In a column “Where politics trumps principle” , Gil Smart writes:
“…But what becomes clear now — and should have been clear all along — is that Obama, and the type of governing ‘liberalism’ he represents, is a mirage. This is simply more of the same.
“And that realization leads, inexorably, to an erosion of faith among those who have wanted to believe in government as the manifestation of the will of the people. It leads to the realization that government instead reflects only the will of those who run it — on Pennsylvania Avenue, on Wall Street, on K Street. But not on your street.
“We can change presidents. But I suspect that’s one thing that will never change.”
WATCHDOG: First let us mention Smart’s excellent front page article “Special education faces dilemma.” The second part is to appear in Monday’s Intelligencer Journal / New Era.
Concerning his column, we believe that Smart’ pessimism is misplaced and precipitous. As indicated in today’s New York Time’s article “Confusion and Staff Troubles Rife at I.R.S. Office in Ohio”, the Internal Revenue Administration (IRA) controversy is largely a tempests in tea cup. Not only did not politics have anything to do with the screening, it is the very lack of political interest and sensitivity that led to a mistaken attempt by low level staff to ferret out abuse of the “Citizens United” decision by the Supreme Court.
The ‘Sky is always falling.’ It is Smart’s job to point it out and the job of academics, political activists (such as NewsLanc), and ultimately politicians to make corrections.
We have far more serious problems than the alleged AP, IRA and Benghazi bungling. (The more we learn, the less there is to criticize.) We believe that Barack Obama would prove to be one of the five best presidents this nation has ever had if given half a chance by the right wing of the Republican Party. It is bound and determined to thwart his every endeavor regardless of the consequences to the nation.
I was surprised that NewsLanc publicly described itself as political activists. I take that to mean Progressive political activists. Thus I now understand how NewsLanc spins events harmful to a progressive administration. Most newspaper readers want facts and truthful analysis from a vibrant and free press; without it our republic is in jeopardy. What readers get are two cheer leading factions either side eager to ignore their faults in their desire to attain their political agenda. NewsLanc’s attitude that the Obama administration can do no wrong is a disservice to their readers who look to Newslanc for information. Americans have a right to know what is happening in the bowels of the government. Readers need to know from reliable sources about government spying, data mining, IRS power abuse, poor judgement in protecting our Libya Ambassador, etc. so readers can judge for themselves whether it is important or not. In an effort to be clear with readers might I suggest you add “Progressive Activists” to your webpage banner.
EDITOR: The writer thinking is more in accord with that of George Washington but not Madison / Jefferson on the one side and Hamilton on the other. Nor is it consistent with the history of newspapers.
Half a century or so ago, there were multiple newspapers, each with its point of view and constituency, operating in the New York City market. In Philadelphia, there were three: The Inquirer, The Bulletin, and The Daily News.
The local Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. recognizes the journalistic tradition of expressing divergent points of view through opposing editorial pages…we think a very good thing.
Just as there are TV channels that in general lean to the left or to the right, so are Internet publications.
NewsLanc does make it a point to review and excerpt articles from the conservative NewsMax.com.
We would be proud to be considered as “Progressive Activists”. That would put us squarely in the company of the great Theodore Roosevelt.
Even if angels came from heaven, we believe it would be difficult for them to determine let alone simply publish “the facts.”