— LIN YUTANG
I find it alarming, but not surprising, that Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders implemented new rules for the admittance of press into briefings and events that designated as unqualified much of the White House press corps. White House officials then selected who would be granted exceptions.
This is not surprising to me, because the war between the White House and the press has escalated to a point of real danger. It is difficult for me to remember who threw the first stone in this dangerous war, but neither side seems to have any intention of finding a peaceful solution. Unfortunately, we are paying a steep price for their behavior.
Our President has a need to be admired and appreciated. He also enjoys bypassing the print media and speaking his mind on social media. While this might seem a refreshing attribute to some, it can be quite dangerous when not handled with the utmost of caution. He also believes that he and his family deserve privacy and feels that the press is invading that privacy every day.
The media, on the other hand, believe that a public figure is fair game and that the President and those surrounding him should share information freely. I agree that the press is a vital part of out democracy, affording us all a window into our government. I think it is dangerous when those in power try to pull the shades on that window and am thankful that the press continues to fight for access, but I fear that they are going beyond their scope in dealing with our current President.
As I have mentioned several times before, when the press loses its objectivity, it can often be as dangerous as the window that is being blocked. In this case, much of the media is using its power to highlight things that make the President look foolish, which is instigating him to do more and more foolish things. Unfortunately, the foolish things are not merely kept “in the family,” but instead they are spread around the world.
We are losing credibility in the eyes of our allies and our enemies, and that can lead to trouble. Having millions of viewers across the world watch our President’s hair blowing in the wind and toilet paper stuck to his shoe shows a lack of dignity where there needs to be respect. Having the First Lady always look like a bitter woman who is more concerned about her wardrobe than the American people does not show America in the best of light. Just like in a family, we can argue all we want inside our own “house,” but we need to show those outside of our house a united front.
This is not a President with the temperament to turn the other check. If he feels he is being wronged, he will thrash out at his perceived enemy without thinking of the repercussions. For as long as I can remember our White House was populated with people who showed dignity and never thrashed out at the expense of the country, and we had a press that reported the news with an equal amount of dignity and made sure to keep our government “honest.” Over the last few years Democrat’s and Republicans, the White House and the press, all seem to have forgotten that we are that family that needs to work towards an America we can all be proud to call home. Maybe we need a mom in the mix, showing everyone how to behave in a manner that makes her proud.
Speaking of moms, I want to take some time away from politics to wish every mom out there a wonderful Mother’s Day. May I suggest that all of you out there lucky enough to still have your mom give her the gift she wants the most...time with you. If you live near her than spend the day pampering her, and if you live far away than set aside an hour to tell her everything that is going on in your life. There is nothing that you can give her that she would enjoy more.
Of course books are nice too. This week I read An Affair to Dismember: Book One of the Matchmaker Mysteries Series by Elise Sax. It is a light, fun Cozy Mystery that your mom will enjoy.
As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly