You may disagree with the content of MSNBC and CNN — I don't think anyone here would say you don't have a civil right to do so, or to express that opinion in a civil manner. But such an opinion doesn't change the fact that it's Fox News (even as popular as it is) that settled a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit, and testified in court that its hosts knowingly spread false information. MSNBC and CNN have done neither. Fox News is demonstrably damaged as a credible news source.
A reasoned opinion supported by relevant facts. You should try it sometime. For example, if you disagree with my conclusion that Fox News is demonstrably damaged as a credible news source, make a reasoned argument to the contrary and support it with evidence. That would make for a far more interesting discussion than replying with "In your opinion."
We are not in two wars. There are a lot of migrants and asylum seekers at the border, enough to overwhelm the inadequately funded (blame decades of Congress for that) agencies who are supposed to process them according to our laws, which indeed causes a problem, but it is not an invasion. Inflation is down, thanks in part to Biden’s policies, but prices are not, so what would you have any president do about that? Order corporations to lower prices? Tax them on their excessive profits? Wouldn’t that go against your dislike of regulations? If you stop thinking in such hyperbolic terms, you might begin to see things are not as bad as you’ve been told.
Inflation skyrocketed after Biden took office due to the bounce back of pent-up demand caused by the screeching halt the economy came to when everything shut down because of the pandemic. This was a worldwide phenomenon, remember the supply chain issues? Economics 101–too much money chasing too few goods. It was exacerbated here by the stimulus money both Trump and Biden handed out willy nilly. It was poorly done on both their parts: some people who lost jobs and were really hurting did not get enough money, others who were still working and getting paid got money they didn’t really need. Since then, though, Biden has presided over a steady decrease in the rate of inflation. If you pay attention to the financial news as I do, our economy seems to have achieved the soft landing everyone thought was impossible. The economy is growing at a healthy pace, wages are keeping up with or even inching ahead of the inflation we do still have. Keep in mind that the Fed aims to have an inflation rate of 2% and we aren’t very far from that now. The job market is healthy as well. Unfortunately prices are still high on many things even though the supply chain has unsnarled because if corporations can get people to pay $3 for a box of spaghetti, darn few of them will sell it for a dollar. People may be complaining about it, but they’re paying it. I’m not any happier about the high prices than you are, but I don’t blame Biden for that, I blame corporate greed.
As to the wars, we are sending weapons and other military aid. Israel is an ally, one who in my personal opinion has badly miscalculated their response to a horrific terrorist attack, but an ally still. Ukraine is an emerging democracy that was struggling to get out from under Russia’s boot-heel, and was invaded by them, and I believe it is not only in our best interests but the world’s best interests to help them stop Russia. If you are an isolationist there is probably nothing I could say to change your mind, but I would hope that one thing we could agree on is that both of these situations are terrible, complex, and defy easy solutions. Dealing with them requires understanding history and being able to see the ramifications of actions not only in the moment but years down the road. Is Biden the right man for the job? Maybe, maybe not, but I feel way better about him doing it than Trump with his glib boasting about how he’d solve it all in one day. His appalling lack of knowledge, understanding and character would be a disaster in these situations. And I don’t feel any better about the people he surrounds himself with.
Republicans, Trump supporters, and other members of the disloyal opposition use the age-old political tactic of stoking populist grievances, in an effort to scapegoat the current administration. This includes disinformation, exaggerations, and outright lies. It's also known as propaganda.
I think that for most Republicans and other Trump supporters today, if a politician is indicted and is a Republican, it's automatically termed a politically-motivated and unfair persecution, regardless of the basis of the indictment or the facts of the case. (Not to mention that trials can only proceed if the judges overseeing the cases believe it's a proper prosecution and has a legal basis.)
Of course, such accusations of unfairness are routinely made without evidence.
Here is a more recent article. I still stand by comment, “Who is Ben Cotton and is he a credible authority?”
“They rely on technical details from tabulator logs and analysis by experts who might be known to Arizonans: Ben Cotton, founder of CyFIR, which was hired as part of the Senate's widely criticized review of the 2020 presidential election, and who took election data and its server to a remote cabin in Montana.”
I clicked on your link and started reading the article, thinking it was an article from a regular Arizona newspaper. Then I noticed the “Breaking Headlines” on the side, with titles including phrases like “the corrupt Biden administration,” and “unhinged Vanderbilt protesters.” Those are not news headlines, but propaganda headlines. I continued reading and then saw Steve Bannon’s picture in an ad for what must be a podcast. I stopped reading because obviously, this is an extremely biased source. I would not trust their information.
I lived in AZ for a while and did not recognize the name. It is apparently part of some on-line Star News Network that does a good job of hiding who and what they are. The name is vaguely like a couple of well known AZ newspapers so I’m sure they rely on the confusion to seem legitimate.
Hey Put the title of your link is “Election Integrity Investigator Releases New Information” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr8QxT9-5jg Ben Cotton - Arizona Audit Final Hearing - CyFir - Full Presentation
I could have missed it but I don’t see any new information so what did I miss?
This election is not about electing a Democrat or a Republican, it is a choice between Democracy and Autocracy. One candidate who is working to improve the lives of the American people regardless who they voted for in the last election and the other candidate who continues to spew vitriolic rhetoric, gives validity to dictators and thumbs his nose at the rule of law. Make no mistake about it. this is the most important election in our lifetime. Our enemies are watching , the credibility of our nation is on the chopping block .
Thank you Ken for continuing to call out the Trump legacy. It is confounding that he is once again knocking on the door of the White House. Many of us ask over and over again "How could that be?" and "What can I do to prevent that from happening?". Even Trump's threat of revenge and dictatorship don't seem to motivate the masses. Would love to hear your thoughts about what the average citizen/voter can do in the runup to the 2024 election to make sure that Donald Trump does not open that door. I'm not optimistic that the press will do its part.
Joe, there are grassroots groups out there! I'm about an hour south of you so am more familiar with my area than yours. Call your local Democratic party. Or better yet, call your local Working Families Party. That's a good start!
I think there is definitely Trump fatigue where regular folks are just sick of it all. I think we all have to speak up. Letters to the editor en masse. Yeah, I do think that helps, but when someone we know says things that are not true. We have to disagree - in a civil way - and tell them what we know. I think most of us avoid those conversations.
What truly saddens and disappoints me is not that a corrupt traitor like Trump can emerge from the political muck and gain prominence.
There have always been some among us who are easily captivated by populist charlatans. It's that upwards of 45 percent of Americans continue to support Trump, after all of his objectively corrupt actions and statements. Such a large portion of us no longer accept the traditional value of election results, nor accept the peaceful transfer of political power from one presidency to another. No matter what happens in November, no matter whether Biden or Trump is elected, our country has already been tested and we have failed.
I can only hope our country can recover from our current failures.
Great article,Ken. You definitely know and provide the facts accurately. But my concern is that the former Republican president’s followers( do not want to say his name) don’t pay attention to the truth. They are blindly following him saying he’s better than Biden or orange face is taking care of us little guys - without proof, without looking at the facts. I’ve stopped trying to prove them wrong. So I commend you for continuing to spread the truth. Thank you.
I do think the louder the message, the more voices saying it, the more people have to pay attention and wonder if they have the whole story. Never trust a politician. Never admire a politician.
Great column! Keeping trying to spread truth and expose lies and criminals!!
“Whoever corruptly . . . alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object . . . with the intent to impair the object's integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or . . . otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding” . . . .doesn't this refer to flushing white house documents down toilets? Everything about what our former president did and does is criminal. Thank you for pointing it out. In addition, he might have spit on our medals of freedom when he gave them to criminals and liars. They are meaningless now.
After a female reporter at the Capital Gazette threw a trash can at a shooter to distract him - and then was killed - Maryland congressional delegates asked that she be considered for the Medal of Freedom. Trump gave it to Rush Limbaugh instead.
You are not looking right places. If I say white, you say black and so forth. I am really curious why you feel the need to disagree with everything anyone says. You seem to feel the need to politicize EVERYTHING. Many of us are moderates and not really that political, but when we see politicians lying, we don't defend them, we call it out.
Yeah, you pretty much do. Sorry, but you need to look in the mirror. You disagree with everything. You change the subject so you can inflame other people. And you never really comment on the theme of the main column. You do it so often, I wonder if you are paid to do it. I'm willing to debate anyone who is reasonable, but you are beyond that so I willl take you up on that offer and not respond any longer.
Thank you Ken for writing the truth. Unfortunately, too many journalists and news media continue to go for the ratings and skew the headlines to sell their trade. I am concerned about how to get honest, factual articles back in front of the masses. I have one question, when Stefanik puts out a press release, does the newspaper have a duty to check for accuracy? I am frustrated that she continues to claim responsibility for bringing money to different parts of the county when in fact she voted against the bill. How do we, as concerned citizens, get the papers and local news to only report the facts?
Yes, Yes, Yes. The newspaper should always fact check any information that might not be credible. Considering Stefanik's track record for lying, that means a lot of fact-checking. She knows local newspapers no longer have the resources to do that. Support local journalism.
And that's why we are in this mess. When a news organization consistently lies to its viewers. Ratings do not mean truth.
You may disagree with the content of MSNBC and CNN — I don't think anyone here would say you don't have a civil right to do so, or to express that opinion in a civil manner. But such an opinion doesn't change the fact that it's Fox News (even as popular as it is) that settled a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit, and testified in court that its hosts knowingly spread false information. MSNBC and CNN have done neither. Fox News is demonstrably damaged as a credible news source.
"In my opinion."
A reasoned opinion supported by relevant facts. You should try it sometime. For example, if you disagree with my conclusion that Fox News is demonstrably damaged as a credible news source, make a reasoned argument to the contrary and support it with evidence. That would make for a far more interesting discussion than replying with "In your opinion."
Using the same logic, McDonald’s must make the best hamburgers in the world.
We are not in two wars. There are a lot of migrants and asylum seekers at the border, enough to overwhelm the inadequately funded (blame decades of Congress for that) agencies who are supposed to process them according to our laws, which indeed causes a problem, but it is not an invasion. Inflation is down, thanks in part to Biden’s policies, but prices are not, so what would you have any president do about that? Order corporations to lower prices? Tax them on their excessive profits? Wouldn’t that go against your dislike of regulations? If you stop thinking in such hyperbolic terms, you might begin to see things are not as bad as you’ve been told.
Inflation skyrocketed after Biden took office due to the bounce back of pent-up demand caused by the screeching halt the economy came to when everything shut down because of the pandemic. This was a worldwide phenomenon, remember the supply chain issues? Economics 101–too much money chasing too few goods. It was exacerbated here by the stimulus money both Trump and Biden handed out willy nilly. It was poorly done on both their parts: some people who lost jobs and were really hurting did not get enough money, others who were still working and getting paid got money they didn’t really need. Since then, though, Biden has presided over a steady decrease in the rate of inflation. If you pay attention to the financial news as I do, our economy seems to have achieved the soft landing everyone thought was impossible. The economy is growing at a healthy pace, wages are keeping up with or even inching ahead of the inflation we do still have. Keep in mind that the Fed aims to have an inflation rate of 2% and we aren’t very far from that now. The job market is healthy as well. Unfortunately prices are still high on many things even though the supply chain has unsnarled because if corporations can get people to pay $3 for a box of spaghetti, darn few of them will sell it for a dollar. People may be complaining about it, but they’re paying it. I’m not any happier about the high prices than you are, but I don’t blame Biden for that, I blame corporate greed.
As to the wars, we are sending weapons and other military aid. Israel is an ally, one who in my personal opinion has badly miscalculated their response to a horrific terrorist attack, but an ally still. Ukraine is an emerging democracy that was struggling to get out from under Russia’s boot-heel, and was invaded by them, and I believe it is not only in our best interests but the world’s best interests to help them stop Russia. If you are an isolationist there is probably nothing I could say to change your mind, but I would hope that one thing we could agree on is that both of these situations are terrible, complex, and defy easy solutions. Dealing with them requires understanding history and being able to see the ramifications of actions not only in the moment but years down the road. Is Biden the right man for the job? Maybe, maybe not, but I feel way better about him doing it than Trump with his glib boasting about how he’d solve it all in one day. His appalling lack of knowledge, understanding and character would be a disaster in these situations. And I don’t feel any better about the people he surrounds himself with.
Republicans, Trump supporters, and other members of the disloyal opposition use the age-old political tactic of stoking populist grievances, in an effort to scapegoat the current administration. This includes disinformation, exaggerations, and outright lies. It's also known as propaganda.
Just to offer an opposing view, for readers' consideration, of some of the reasons why I support President Biden for a second term:
- Salary increases are outpacing inflation
- Cost of living is going down
- Families’ net worth has increased
- Stock market climbing
- Number of Americans with no health insurance at all time low
- Bipartisan infrastructure bill
- Most significant gun-safety bill in decades
- American Rescue Plan to counter Covid pandemic
I'm looking forward to voting for Biden in November, with the bonus of voting against the most corrupt former president in our history.
None.
We know politicians can commit crimes. So how many criminal indictments are acceptable?
I think that for most Republicans and other Trump supporters today, if a politician is indicted and is a Republican, it's automatically termed a politically-motivated and unfair persecution, regardless of the basis of the indictment or the facts of the case. (Not to mention that trials can only proceed if the judges overseeing the cases believe it's a proper prosecution and has a legal basis.)
Of course, such accusations of unfairness are routinely made without evidence.
If you want to see some examples of politicians who committed crimes, just look at the list of pardons that Trump handed out.
https://wapo.st/3VVNFR8
Who is Ben Cotton and is he a credible authority? This would be a great article for an investigative reporter.
Here is a more recent article. I still stand by comment, “Who is Ben Cotton and is he a credible authority?”
“They rely on technical details from tabulator logs and analysis by experts who might be known to Arizonans: Ben Cotton, founder of CyFIR, which was hired as part of the Senate's widely criticized review of the 2020 presidential election, and who took election data and its server to a remote cabin in Montana.”
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/17/how-will-scotus-handle-kari-lake-mark-finchem-voting-machine-lawsuit/73335872007/
Re: Ben Cotton - this article came up - doesnt really answer the question but just says the "purging" didnt happen!
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/sep/28/instagram-posts/no-evidence-claim-maricopa-county-purged-machine-r/
Yup!
search for "Ben Cotton, founder of CyFIR LLC"
I clicked on your link and started reading the article, thinking it was an article from a regular Arizona newspaper. Then I noticed the “Breaking Headlines” on the side, with titles including phrases like “the corrupt Biden administration,” and “unhinged Vanderbilt protesters.” Those are not news headlines, but propaganda headlines. I continued reading and then saw Steve Bannon’s picture in an ad for what must be a podcast. I stopped reading because obviously, this is an extremely biased source. I would not trust their information.
I lived in AZ for a while and did not recognize the name. It is apparently part of some on-line Star News Network that does a good job of hiding who and what they are. The name is vaguely like a couple of well known AZ newspapers so I’m sure they rely on the confusion to seem legitimate.
It is a digital site.
It is not a real print newspaper.
Hey Put the title of your link is “Election Integrity Investigator Releases New Information” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr8QxT9-5jg Ben Cotton - Arizona Audit Final Hearing - CyFir - Full Presentation
I could have missed it but I don’t see any new information so what did I miss?
Former College of Saint Rose president Marcia White walked away with a million and 1/2 dollars severance pay. She made sure she got hers.
Not sure about Marcia White, but her predecessor, Carolyn Stefanco, received $1.4 million in compensation.
T-U reported that White received over $500,000 over a two-year period.
Many saw Trump for what he was. Very few saw the capitulation of an entire party to him.
This election is not about electing a Democrat or a Republican, it is a choice between Democracy and Autocracy. One candidate who is working to improve the lives of the American people regardless who they voted for in the last election and the other candidate who continues to spew vitriolic rhetoric, gives validity to dictators and thumbs his nose at the rule of law. Make no mistake about it. this is the most important election in our lifetime. Our enemies are watching , the credibility of our nation is on the chopping block .
Thank you Ken for continuing to call out the Trump legacy. It is confounding that he is once again knocking on the door of the White House. Many of us ask over and over again "How could that be?" and "What can I do to prevent that from happening?". Even Trump's threat of revenge and dictatorship don't seem to motivate the masses. Would love to hear your thoughts about what the average citizen/voter can do in the runup to the 2024 election to make sure that Donald Trump does not open that door. I'm not optimistic that the press will do its part.
Joe, there are grassroots groups out there! I'm about an hour south of you so am more familiar with my area than yours. Call your local Democratic party. Or better yet, call your local Working Families Party. That's a good start!
Thanks Bridget. I'm also reaching out to party in swing states. I'm willing to travel and help where it is needed most. Thanks again.
Yeah. A bunch of us are talking about getting an air bnb in PA or OH for a week or so to go door knocking. Good for you!
Great for g you!
I think there is definitely Trump fatigue where regular folks are just sick of it all. I think we all have to speak up. Letters to the editor en masse. Yeah, I do think that helps, but when someone we know says things that are not true. We have to disagree - in a civil way - and tell them what we know. I think most of us avoid those conversations.
I so agree with you.
I agree with you.
What truly saddens and disappoints me is not that a corrupt traitor like Trump can emerge from the political muck and gain prominence.
There have always been some among us who are easily captivated by populist charlatans. It's that upwards of 45 percent of Americans continue to support Trump, after all of his objectively corrupt actions and statements. Such a large portion of us no longer accept the traditional value of election results, nor accept the peaceful transfer of political power from one presidency to another. No matter what happens in November, no matter whether Biden or Trump is elected, our country has already been tested and we have failed.
I can only hope our country can recover from our current failures.
Great article,Ken. You definitely know and provide the facts accurately. But my concern is that the former Republican president’s followers( do not want to say his name) don’t pay attention to the truth. They are blindly following him saying he’s better than Biden or orange face is taking care of us little guys - without proof, without looking at the facts. I’ve stopped trying to prove them wrong. So I commend you for continuing to spread the truth. Thank you.
Lots of us won't use his name. The Former Guy, TFG, is a handy acronym.
I do think the louder the message, the more voices saying it, the more people have to pay attention and wonder if they have the whole story. Never trust a politician. Never admire a politician.
Great column! Keeping trying to spread truth and expose lies and criminals!!
“Whoever corruptly . . . alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object . . . with the intent to impair the object's integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or . . . otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding” . . . .doesn't this refer to flushing white house documents down toilets? Everything about what our former president did and does is criminal. Thank you for pointing it out. In addition, he might have spit on our medals of freedom when he gave them to criminals and liars. They are meaningless now.
After a female reporter at the Capital Gazette threw a trash can at a shooter to distract him - and then was killed - Maryland congressional delegates asked that she be considered for the Medal of Freedom. Trump gave it to Rush Limbaugh instead.
You are not looking right places. If I say white, you say black and so forth. I am really curious why you feel the need to disagree with everything anyone says. You seem to feel the need to politicize EVERYTHING. Many of us are moderates and not really that political, but when we see politicians lying, we don't defend them, we call it out.
Here is the source for the Medal of Freedome:
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/press-releases/team-maryland-urges-trump-to-consider-capital-gazette-hero-for-presidential-medal-of-freedom/
Yeah, you pretty much do. Sorry, but you need to look in the mirror. You disagree with everything. You change the subject so you can inflame other people. And you never really comment on the theme of the main column. You do it so often, I wonder if you are paid to do it. I'm willing to debate anyone who is reasonable, but you are beyond that so I willl take you up on that offer and not respond any longer.
Heartbreaking in so many ways. 💔
Ugh!
Thank you Ken. I've forwarded this to all my friends around the country.
Bravo!
Urgent and welcomed advice.
Diane Collins
Thank you Ken for writing the truth. Unfortunately, too many journalists and news media continue to go for the ratings and skew the headlines to sell their trade. I am concerned about how to get honest, factual articles back in front of the masses. I have one question, when Stefanik puts out a press release, does the newspaper have a duty to check for accuracy? I am frustrated that she continues to claim responsibility for bringing money to different parts of the county when in fact she voted against the bill. How do we, as concerned citizens, get the papers and local news to only report the facts?
Yes, Yes, Yes. The newspaper should always fact check any information that might not be credible. Considering Stefanik's track record for lying, that means a lot of fact-checking. She knows local newspapers no longer have the resources to do that. Support local journalism.
There are journalists and then there are hucksters. Birds of a feather stick together.
Thank you. There’s a whole lot of very sad truths there. He definitely is NOT who we need for president.