Washington Post Disgraces Itself

For the past 10+ years, I have been a digital subscriber to the Washington Post (WP). Numerous articles and opinion pieces I read in its pages challenged my perception, widened my horizon and deepened my understanding not only of world events but also what makes us tick as human beings.

It was thus with regret that I canceled my WP subscription after its Editorial Board, led by its publisher and CEO William Lewis, an obedient and spineless servant to his master and WP owner Jeff Bezos, chose not to endorse any presidential candidate in the November 2024 election.

That the Post and Lewis took this path only 10 days before this most consequential election in the nation’s history revealed its hypocrisy, cowardice and “kiss the ring” subservience to Bezos.

The Board bowed to power instead of speaking truth to it as a reputable newspaper is required to, permanently tarnishing its image.

In his 1946 essay titled “Politics and the English Language,” George Orwell warned us of the danger of doublespeak, language that deliberately obscures, disguises and distorts. 

This is what the WP CEO wrote in justifying his and his master's
non-endorsement: “We see it as consistent with the values The Post has always stood for and what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of law, and respect for human freedom in all its aspects. We also see it as a statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds on this, the most consequential of American decisions — whom to vote for as the next president.”

Can you hear Orwell turning in his grave? I can.

Lewis’s justification, echoing Bezo's, is as full of hypocrisy and, well, doublespeak, as asserting that slavery is freedom, racism is equality and immorality is a virtue.

What WP should have done, as the New York Times so boldly did, was to call out Donald Trump for what he is, a sleazy, ignorant, immoral and vindictive apology of a human being blatantly unfit to be the President of the United States.

Instead, by not endorsing any candidate, WP has indirectly, or maybe not so indirectly, endorsed Trump over Kamala Harris.

Regarding the pompous and self-righteous words of the British-born CEO Lewis, consider what WP, under a different CEO, wrote in its 28 September 2020 Editorial endorsing Joe Biden over Trump: “Trump is the worst president of modern times … Democracy is at risk, at home and in the world. The nation desperately needs a president who will respect its public servants; stand up for the rule of law; acknowledge Congress’s constitutional role; and work for the public good, not his private benefit.”

In selecting Lewis as the publisher and CEO of WP on 2 January 2024, this is what Jeff Bezos said on 4 November 2023: “Ten years ago, I made a commitment to the future of The Washington Post, inspired by its ambitious and consequential journalism. Today, I stand confident in that future knowing it is in the hands of Will, an exceptional, tenacious industry executive whose background in fierce, award-winning journalism makes him the right leader at the right time. I also want to thank Patty Stonesifer for stepping in to lead The Post so ably over the past several months.”

Fierce Lewis? How about a craven ass-kisser?

I will miss the enlightening and challenging articles and opinions of the Washington Post writers but where fundamental values are concerned, there can be no compromise. God willing, on the morning of November 6, we Americans will wake up to a new dawn in our history when we elect the first female President of the United States.

Afraid of another insurrection? Don’t be. There will be none, no matter the bluster from Trump and his cronies and sycophants. Law of the land will prevail because law-enforcement officials will be fully prepared to deal with any obstacle to the transfer of power since the ignominious event of 6 January 2021.

And WP writers? You are all blessed with a unique gift, the gift of persuasive and powerful writing. Quit WP and take your skills to other publications where they will value not only your writing but also your principles.