THE CRUX OF IT: The saying ‘Death by a thousand cuts’ began to play out in reality one month ago.
Today the Drumpf administration decided that it would be appropriate to lock a handful of news organizations out of a White House press conference. This move was highly irregular within the boundaries of protocol in Washington. The organizations excluded were ones that have been vocally opposed to the administration, including CNN, Politico, and the NYT.
When did it begin to matter whether or not the media was completely honest or favorable or like-minded? Short of actionable liable statements, organizations can print what they like thanks to the first amendment.
No President or his representatives should use the power of the White House to childishly punish those they feel were unkind to them and hurt their feelings.
Controlling the media and the flow and sources of information is reminiscent of dictatorial regimes in countries that the U.S. would quickly condemn.
Now, the condemnation would be done in hypocritical irony.
Perhaps this was a gentle toe in the water to see what would be overlooked; a test run like the botched ban they tried to roll out.
Maybe-since it is only the first month-this is the breaking-in period meant to soften us up and to desensitize the country to what is still ahead.
Some say that the Drumpf is on strings. Even if trump is not the impetus of the disturbing acts that have been tried in just the first 30 days, he is potentially listening to Bannon mindlessly while authoritarianism is being forced upon us.
One damaging act will be implemented after the next in the near future with the intent of chipping away at the foundation of what has been built in the past 70 years or so. That foundation of equality and accountability is under attack.
