a model for high school and college Speech & Debate students. (BTW Speech & Debate teams are a great way to channel teenagers' love of argument!)
Then as we laud Lawrence O'Donnell, let us also honor Marina Ovsyannikova for her sheer guts to protest Putin's war on state-run TV--assuring her arrest and potentially brutal treatment:
"Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of Russia's state-run Channel 1, burst onto the live broadcast of the network's most-watched news show on Monday evening, yelling 'Stop the war!' and holding up a sign that said 'They’re lying to you here.'" Her lawyer released to the international media a video she recorded prior to her action. She explained she has a Ukrainian father and Russian mother who have never been enemies, and Putin's war is fratricide.
https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1503490280149946371?s=20&t=GXoT-bxmkctGxpNR731IIQ
Bravo, Robert! Both for showing us that President Biden is indeed the man we need in this critical moment in history. He is literally saving the world with his steady experienced and empathetic hand. And, second defining what journalism needs to be. I have been looking for the Edward R. Murrow of our time. Now you've convinced me of what I suspected; Lawrence O'Donnell is that person. Bravissimo!
Love the truthiness! I don't watch TV and have stopped listening to NPR. Should we get past the current crises (Ukraine, Jan 6, Covid, voter suppression) I hope we can move towards regulating media so that large corporations can't buy up smaller outfits. We need LOTS of local journalism (Would Boebert have been a viable candidate if a local newspaper has dug up all that we currently know?) and a move away from profit as motivator. I do think that newsletters (such as this one) is a direct consequence of loss of journalism to profit/edutainment. And while I'm at it, I have long-held belief/position that visual and audio news can't compete with news that is read because of the complexities the brain can take in as it reads but can't when watching. Democracies became possible when the printing press made news available.
!! infotainmentpictotwits !! apt conglomeration!
As expected, authoritarian Putin shut down ALL COMMUNICATION links in and out of Russia to block the truth from challenging his lies. But he sent 200,000+ conscripted soldiers as cannon fodder from throughout the country believing it to be a training exercise or to put down some Nazis activity. These drafted soldiers have come to know the evil truth of their mobilization as well as the military incompetency that has traveled with them, AND THEY WILL GO HOME ULTIMATELY THE SPREADER OF TRUTH THROUGHOUT THEIR MOTHERLAND PUTIN BELIEVES HE HAS KEPT IN THE DARK! The KGB dictator may be closer than he can understand to his recurring nightmare of being trapped in Mussolini’s fate!
I loved your rant. You spoke the truth. Keep them coming!
I’ve been a card carrying “Hubbell” fan and reader for a long time but have never written a comment. I applaud your rant this morning as I have been ranting along the same lines for some time. I don’t mean right wing screeds—I mean the NYT, the Washington Post, and NPR. Don’t they realize what’s at stake? Not only do I not want to hear what some idiot in some town has to say, as a time dominating piece, not only do I not want to hear challenges to Biden’s agenda or actions out of some misplaced sense of fairness or balance, I certainly don’t want to hear their soundbites to make them seem clever or newsworthy. I’m not sure I blame the reporters—I blame the editors, their bosses, who set the tone. It’s time for the intelligent arm of the 4th estate to fight for democracy’s survival, for all our survival. Oh my, maybe someone will say they are as biased as Tucker Carlson! So what? If what we have is bias, and I’ll posit some truth to that, bring it on.
Thank you
Matt Miller
I appreciate your candor. You spoke from my gut.
The shallowness of so much of today's news really is a problem. Certainly one cause of that is that news has become a business model. It's very hard to put on 24 hour news programs that also have substantial thought and consideration filtering what's broadcast. We, and all the world, would be, at least in some ways, better off if news was once again a daily hour at 6:00pm. Then the editors, writers and broadcasters could put some thought into what is presented. This problem surely afflicts the left as much as the right.
Rant away Robert. I especially love the "Who are these People"? I ask myself that every day more than once and have been for the last 6 years at least? About journalists and blind ambition and this America (world) we live in where children starve and billionaires move bridges so their yachts can fit under them. Where people organize their lives around power and inhumanity, sometimes in the name of a God they propose to serve. Where racism thrives and cruelty predominates and climate scientists stop working, because just how many reports can you write that say the earth will soon be unsustainable for human life, and those in power do nothing. We have been given the gift of a magnificent planet and the ability to birth children and hopefully watch them grow and live out their lives in peace and serenity. "When will we ever learn, when will we ever learn?" Funny, I used to listen to Dylan's intense, wordy, deep music, now it's those simple lines that so often come to mind. Thank you as always for your wisdom.
Thank you for expressing your outrage. I feel the same.
I agree with Ellie Kona Completely!!! Thank you for your intelligent outbursts!!! I have them daily but they are not as intelligent as yours. Oh Well!!! You are a National Treasure. Thank you. Saundra Friedman
"Get a grip. Grow up. Do your job—at least the job you thought you would do when you decided to become a journalist and before you took a detour into being a high-priced entertainer. " Alas, I fear that we have a generation or two that, for the most part, were not educated as journalists, but rather got degrees in "media communications". I keep wondering how the Merrill School of Journalism at Northwestern views all of this. There are some good journalists coming out of PBS News Hour...it's refreshing to see.
I also agree with the comment made that news stations running 24/7 has contributed to news morphing from journalism into entertainment.
I'm glad people are still talking about getting the MiG fighter planes into Ukraine. One thought that occurs to me: why not have the Ukrainian pilots go into Poland by car/train/bus, etc and then fly the planes into Ukraine themselves? Or if leaving from Poland with the planes is still a problem, have them fly the planes to a neutral (non-NATOcountry) and then fly them into Ukraine from there? Can you send this idea to someone who could act on it?
The polls are meaningless "feel good or feel bad" blather. I have lost count of the number times the polls were wrong. There was that big one in 2016... I find them mind blowing - especially the small number of participants and how they are selected and reached. If anyone on this forum knows an outfit that truly gets an accurate slice of Americans (voters, please) I would appreciate some help on this.
Robert, that rant was wonderful. Perhaps you could add a "special section" at least once a week just before or after the "Concluding Thoughts". Call it "Robert Lets it Rip".
Thanks for all your hard work. And your commitment to fairness and accuracy (corrections, yay!) are a sign of your integrity. Kudos.
Thank you again, Robert! Two points: 1) Journalism. I believe journalism should be licensed or, at the very least, that those who practice it have proof of accreditation. You need a license to drive a car, practice medicine and so on. As a former professional journalist who practiced without a license myself, I can cite all kinds of examples of journalistic malpractice, not the least of which is rewriting press releases and calling it journalism, or copycat journalism, etc. Most so-called journalists (and their editors, whose job it supposedly is to assure that the writers are on the level) are incredibly lazy. There is a code of ethics but nobody knows about it except the licensed journalists (i.e., those with a degree in journalism). 2) Biolabs: The Pulitzer-winning science writer Laurie Garrett has written extensively about the fact that there are thousands of biolabs all over the world, and we don't have a handle on even how many there are or their safety levels. I have a very good friend, a senior official in Obama's administration, who was tasked with checking out biolabs in Kazikistan. He found a half-eaten sandwich in an unlocked refrigerator which were stored vials of anthrax, etc. The windows were open. This is not to defend wacko theories, but to state that biolabs are a very real danger; there have even been leaks here in the U.S. I wrote about this in a book I co-authored, "The End of Epidemics" with Dr. Jonathan Quick.