Election integrity and the transfer of power

[LawBeefaroni]

It's essentially a tool to coordinate flash mobs at voting locations.


Also, "For example, let's say your mailbox is filling up with mail-in ballots..."

[Alefroth]

I heard the skin shade slider was bugged, but should be patched in the next release.

[Smoove_B]

It's essentially a tool to coordinate flash mobs at voting locations.

Yeah, I'm having a hard time understanding what this is other than a dedicated app to communicate with other lunatics regarding voting. It's like taking all the awful racists on Next Door and just focusing them on voting.

[Isgrimnur]

BI

Georgia prosecutors investigating whether former President Donald Trump meddled in the state's 2020 election said on Tuesday that 16 Republicans who participated in a fake electors scheme are the targets of their investigation.

Yet 11 of the 16 electors allege prosecutors told them they were witnesses — not the subjects — of the investigation, and had agreed to give voluntary interviews to investigators, according to a motion they filed on Tuesday.

According to their court filings, they said at least two of them appeared for the interviews in late April.

The electors said they were told for the first time on June 28 that they were considered targets, not witnesses, because of "new evidence" that came to light, per the motion.
...
"It is worth noting that Georgia law does not require either the District Attorney or the grand jury to notify witnesses of their status as a potential target prior to their testimony," Willis' court filing said.

[malchior]

Hold off on the Bill Barr redemption tours just yet. He has thrown in with the independent legislative theory bullshit.

Prominent Republicans including former U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Thursday launched a new legal group they say is aimed at defending state legislatures’ right to set election laws.

The nonprofit group, Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections, is also co-founded by longtime Republican strategist Karl Rove, hotel magnate and GOP donor Steve Wynn and attorney Bobby Burchfield, who last year resigned from the law firm King & Spalding.

Burchfield told Reuters Thursday that the group was created in response to expanding court fights over election laws. It has already filed two briefs in election law cases backing state legislatures' ability to change voting rules.

“We do not think the courts should be setting the rules for elections. We believe that’s the province of state legislatures,” Burchfield said.

[Grifman]

I don’t see dead people:

https://twitter.com/ronfilipkowski/stat ... YlBESghKgg

[Grifman]

https://twitter.com/maggienyt/status/15 ... t5BtJ86UiQ

[Smoove_B]

Terrific

https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status ... 0550534144

A Trump-backed election denier just won the Republican primary for secretary of state in Arizona

[malchior]

Worse he is New Right. He is another of Thiel's fucked up disciples like JD Vance. They are well-educated folks who want to burn down the state and build something authoritarian in its place. And like Vance he could win. The caucus of monsters like Cruz, Hawley, and Cotton could very well swell in the coming months.

[Smoove_B]

When was the last time a sitting Senator was ordered to appear in court?

"The judge called Graham 'a necessary and material witness' who can't dodge grand jury testimony," Pagliery reported.

Graham is scheduled to appear on Aug. 2, the order said. But the Republican senator is expected to fight the subpoena from his home state of South Carolina.

What are you going to do? Arrest me?

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46/AP) - U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham did not show up to his scheduled appearance on Wednesday at the Fulton County courthouse.

Graham was subpoenaed to testify to a special grand jury that’s investigating whether Trump and others broke any laws when they tried to overturn Joe Biden’s win in Georgia in 2020.

The senator is one of the Trump allies who Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants to question as part of her investigation into what she alleges was “a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere.”

Graham said previously that he would fight a subpoena and he still has the ability to do so if he so chooses.

Party of Law and Order (tm).

[malchior]

2024 is going to be something else.

https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1557760997879865347

[stessier]

Just signed up as a poll worker for Nov 8th. My first time was Nov, 2020. If you can get the time off (our day lasts from 6am-9pm-ish), I recommend volunteering. It's really interesting to see the process in person and helps protect our voting integrity.

[Grifman]

True the Vote:

https://twitter.com/mattsheffield/statu ... PPndpJW_MQ

[gbasden]

True the Vote:

https://twitter.com/mattsheffield/statu ... PPndpJW_MQ

So, I wonder if Em2naught is going to disavow that 2000 Mules tag in his footer. I'm dead positive the answer is no.

[malchior]

2000 Mules

It's sort of tells you all you need to know about a person when they decide that information from a bottom feeding corrupt felon like D'Souza is relevant.

[gbasden]

2000 Mules

It's sort of tells you all you need to know about a person when they decide that information from a bottom feeding corrupt felon like D'Souza is relevant.

The whole thing was ludicrous to start with. But when the key players admit that they have nothing you would think that someone of good intention would admit that they were had. And maybe question some of their other sources. Somehow it never matters, though - they just move along to the next grift regardless of the total lack of evidence.

[Skinypupy]

As I Utahn, I found this hilarious.

https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/stat ... 3175582721

It'd be more amusing if there weren't millions who believe this lunatic's nonsense...and every single one of them votes MAGA.

[El Guapo]

Well, Skinypupy, can *you* explain where you were last election day??

[gbasden]

Well, Skinypupy, can *you* explain where you were last election day??

He was putting in fake votes for a few million Utahans. Duh.

[Skinypupy]

Well, Skinypupy, can *you* explain where you were last election day??

Crimin'

[Grifman]

Whatever happened to Grassley? I always thought he was one of the more responsible and reasonable Republicans:

https://twitter.com/lawindsor/status/15 ... Wi3lXY3Urg

Is he just too old and being manipulated by others?

[Grifman]

https://twitter.com/cnnpolitics/status/ ... xdWRbEkAnQ

[Isgrimnur]

Wait, 68, has said he went online in July and successfully ordered absentee ballots in the names of Wisconsin state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Racine Mayor Cory Mason and other voters to demonstrate the "ease of harvesting election ballots." He widely publicized the activity.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Wait said he was still digesting the criminal complaint but said the charges were expected. He stood by his actions.

Sounds like the fine American tradition of Civil Disobedience. I hope he enjoys his consequences.

[The Meal]

BRIEFING ROOM
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THE CONTINUED BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THE NATION
SEPTEMBER 01, 2022
•
SPEECHES AND REMARKS
Independence National Historical Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(September 1, 2022)

8:03 P.M. EDT

Spoiler:

THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, please, if you have a seat, take it. I speak to you tonight from sacred ground in America: Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This is where America made its Declaration of Independence to the world more than two centuries ago with an idea, unique among nations, that in America, we’re all created equal.

This is where the United States Constitution was written and debated.

This is where we set in motion the most extraordinary experiment of self-government the world has ever known with three simple words: “We, the People.” “We, the People.”

These two documents and the ideas they embody — equality and democracy — are the rock upon which this nation is built. They are how we became the greatest nation on Earth. They are why, for more than two centuries, America has been a beacon to the world.

But as I stand here tonight, equality and democracy are under assault. We do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise.

So tonight, I have come this place where it all began to speak as plainly as I can to the nation about the threats we face, about the power we have in our own hands to meet these threats, and about the incredible future that lies in front of us if only we choose it.

We must never forget: We, the people, are the true heirs of the American experiment that began more than two centuries ago.

We, the people, have burning inside each of us the flame of liberty that was lit here at Independence Hall — a flame that lit our way through abolition, the Civil War, Suffrage, the Great Depression, world wars, Civil Rights.

That sacred flame still burns now in our time as we build an America that is more prosperous, free, and just.

That is the work of my presidency, a mission I believe in with my whole soul.

But first, we must be honest with each other and with ourselves.

Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal.

Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.

Now, I want to be very clear — (applause) — very clear up front: Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology.

I know because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans.

But there is no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans, and that is a threat to this country.

These are hard things.

But I’m an American President — not the President of red America or blue America, but of all America.

And I believe it is my duty — my duty to level with you, to tell the truth no matter how difficult, no matter how painful.

And here, in my view, is what is true: MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution. They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people.

They refuse to accept the results of a free election. And they’re working right now, as I speak, in state after state to give power to decide elections in America to partisans and cronies, empowering election deniers to undermine democracy itself.

MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards — backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love.

They promote authoritarian leaders, and they fan the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the rule of law, to the very soul of this country.

They look at the mob that stormed the United States Capitol on January 6th — brutally attacking law enforcement — not as insurrectionists who placed a dagger to the throat of our democracy, but they look at them as patriots.

And they see their MAGA failure to stop a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election as preparation for the 2022 and 2024 elections.

They tried everything last time to nullify the votes of 81 million people. This time, they’re determined to succeed in thwarting the will of the people.

That’s why respected conservatives, like Federal Circuit Court Judge Michael Luttig, has called Trump and the extreme MAGA Republicans, quote, a “clear and present danger” to our democracy.

But while the threat to American democracy is real, I want to say as clearly as we can: We are not powerless in the face of these threats. We are not bystanders in this ongoing attack on democracy.

There are far more Americans — far more Americans from every — from every background and belief who reject the extreme MAGA ideology than those that accept it. (Applause.)

And, folks, it is within our power, it’s in our hands — yours and mine — to stop the assault on American democracy.

I believe America is at an inflection point — one of those moments that determine the shape of everything that’s to come after.

And now America must choose: to move forward or to move backwards? To build the future or obsess about the past? To be a nation of hope and unity and optimism, or a nation of fear, division, and of darkness?

MAGA Republicans have made their choice. They embrace anger. They thrive on chaos. They live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies.

But together — together, we can choose a different path. We can choose a better path. Forward, to the future. A future of possibility. A future to build and dream and hope.

And we’re on that path, moving ahead.

I know this nation. I know you, the American people. I know your courage. I know your hearts. And I know our history.

This is a nation that honors our Constitution. We do not reject it. (Applause.)

This is a nation that believes in the rule of law. We do not repudiate it. (Applause.)

This is a nation that respects free and fair elections. We honor the will of the people. We do not deny it. (Applause.)

And this is a nation that rejects violence as a political tool. We do not encourage violence.

We are still an America that believes in honesty and decency and respect for others, patriotism, liberty, justice for all, hope, possibilities.

We are still, at our core, a democracy. (Applause.)

And yet history tells us that blind loyalty to a single leader and a willingness to engage in political violence is fatal to democracy.

For a long time, we’ve told ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed, but it’s not.

We have to defend it, protect it, stand up for it — each and every one of us.

That’s why tonight I’m asking our nation to come together, unite behind the single purpose of defending our democracy regardless of your ideology. (Applause.)

We’re all called, by duty and conscience, to confront extremists who will put their own pursuit of power above all else.

Democrats, independents, mainstream Republicans: We must be stronger, more determined, and more committed to saving American democracy than MAGA Republicans are to — to destroying American democracy.

We, the people, will not let anyone or anything tear us apart. Today, there are dangers around us we cannot allow to prevail. We hear — you’ve heard it — more and more talk about violence as an acceptable political tool in this country. It’s not. It can never be an acceptable tool.

So I want to say this plain and simple: There is no place for political violence in America. Period. None. Ever. (Applause.)

We saw law enforcement brutally attacked on January the 6th. We’ve seen election officials, poll workers — many of them volunteers of both parties — subjected to intimidation and death threats. And — can you believe it? — FBI agents just doing their job as directed, facing threats to their own lives from their own fellow citizens.

On top of that, there are public figures — today, yesterday, and the day before — predicting and all but calling for mass violence and rioting in the streets.

This is inflammatory. It’s dangerous. It’s against the rule of law. And we, the people, must say: This is not who we are. (Applause.)

Ladies and gentlemen, we can’t be pro-ex- — pro-ex- — pro-insurrectionist and pro-American. They’re incompatible. (Applause.)

We can’t allow violence to be normalized in this country. It’s wrong. We each have to reject political violence with — with all the moral clarity and conviction this nation can muster. Now.

We can’t let the integrity of our elections be undermined, for that is a path to chaos.

Look, I know poli- — politics can be fierce and mean and nasty in America. I get it. I believe in the give-and-take of politics, in disagreement and debate and dissent.

We’re a big, complicated country. But democracy endures only if we, the people, respect the guardrails of the republic. Only if we, the people, accept the results of free and fair elections. (Applause.) Only if we, the people, see politics not as total war but mediation of our differences.

Democracy cannot survive when one side believes there are only two outcomes to an election: either they win or they were cheated. And that’s where MAGA Republicans are today. (Applause.)

They don’t understand what every patriotic American knows: You can’t love your country only when you win. (Applause.) It’s fundamental.

American democracy only works only if we choose to respect the rule of law and the institutions that were set up in this chamber behind me, only if we respect our legitimate political differences.

I will not stand by and watch — I will not — the will of the American people be overturned by wild conspiracy theories and baseless, evidence-free claims of fraud.

I will not stand by and watch elections in this country stolen by people who simply refuse to accept that they lost. (Applause.)

I will not stand by and watch the most fundamental freedom in this country — the freedom to vote and have your vote counted — and — be taken from you and the American people. (Applause.)

Look, as your President, I will defend our democracy with every fiber of my being, and I’m asking every American to join me. (Applause.)

(A protestor disruption can be heard.)

Throughout our history, America has often made the greatest progress coming out of some of our darkest moments, like you’re hearing in that bullhorn.

I believe we can and we must do that again, and we are.

MAGA Republicans look at America and see carnage and darkness and despair. They spread fear and lies –- lies told for profit and power.

But I see a very different America — an America with an unlimited future, an America that is about to take off. I hope you see it as well. Just look around.

I believed we could lift America from the depths of COVID, so we passed the largest economic recovery package since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And today, America’s economy is faster, stronger than any other advanced nation in the world. (Applause.) We have more to go.

I believed we could build a better America, so we passed the biggest infrastructure investment since President Dwight D. Eisenhower. And we’ve now embarked on a decade of rebuilding
the nation’s roads, bridges, highways, ports, water systems, high-speed Internet, railroads. (Applause.)

I believed we could make America safer, so we passed the most significant gun safety law since President Clinton. (Applause.)

I believed we could go from being the highest cost of prescriptions in the world to making prescription drugs and healthcare more affordable, so we passed the most significant healthcare reforms since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. (Applause.)

And I believed we could create — we could create a clean energy future and save the planet, so we passed the most important climate initiative ever, ever, ever. (Applause.)

The cynics and the critics tell us nothing can get done, but they are wrong. There is not a single thing America cannot do — not a single thing beyond our capacity if we do it together.

It’s never easy. But we’re proving that in America, no matter how long the road, progress does come. (Applause.)

Look, I know the last year — few years have been tough. But today, COVID no longer controls our lives. More Americans are working than ever. Businesses are growing. Our schools are open. Millions of Americans have been lifted out of poverty. Millions of veterans once exposed to toxic burn pits will now get what they deserve for their families and the compa- — compensation. (Applause.)

American manufacturing has come alive across the Heartland, and the future will be made in America — (applause) — no matter what the white supremacists and the extremists say.

I made a bet on you, the American people, and that bet is paying off. Proving that from darkness — the darkness of Charlottesville, of COVID, of gun violence, of insurrection — we can see the light. Light is now visible. (Applause.)

Light that will guide us forward not only in words, but in actions — actions for you, for your children, for your grandchildren, for America.

Even in this moment, with all the challenges we face, I give you my word as a Biden: I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s future. Not because of me, but because of who you are.

We’re going to end cancer as we know it. Mark my words. (Applause.)

We are going to create millions of new jobs in a clean energy economy.

We’re going to think big. We’re going to make the 21st century another American century because the world needs us to. (Applause.)

That’s where we need to focus our energy — not in the past, not on divisive culture wars, not on the politics of grievance, but on a future we can build together.

The MAGA Republicans believe that for them to succeed, everyone else has to fail. They believe America — not like I believe about America.

I believe America is big enough for all of us to succeed, and that is the nation we’re building: a nation where no one is left behind.

I ran for President because I believed we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. I still believe that to be true. I believe the soul is the breath, the life, and the essence of who we are. The soul is what makes us “us.”

The soul of America is defined by the sacred proposition that all are created equal in the image of God. That all are entitled to be treated with decency, dignity, and respect. That all deserve justice and a shot at lives of prosperity and consequence. And that democracy — democracy must be defended, for democracy makes all these things possible. (Applause.) Folks, and it’s up to us.

Democracy begins and will be preserved in we, the people’s, habits of heart, in our character: optimism that is tested
yet endures, courage that digs deep when we need it, empathy that fuels democracy, the willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans.

Look, our democracy is imperfect. It always has been.

Notwithstanding those folks you hear on the other side there. They’re entitled to be outrageous. This is a democracy. But history and common sense — (applause) — good manners is nothing they’ve ever suffered from.

But history and common sense tell us that opportunity, liberty, and justice for all are most likely to come to pass in a democracy.

We have never fully realized the aspirations of our founding, but every generation has opened those doors a little wider to include more people who have been excluded before.

My fellow Americans, America is an idea — the most powerful idea in the history of the world. And it beats in the hearts of the people of this country. It beats in all of our hearts. It unites America. It is the American creed.

The idea that America guarantees that everyone be treated with dignity. It gives hate no safe harbor. It installs in everyone the belief that no matter where you start in life, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.

That’s who we are. That’s what we stand for. That’s what we believe. And that is precisely what we are doing: opening doors, creating new possibilities, focusing on the future. And we’re only just beginning. (Applause.)

Our task is to make our nation free and fair, just and strong, noble and whole.

And this work is the work of democracy — the work of this generation. It is the work of our time, for all time.

We can’t afford to have — leave anyone on the sidelines. We need everyone to do their part. So speak up. Speak out. Get engaged. Vote, vote, vote. (Applause.)

And if we all do our duty — if we do our duty in 2022 and beyond, then ages still to come will say we — all of us here — we kept the faith. We preserved democracy. (Applause.) We heeded our wor- — we — we heeded not our worst instincts but our better angels. And we proved that, for all its imperfections, America is still the beacon to the world, an ideal to be realized, a promise to be kept.

There is nothing more important, nothing more sacred, nothing more American. That’s our soul. That’s who we truly are. And that’s who must — we must always be.

And I have no doubt — none –– that this is who we will be and that we’ll come together as a nation. That we’ll secure our democracy. That for the next 200 years, we’ll have what we had the past 200 years: the greatest nation on the face of the Earth.

We just need to remember who we are. We are the United States of America. The United States of America. (Applause.)

And may God protect our nation. And may God protect all those who stand watch over our democracy. God bless you all. (Applause.) Democracy. Thank you. (Applause.)

8:27 P.M. EDT

[Zaxxon]

https://twitter.com/TheRickWilson/statu ... YCh7w&s=19

[LordMortis]

From the spoiler speech

Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.

Now, I want to be very clear — (applause) — very clear up front: Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology.

I know because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans.

But there is no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans, and that is a threat to this country.

I had the sense since the primary this is the only reason Biden ran. I imagine whoever wrote the speech, it was still heart felt from POTUS.

[stessier]

BRIEFING ROOM
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THE CONTINUED BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THE NATION

Thank you!

That was really well written. I thought the accomplishments were very well woven in and proved a point more than just "we did this." It's nice to see a politician tell people there is medicine to take and they won't like it. Actually raised my spirits a bit today.

Edit because this account amuses me:

https://twitter.com/realGollumTrump/sta ... 9865418753

[malchior]

Here are my two favorite things our politics are stupid moments from last night. First were a set CNN anchors in unison complaining about the two marines in the background. POLITICIZING THE MILITARY - IT IS UNPRECEDENTED! Wut? There has been a lot of discussion that CNN was going to shift to the hard news under the leadership of discovery...so maybe not so much? Still you can find probably thousands of political speeches by dozens of Presidents with members of the military in the background or nearby. Weird stuff.

The second was all the whining about how ominous the speech was with the 'red background'. In a wider shot he the building can be seen lit up in red, white, and blue. So ominous!

https://twitter.com/jeffzeleny/status/1 ... 0672108548

[Unagi]

I have to wonder if Jeff Zeleny ever complained about breaks with tradition during the Trump presidency. No? Shocking!

[malchior]

I have to wonder if Jeff Zeleny ever complained about breaks with tradition during the Trump presidency. No? Shocking!

I'm sure he did to be honest but this one is demonstrably dumb. But it's clear this was a CNN editorial decision about how they were going to cover Biden's speech and it's bad news. Probably should have throw this in the Deathwatch thread to be honest. We might be looking at a fairly significant shift to 'bothsides' garbage at CNN.

https://twitter.com/brikeilarcnn/status ... 4552912896

[LawBeefaroni]

It was a calculated flex. I mentioned it in the other thread, he's going to lean into Dark Brandon. Honestly, it's time for a reminder that we're no longer in the bullshit Trump administration. Not just for the GOP but internationally.

[Zaxxon]

Calculated or not, the crocodile tears are delicious.

https://twitter.com/FussiliJ/status/156 ... P3Ut1be6Zg

[malchior]

https://twitter.com/greg_doucette/statu ... 9427623938

[Zaxxon]

This is another one that could go in the death of the 4th estate thread, but man.

https://twitter.com/froomkin/status/156 ... mo3JmDpBwQ

https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status ... mo3JmDpBwQ

[malchior]

JD Vance folks - another monster who has a good chance of becoming a US Senator.

https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1565506626660048896

[LordMortis]

A monster bought and paid for by Thiel for that matter.

[stessier]

This is another one that could go in the death of the 4th estate thread, but man.

https://twitter.com/froomkin/status/156 ... mo3JmDpBwQ

https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status ... mo3JmDpBwQ

He was notified a month ago today would be his last day.

https://mobile.twitter.com/froomkin/sta ... 0055073797

[malchior]

If you want some background the running theory is that CNN is being MAGA-tized at the behest of John Malone who is a huge bundler/donor of MAGA causes and once a rival of Rupert Murdoch over control of Newscorp in the 90s.

CNN is in flux. It has a new owner, and a new boss, who promises to remake the news channel and has told employees to be prepared for “a time of change.”

Most of those changes have yet to manifest. But one of the first ones — canceling its long-running Reliable Sources show and pushing out anchor Brian Stelter — has already unsettled some CNN employees and viewers.

But the bigger question floating over one of the world’s largest and most important news organizations is why it’s changing. Is it because the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, its new owner, wants an overhaul? Or is it at the behest of a conservative billionaire investor in the company who sits on its board?

[Smoove_B]

I can’t believe this is a real photograph. It depicts the president of our nation, as he took to the airwaves and spoke about his fellow citizens as if they were sewer rats.

Well, he's quite comfortable at playing the role of victim so I guess he'll be a rising star in the GOP? Honestly, after today I am amazed at how many GOP snowflakes there are. So many feelings about being called fascists. Here's a tip. If you don't want to be called a fascist, stop supporting fascist ideals.

[El Guapo]

If you want some background the running theory is that CNN is being MAGA-tized at the behest of John Malone who is a huge bundler/donor of MAGA causes and once a rival of Rupert Murdoch over control of Newscorp in the 90s.

CNN is in flux. It has a new owner, and a new boss, who promises to remake the news channel and has told employees to be prepared for “a time of change.”

Most of those changes have yet to manifest. But one of the first ones — canceling its long-running Reliable Sources show and pushing out anchor Brian Stelter — has already unsettled some CNN employees and viewers.

But the bigger question floating over one of the world’s largest and most important news organizations is why it’s changing. Is it because the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, its new owner, wants an overhaul? Or is it at the behest of a conservative billionaire investor in the company who sits on its board?

ugh. I hope this isn't the case. This is part of the Orban playbook - get people friendly to the authoritarian installed in media outlets.