I liked your column, but this is from July 5, 2021:New York
CNN Business
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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Monday will hand over his chief executive title to Andy Jassy, ending a more than two-decade run leading the company through its evolution from online bookseller to $1.75 trillion global retail, logistics and internet behemoth. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/05/tech/jeff-bezos-amazon-ceo-exit/index.html
I'm hearing a lot of writers complaining about their treatment by Amazon and making plans to leave. Unfortunately, it is going to be hard to leave because of Amazon's hold on not only the market but also the writers' finances! I just hope some of the competition will step up and start helping writers get their books out to readers.
Totally agree, democracy is dying as our country gets darker and darker. It feels more and more like the early days of Hitler. Our country is in trouble even if Harris wins. The appeal of authoritarianism is misguided. Except for a very few, People in Countries under this rule suffer greatly.
I disagree with the notion that the Times and Post owners are cowards. To say they are cowards implies they would prefer to endorse Harris, but are scared of the implications. I don’t think this is true. They have commanded their papers to not endorse because they can and they want to. They have the power to make this decision and they are exercising their power. Their power comes from their monopoly positions and Harris is the threat to them, not Trump.
Appreciate your input, Jim. But how and where has Harris threatened media owners? She has talked about breaking up food industry monopolies. Plus, I hardly think the Washington Post is part of a monopoly.
The Harris campaign website states that she will “crack down on anti-competitive practices” of large corporations. The Biden administration has more rigorously enforced regulations and antitrust law than previous administrations and I would expect that to continue under Harris. Therefore, I think it is reasonable to infer that the owners directed their papers to decline to endorse because they prefer Trump as President, rather than because they are cowards. As hard as it may be to believe, there are people who prefer Trump and many billionaires are in that camp.
"The Biden administration has more rigorously enforced regulations and antitrust law than previous administrations and I would expect that to continue under Harris." Says it all doesn't it--enforcing laws and regulations. Can't have that.
A chill has taken hold of me and I'm afraid. I see that darkness right in front of me. Please people, fight for our country, for our republic, for our freedoms which are eroding before out eyes. Get out the vote and stop this "man."
The craven nature of some media ownership is a leading candidate for this cycle's October surprise. These outlets folded faster than Bo Dietl's infamous $3 briefcase (yes, I listened to Imus back when he was an equal opportunity curmudgeon). It took Alexandra Petri to make the Harris endorsement for the Post.
I thought of the Collaborative and hoped for a Busiek or other response. Occasionally, I watch News Nation and Fox. This morning, a News Nation commentator discussed Trump's NYC rally and dismissed his racist, sexist comments as simply equivalent to Democrats and Harris calling Trump a racist. Mark Halperin’s 2Way often draws similar comparisons, with viewers, Sean Spicer and Halperin responding by condemning both parties equally. This “pox on both houses” view fosters cynicism, weakening democracy and discouraging voter turnout—which often benefits Trump. Meanwhile, Democrats have struggled to counter the Republicans’ and media’s use of false equivalencies to normalize Trump’s rhetoric. This morning's News Nation commentary was a prime example.
I’m curious as to what anyone actually expects from a carefully crafted corporate narrative. It’s not like any of these 10 km are “the Press” as referred to by the Framers.
I liked your column, but this is from July 5, 2021:New York
CNN Business
—
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Monday will hand over his chief executive title to Andy Jassy, ending a more than two-decade run leading the company through its evolution from online bookseller to $1.75 trillion global retail, logistics and internet behemoth. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/05/tech/jeff-bezos-amazon-ceo-exit/index.html
He still owns the company even if he doesn’t run it
I'm hearing a lot of writers complaining about their treatment by Amazon and making plans to leave. Unfortunately, it is going to be hard to leave because of Amazon's hold on not only the market but also the writers' finances! I just hope some of the competition will step up and start helping writers get their books out to readers.
Terry, every story I’ve read about the lack of an endorsement says the order came from Bezos.
We endorsed Harris when Biden dropped
https://www.stormlake.com/stories/editorial-harris-for-president,103777
Totally agree, democracy is dying as our country gets darker and darker. It feels more and more like the early days of Hitler. Our country is in trouble even if Harris wins. The appeal of authoritarianism is misguided. Except for a very few, People in Countries under this rule suffer greatly.
People think it can’t happen here. That’s what people thought in Germany a mere 90 years ago. That’s what people in Hungary thought five years ago.
Flattery and favors (along with retribution and threats) are the ethos of Trump and his privileged followers.
My thoughts: Don’t cancel your subscription and give Bezos a reason to cut staff. A better message would be to boycott Amazon for a week.
I disagree with the notion that the Times and Post owners are cowards. To say they are cowards implies they would prefer to endorse Harris, but are scared of the implications. I don’t think this is true. They have commanded their papers to not endorse because they can and they want to. They have the power to make this decision and they are exercising their power. Their power comes from their monopoly positions and Harris is the threat to them, not Trump.
Appreciate your input, Jim. But how and where has Harris threatened media owners? She has talked about breaking up food industry monopolies. Plus, I hardly think the Washington Post is part of a monopoly.
The Harris campaign website states that she will “crack down on anti-competitive practices” of large corporations. The Biden administration has more rigorously enforced regulations and antitrust law than previous administrations and I would expect that to continue under Harris. Therefore, I think it is reasonable to infer that the owners directed their papers to decline to endorse because they prefer Trump as President, rather than because they are cowards. As hard as it may be to believe, there are people who prefer Trump and many billionaires are in that camp.
"The Biden administration has more rigorously enforced regulations and antitrust law than previous administrations and I would expect that to continue under Harris." Says it all doesn't it--enforcing laws and regulations. Can't have that.
I just saw a reference to this suit. The FTC is alleging that Amazon is a monopoly. Do you think a Trump administration will pursue it?
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/09/ftc-sues-amazon-illegally-maintaining-monopoly-power
A chill has taken hold of me and I'm afraid. I see that darkness right in front of me. Please people, fight for our country, for our republic, for our freedoms which are eroding before out eyes. Get out the vote and stop this "man."
The craven nature of some media ownership is a leading candidate for this cycle's October surprise. These outlets folded faster than Bo Dietl's infamous $3 briefcase (yes, I listened to Imus back when he was an equal opportunity curmudgeon). It took Alexandra Petri to make the Harris endorsement for the Post.
How can the American people be so blind and uncaring? I will never, ever understand it. Not all of us, just about 48%.
Absolutely, Dave. This is a shameful dereliction of journalistic duty!
I thought of the Collaborative and hoped for a Busiek or other response. Occasionally, I watch News Nation and Fox. This morning, a News Nation commentator discussed Trump's NYC rally and dismissed his racist, sexist comments as simply equivalent to Democrats and Harris calling Trump a racist. Mark Halperin’s 2Way often draws similar comparisons, with viewers, Sean Spicer and Halperin responding by condemning both parties equally. This “pox on both houses” view fosters cynicism, weakening democracy and discouraging voter turnout—which often benefits Trump. Meanwhile, Democrats have struggled to counter the Republicans’ and media’s use of false equivalencies to normalize Trump’s rhetoric. This morning's News Nation commentary was a prime example.
I’m curious as to what anyone actually expects from a carefully crafted corporate narrative. It’s not like any of these 10 km are “the Press” as referred to by the Framers.