Do We Still Have a Free Press?

Much of what I am seeing, reading and hearing recently gives me pause.

Like this. And this.

Is Kristallnacht coming to America?

In November of 1938, through a carefully orchestrated plan that included support from both newspapers and radio, Germany's Nazi leaders touched off an outburst of violence throughout the regime aimed at destroying Jewish property and facilitating the implementation of Hitler's "final solution."

It is perhaps the ultimate irony that the American left, which has long excoriated conservatives by comparing them to the Nazis, has so completely aligned itself with Hitler's methods and his totalitarianism.

Where Hitler had Leni Riefenstahl to produce and direct "The Triumph of the Will," the American left has championed Michael Moore and his "Fahrenheit 9/11." Both films have been trumpeted at works of cinematic excellence and as documentaries, the former a paean to the virtues of the Third Reich, the latter a compilation of the faults of the present administration.

Where Hitler had Joseph Goebbels to head his propaganda machine, the American left has relied on the compliance of the mainstream media. Goebbels carefully managed what news would reach not only the German public but the world as well. When Berlin hosted the 1936 Olympic Games, there was no public evidence of the campaign of anti-Semitism that had been sweeping through Germany, nor was any effort made by any media to even attempt to substantiate any of the reports of oppression of Jews and others in Germany.

Today's mainstream media has been similarly compliant. CBS clung doggedly to the falsified reports of President George W. Bush's National Guard service for more than a week after they were proven to be forgeries, and little or no effort was made to uncover what may well have been a felonious act. All of the major broadcast networks pointedly ignored the book "Unfit For Command" and the charges it brought against Sen. John Kerry while at the same time making ample time for Richard Clarke and his book before he was disgraced when charges he made were proven false. Newspapers like the New York Times and Washington Post were harshly critical of the organization Swift Boat Veterans For Truth, ignoring the message and attacking the messenger.

Where Hitler had the Krupp family to fund his ambition, the American left has George Soros, who has spent millions through 527 organizations -- a convenient circumvention of the campaign-finance law so embraced by the Democrat party -- for the dissemination of outright propaganda. The web site MoveOn.org, funded by Soros, made news earlier this year by comparing President Bush to Hitler and attempting to link Bush's family to the rise of the Third Reich. An overlooked irony about that link was that the American left has a much closer tie to the Third Reich. Joseph Kennedy, father of Democrat icon Ted Kennedy, was recalled as the ambassador to England prior to the start of World War II because of his blatant public admiration for Hitler and his unconcealed anti-Semitism.

Comments

[Jake]

You are aware that the Bush administration has a record of announcing terror warnings at politically opportune moments, are you not, and that they always experience a bump in the polls as a result?

In fact there are reports today that The White House may have leaked the ABC story to Matt Drudge as a way of pressuring the network to air the story.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3742-2004Oct27.html

You say a videotape of some loudmouth spouting off against the US "gives you pause." How is this a threat to anyone? Puleez!

What ever happened to "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself?"

This floundering president feeds on fear and needs fear to survive politically.

What a difference.

[Peg K]

The FBI and the CIA have confirmed that this video is legitimate.

Or do you believe, Jake, that they, too, do the "bidding" of this president?

Let me simply ask you this. ABC is now stating that they DO think that the video is not illegitimate. Should ABC not let the public know about it because of the upcoming election? Or should they let the public know because it IS news, and let whatever happens happens?

As for "feeding on fear" - I think you've got the wrong party.