Whoever still believes we have a "free and independant press" needs to rethink. But, if you don't think deep thoughts and don't have the real info. or don't read between the lines, then you just follow like lambs-like most Americans. M. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Trem, Chris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 9:30 AM Subject: RE: OFF:FW: World Attitude towards the US
> > dear sstorch and all.......WELL SAID!.... . Your comment reminds me of > >the book "Dumbing Us Down" "by john tayler gatto... so true... > > > What they are trying o figure out is > > how to make them catatonic like most Americans. Just give them all TV and > > McDonalds, the job will be done...sstorch > > Well said indeed. I am reminded of this: > > A Free Press? > > Journalists are in the habit of congratulating themselves on their critical role in protecting a free press, the cornerstone of every free nation. Some years ago John Swinton, the former Chief of Staff of the New York Times, a man called by his peers, "The Dean of his profession," was asked to give a toast before the New York Press Club. Swinton arose to toast a "free and independent press" with these cutting words: > > "The business of the journalist is to destroy truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are tools and vassals for rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes." > > He went on to say: "There is not such thing at this date of the world's history, in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone." > > The rest of the newsletter is here: > http://www.offshoreadvantage.com/page325634.htm > > Best, > Chris > > >
