Reply #32: Is Bush's control of the press reason to congratulate him for it?

[IndianaGreen]

Bush took advantage of his bully pulpit and news media cycles to argue that appeals court Judge John Roberts is the right choice for the nation's highest court.

The fact that Bush can manipulate and control the press in the same way he lords over the White House staff has now become an occasion to laud and congratulate Bush. Shame! I don't think this is what the authors of the First Amendment envisioned when they thought they were protecting the press from government control.

During the days of the Republic the words "bully pulpit" were used to described how a President could use the moral authority of his office to bring about a common good, such as when President Kennedy used his influence to end a steel strike. Now, in the early days of the Empire, "bully pulpit" has a more sinister meaning. The Anointed One manipulates a cowardly press to fool the public and to push for his extremist rightwing agenda for the country.

How sad to witness the end of the late, great United States of America!