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abbyinsm's avatar

Will someone please drum it into Brian Williams's head that going to Harvard does not mean you are smarter or more competent or insightful? Williams introduces every pundit with their university pedigree as if that gives them credibility. John, you have so perfectly articulated the actual meaning of a "prestigious" degree: it signals a foundation rooted in elitist culture.

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dan tynan's avatar

I think the problem is that journalists inside the beltway are afraid of being seen as too extreme, paranoid, or captive to conspiracy theories. They have to characterize this radicalization of GOP power grab tactics as 'politics as usual', in part because otherwise they might seem naive or not jaded enough for their bosses, colleagues, etc. It's more about professional reputation than professional responsibilities. We saw the same thing with the reluctance to brand The Former Guy's constant lying as actual 'lies.' It took 3+ years for them to finally acknowledge that reality.

Part of that is due to the frog-in-the-pot effect. We've seen dirty attack politics from the GOP since the early days of the Clinton administration. And the Republicans have been gradually turning up the heat ever since. So it does seem like politics as usual -- until it isn't. And then it will be too late.

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