21 Comments
User's avatar
Marina Oshana's avatar

Excellent idea! As a supporter of The Guardian, a subscriber to America, America, and a follower of Media Misses, I value the fact based assessment you both bring to journalism. Thanks!

Expand full comment
flo chapgier's avatar

Thank you I have been a subscriber of the Guardian but now I shall also get Media Misses !!

Thank you Steven 🤩

Expand full comment
Rita Richards Newhouse's avatar

I believe there are still a few newsmen on TV who will point out trump administration flubs and flaws. Lawrence O'Donnell comes to mind. In the spirit of changing the subject and because everyone is sick to death of talking/thinking about the miscreant whose every eye blink or dance move is being put on display as if he is now president, it might be nice in these waning days of a pretty productive four years, to compose an uplifting summary of achievements, a send off of sorts, by the man still president - Joseph Biden. Through stumbles and stubbornness,he was able to attain some major results. A farewell Hail to the Chief.

Expand full comment
Rita Richards Newhouse's avatar

I must have ESP. I tuned in O'Donnell's program, & , with Mayor Pete, was doing exactly what I suggested above.😁

Expand full comment
Homi Hormasji's avatar

Thank you for singling out The Guardian for praise.

It is worth repeating, as Mark mentioned, that The Guardian is wholly owned and operated by The Scott Trust, which was established to ensure the Guardian's financial and editorial independence in perpetuity. Unlike our major newspapers here, The Guardian does not depend on the whims of billionaire owners, or of corporations that purchase advertising in its pages.

Those of us who read The Guardian online (https://www.theguardian.com/us) know that it does not exist behind a paywall unlike The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, etc. The Guardian does not need to do so. However, we can all show our support for the invaluable work that The Guardian does by making contributions to the paper, regardless of how small those contributions might be.

Expand full comment
Christina Kasica's avatar

The Philadelphia Inquirer is also owned by a non-profit. The Lenfest Institute is the non-profit owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, which is now the largest newspaper in America operated for the public-benefit. Consider subscribing. You don't have to live in Philadelphia.

Expand full comment
Homi Hormasji's avatar

That's great to know, Christina. Thank you for providing this information.

Expand full comment
Sam Urdank's avatar

Hey Steven,

I like the new mission of On-Target, lifting up news orgs and others that are telling the truth and defending Democracy. I would have thought the MeidasTouch Network and Legal AF would have been on that list with ProPublica, The New Republic and The Guardian US. They have been doing exactly what you and Mark were speaking to.

Expand full comment
Lynn Geri's avatar

This is what I just wrote to a friend who said we needed to 'fight back' against what is happening and what I tell media outlets:

I agree with all except "FIGHT back" needs discussion. If we see this war as a physical battle we will lose. As in Tienanmen Square the tanks will simply roll over us and our ideals. We are defending not fighting. To counter a blow is vastly different than instigating violence or retaliating. This has to be a war of strategy, words, ideas, wit, intelligence, caring for and expressing higher ideals... We want hearts and minds, not bodies. I'm remembering the picture from the Viet Nam War protest, where the young woman, standing in front of a soldier, put her finger into the barrel of his gun. Stupidity or courage, it save a multitudes of lives.

Expand full comment
Naima  (NM)'s avatar

I also do not identify with or like the “fight” modality/wording. Otherwise, your new title is great. Target can equate more or less to goals, rather than something we are aiming weapons towards!

Expand full comment
Robyn Boyer's avatar

Steven: You might want to explore the podcasts out there who are also doing the good work. That is where the majority of voters get/got their information, truthful or not. Also, outing podcasts like Bannon's War Room would help educate your readers/watchers to what we are up against.

Expand full comment
Steven Beschloss's avatar

Thanks, Robyn. That’s a good suggestion.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Ratkovich's avatar

Ah, something positive to take us forward out this dark space. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Art Hopkins's avatar

I think this is a good idea. You called attention to the failures of the media before. The election made it clear that the voters are too often ignorant of what's important in making their decisions. Shifting to highlighting those getting it right in the media will, hopefully, make voters more ready to vote intelligently next time.

Expand full comment
Steven Beschloss's avatar

Thx, Art.

Expand full comment
Molly Hackett's avatar

Ok I'll say it. Weekly podcast? I follow America, America. Is there another one I can subscribe to? I think we are all in a "rebuilding" phase.

Expand full comment
Dr. Joanie Tool's avatar

I think what you are doing is wonderful and positive and important. And, I am not ready to pivot to finding the lights in the ever unfolding darkness. I still feel people are not understanding what recess appointments of thoroughly unfit, unprepared, UN-independent, biased conspiracy theorists and racist, sexist sycophants to these incredibly important positions of power is only the first job of the autocrat.

Expand full comment
Steven Beschloss's avatar

I don’t think he’ll succeed in convincing Congress to recess.

Expand full comment
Dr. Joanie Tool's avatar

I hope very much that you are right. I doubt half of them could pass the background check my eldest took to work at Lowe’s Hardware last summer.

Expand full comment
Maureen O'Malley's avatar

I'm expecting his Inaugural address to be a declaration of martial law, backed up by more.

Expand full comment
K Brahney's avatar

I think so, too. Especially if there are massive protests. So how does one "fight" that?

Expand full comment