
<p>The <em>New York Times</em> has long prided itself as a publication of impeccable reputation in the world of newspaper journalism. ; It claims to be staffed by the finest editors, columnists and reporters in the nation – producing the best writing to be found. ; And a lot of folks on the left &#8212; who like to think of themselves as sophisticated &#8212; view the <em>Times</em> as their journalism bible. ; The <em>Times</em> is often referred to as “the newspaper of record” – a rather ill-defined term that at least suggests superiority over all other rival publications.</p>



<p>Of course, not all of America shares that snobby view.  ; I have long viewed the <em>Times</em> as just another neighborhood publication that reflects the views of the local community – sort of a big city version of the <em>Des Moines Register Mail</em>.</p>



<p>I once was criticized for expressing my belief that the folks in middle America would not even cross the street for a free copy of the <em>Times</em>. ; A friend volunteered to set up an experiment. ; A sign was erected on one side of a street in a suburban Chicago community &#8212; with an arrow offering a free copy of the <em>Times</em> on the other side. ; For further enticement, my friend played the role of a barker to further encourage people to get their free copy. ; After making the offer to scores of average American people, no one took the bait. ; Of course, it was a silly experiment, but we did get a good laugh out of it. ; And at least I have some documentation for my claim. ; But I digress.</p>



<p>The <em>Times</em> has always been a left-leaning publication. ; But it has abandoned the standards of journalism– at least in political matters – to take up the cause of partisan advocacy. ; It has become a communications vehicle for the Democratic Party.</p>



<p>Even having watched the newspaper shed any semblance of balance, I was not prepared to see the unhinged performance of one of the <em>Times’</em> premier columnists, Tom Friedman. ; Appearing on CNN with Anderson Cooper, Friedman seemed on the verge of hysteria. ; His emotional argument was that the Republican Party must be stopped from winning any elections in future elections if the American Republic is to avoid total collapse. ; This has been a theme among the left, but Friedman proffered it with disturbing emotionalism.</p>



<p>In Friedman’s paranoid mind, a Republican takeover of the House, Senate or presidency in the coming years will herald the end of the American democracy. ; The Republic will fall. ; He was not informative in terms of what would follow, but he seemed to be suggesting a Trump dictatorship.</p>



<p>Friedman says he has never had a greater fear for the future of America than he has today. ; For him, it is not only preferential that Democrats win, but essential. ; He repeatedly called on Democrats to play their A-game.</p>



<p>Friedman lamented that the political arena has no common ground anymore. ; We should be able to agree as Americans on certain things that transcend political division, he says. ; Of course, those common beliefs that we all much embrace are … no surprise here … his beliefs. ; There should be no differing opinions on things like Infrastructure Bills, masking, vaccination mandates, school curricula, immigration, taxation, etc.. ; ;</p>



<p>To me, it was Friedman’s fearmongering screed that had the ring of despotism. ; You know, where the wise leader tells the people how authoritarian one-party leadership is good for the masses – as if democracy depends on the people to yield power and shut up.</p>



<p>In many ways, Friedman represents that which he purports to disdain. ; He proffers for an arrogant authoritarian one-party system in which an elite class rules over the less able, the less intelligent and the less noble.</p>



<p>Friedman should cool down and notice how the Democrats’ sky-is-falling strategy failed in the last election. ; The idea that every race across America is about former President Trump is not true – and therefore the public is not buying it. ; The Republic is in no imminent danger – unless it is from the left’s tightening grip on government. ; ;</p>



<p>In this past election, the voters demonstrated the collective wisdom of the masses. ; They saw past the hyperbolic political malarky. ; It is not possible for me to know if Friedman is a corrupt propagandist or is in the midst of some sort of emotional breakdown. ; But whatever the cause might be, he is one unhinged columnist.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

NYT’s Tom Freidman has gone bonkers
