43 Comments
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Dawn-Starr Crowther's avatar

Appalling. Thank you, Fitz, for your authentic voice calling it like it is. I canceled my WAPO subscription immediately on hearing their position. I truly fear for our nation when journalism withers on the vine. Perilous times, indeed.

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Gini Gethmann's avatar

Not just gutless but stupid as well. If the billionaire owners think that no endorsement gets them off the trump temper tantrum hook, some sycophant needs to tell them the ttt hook is still coming for them because they didn’t endorse him. No win situation so why not do what’s right. I guess when you get to be a billionaire you leave principles behind.

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Dave Gallagher's avatar

Knowing that the WP editorial board was preparing to endorse Kamala Harris but their decision was killed by Jeff Bezos, I, too, was upset. After all, I recall Bezos saying he would not interfere with the editorial board when he purchased the Post.

I don't know why Bezos vetoed the Washington Post's editorial board's endorsement of Kamala Harris. I do know that the conservative writer, Robert Kagan, author of "Rebellion: How Antiliberalism is Tearing America Apart - Again, resigned from his job at the WP due to the decision to squash the endorsement of Kamala Harris.

I, too, was disturbed enough to cancel my subscription to the WP AND my Amazon Prime credit card.

Fascism wins when we allow ourselves to be motivated by fear rather than love and the truth.

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Monica Manning's avatar

I canceled the Washington Post when William Lewis was named publisher. The reply was that my subscription would end six months later when it expired. I replied to them that I wanted an immediate cancellation. They did refund six months of my subscription. Don't let them delay and run your subscription out.

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Dave Gallagher's avatar

Thank you!

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Jude Johnson's avatar

"Democracy Dies in Darkness"...Indeed, Katherine Graham is seething in her grave. WaPo went from "All the President's Men" to "Kiss the Ring" in five decades. I canceled my subscriptions to NYT and WaPo during the Felon's term because I could see them kowtowing even then. Does it make a difference? Only if millions of people do the same, and cancel their Amazon addiction as well, which is tough to do for folks in rural areas or stuck at home with limited capabilities.

Those who read Ruth Ben-Ghiat ( https://lucid.substack.com/ ) and Dr. Timothy Snyder [who has an EXCELLENT piece today https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/obeying-in-advance?r=5mwrm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web ] know that controlling the press is vital for authoritarians. Our options might be limited but the main one is to hit them in their wallets, folks.

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Gretchen Winters's avatar

I was going to comment on the WaPo slogan, when I saw this remake: Democracy Dies in Broad Daylight.

Fucking sad.

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Richard Rose's avatar

Looks like we’re going from a Free Press to a ‘Free the Press’ society… What a gutless bunch. If you choose not to choose, you still have made a choice…

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AZ-Jet's avatar

Who killed a Daily Star endorsement?

The same person that fact checks letters to the editor?

Thanks for calling out the billionaire clASS!

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Liberal Old Lady's avatar

Hear! Hear! I have always thought newspapers were the most valuable asset for a free country. Unfortunately it now seems as though we are giving up & giving in to a dictatorship before it is even a reality. Why have we given up when the battle is just begun?

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Glenn Lippman's avatar

I was glad to see the New York Times still made a strong stand in their editorial endorsement of Kamala Harris. Thankfully.

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Dennis Winsten's avatar

It’s the same reason you don’t see any bumper stickers on cars. Fear of retribution. The toxic climate in this country was created by one man and one man alone. Guess who.

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Janice Laz- Romo's avatar

I have signs all over my house for Harris and I live in Trumpville. Fuck them all

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Elaine Cummings's avatar

No less a person than George Washington insisted that a FREE PRESS was critical and necessary for the information and protection of the citizens of a "then" new country. That fact never has changed ... up to and including this morning! As a very retired journalist, believer in relentless research, and writer of truth, I am shocked, offended, beyond angry at this latest 'sink hole' created by even "only" two contemporary so-called newspapers! The whole of the Fourth Estate should "look in the mirror" to question if they can see ... in any reflection in themselves ... the brilliance of our Founders.

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Barbara Eisele's avatar

I cancelled my subscription to the WP yesterday, probably Bezo's could care but it's all I can do there. My husband subscribes to the digital AZ Star and I don't think I can prevail to get him to cancel. UGH!

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Nate's avatar

The major newspapers are owned with editorial content slanted to wealthy owners and corporate/political politics.

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Elaine Cummings's avatar

But ... ONLY if "that" is permitted and condoned by "We, The People." IMHO: Discussion should follow on just 'who' has been spineless and non-observant. Just sayin' ...

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Elouise Rusk's avatar

I agree with all of your followers. We’re either

Possessed by Bezos or buy apples. Take your choice.

I joined all of you in your fury!

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Gil Morrison's avatar

Thank you for putting thoughtful words to what we are all seeing - a naked emperor.

As for the WP by-line "Democracy dies in darkness", darkness ensues.

These press decisions give more weight to Matt Johnson's prophetic song Kissing the Ring of POTUS.

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Susan Gallegos's avatar

Thanks, Fitz. I canceled my WAPO subscription yesterday on hearing this.

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Debbie Logan's avatar

You are absolutely right. If we don’t stand up for our beliefs we will be a group of sheep.

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Caryn Stedman's avatar

I canceled my subscription to the Washington Post yesterday. Spineless wimps.

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