War of Words

   The president of the United States has declared war on the free and independent American press.
   By his words and actions, he has repeatedly attempted to stifle disagreement and criticism, stooping to venal personal attacks bordering on the obscene against those who hold him accountable for his behavior and policies.
   News flash to the Oval Office: You cannot fire them, and any attempt to stop journalists from doing their jobs will only bring increased focus on your own misdeeds.
   On this Independence Day, let this also be Free Press Day, celebrating the First Amendment of the Constitution as American journalism reaffirms its right and its duty to keep the public informed of what government leaders are doing and saying.
   The potential consequence of the continuing verbal assault and abusive behavior of the current president, in which he often suggests violence against opponents ("I'd like to punch him in the face." ... "He should be roughed up." ... "I could shoot somebody in the middle of Fifth Avenue and not lose any votes.") can easily lead to violence. In fact, it already has, as his supporters beat up on protestors and others who disagree with him at rallies.
   Therefore, a case can be made for a charge of inciting to riot.
   This is not appropriate behavior for an elected leader of a free society, but this leader's behavior borders on that and has actually crossed the line several times.
   Few presidents in the past have enjoyed negative reports from journalists, but most have acknowledged that reporters have a job to do, and that is to provide truthful information to the public. In doing that, they strive to maintain neutrality, and to keep themselves out of the story.
   This president, however, regularly makes them part of the story, with his vehement, vile vituperation against journalists who present negative views and reports on his actions and behavior.
  Suppressing a free press is the first step on the road to a dictatorship, and the evidence is growing that this is the goal of the current occupant of the Oval Office.
   So to prevent this, journalists have an obligation to continue their efforts. With that in mind, consider these quotes from American history:
   "Be watchful in your states as well as in the federal government." -- Andrew Jackson.
   "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it." -- Thomas Paine.
   "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." -- Wendell Phillips, 19th Century activist.
   "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither." -- Benjamin Franklin.
   "It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power." -- John Adams.
   
   Where does Donald Trump fit in that equation?