New York Times published an op-ed critical of Donald Trump. It was written by Mr. Anonymous. The NYT does not want to divulge the name of the writer. They said it was a senior official in the Trump Administration.
James Dao, the newspaper's op-ed editor, said in the Times' daily podcast that while an intermediary brought him together with the author, he conducted a background check and spoke to the person to the point that he was "totally confident" in the identity.
That's not a very senior person if Mr. Dao needs to check to see who that person is.
I think any of the following people could have written that article.
The barber who cuts/fixes Trump’s hair.
The gardener at the white house.
The butler at the white house.
The Editor of New York Times Mr. Anonymous himself.
Bob Woodward. He is known for making up conversations and events.
And finally, it could be me. But again it may not be me because I never got a call from Mr. Dao.
It would be fun if the New York Times’ own investigative reporters investigate this and publish the name of the author.
An Update: Mr. Trump has asked the Attorney General and the DOJ (Department of Justice) to investigate and find out who that anonymous author is. NYT has immediately responded with their usual defense – Freedom of Speech and First Amendment. Freedom of Speech and First Amendment are OK. However, if that anonymous author is a serving military person or with the National Security, there is no freedom of speech as long as he/she is serving in that organization.
Everyone knows it's me.
ReplyDeleteI'm the only guy who posts anonymously all the time!
Regards,
Who Posted This?
Thanks for your comments Who Posted This. It cannot be you because you are a very well known person the United States.
DeleteSenior official in the administration...who needs a background check to confirm identity and validity.
ReplyDeleteHe/She is the one right?
Give...me...a...break!
You might as well have put my name in BIG BRIGHT LIGHTS!
Everyone knows TRUMP is the #1 guy in the USA.
But nobody knows the #2 guy.
Regards,
Mike "Anonymous" Pence
Thanks for your comments Mike. If you have nothing else to do, instead of writing anonymous op-ed in NYT, go attend a few funerals representing USA.
DeleteI am just reminded of a famous quote from Smash Mouth. Second place just means you're the first in a long line of losers.
If someone in the senior administration was really able to do this, with or without publishing their name, it's a win for democracy and freedom of speech.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
I agree with DI.
Delete-Avada Kedavra
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. A nameless, faceless, individual who can only be proven and given credibility by one person...and that person happens to control the media...is step 1 away from democracy and headed towards totalitarianism.
DeleteThat point about James Dao is quite intersting. The author could be just about anyone! I don't think one should attach too much importance to the anonymity of the article. It's the content that matters.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing reminds us of the Watergate scandal, is it not? (I was too young. All my knowledge about it are from articles and All The President's Men - both book and the movie.)
Heads of government (including the US President) are constantly advised and guided by his or her staff. So, advices for the President to do this or that is a norm and nothing extraordinary. But what is remarkable here is the way it is being portrayed - to save America from the President.
But if one were to look at it another way, it is just an amplification of an underlying perception ever since this President took over.
Interstingly, FBI's Associate Director Mark Felt too had denied that he was Deep Throat (the informant for journalists Carl and Bob).
Thanks for your comments Pradeep. I agree the content matters, however the anonymity is just as important if not more important. Anyone can say anything about POTUS in this country. However the credibility and how truthful the content is absolutely depends on the source.
DeleteIf I said it, no one will care. If Mike Pence said it, everyone will care. To say "anonymous source" who is a senior official can mean anything. It misleads the public to think this source and story are credible when it can be completely fabricated.
Do you get lot of spam comments SG? If not, can you remove the captcha thing. It is really annoying and takes 10 mins to put a comment and doesn't work on phone either. :(
ReplyDelete-Avada Kedavra
Thanks Ash. I will check it out.
DeleteToo bad if POTUS is utilizing his resources on finding someone for something so trivial. Waste of Time, news that's created just for increasing sale should be never given any importance.
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ReplyDeleteI think it may be the editor himself / herself. Whoever the heads of govts be. he / shewill have to shake both clapping and rapping hands.
ReplyDelete