You could argue that the dinner provides the valuable service of reminding people of this cozy relationship. Canceling Amber Ruffin is a clearer indication than any of this. Now let’s see which journalists cancel their own appearances at the dinner and which are perfectly fine with this.
Remember that scene in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington where Jimmy Stewart rampages into the press club, angry about the coverage he's getting, and he's quickly put straight by some very cynical but also very clear-eyed no-bullshit reporters?
The Washington press scene is all about seeing and being seen, hobnobbing and rubbing elbows, and being self-important. This fiasco puts that motivation in clear focus. This is not surprising, but still supremely disappointing. And of course it all comes down to poor sensitive Widdle Twumpy not being able to take a joke. He can dish it out but he can’t take it.
A lot of these gala-type events are annoyingly self-congratulatory. The overtly political dimension of the WHCD makes it that much more problematic when everyone is yukking it up despite the real harm the White House does and the inability or unwillingness of the mainstream press to hold them accountable.
I'm glad you mentioned Michelle Wolf's performance, BTW. She didn't pull her punches, and I still think back to some of her pointed criticisms to this day. Much as we need confrontational journalism right now, some daring comedy wouldn't hurt either.
I'm not much of an Amber Ruffin fan but defend her right to make bad jokes especially when they are directed at powerful people abusing their advantage over other people.
I remember Samantha Bee doing the Not the White House Correspondents' Dinner. I'd watch Amber host something like that!
Self-censorship in advance. They should know better. Another victory for Trump. They should, collectively, hang their heads in shame.
"What noble-sounding bullshit." Yep, that sums it up!
You could argue that the dinner provides the valuable service of reminding people of this cozy relationship. Canceling Amber Ruffin is a clearer indication than any of this. Now let’s see which journalists cancel their own appearances at the dinner and which are perfectly fine with this.
Remember that scene in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington where Jimmy Stewart rampages into the press club, angry about the coverage he's getting, and he's quickly put straight by some very cynical but also very clear-eyed no-bullshit reporters?
Oh, how I wish life was more like the movies.
The Washington press scene is all about seeing and being seen, hobnobbing and rubbing elbows, and being self-important. This fiasco puts that motivation in clear focus. This is not surprising, but still supremely disappointing. And of course it all comes down to poor sensitive Widdle Twumpy not being able to take a joke. He can dish it out but he can’t take it.
Agreed. This is bullshit.
A lot of these gala-type events are annoyingly self-congratulatory. The overtly political dimension of the WHCD makes it that much more problematic when everyone is yukking it up despite the real harm the White House does and the inability or unwillingness of the mainstream press to hold them accountable.
I'm glad you mentioned Michelle Wolf's performance, BTW. She didn't pull her punches, and I still think back to some of her pointed criticisms to this day. Much as we need confrontational journalism right now, some daring comedy wouldn't hurt either.
It would show courage if many of the press don’t show up for the event. It’s time to take a stand
I'm not much of an Amber Ruffin fan but defend her right to make bad jokes especially when they are directed at powerful people abusing their advantage over other people.