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Timothy Patrick's avatar

I was shocked to learn that the AP was actually using BOTH names and providing context for international readers. That detail makes this whole situation even pettier than I initially thought—possibly the pettiest press story of all time. It's fascinating that Judge McFadden's decision characterized it as the AP's "viewpoint" when what they were doing was explicitly trying NOT to inject a viewpoint. They were being neutral by acknowledging both names with context, but apparently even neutrality is considered extreme in this Orwellian era.

Sure, it's "a major victory" for the First Amendment, but let's not forget that the most-read news organization in the world was still deprived of White House access for several weeks. This reminds me of how easily democratic norms can be eroded, even when courts eventually step in.

That bit about Theodore Roosevelt briefing reporters while finishing his morning shave got me thinking—we should bring that back! That's exactly the kind of authenticity voters today are begging for. People are so tired of perfectly polished politicians that they'll vote against their own interests just to find someone who breaks from the tradition of perfect appearances. Though I realize this would be challenging for the first woman president, who we know will be expected to somehow have a perfect appearance without looking like she's trying, being everything at once or else facing ridicule. But man oh man do we need a woman president so badly.

Side thought: It seems weird to me to not have photographer credits. In this era where AI can generate images from a text prompt, adding photographer credits would not only be fair to the actual humans behind the camera but could also help confirm the authenticity of news images.

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John Lake's avatar

Karoline Leaveit will simply refuse to call on AP reporters. And the fight against a fascist America continues….

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