The darkly comedic drama spewing from Trump reaches a turning point

[G_j]

https://www.playboy.com/read/i-hope-not

An Age of Crisis and Enlightenment

Written by Brian Karem
Published on May 20, 2019

It is said by some we live in dark times. The president of the United States, embroiled in scandal, is rumored to be spoiling for a war with Iran so he can try to bolster his sagging poll numbers and get re-elected next year. Last week, Trump had myriad opportunities to talk to the media about Iran and a dozen other issues, including immigration, which he should have discussed since he seemingly had a “big and bold” new plan for it. But he shut down every access point and kept anyone from asking him any questions—save one.

——

Which country promises "Citizens are guaranteed freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, demonstration and association. The State shall guarantee conditions for the free activity of democratic political parties and social organizations”?

Which country, by promising the former, then sequesters scientists who produce material contrary to the ruler’s official policies, threatens reporters who produce news contrary to the ruler’s liking and promotes the prosecution of foreigners and immigrants?

The first country mentioned is North Korea. The second is the United States. Floyd Abrams, perhaps the most well-known legal defender of the First Amendment, says free speech is more than just words. Dr. George E. Luber, a Centers for Disease Control scientist who formerly headed the agency’s climate change research, and who is now banned from working on the CDC campus, is the scientist marginalized and threatened by the current U.S. government.

..more..

[czarjak]

1. "Take Our Country Back"?

More like take our country over! Thanks Trump.

[Farmer-Rick]

2. I heard an historian talk about how democracies crumble

He said that society starts to break down. Citizens are no longer safe to move about or express opinions without risking their lives.

Right now children go to school with the threat of gunmen and angry classmates shooting them down. We go to church with the threat of being killed by right wing gunmen. You post on the internet something that criticizes the president on an open forum and you get death threats. Immigrants and Muslims are risking not being able to return home if they travel outside the country. Try and get a legal medical procedure that can be taken care of with a simple pill and your own local government, that you pay taxes to, will try to stop you. And you will have to face down threats as you enter the medical facility. Not to mention the everyday dangers a black person or LGBTQIA person faces if they are confronted by police or even use the bathroom.

This is not a safe society. It is starting to breakdown.

[IronLionZion]

3. Wow, I guess Playboy does have good articles

[G_j]

4. Brian Karem

Brian Karem is an American journalist and White House correspondent for Playboy.[1] Karem is the former Executive Editor of The Montgomery County Sentinel. He was the 1991 recipient of the National Press Club Freedom of the Press award for refusing to reveal his sources in a story related to the killing of a police officer in Texas.[2][3]

On June 27, 2017, Karem confronted deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on "inflammatory" comments about the performance of the press while covering President Donald Trump.[4] This was not the first time Karem went head to head with an administration. In 1992 he was covering an international drug summit in San Antonio, Texas. He asked President George H. W. Bush to comment on claims the summit was a "joke". President Bush countered that the press should ask questions of the other presidents and not him, but Karem persisted until Bush allowed Karem to ask his question to Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.[5] Karem lost his job at KMOL over his aggressive style of questioning. This act gained him an interview with Sam Donaldson on ABC and a mention from Late Night host Jay Leno.[6] On June 14, 2018, Karem once again called out Sarah Huckabee Sanders at a White House Press briefing on the Administration's policy of seizing children from their parents at US border crossings: "Come on, Sarah, you’re a parent! Don’t you have any empathy for what these people are going through?” “They have less than you do. Sarah, come on, seriously."[7]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Karem

[G_j]

5. K