'...the BFD of BFDs....'

[Joinfortmill]

https://www.rawstory.com/no-president-in-my-lifetime-ever-talked-about-his-republican-predecessor-like-joe-biden-did/

'The press...expected Biden to say something akin to what Biden’s former boss would say – that we’re all Americans, that we all agree on fundamental democratic principles and that if we work hard and long enough together, we will in time find points of agreement...Biden said no. We can’t. Not with these people.

Commentary this morning among neutral observers was insufferable. But remember this:...In this case, the press and pundits corps have never seen a Democratic president go on the offensive the way Joe Biden did last night.

When a Democratic president identifies an individual and his followers as an enemy that can no longer be tolerated, that’s a truly world-changing BFD. That means that as the people’s partisan – as the tribune of Democrats, independents, “mainstream Republicans,” everyone – that he represents a political reaction to that enemy... That reaction is the end of an era. And the beginning of a new one.'

[Alice Kramden]

1. Yes

I was impressed with President Biden's fortitude in telling the truth

[Kid Berwyn]

2. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

Good.

[COL Mustard]

9. Dark Brandon on the attack!

Trumpeters should be afraid.

[Kid Berwyn]

12. Let's get 'em, Joe.

Thank you, President Biden. Fascism has no place in democracy.

[sanatanadharma]

3. Those whom Biden called out are those saying Democratic Party people kill and eat kids

There is no middle ground between humanity and insanity..

[COL Mustard]

10. Well...

There’s inhumanity.

But I know what you mean! 😀

[Farmer-Rick]

4. It's about time is all I've got to say

Biden was careful and kind for a long time. And it had no affect on the ever increasing calls to arms by the right wing. The Stochastic Terrorism just kept getting worse.

Calling out the Nazi right wing Putin lovers for their extremism is not going to make it any worse. They were going there anyway.

Good on Biden. He definitely deserves a comparison to FDR. I keep remembering that one quote:

They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred.

Go Biden, great job.

[marble falls]

5. They only back down when challenged. Back 'em down.

[paleotn]

11. Yep. That FDR quote was one of the first things to pop into my head yesterday morning.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. The 'press' -- in the form of ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox -- was ABSENT. Fuck 'em.

[PJMcK]

17. How did you watch the speech?

We don't have cable anymore but it was streamed on YouTube by the Washington Post.

It was a great speech and President Biden said some things that needed to be said. Unsurprisingly, the MAGA Republicans reacted as expected with death threats and other warnings of violence. In other words, just as the President had said.

Television has changed and programming is one obvious element that we see directly. Anyone who wanted to could see or hear the President. It was on many cable channels, radio stations and the internet. Sadly. not everyone does tune in and that's nothing new in our huge country.

It isn't the job of the major networks to force people to watch something. After all, they're running a business and it's been clear for several decades now that they don't feel a civic responsibility to put something (a speech, a political convention, etc.) on TV. We can castigate these companies, like NBC, yet MSNBC carried the speech so viewers had an option.

Don't get me wrong, the networks are owned by American oligarchs and they have tremendous influence on our society. I often feel they abuse that power. But there were plenty of press covering the President's address including afterwards.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

19. via Internet -- People on DU posted links to streams.

Local broadcast stations interrupted their programming for every burp and fart of the orange thing, but they do not do so for President Joe Biden.

[Tommymac]

28. Remember, a large % of the US population does not have high speed, or perhaps any speed internet.

Mainstream TV stations - free over the air - are still the main way most Americans get their news.

Poor folk cannot/may not afford cable, internet, or unlimited cell plans. They simply don't have easy access to the Truth. (This will change in the coming years as long as President Biden's plan to provide high speed internet to all is followed. But not now)

Until we have free or means tested universal high speed internet and unlimited cell plans, TV is the way most peeps will watch news events.

Shame on the billionaire controlled M$M. Shame on the 1%. They are the ones to blame for holding bsck progress.

Selfish, self-centered, out of touch, uncaring people. The 1% as it stand today is evil.

[FakeNoose]

30. PBS carried it live, also they archived it

[Hermit-The-Prog]

32. Neither of my 2 local PBS broadcast stations carried it.

[soldierant]

48. Also they made it available to The Lincoln Project, who also archived it on YouTube.

Action starts about 7:46 and Joe about 8:30

But it's true not every PBS channel carried it, and I have no idea how those decisions were made

[Bob_in_VA]

33. Beg to differ

It is the duty of the major networks to broadcast Presidential speeches, it's part of the license they received that permits them to use the public airwaves for their own profit. I don't recall the exact wording, it's been a long time since I looked it up, but the broadcast license, radio or TV, that every over-the-air broadcaster has requires them to broadcast "in the public interest" which would include carrying major speeches by the President of the United States. I'm old enough to remember Presidents, starting with Eisenhower, giving speeches that were carried by all of the networks, TV and radio. That went along with having news divisions whose job was to report the news, not be a "profit center". A lot of that has changed, to the worse in my opinion, but the obligation is still there.

Oh, and BTW no one is "forced" to watch anything. Having your favorite sitcom/drama/whatever pre-empted because the President is making a major speech is just the way is should be.

I don't expect to live long enough to see it happen but one of my dearest fantasies is seeing one (or all) of the major networks lose their broadcast license(s) for persistent violations of the requirement to operate in the public interest. I suspect should even one of the majors receive that threat, and believe it to be genuine, we would see a radical change in their behavior. But that would require the FCC to actually do their job of overseeing the networks. Not likely to happen since the FCC commissioners tend to be people from the networks, people that plan to return to their network jobs after their time at FCC.

[PJMcK]

35. Hold on, I don't disagree with your opinion

Once the Fairness Doctrine was abolished, (thanks, Reagan), and most broadcasting went to cable, the "public interest' is no longer required. If it were, wouldn't it be enforced? Or does the government (FCC) just let it slide?

When you speak of televised presidential speeches from earlier eras, the broadcast industry was much smaller with far fewer outlets. There weren't the alternatives that are available today.

My point was simply that there are still many ways that people can watch or listen to news. Just don't count on the networks.

[summer_in_TX]

55. The over-the-air Big Three networks absolutely

have a public interest obligation because the airwaves are owned by "we, the people." They abrogated their duty to the public – and to add insult to injury, they showed reruns in that time slot.

They deserve to have public comments filed with the FCC about their disregard for the common good.

If they considered it "too close to an election," then they need to get busy and educate the public about the rising tide of political violence pointing to a creeping authoritarianism. They can do it quickly and relatively inexpensively by interviewing experts on the topic.

The public has a legitimate interest in being informed about that and the Big Three networks have an obligation to do so. "The Communications Act of 1934 requires that broadcast licensees operate in the “public interest, convenience and necessity.”"

[Magoo48]

20. They don't deserve the title "press".

The press is now where one can find it.

For example, KPFK, listener sponsored radio for 63:years. For me, they are the uncensored press.

[onecaliberal]

27. They're fascist and their protectors. Not media.

[Evolve Dammit]

40. That is no coincidence. Who owns ya baby?? Maybe the fascism is further along than anyone imagines.

[Hekate]

42. We found the PBS recording of the entire speech on You Tube. Did they not show it in real time?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

43. Not here. I can receive 2 PBS stations over-the-air. Neither carried it live.

[Hekate]

44. Not good. I had to beg for a link because I missed seeing it on MSNBC, & DU came thru with several

I’m disappointed that the broadcast/cable media that gave us so many hours of empty podia waiting for the orange one to appear, couldn’t manage a critical speech from President Biden.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

46. I'm beyond disappointed but can report that the tv survived.

DU provided me with a means of watching, too. I'm lucky enough to have a connection that will support at least 360p. Lots of people depend on broadcast tv alone.

[littlemissmartypants]

56. There's a new over the air "news" free channel called Newsy. Apparently, they carried the speech. ❤️

Here's the website

https://www.newsy.com/

Where to watch over the air, free digital TV

https://www.newsy.com/where-to-watch/

TV schedule

https://www.newsy.com/tv-schedule/

Media Center Bias Facts Check

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/newsy/

Left Center Bias


❤️ pants

[NoMoreRepugs]

7. Fuck the neutral observers, we are in a fight for the future

and Joe B is the Commander in Chief.

[Duppers]

16. Indeed! 👍

[calimary]

34. Yep. The time for being neutral is over.

We’ve worshipped at the altar of “ooooooh, can’t point fingers! MUST be objective. Can’t take sides…”. But the problem with that is that the enemy can walk free, free to do damage, without being identified and rightfully be forced to accept blame.

[Martin Eden]

8. I think that commentary is Spot-On

Thursday's speech cannot be accurately viewed in the context of normal partisan politics.

When American democracy is facing an existential threat, true leaders must stand up and sound the call to action!

[paleotn]

13. The "neutral observers" need to realize, they're Americans too. There's no neutrality on this.

They need only remember the fate of many of their colleagues in 1930's Germany. The aftermath of the Weimar Republic's inability to nip their crazies in the bud. And no, that's not hyperbole. Though history doesn't repeat, it certainly rhymes.

[yardwork]

14. They're not neutral. They're accommodating fascism. Pure and simple.

[lindysalsagal]

15. If POTUS didn't condemn the insurrection, he'd be complicit. And they were carrying tfg's flags

so, nothing else to say. Magas are criminal, and they're going to jail. But they all named tfg as the instigator, so, he's gotta get indicted, period.

[33taw]

18. Veto's MF comment started a new trend.

Time to stop mincing words.

[Rebl2]

21. If former

President Obama had given a speech like that I am sure you know what the press and repugs would say-angry black man. tfg could say all the nasty things he wanted/did and he got away with it.

[Evolve Dammit]

41. Exactly right. Hell O couldn't wear a tan suit. And her emails?

[Lonestarblue]

22. The WaPo editorial Board published an opinion piece saying that Biden should have called

for patriotism instead of democracy—that he had alienated conservatives who do not support Trump. They got skewered in the comments, including mine, asking where are all these conservative Republicans speaking out against Trump and everything he stands for. Except for Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and occasionally George Conway, there are no conservative Republicans speaking out.

I ended my comment saying to the Editorial Board that they are part of the problem for not speaking out either. I doubt they even bother reading comments, but it’s clear that the Post eir motto “Democracy dies in darkness.”

[Novara]

49. Fuck that. Where've they been the last six years?

For the last six years republicans have refused to compromise. Hell, much longer than that. It really got shitty with Obama. They didn't see a black president as legitimate and it's been getting worse and worse. It actually started earlier (Gingrich against Clinton) but it never gained this kind of momentum until now.

The president spoke the truth and he NEEDED to say the things he said. My hope is that others will pick up the torch and KEEP saying these things.

I feel a shift - we're damned sick and tired of the intimidation, we're tired of always capitulating in the guise of "harmony." It isn't a compromise when the other side refuses to engage. So FUCK THEM.

[SouthernDem4ever]

57. THIS!!

[jaxexpat]

23. His is, sequentially, the next logical response to that which is intolerable, given by one ...

representing those who no longer hide the fact they are, at long last, fed up. Fed up with the pretense that speaking to the obvious is taboo, facts being an unacceptable commodity to polite folk. That the agreement to leave them unspoken was not made in good faith but was a contrivance made from whole cloth. That the usual dismissal by the usual talking heads is trying to incise fingerholds to grab these facts back from the verge of commonly accepted wisdom will come as no shock to the ever vigilant.

[BlueIdaho]

24. The traitors he's talking about

Attacked the US Capitol. People died and many promised to kill our elected representatives and replace a legally elected President with a twice impeached failed leader. Back home more Former Guy flag wavers blessed this insurrection.

It’s about time our President clearly identify these domestic terrorists so we can better silence them permanently.

[OAITW r.2.0]

52. +11

If yur amp goes that high. Mine does.

[BlueIdaho]

53. 11 it is!

[BadgerMom]

25. Exactly!

Now my leader is making my thoughts clear. I would say he’s giving my thoughts a megaphone, but the major networks muted it so that I’m not certain that that’s apt.

[peggysue2]

26. The desire to smash our democracy and eliminate freedoms is not a neutral position

For journalists claiming to shudder at Biden's blunt words or criticize the President for going on the offensive is a perfect example of why we're in this mess.

There's nothing neutral about MAGA world, not in their stated objectives or their violent reactions. Must we remind the 'press' of January 6th, the violence, the gallows erected? Must we remind them of the kidnap plot on Governor Whitmer's life? Or the very fine people who signed onto the fake elector scheme? Or even the most recent show of armed force outside FBI offices? Who or what decided to drape the CPAC meeting with the banner reading: We Are All Domestic Terrorists? And then embraced Victor Orban as if the man were a rock star when, in fact, he's a fascist.

The country is currently witnessing the biggest threat to our national security--a former, deluded so-called leader who left the WH with classified information and hoarded the materials at his social club.

There's nothing neutral or bothsiderism about that. Unless you're as deluded as Trump. Yet the apologists are out in full force with ridiculous excuses and/or howls of persecution.

All these journalists should take note of the CNN pivot, the sudden firings. Or remind themselves of the frequent 'Fake News' chant from MAGA followers tagging their God-King who has repeatedly said The Press is the Enemy of the People.

The country is under attack from within. President Biden called that out. He deserves to be applauded for telling the truth, something a segment of the press no longer appears capable of.

[crickets]

54. 👆 Well said. nt

[Pluvious]

29. No one is more informed about TFG than Biden - and he's reacted accordingly nt.

[Heather MC]

31. I believe I once read that Joe Biden wasn't a big fan of president Obama's nice nice ways

And he often wanted president Obama to go harder against the republicans, however president Obama smartly refused because as the 1st black president, president Obama couldn't do those types of things that Joe Biden did last night. He had to be the safe black guy. And even then they still accused him of being a Muslim, doing a "terrorist fist bump" with Michelle Obama On the campaign trail.
And let's never ever forget, "tan suitgate"

That must forever be etched in our history.

But Joe Biden has the luxury of being an 87 year old white man raised in a white supremacist society that he once enjoyed. So he gets to speak out because he knows better than anyone else how they think.

Considering he was once pro segregation himself at least when it came to bussing.

And don't shoot the messenger, Kamala Harris pointed that out and a debate with Joe Biden.
Joe Biden is the perfect president for this moment, because he knows how these people think. And hes not afraid to go after them. Because at the end of the day forcing them back into their dark corner where no one listens to them is the only way to defeat them.

Being nice to them, makes them think you are weak and they come after you more.

[Joinfortmill]

36. Joe is 79, don't age him! We need him!

[JudyM]

37. We need to take the offensive with actions, too. Take down their networks to the extent allowed by

the law. Infiltrate and catch them in the acts(s). Take faux news and other perpetrators of the Lie to court to the extent possible. Let this have teeth.

[appleannie1]

39. Absolutely. Take away their voice.

[appleannie1]

38. You can't be Mr. Nice Guy with people so full of hate they find fault with everyone except

people just as hateful as they are. You can't have a civil conversation with them. You can't find common ground with them. Nothing. So you might as well tell it like it is, put them in a corner and get on with your own life with people that love, are compassionate and give a damn. As it stands, that is two thirds of this country you can live with. The rest need stomped on like the roaches they are.

[Mme. Defarge]

45. Speaking for myself,

I had the best damn night’s sleep afterwards since I can’t remember when.

[Novara]

50. +1

I sense a change. People on our side are FED UP.

I hope we stay fed up. Show them their intimidation has no power.

[Martin68]

47. Good points. But maybe we've now reached the limit to the usefulness of the phrase BFD.

Unless we're going to emulate the makers of razorblades, and just keep adding another BFD to the chain.

[Scrivener7]

51. This is the same press and pundit corps that gave tfg a pass no matter how vile he got.