I was reminded of my college journalism professor, the late Hugh Cunningham, who would exhort his young charges in a thundering voice to "never let them scare you." It was his most important lesson. One of Edward R. Murrow's favorite words was "steady." That also bears repeating today.
This is a dirty, nasty election. And it is only going to get worse. The reporters in the trenches need no lecture from me. They are walking through daily minefields, bracing themselves against winds of discontent whose effects no one can predict.
I know what it is like to sit in those seats and feel the scorn and even wrath of politicians of all political persuasions. Attacking the press for unfair coverage has long been a bipartisan pursuit. Sometimes it works. I am happy to say that more often it doesn't. But Trump's brand of vituperation is particularly personal and vicious. It carries with it the drumbeats of threatening violence. It cannot be left unanswered.
This is not about politics or policy. It's about protecting our most cherished principles. The relationship between the press and the powerful they cover is by its very definition confrontational. That is how the Founding Fathers envisioned it, with noble clauses of protection enshrined in our Constitution.
Good journalism--the kind that matters--requires reporters who won't back up, back down, back away or turn around when faced with efforts to intimidate them. It also requires owners and other bosses with guts, who stand by and for their reporters when the heat is on.
I still believe the pen is mightier than the sword. And in these conflicted and troubled times, we should reward the bravery of the men and women not afraid to ask the hard questions of everyone in power. Our nation's future depends on it.
Let me translate Danspeak:
“This is not a moment to be trifled with”.
Translation: Trump has guts. He is not the usual slimebag politician we can keep under our thumb.
“Never let them scare you”.
Translation: We control the message. Never forget that.
“Winds of discontent”
Translation: With the Internet a well-informed public is beginning to understand we are a pack of propagandists and liars.
“It is about protecting our most cherished principles”
Translation: One world government is our goal. Trump is the enemy. Attack, attack, attack...
“The pen is mightier than the sword”
The best defense is a strong offense. This is war, and as Churchill said, we are well protected by a bodyguard of lies. So start unleashing the barrage of lies, people!