I mean it. Seriously. We should all subscribe to the this Cleveland newspaper. The Plain Dealer.
As much as we complain about the NYT and the Washington Post – and they deserve it – this is a chance to support a newspaper that appears to still values facts. Subscribe for just $1 for the first 3 months. If they don’t live up to what’s in this editorial, you can always cancel.
But I sure like what I see in this letter FROM the Editor. Read the editorial below and then decide. Maybe the next story we’ll see is that 10,000 new subscribers signed on after reading this letter from the editor. If money talks, this is our chance to support something good and send a message to the NYT and the Washington Post.
After you sign up, there is a 3-minute survey where they ask why you subscribed. So they make it easy to tell them exactly whey we are subscribing.
Read this editorial and let us know what you think in the comments.
Our Trump reporting upsets some readers, but there aren’t two sides to facts: Letter from the Editor
Editor: Chris Quinn
A more-than-occasional arrival in the email these days is a question expressed two ways, one with dripping condescension and the other with courtesy:
Why don’t our opinion platforms treat Donald Trump and other politicians exactly the same way. Some phrase it differently, asking why we demean the former president’s supporters in describing his behavior as monstrous, insurrectionist and authoritarian.
I feel for those who write. They believe in Trump and want their local news source to recognize what they see in him.
The angry writers denounce me for ignoring what they call the Biden family crime syndicate and criminality far beyond that of Trump. They quote news sources of no credibility as proof the mainstream media ignores evidence that Biden, not Trump, is the criminal dictator.
The courteous writers don’t go down that road. They politely ask how we can discount the passions and beliefs of the many people who believe in Trump.
This is a tough column to write, because I don’t want to demean or insult those who write me in good faith. I’ve started it a half dozen times since November but turned to other topics each time because this needle hard to thread. No matter how I present it, I’ll offend some thoughtful, decent people.
The north star here is truth. We tell the truth, even when it offends some of the people who pay us for information.
The truth is that Donald Trump undermined faith in our elections in his false bid to retain the presidency. He sparked an insurrection intended to overthrow our government and keep himself in power. No president in our history has done worse.
This is not subjective. We all saw it. Plenty of leaders today try to convince the masses we did not see what we saw, but our eyes don’t deceive. (If leaders began a yearslong campaign today to convince us that the Baltimore bridge did not collapse Tuesday morning, would you ever believe them?) Trust your eyes. Trump on Jan. 6 launched the most serious threat to our system of government since the Civil War. You know that. You saw it.
The facts involving Trump are crystal clear, and as news people, we cannot pretend otherwise, as unpopular as that might be with a segment of our readers. There aren’t two sides to facts. People who say the earth is flat don’t get space on our platforms. If that offends them, so be it.
As for those who equate Trump and Joe Biden, that’s false equivalency. Biden has done nothing remotely close to the egregious, anti-American acts of Trump. We can debate the success and mindset of our current president, as we have about most presidents in our lifetimes, but Biden was never a threat to our democracy. Trump is. He is unique among all American presidents for his efforts to keep power at any cost.
Personally, I find it hard to understand how Americans who take pride in our system of government support Trump. All those soldiers who died in World War II were fighting against the kind of regime Trump wants to create on our soil. How do they not see it?
The March 25 edition of the New Yorker magazine offers some insight. It includes a detailed review of a new book about Adolf Hitler, focused on the year 1932. It’s called “Takeover: Hitler’s Final Rise to Power” and is by historian Timothy W. Ryback. It explains how German leaders – including some in the media — thought they could use Hitler as a means to get power for themselves and were willing to look past his obvious deficiencies to get where they wanted. In tolerating and using Hitler as a means to an end, they helped create the monstrous dictator responsible for millions of deaths.
How are those German leaders different from people in Congress saying the election was stolen or that Jan. 6 was not an insurrection aimed at destroying our government? They know the truth, but they deny it. They see Trump as a means to an end – power for themselves and their “team” – even if it means repeatedly telling lies.
Sadly, many believe the lies. They trust people in authority, without questioning the obvious discrepancies or relying on their own eyes. These are the people who take offense to the truths we tell about Trump. No one in our newsroom gets up in the morning wanting to make a segment of readers feel bad. No one seeks to demean anyone. We understand what a privilege it is to be welcomed into the lives of the millions of people who visit our platforms each month for news, sports and entertainment. But our duty is to the truth.
Our nation does seem to be slipping down the same slide that Germany did in the 1930s. Maybe the collapse of government in the hands of a madman is inevitable, given how the media landscape has been corrupted by partisans, as it was in 1930s Germany.
I hope not.
In our newsroom, we’ll do our part. Much as it offends some who read us, we will continue to tell the truth about Trump.
I’m at [email protected]
Thanks for reading.
Open thread
Climate Solutions: Debunking EV and Battery Myths
Mel
Subscribing. Hell, yes.
zhena gogolia
Oh, yeah, I’m going there.
West of the Rockies
I sense a disturbance in the force, as though 75 million souls squealed with weapons-grade butthurt.
TaMara
Subscribed. Thanks, WG
Raoul Paste
This editorial is as polite as one can possibly be. More of this, please,
Craig
I signed up. Thanks for the tip.
TaMara
@TaMara: I also dropped a note to the editor to let them know why I subscribed. To counter the possible flood of hate mail.
VFX Lurker
I just signed up, and I took the survey. Thank you for the tip, WaterGirl.
Dangerman
It will come to pass that Trump’s “Happy Holy Week”” will be when the scales fell from some eyes. That is an egregious ever. Farting in a crowded elevator error.
A slightly premature Happy Easter to all who observe.
beckya57
Done!
WaterGirl
@TaMara: I added Balloon Juice in the comment box of the survey. A positive note to the editor at the address at the end of the editorial was a smart idea.
jackmac
Bravo! Now off to subscribe.
zhena gogolia
I subscribed, filled out the survey, and sent Mr. Quinn an e-mail of thanks.
I said to him, “Why is that so hard for the New York Times and the Washington Post to say? Why?”
kalakal
Now that was an editorial as they should be. Off to subscribe!
A Man for All Seasonings (formerly Geeno)
Subscribed and cited this editorial as the reason.
artem1s
Great, the blind squirrel found a nut.
Before you decide Quinn is the savior of journalism, take some time and read what he or the other PD writers had to say about Mike DeWine’s heartbeat vote or George Voinovich’s voucher system that robbed billions from Ohio public schools on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Ohio (where his brother was the ED at the time). Write him a letter and ask him why the PD editorial board didn’t have the guts to endorse a Presidential candidate in 2004 and abstained from ‘telling the Truth’ about W’s undermining the ‘impartiality’ of the Supreme Court? Where has the PD been over the last 30 years as the Ohio GOP has gerrymandered all remaining remnants of democracy out the state?
Quinn may not be a bad guy, but up until Trump the PD was all in on ‘false equivalencies’ and excelled in bothsiderism on behalf of Ohio GOP candidates that were equally as horrible as Trump underneath their nice polite facade of religion and well tailored black suits. If he actually objects to Trump, it’s because they find him distasteful and loud about saying the quiet parts you aren’t supposed to mention in public.
A Man for All Seasonings (formerly Geeno)
When I lived in Kent, OH – oh so many years ago – I loved the Plain Dealer. This attitude is not new for them; they do a lot of good work.
mrmoshpotato
Very well written. Bravo, Mr. Quinn!
Melancholy Jaques
We can only wonder how many editors around the country face the same Trumpster attacks and want to write something similar. Hope this encourages them to do so.
mrmoshpotato
@artem1s: Thank you for the historical background. Good to know.
WaterGirl
@artem1s: Never let perfect be the enemy of the good.
I’ll be looking at how they cover things now. Seems like they understand what’s at stake, and that’s way better than the NYT and Washington Post at this point.
BarcaChicago
I subscribed earlier today. I had already cancelled my NYT subscription awhile ago, so now I have a daily paper again.
WV Blondie
@artem1s: I understand your irritation – but as Liz Cheney and many others have observed, especially in the past few weeks, we can disagree about what constitutes bad policy, not what is a clear and present danger.
Going there now to subscribe, and to credit BJ for the heads-up.
Mr. Bemused Senior
I’m in. Thanks for the suggestion, WG.
LiminalOwl
Subscribed, and took the survey.
Josie
Thanks, WaterGirl. I subscribed and filled out the survey. I hope there is at least a slight impact.
stinger
Subscribed.
Lee H
That indeed was awesome. I subscribe because I grew up in Cleveland and read (shameful face) sports. But the editor is amazing.
mrmoshpotato
@LiminalOwl: If you’re around, thanks for that pesto pizza recommendation.
SiubhanDuinne
I suggest mentioning Balloon Juice in any comments. If they get to know our name and profile, perhaps the editor would do a Zoom Q&A with us, the way Adam Schiff did a couple of years ago.
Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!)
This is a good deal. I may take them up too!
Even though I live nearby, I haven’t been reading the Philly Inquirer as much but they are now my main source of Pennsylvania news not our local dishrag. They have a similar deal but $1 for 6 months cancel any time.
Here is three paragraphs from an editorial this week.
sab
I have been a subscriber for 20+ years and I love Chris Quinn. His predecessors not so much but the reporting has always been good. Connie Schultz started with them.
Kristine Pennington
I just now signed up – thanks for the heads up!
lowtechcyclist
Subscribed for a year (so they’ve already got some real money from me), filled out the survey, specifically pointed to Chris Quinn’s editorial as the reason I’m subscribing.
Mustang Bobby
Signed up and told the survey Bravo for Chris Quinn’s editorial.
EarthWindFire
Subscribed and pointed to the editorial in the survey as well.
@artem1s: I sympathize. I’ve been on Cole’s tire rims and anthrax v. italian restaurant train for years, and have been irritated AF with most news organizations for both sidesing and covering for the whiny right. Especially when it comes to Trump.
So when a news organization visibly doesn’t both sides, I want to reward that. If they return to form, the rewards stop. Let’s make an effort to work the refs the way the right has for so long.
Schtreaky
Chris Quinn’s letter certainly says the right things and I’m glad he was compelled to expressed his views. But as a long-time Northeast Ohio resident (and former PD subscriber), I caution you to consider the paper’s recent history before you jump in to support them.
You’ll notice that Mr. Quinn’s letter focuses solely on Trump and makes no mention of the increasingly fascist Republican Party that formed him, voted for him, and supports him in lockstep. That’s because in the last 50+ years the paper has predominately supported Republican politicians and their policies.
They endorsed Nixon (twice), Ford, Reagan (twice), George Bush (twice) and George W. Bush. They even went so far as to make no endorsement in 2004 between the failed presidency of Bush and John Kerry (who the PD claimed had “ambiguities”). This non-endorsement occurred despite a majority of the PD’s Editorial Board preferring Kerry.
I share your strong desire to find and support media sources that offer more progressive news coverage, but the PD is not the solution. It is just another profit-driven, cost-cutting, corporate-propaganda “news” site. You may occasionally see a few bright spots (like an Obama endorsement or Mr. Quinn’s letter), but it’s still just a mouthpiece for the radical Republican movement and has been for a long time.
SpaceUnit
I would.
Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!)
@Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!): Another reason to subscribe to the Philly Inquirer, columnust Will Bunch!
goldengirl
Thanks for the extra “push” by sharing this timely Editor’s editorial.
I’ve been meaning to subscribe, as an Ohio activist and voter in a “red” county.
Finally, speaking truth and calling BS on the both-sidesism.
Mustang Bobby
@Schtreaky: All valid points, but compared to The Blade in Toledo that I had to endure growing up with the Block family running it (along with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), the PD is the Daily Worker.
WaterGirl
@Schtreaky:
Happy to have more information about the paper. But I see lots of references in this editorial that make it clear that the writer doesn’t think the problem is just Trump.
He may not be using the language you want to see, but it seems obvious to me that he understands exactly what the problem is, and he is going to make sure that his paper is not adding to the problem.
SpaceUnit
The shitheads that run NBC ought to read that editorial.
WaterGirl
@SpaceUnit: I don’t know, the folks that run NBC don’t appear to be that bright. They may indeed be able to read, but they sure as hell can’t read a room.
And it’s obvious that they no longer understand the concept of journalism.
Irishweaver
@Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!): that quote is beautiful!
Irishweaver
That adjusted quote is wonderful!
Starfish
@SiubhanDuinne: That would actually be interesting. Ask the editor how his views evolved.
Schtreaky
@WaterGirl: Thanks for your response. You should note however the way the Quinn makes his references: “Plenty of leaders today …” and “… people in Congress …” Quinn may know that the problem is bigger than Trump, but he neglects to specify the the problem. This is not about what language I want Quinn to use. It’s about how journalists convey what is happening so it can be understood by people who aren’t political news junkies or who don’t have time to parse Quinn’s subtle meanings.
Kristine
If you live in the Chicago area, you might consider the Sun-Times.
It’s a non-profit now, having combined with WBEZ, Chicago’s NPR station, to form Chicago Public Media. I know there aren’t many fans of NPR here, but you can subscribe to the Sun-Times alone and your sub is tax deductible.
Gary K
I likewise subscribed and cited Quinn’s editorial as my reason. How many PD subscriptions were generated by this one BJ posting?
I’ve lived in Ohio for 35 years and used to subscribe to the local paper, then let it lapse. I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about being uninformed about local news and unsupportive of local journalism.
B1naryS3rf
@Schtreaky:
And
@artem1s:
Thank you for speaking the truth better than I could. The PD is corporate bothsiderist or stealth conservative media, so though I appreciate this piece people need to know the full context. The 2004 endorsement whiff may have helped Bush take Ohio and therefor the election.
PrairieLogic
yes… subscribed for a year.
Uncle Cosmo
Well it ain’t happening here in Churn City :^(. As of 15 January last, “David D. Smith, executive chairman of Stinklair Inc., reached an agreement to acquire the venerable Baltimore Sun, with conservative commentator Armstrong Williams holding an undisclosed stake.”
The steamedcrabwrap recently made a push to increase subscriptions by offering them at giveaway prices, and I nearly bit before I found out about the impending 6-megaparsecs-starboard-of-Genghis-Khan swing. Motherfuckers.
Ohio Mom
@Gary K: For news about Ohio state government, look into the Ohio Capital Journal
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/about/
Or follow their twitter
https://twitter.com/ohiocapjournal
Ben Cisco
TAG
lowtechcyclist
@Schtreaky:
OK, so they endorsed a bunch of Republicans a quarter-century or more ago. That really doesn’t tell me who and what they are now.
Jackie
@SiubhanDuinne: I wonder how many new trolls we’ll meet in the next few weeks? Plus, new Jackals to welcome 😊
Jackie
@Ben Cisco: What about Kellyanne’s alternate facts?🤔 //
SteveinPHX
Thank you, Water Girl:
I took the bait. For the price, it’s a cheap gamble.
After looking at some of the comments above, could Mr. Quinn’s position be somewhat analogous to Liz Cheny’s stance on the upcoming election?
Jean
Recently, on FB (where I rarely see any political posts because I nix them from my feed), I saw a weasel post that began, “I’m not voting for Trump blah blah, but I’m voting for the platform” followed by a list of generalizations that, aside from abortion, are fairly bland. It reminds me of this quotation:
“Historians have a word for Germans who joined the Nazi party, not because they hated Jews, but out of a hope for restored patriotism, or a sense of economic anxiety, or a hope to preserve their religious values, or dislike of their opponents, or raw political opportunism, or convenience, or ignorance, or greed. That word is “Nazi.” No one cares about their motives anymore. ” –A.R. Moxon
JaneE
Subscribed. Mentioned the editorial as the reason and Balloon Juice as the source of my knowledge of it.
BethanyAnne
I like The Texas Tribune. I’ve seen several good stories come from them in the past few years. https://www.texastribune.org
sab
@sab: For the 20+ years I have been subscribing the news side was always solid. The editorial side not so much. Often it was a a pale reflection of the worst of the Wall Street Journal. They ran off Connie Schultz and Sam Fulwood as too extreme and biased. Seriously, they did that.
Chris Quinn has been an amazing breathe of fresh air, and he is surviving in the job. Also too, some of the worst retired RWNJs from the opinion page are back, freaked out about Trumpism.
Meanwhile the good news reporting continues.
I don’t judge a paper by its editorial pages. I judge by their reporting. NYT frequently fails spectacularly in that. The local papers (including the Cleveland PD) keep plugging away doing solid work.
sab
I expect that the Plain Dealer people have never heard of BJ and will be shocked when they check in and read BJ after dark, or BJ in outrage mode. Rabid jackals and all that. This should be interesting.
sab
@sab: Mayor Pete’s people read us and said “hmm, no.” I can’t blame them.
Leo Amery
Take one issue from the PLAIN DEALER Letter from the Editor:
Said letter asserts that Big Don is guilty of insurrection, hence is not fit to be Prez.
Here’s 18 USC 2383, quote:
§2383. Rebellion or insurrection
Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
In the three years since the riots of 6 January, Big Don has never been charged by the Department of Justice with is crime under section 2383, even though the feds have charged him with other crimes that are not nearly so serious as insurrection. Nor have any of the rioters been charged under 2383. This is mighty suggestive. It is even more suggestive when you consider that had he been tried( with a DC jury drawn from a population that voted against Big Don by 90+ %) and convicted, the efforts by Colorado and Maine to disqualify him from the 2024 ballot would likely have succeeded and Big Don would be off the ballot.
None of this happened. So I am not impressed with Ye Ed’s assertion that Big Don is an insurrectionist. Anyone unwilling to tackle the fact that Big Don has not been charged with 2383 crimes, much less convicted is not to be taken seriously as a judge of truth. Since Ye Ed went out of his way to link J6 with Germany in 1932, I courteously offer him a biography of Joseph Goebbels, and what Goebbels did to the German press of that era.
Chief Oshkosh
Subscribed!
Thanks for the heads-up.
Chief Oshkosh
@artem1s: They just had a front page piece on what a scam the voucher project has turned into (or rather, always was). Soooo…Quinn may be not all bad?
Nancy
I just subscribed.