# The Washington Post: Democracy Dies With Us **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [October 25, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210 "2024-10-25T17:30:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/121 "2024-10-26T18:40:23Z")
I canceled mine (though it’s paid up until July, 2024). It gave me a list of reasons for cancellation I could choose from. The closest was “concerns about Washington Post content”. If they really care about reader feedback, they should have “concerns about owner interference in journalistic integrity.” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/122 "2024-10-26T18:45:45Z")
Gift link [https://wapo.st/3A3hve5](https://wapo.st/3A3hve5) Today’s Ann Telnais WP editorial cartoon is a panel of darkness. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/123 "2024-10-26T18:46:21Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > This was a gutless, cowardly move by Jeff Bezos, an affront to good journalism and to the legacy of what is still one of America’s great newspapers. I’d cancel my subscription but it runs until July and there are still too many things on the WaPo that I enjoy reading every day. I’m in the same boat re: cancelling; also there are (for now, anyway) responsible, ethical reporters, editors, and columnists doing their best to continue to serve and preserve the ideals of their masthead, “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/124 "2024-10-26T18:47:00Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Okay, we just switched to Ground News using a link from Randy Rainbow. I just subscribed, $10/year for the basic subscription. They present many sources for a given story and state what the left-center-right bias is. I’ll try it out and see how I like it. > [@susan](#): > > Anyone link the political cartoon yet? Holy shit. Certainly makes the point. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/125 "2024-10-26T18:55:24Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > I’m not sure where I’ll turn for my regular news. May I suggest [The Boston Globe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/)? Jill Abramson’s column today in Opinions is headlined “[Democracy dies in broad daylight, thanks to Jeff Bezos.](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/26/opinion/washington-post-bezos-endorsement-la-times/)” It does have an emphasis on New England regional coverage, of course, but there’s plenty of national and international coverage as well. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/126 "2024-10-26T19:14:21Z")
I just dropped in at Bluesky and this was one of the posts: > from friends in WaPo newsroom, they lost enough subscriptions yday for it to be immediately noticeable and discussed and have an impact on a visibly panicky management. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/127 "2024-10-26T19:32:52Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > I’m not sure where I’ll turn for my regular news. NPR News is already mentioned. I don’t believe they endorse candidates, in fact I don’t think they even publish editorials. I find the news to be factual, although of course I can’t see what they maybe didn’t print. They take longer to publish some fast-breaking stories or events because they seem to be more interested in accuracy than in having a scoop. In my opinion, while they cover a fairly wide range of interests, the quantity of stories is smaller than other news outlets. So I would supplement them, maybe with some more local source for your area. For international news, I don’t think you can beat Reuters. They are going to a pay system, but at US$1 per week, paid 13 times a year, it seems pretty reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/128 "2024-10-26T19:49:29Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy (quoting Bluesky)](#): > > {…} and have an impact on a visibly panicky management. Welcome to _our_ world. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/129 "2024-10-26T19:55:07Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > According to their own reporting, they had an endorsement of Harris ready to go but it was Bezos who blocked the endorsement: I am sure it is the merest coincidence that Trump met with Blue Origin executives a few days ago. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/130 "2024-10-26T19:56:30Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I canceled mine (though it’s paid up until July, 2024). It gave me a list of reasons for cancellation I could choose from. The closest was “concerns about Washington Post content”. I assure you they’ll know why. You’re one of a flood of thousands. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/131 "2024-10-26T20:16:40Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > It might be a reasonable position, had the decision not been made unilaterally by the owner with no discussion 11 days before the election. And **it’s hypocritical, as the Post has already endorsed other candidates in this election** such as Angela Alsobrooks in the Maryland Senate race. This (my bolding above) has not been discussed enough. It puts the lie to the mealy-mouthed posturing by editor Lewis: > [@](#): > > We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as an abdication of responsibility. We don’t see it that way. We see it as consistent with the values The Post has always stood for, a statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds. Apparently they DON’T support their readers’ ability to make up their minds in _other_ races. > [@flurb](#): > > if the owner is ready to intervene in the paper’s output so drastically to protect his own financial interests, how can I trust anything that they put out? ^This. We cannot trust ANYTHING printed in the _Washington Post_, now that we know that it must meet with Bezos’ approval in order to be printed. _In one choice, he made this once-respected paper into a joke._ Since it forms so tiny a part of his fortune, why doesn’t he just sell it off? If he keeps it the existing staff is absolutely _certain_ to publish things that will arouse the ire of the Melon Felon. Bezos should sell the paper to the staff. Then he can move forward, unencumbered, with his efforts to fellate the (possibly-future President) dictator. . . . The Lewis quote comes from: > **[Why The Washington Post decided to opt out of a presidential endorsement](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-the-washington-post-decided-to-opt-out-of-a-presidential-endorsement)** > > For the first time in 36 years, The Washington Post will not endorse a presidential candidate. Publisher and CEO William Lewis explained, "We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.” It comes after The Los Angeles Times... ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/132 "2024-10-26T20:18:04Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > I’m sure that the Post’s leadership would say that there’s a distinction between the editorial page and the newsroom Yes, but Bezos chooses leadership, and he will replace leadership with people who lean his way and will bend to his wishes. Whereas today an article about Trump calling for the execution of migents would be front page news, tomorrow it might only make page 5 or not be covered at all. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/133 "2024-10-26T20:20:16Z")
My husband decided this morning we are cancelling our subscription over this. I agree with him. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/134 "2024-10-26T20:21:25Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I assure you they’ll know why. You’re one of a flood of thousands. Who knows, maybe those thousands all decided to cancel because they didn’t like today’s Cathy comic. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/135 "2024-10-26T20:21:59Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Okay, we just switched to Ground News using a link from Randy Rainbow. I subscribed a couple of months ago, just to see what it was about. I don’t find it a great source for news, mostly because it seems to considers “stories” about what some pundit said about some candidate, as on the same level of importance as actual news about events. And the labels about reliability (e.g. “mixed factuality”) describe the publication, not the individual story you are reading. I’m not completely sold on their use of AI to compose story summaries either. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/136 "2024-10-26T20:24:24Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Who knows, maybe those thousands all decided to cancel because they didn’t like today’s Cathy comic. WaPo management: “AACK!” ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/137 "2024-10-26T21:23:08Z")
Canceled. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/138 "2024-10-26T22:04:11Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Gift link > [https://wapo.st/3A3hve5](https://wapo.st/3A3hve5) I got a splash screen telling me to create an account to redeem the free article. Not going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/139 "2024-10-26T22:36:11Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > got a splash screen telling me to create an account to redeem the free article. Not going to happen This sort of thing strikes me as another reason to cancel. A gift link ought to be a gift link, period. If they don’t want to do gift links, then don’t do them; but don’t claim a subscription also includes gift links when it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210/140 "2024-10-27T00:19:48Z")
The wonderful Alexandra Petrie, humor columnist for the WP: > But if I were the paper, I would be a little embarrassed that it has fallen to me, the humor columnist, to make our presidential endorsement. I will spare you the suspense: I am endorsing [Kamala Harris](https://www.washingtonpost.com/kamala-harris/?itid=lk_inline_manual_8) for president, because I like elections and want to keep having them. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/26/washington-post-endorses-kamala-harris-satire/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/26/washington-post-endorses-kamala-harris-satire/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210.md?page=8)