Trump and the press

Presidential press briefing....

The Boston Globe has invited news organizations across the country to save Aug. 16 as a day on which those media might express their views of U.S. President Donald Trump's assaults on the news media as "fake," among other criticisms.

The Globe has reached out to editorial boards nationwide to write and publish editorials on Aug. 16 denouncing what the newspaper called a ‘‘dirty war against the free press.’’...
[A]bout 70 outlets had committed to editorials so far, with the list expected to grow....
‘‘Our words will differ. But at least we can agree that such attacks are alarming,’’ the appeal said....

I have wondered childishly what it might be like if the media might not serve itself better by simply not showing up to the almost-never presidential press briefing. But that's childish. And I am not sure but what the Globe's rallying cry is a bit too whiny.

On the one hand, I can imagine the Globe thought the issue through, weighing pros and cons. On the other, I can imagine Donald Trump rejoicing as any oligarch might: "Any publicity is good publicity."

Too bad newspapers can't find a parallel recourse in Robert Mueller's (currently investigating interference in the 2016 election) silence-is-golden approach to a loose cannon like Trump. Let the actions -- actions in court -- speak up and let the mouths be still.

It's a rock and a hard place, but I guess speaking up for the importance of a ranging press is worth the critiques that will descend like rain. Trump will rejoice to be able to say, "See -- I toldjaso." His fan base will applaud. Trump has yet to reveal the "true" news, but he knows "fake" news when he sees it ... or something like that.The press is so busy sweeping up behind Trump's gaffs and lies that there is barely time for whatever used to qualify as news.

Liberals like me are still trying to imagine that this Prevaricator in Chief could actually get where he is by lying and lying and lying some more ... while all the time saying he is the one true purveyor of truth. 

Someone has to call this guy out even if calling him out qualifies as "fake" news.