“There are only two forces that can carry light to all the corners of the globe...the sun in the heavens and the Press down here.”
—-Mark Twain
Since many newspapers across the country have chosen to use yesterday (Thursday) as a time to join together in support of news media, I have spent the day trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Our President spent much of his life attempting to draw the press to him, and the media seemed to enjoy his spotlight. It worked well for both sides until it didn’t.
It is the media’s job to serve as our beacon and shine a light on all it encounters. When it highlights all that is good in our world it gives us a sense of peace and happiness, and when it exposes our shortcomings it encourages us to fight for what is right. Since many of us have different interpretations of what is “right,” this can lead to uncomfortable times.
Our current administration believes it knows what is best for us and is working towards their specific goal. That goal is at odds with liberal thinking in many cases, and since the brunt of the media leans to the left, the spotlight that it shines can sometimes be a little harsh. A harsh light is often an impediment to accomplishing one’s goal, and that is where the trouble lies.
Donald Trump feels that exposing the negatives in his life is hitting below the belt, and at times maybe it is. His moral compass may be appalling, but that might not affect how he leads a nation, and highlighting every thing he ever did is a frustration that he feels he should not have to deal with on an hourly basis. In fact, I agree that the country has more to be concerned with than his sexual conquests.
He is, however, dead wrong when he tries to stifle the press. The men who founded our country were extremely wise, and nothing proves this more than our first amendment.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government
for a redress of grievances."
Those few words, along with Thomas Jefferson’s immortal words:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed;" are words that we have lived by since formally becoming a nation.
So whether an administration believes that the press is being too harsh, too critical or even terribly bias, it is their duty to protect that press and help them shine a light on the workings of the government so the people of our country are secure in the fact that our constitutional rights are being upheld.
The book I read/reviewed this week, Ultimate Power by Stephen Frey mixes politics and finances and kept me turning pages into the night.
As usual a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
—-Mark Twain
Since many newspapers across the country have chosen to use yesterday (Thursday) as a time to join together in support of news media, I have spent the day trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Our President spent much of his life attempting to draw the press to him, and the media seemed to enjoy his spotlight. It worked well for both sides until it didn’t.
It is the media’s job to serve as our beacon and shine a light on all it encounters. When it highlights all that is good in our world it gives us a sense of peace and happiness, and when it exposes our shortcomings it encourages us to fight for what is right. Since many of us have different interpretations of what is “right,” this can lead to uncomfortable times.
Our current administration believes it knows what is best for us and is working towards their specific goal. That goal is at odds with liberal thinking in many cases, and since the brunt of the media leans to the left, the spotlight that it shines can sometimes be a little harsh. A harsh light is often an impediment to accomplishing one’s goal, and that is where the trouble lies.
Donald Trump feels that exposing the negatives in his life is hitting below the belt, and at times maybe it is. His moral compass may be appalling, but that might not affect how he leads a nation, and highlighting every thing he ever did is a frustration that he feels he should not have to deal with on an hourly basis. In fact, I agree that the country has more to be concerned with than his sexual conquests.
He is, however, dead wrong when he tries to stifle the press. The men who founded our country were extremely wise, and nothing proves this more than our first amendment.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government
for a redress of grievances."
Those few words, along with Thomas Jefferson’s immortal words:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed;" are words that we have lived by since formally becoming a nation.
So whether an administration believes that the press is being too harsh, too critical or even terribly bias, it is their duty to protect that press and help them shine a light on the workings of the government so the people of our country are secure in the fact that our constitutional rights are being upheld.
The book I read/reviewed this week, Ultimate Power by Stephen Frey mixes politics and finances and kept me turning pages into the night.
As usual a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
