Glenn P. Parker

@gpparker.bsky.social

174 Followers 318 Following

Retired software developer. Nano-politico. Philanthropist. Interested in cooking, photography, gaming, math education, ocean kayaking, theater, sculpture, and the history and evolution of writing systems.

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To: letters@washpost.com Losing Ann Telnaes, Losing me I was truly shocked to learn of Ann Telnaes’ resignation from the Washington Post. Reading the description of the event, I understand just how deeply the editorial board of the Post has been compromised by the election of an authoritarian to our nation’s highest office. David Shipley’s mealy-mouthed excuse was a tepid repudiation of the fine work by Telnaes over the years. I see the heavy hand of Jeff Bezos here, and I wonder why anyone still serving on the editorial board is willing to continue with this charade. I subscribed to the Post when this same authoritarian took office eight years ago. I was heartened by your motto, “Democracy Dies in Darkness”, and I enjoyed the news coverage along with the editorial perspective. I believe it is vital to support a free press in the U.S., but I do not believe that your current owner supports, or frankly even understands, the value of a free press. He is hyper-focused on a different kind of value. Your ideals have faltered and your publication has been corrupted. You have surrendered your stand as a member of the free press. You are now bought and paid for. The best Democracy can hope for from you is lip service.
Trump voters saw their guy as the outsider, even though he has already been president once, and has been very present in media for forty years. For Harris voters, the fact that she is Black and a woman make her an outsider; for Trump voters, or at least for many of the ones with whom I spoke, they make her an insider. And that notion that women and Blacks direct a deep state is a cultural construct. For Trump voters, or at least many of the ones with whom I spoke this fall, Trump's (supposed) wealth also made him the change candidate. Anyone who is wealthy is seen as a daredevil who broke the rules. The image of Trump as a trailblazer was created by the man himself, not by actual earnings. More deeply, though, the notion of the wealthy person as a hero is an American cultural construct. It makes of voting a cultural act: I want to feel like I am a part of that.
1. Build Broad Coalitions 2. Wage Nonviolence 3. Develop Independent Media and Communications 4. Strengthen Community Ties 5. Document Rights Violations and Publicize Them