Pentagon killing Stars and Stripes?

[The_Dude]

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/0...wspaper-408945
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has ordered the military's independent newspaper, Stars and Stripes, to cease publication at the end of the month, despite Congressional efforts to continue funding the century-old publication.

The order to halt publication by Sept. 30, and dissolve the organization by the end of January, is the latest salvo in the Pentagon's move earlier this year to cut the $15.5 million in funding for the paper from the department's budget. And it is a reflection of the Trump administration's broader animosity for the media and members of the press.

Members of Congress have objected to the defunding move for months. And senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week urging him to reinstate funding. The letter, signed by 15 senators — including Republicans and Democrats — also warns Esper that the department is legally prohibited from canceling a budget program while a temporary continuing resolution funding the federal government is in effect.

“Stars and Stripes is an essential part of our nations freedom of the press that serves the very population charged with defending that freedom,” the senators said in the letter.

And Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in a separate letter to Esper in late August, also voiced opposition to the move, calling Stripes “a valued “hometown newspaper” for the members of the Armed Forces, their families, and civilian employees across the globe.” He added that “as a veteran who has served overseas, I know the value that the Stars and Stripes brings to its readers.”

In the memo, the department says that Esper has decided to discontinue publication of the paper as a result of his department-wide budget review. Signed by Army Col. Paul Haverstick, acting director of the Pentagon's Defense Media Activity, the memo said plans to shut down the paper are due on September 14, and the final newspaper publication will be on September 30.

Stripes ombudsman, Ernie Gates, told The Associated Press on Friday that shutting the paper down “would be fatal interference and permanent censorship of a unique First Amendment organization that has served U.S. troops reliably for generations.”

The first newspaper called Stars and Stripes was very briefly produced in 1861 during the civil war, but the paper began consistent publication during World War I. When the war was over, publication ended, only to restart in 1942 during World War II, providing wartime news written by troops specifically for troops in battle.

The paper, which gets funding from the Defense Department, is editorially independent from the Pentagon, and is delivered in print and digitally to troops all over the world.

In its budget request earlier this year, the Pentagon proposed cutting the paper's funding, triggering angry reactions from members of Congress.

The House-passed version of the Pentagon budget contains funding for the paper's publication, but the Senate has not yet finalized a defense funding bill.

[Raazor]

Has it turned into a liberal rag?

I used to read it religiously when I was stationed in Europe... not so much stateside.

[Steve_R]

I'll wait for the rest of the story before I get outraged. I'm about out of outrage right now and have none to waste.

[Bill]

[The_Dude]

Originally Posted by Raazor

Has it turned into a liberal rag?

could be. I don't read it either

Originally Posted by Raazor

I used to read it religiously when I was stationed in Europe... not so much stateside.

Originally Posted by Steve_R

I'll wait for the rest of the story before I get outraged. I'm about out of outrage right now and have none to waste.

It just surprised me. I have no idea if military personal still read it or not. Maybe it needs to go away. Hence the thread.

[Lakota]

Never read it when I was in the military decades ago. Read the Army Times and subscribed to my home town newspaper that was mailed to me..

[69camfrk]

Originally Posted by Raazor

Has it turned into a liberal rag?

I used to read it religiously when I was stationed in Europe... not so much stateside.

I only read it while deployed, and as I always said, "Yesterday's news, and only a week late."

[Lakota]

Hours after the funding shift was reported by several news organizations, President Donald Trump tweeted that funding for the publication would not be cut "under my watch."

"It will continue to be a wonderful source of information for our Great Military," Trump said.

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/202...3511599243614/

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Lakota

Hours after the funding shift was reported by several news organizations, President Donald Trump tweeted that funding for the publication would not be cut "under my watch."

"It will continue to be a wonderful source of information for our Great Military," Trump said.

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/202...3511599243614/

Maybe this was a warning shot to the leftists who have infiltrated Stars and Stripes to shape up and just start reporting the news without political spin?

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Maybe this was a warning shot to the leftists who have infiltrated Stars and Stripes to shape up and just start reporting the news without political spin?

One could call that tweet a decree, as with many of his others. It was probably meant as such.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_by_decree

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

One could call that tweet a decree, as with many of his others. It was probably meant as such.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_by_decree

Rule by decree? You mean like what lots of mayors and governors of both parties are doing now? Who needs the legislative branch under rule by decree?

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Rule by decree? You mean like what lots of mayors and governors of both parties are doing now? Who needs the legislative branch under rule by decree?

Well I guess they’re following the example at the top.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

Well I guess they’re following the example at the top.

Nah, they’re testing how far they can go making up laws by decree, and they’re learning they can go a long way. It’s disheartening to watch.

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Nah, they’re testing how far they can go making up laws by decree, and they’re learning they can go a long way. It’s disheartening to watch.

I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s at every level, including the top, and it’s BS. I wonder what people will think a hundred years from now, if we make it that far.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

Well I guess they’re following the example at the top.

Like the president legalizing of 800,000 illegal aliens? Like that example? The SCOTUS made a huge mistake not allowing Trump to recind that EO. They just OK'ed presidents acting as dictators. Sucks, but sucks less when it's your guy doing the dictating.

If we're stuck with Obama's illegals, then why shouldn't Trump throw his weight around regarding Stars and Stripes?

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Like the president legalizing of 800,000 illegal aliens? Like that example? The SCOTUS made a huge mistake not allowing Trump to recind that EO. They just OK'ed presidents acting as dictators. Sucks, but sucks less when it's your guy doing the dictating.

If we're stuck with Obama's illegals, then why shouldn't Trump throw his weight around regarding Stars and Stripes?

So it was happening then and now it’s still happening. And it’ll continue to happen. Is that your point?

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s at every level, including the top, and it’s BS. I wonder what people will think a hundred years from now, if we make it that far.

Yup. I’m scared for the Constitutional Republic we’ll leave our grandchildren.

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

If we're stuck with Obama's illegals, then why shouldn't Trump throw his weight around regarding Stars and Stripes?

Because two wrongs don’t make a right?

Except for very specific, unusual circumstances, laws shouldn’t be made by decree. Period.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

So it was happening then and now it’s still happening. And it’ll continue to happen. Is that your point?

Presidential power has been expanding for decades, maybe longer. No one seems willing to push back on it, so I'd say that's an accurate statement. Is that good? Probably not.

Remember when Kamala said she would, as president, give Congress 100 days to pass gun control, and then if they didn't she'd just start grabbing the guns herself?

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Presidential power has been expanding for decades, maybe longer. No one seems willing to push back on it, so I'd say that's an accurate statement. Is that good? Probably not.

Remember when Kamala said she would, as president, give Congress 100 days to pass gun control, and then if they didn't she'd just start grabbing the guns herself?

Agreed.

You know what. I’d rather try to enjoy the finer things in life while I’m here - food, drink, music, maybe travel again, and occasionally, sex - than talk about politics.

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

I’d rather try to enjoy the finer things in life while I’m here - food, drink, music, maybe travel again, and occasionally, sex

Worried about wearing the hand out?