Time Magazine Applauds "elite cabal" election conspiracy as "a good thing"

BobRyan

Junior Member
Angels Team
Supporter
Nov 21, 2008
51,118
10,509
Georgia
✟900,262.00
Country
United States
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
Married
It seems that what you want is...
"–a well-funded cabal of powerful people, ranging across industries and ideologies, working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information."

So you just quoted the NY Times article and said "I wanted it" -- is it your understanding that I am praising the methods of the so-called cabal as reported in the NY Times article?? You think I am applauding the work of the cabal??
 
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
On the contrary I am objecting to the "control" of information with nothing left but spin-doctoring as the only thing "allowed" out when they "control" information and then manipulate laws and election policy

You just gave us an example showing that assumption is untrue.

If there had been such a cabal, your example wouldn't exist.

is it your understanding that I am praising the methods of the so-called cabal as reported in the NY Times article?? You think I am applauding the work of the cabal??

I notice you included an example of an independent news source that doesn't fit the sort of thing you see in NY Times. You pretty much undermined your own argument.
 
Upvote 0

BobRyan

Junior Member
Angels Team
Supporter
Nov 21, 2008
51,118
10,509
Georgia
✟900,262.00
Country
United States
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
Married
Time Magazine article: "The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election”
Time Magazine: 'Secret,' 'Well-funded Cabal' Worked to 'Protect' 2020 Election

Time reported this:
"though it sounds like a paranoid fever dream–a well-funded cabal of powerful people, ranging across industries and ideologies, working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information."
.

... I am objecting to the "control" of information with nothing left but spin-doctoring as the only thing "allowed" out when they "control" information and then manipulate laws and election policy -- as described in the the NY Times article where they claim success in what the secret cabal had stitched together


==================================

“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,” Silberman added, saying “it is fair to conclude, therefore, that one-party control of the press and media is a threat to a viable democracy.
from: Federal Judge Accuses New York Times, Washington Post of 'Shocking' Bias Against Republicans
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,”

It's why Trump failed. He repeatedly attacked news organizations, in an attempt to cow them into submission. He even declared reporters and news sources as "enemies of the people" which is a common ploy used by would-be dictators.

The press remained uncontrolled by Trump and the extreme right, and this ultimately brought them down. And they learned from that.

In the future, their first attacks will be on the free press. And they'll try a lot harder to destroy freedom of information next go round.
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: cow451
Upvote 0

BobRyan

Junior Member
Angels Team
Supporter
Nov 21, 2008
51,118
10,509
Georgia
✟900,262.00
Country
United States
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
Married
“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,” Silberman added, saying “it is fair to conclude, therefore, that one-party control of the press and media is a threat to a viable democracy.
from: Federal Judge Accuses New York Times, Washington Post of 'Shocking' Bias Against Republicans

It's why Trump failed.

Could be a big contributing factor.
 
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
BobRyan said:
“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,” Silberman added, saying “it is fair to conclude, therefore, that one-party control of the press and media is a threat to a viable democracy.
from: Federal Judge Accuses New York Times, Washington Post of 'Shocking' Bias Against Republicans

It's why Trump failed. He repeatedly attacked news organizations, in an attempt to cow them into submission. He even declared reporters and news sources as "enemies of the people" which is a common ploy used by would-be dictators.

The press remained uncontrolled by Trump and the extreme right, and this ultimately brought them down. And they learned from that.

Could be a big contributing factor.

No "maybe" about it.
 
Upvote 0

BobRyan

Junior Member
Angels Team
Supporter
Nov 21, 2008
51,118
10,509
Georgia
✟900,262.00
Country
United States
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
Married
BobRyan said:
“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,” Silberman added, saying “it is fair to conclude, therefore, that one-party control of the press and media is a threat to a viable democracy.
from: Federal Judge Accuses New York Times, Washington Post of 'Shocking' Bias Against Republicans

Which was one of the key features of the so called "secret cabal" that the NY Times reported on regarding the 2020 elections (as noted in the OP)

Notice the detail in that article I just quoted
===================================
"The judge said the Supreme Court should overturn New York Times v. Sullivan, the 1964 case holding that when the media discusses public figures, the outlet should be liable under state defamation laws only if the plaintiffs can prove “actual malice,” which the Court defined as the speaker either knowing the statement was false or making it in “reckless disregard for the truth.”

“The First Amendment guarantees a free press to foster a vibrant trade in ideas. But a biased press can distort the marketplace,” Silberman concluded. “And when the media has proven its willingness—if not eagerness—to so distort, it is a profound mistake to stand by unjustified legal rules that serve only to enhance the press’ power.”

===============================

When confronted with that level of "abuse" exercised by the media - the one who says "then obey the media and they won't do that to you" is like the Police in Minneapolis saying "prepare to be robbed" and "obey the criminals"

Minneapolis police say to obey criminals and 'be prepared' to be robbed

That is a criminal-organization style of American politics I would just as soon not promote.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
When confronted with that level of "abuse" exercised by the media - the one who says "then obey the media and they won't do that to you" is like the Police in Minneapolis saying "prepare to be robbed" and "obey the criminals"

Yes, police often tell people that when they are faced with an armed robber, they should not resist them. Never heard of a police department that advised citizens to fight back against an armed robber. Probably for liability reasons, as resisting an armed robber is likely to leave one dead.

Claim

Minneapolis police advised residents to submit to robbers after the city defunded the police department.

Rating

rating-mixture.png


Mixture
About this rating



What's True
Minneapolis police did initially advise residents in writing not to fight back in the event they are the victim of a robbery, although police later amended the advice, taking out the language about fighting back.


What's False
This advice was not given as the result of the city defunding the police department, as the police force is still operating. Also, the City Council voted to amend the city charter to replace the current police department. But the question must first be put to voters before it could go into effect.
 
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
BobRyan said:
“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,” Silberman added, saying “it is fair to conclude, therefore, that one-party control of the press and media is a threat to a viable democracy.

It's why Trump failed. He repeatedly attacked news organizations, in an attempt to cow them into submission. He even declared reporters and news sources as "enemies of the people" which is a common ploy used by would-be dictators.

The press remained uncontrolled by Trump and the extreme right, and this ultimately brought them down. And they learned from that.
 
Upvote 0

BobRyan

Junior Member
Angels Team
Supporter
Nov 21, 2008
51,118
10,509
Georgia
✟900,262.00
Country
United States
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
Married
Yes, police often tell people that when they are faced with an armed robber, they should not resist them. Never heard of a police department that advised citizens to fight back against an armed robber.

June 26 - moves to defund police in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Council Moves To Defund Police, Establish 'Holistic' Public Safety Force

July 21
Nearly 200 officers are quitting Minneapolis police department

August 1 - Minneapolis residents sent email from Police Chief "prepare to be robbed" and "obey the criminals"


Nearly 200 officers are quitting Minneapolis police department

Never heard of Police promising to "fail" ahead of time either. Sounds like the actions of a Police department demoralized, under attack by city council and suffering the loss of hundreds in attrition.

And not simply "here is a tip if you just so happen run across a mugger"
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

cow451

Standing with Ukraine.
Supporter
May 29, 2012
41,108
24,128
Hot and Humid
✟1,120,276.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
This is a story of people working together to ensure our democracy was not compromised. Protecting people’s right to vote and countering a deliberate misinformation campaign aren’t nefarious activities. I’m proud of what everyone involved did.
I was beginning to wonder whether anyone posted had both actually read the article and also had English as a first language.
 
Upvote 0

cow451

Standing with Ukraine.
Supporter
May 29, 2012
41,108
24,128
Hot and Humid
✟1,120,276.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
The article was good.

The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election

The handshake between business and labor was just one component of a vast, cross-partisan campaign to protect the election–an extraordinary shadow effort dedicated not to winning the vote but to ensuring it would be free and fair, credible and uncorrupted. For more than a year, a loosely organized coalition of operatives scrambled to shore up America’s institutions as they came under simultaneous attack from a remorseless pandemic and an autocratically inclined President. Though much of this activity took place on the left, it was separate from the Biden campaign and crossed ideological lines, with crucial contributions by nonpartisan and conservative actors. The scenario the shadow campaigners were desperate to stop was not a Trump victory. It was an election so calamitous that no result could be discerned at all, a failure of the central act of democratic self-governance that has been a hallmark of America since its founding.

Their work touched every aspect of the election. They got states to change voting systems and laws and helped secure hundreds of millions in public and private funding. They fended off voter-suppression lawsuits, recruited armies of poll workers and got millions of people to vote by mail for the first time. They successfully pressured social media companies to take a harder line against disinformation and used data-driven strategies to fight viral smears. They executed national public-awareness campaigns that helped Americans understand how the vote count would unfold over days or weeks, preventing Trump’s conspiracy theories and false claims of victory from getting more traction. After Election Day, they monitored every pressure point to ensure that Trump could not overturn the result. “The untold story of the election is the thousands of people of both parties who accomplished the triumph of American democracy at its very foundation,” says Norm Eisen, a prominent lawyer and former Obama Administration official who recruited Republicans and Democrats to the board of the Voter Protection Program.
So because a bi-partisan group cared about the US and democracy, and feared the actions/words of Trump will hurt the US, they worked "to ensuring it [the election] would be free and fair, credible and uncorrupted".

Key statement: "The scenario the shadow campaigners were desperate to stop was not a Trump victory. It was an election so calamitous that no result could be discerned at all, a failure of the central act of democratic self-governance that has been a hallmark of America since its founding."

They wanted a free and fair election. They were not working to make sure Trump lost but that if he won or lost, it was fair and credible election, preserving democracy.

Good.
Ahhhh...... someone else read the article with comprehension!
 
Upvote 0

BobRyan

Junior Member
Angels Team
Supporter
Nov 21, 2008
51,118
10,509
Georgia
✟900,262.00
Country
United States
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
Married
Time Magazine article: "The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election”

Time Magazine: 'Secret,' 'Well-funded Cabal' Worked to 'Protect' 2020 Election

Time reported this:
"though it sounds like a paranoid fever dream–a well-funded cabal of powerful people, ranging across industries and ideologies, working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information."

Part of the outcome according to the article was "the result of an informal alliance between left-wing activists and business titans." (obviously that sounds as "non-partisan" as it really is BTW)

If it were a communist country we would call that sort of thing "propaganda combined with rigging an election", good thing it is America where the only election interference we know of - is Russian tweets and blogs.

Where their so-called "secret cabal" working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information."

This is a story of people working together to ensure our democracy

“It should be borne in mind that the first step taken by any potential authoritarian or dictatorial regime is to gain control of communications, particularly the delivery of news,” Silberman added, saying “it is fair to conclude, therefore, that one-party control of the press and media is a threat to a viable democracy.
from: Federal Judge Accuses New York Times, Washington Post of 'Shocking' Bias Against Republicans
==================


"Wrong" if "they" do it.

They worry that:
One of the horrific things that President Trump might do according to the left leaning group planning ahead for the 2020 elections was supposedly "restricting internet communications in the name of national security”.
The Left Secretly Preps for MAGA Violence After Election Day

Whew! Good thing "that" did not happen! (at least not to the left) We sure dodged a bullet there.


"Right" when "WE" do it.
Time Magazine: 'Secret,' 'Well-funded Cabal' Worked to 'Protect' 2020 Election
working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information."

It's why Trump failed.

Well at least it is one of them
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
It's why Trump failed. He repeatedly attacked news organizations, in an attempt to cow them into submission. He even declared reporters and news sources as "enemies of the people" which is a common ploy used by would-be dictators.

The press remained uncontrolled by Trump and the extreme right, and this ultimately brought them down. And they learned from that. This the reason that they failed in their attempt to destroy our democracy.

Well at least it is one of them
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums