Hard To Write #379
By Hank Silverberg
Commentary
It is becoming extremely difficult to write an opinion blog on anything right now. The world situation is slowly getting worse, the polarization in the American population is growing, and if you express your opinion on just about anything, you are probably going to get attacked verbally or even physically by someone who is offended.
A friend of mine advised me to stop writing about Israel or Iran, or the war, or even antisemitism because it might make someone mad enough to do harm to me.
So I could try something less polarizing, like baseball. But I found expressing support for the underdog Israeli team in the World Baseball Classic brought down the wrath of the Jew-haters online who immediately attacked the team and me with antisemitic tropes.
 |
| (My grand kid's Cat-Oliver) |
So this week I will comment on some great cat videos I saw online.
Here's my comment:
Cute!
You gonna attack me for that?
Now on to something else.
News You May Have Missed!
Your right to get the truth from free, unencumbered media is under a threat again. The Trump appointed Chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, is again threatening to revoke the broadcast license of some broadcast networks because of the way they are covering the war with Iran, without providing any clear evidence of breaking any rules. In a post on X, Carr wrote: “Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.”
Referring to the 1934 Communications Act, he went on to warn that broadcasters must operate "in the public interest" and will lose their licenses if they don't.
It's a response to complaints from President Trump on his Truth Social post which claimed The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and other media "actually want us to lose the war".
.jpg)
A similar plane recently crashed in Iraq killing all six crew members.
But Carr's threat came after the White House blasted CNN for a report that said the Trump Administration had underestimated the impact of the war with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz--a chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil supply flows.
The FCC has very limited control of the content of cable TV networks which are not licensed the same way as broadcast stations, so Carr's threat may be nothing more than intimidation.
The Radio Television and Digital News Association issued the following statement on X on Carr's threat:
News coverage of a war has always been a flash point between journalists and presidents. But a threat to take away broadcast licenses over news coverage is very rare. Control of the media is also one of the premier moves of a totalitarian state.
https://thehill.com/media/5784658-fcc-threatens-broadcast-licenses/
Media Rater Under Attack
The Trump Administration is continuing its assault on the free press in other ways. Since Trump's second term started, it has gone to court against the Associated Press (for not calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America), settled a lawsuit with
 |
Now the Administration has gone after a little- known company called NewsGuard, which issues credibility ratings about news organizations. The Federal Trade Commission has begun an investigation after accusing NewsGuard of trying to suppress conservative speech with its ratings. NewsGuard filed a lawsuit accusing the FTC of using its power to censor speech simply because the Administration disagrees with its ratings on the reliability of certain news sources. NewsGuard uses veteran journalists to examine thousands of news organizations and websites, and rates them based on the credibility and reliability of their journalism. It is marketed to advertisers who want to associate their products with reliable sources instead of fake or propaganda oriented ones. But it also provides a good source for the average consumer looking for accuracy in the media.
Why did the Trump Administration take this action? An Associated Press story says it started after Trump promoter Newsmax was given a 20 on a scale of 100 in NewsGuard's ratings. The rating said the Newsmax website was unreliable because it severely violates basic journalism standards. NewsGuard was started by Court TV founder Steve Brill and a former journal publisher Gordon Crovitz. According to the NewsGuard website, they also track AI generated news and misinformation.
Dumbest Quote of The Week!
This week's dumbest quote comes from the President's spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt. I don't really have to explain it. She was asked about the impact the war has had on gas prices.
"Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation."
So, Ms. Leavitt, what are those objectives? No one, not you, the DOD Secretary, nor the Secretary of State or the President seems to know the answer to that question.
And anyone with any knowledge on the oil industry can tell you it's going to take MONTHS for the oil market to recover, if and when the war is over.
Expect gas to reach $6 a gallon in some places and over $4 a gallon in most of the country, and that's in the short run. Expect them come back down slowly once the war does end.
(You suggestions and comments are welcome)
My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at: HankSilverberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796
My NEWEST book is now available. It is designed for use in Public Speaking and entry level communications classes.
