Charles Bierbauer
@cbierbauer.bsky.social
Retired long-time journalist--Eastern and Central Europe, DC, PA--and academic--University of South Carolina dean, Penn State. Still dabble in the enigmatic aspects of politics.
What's missing is not decorum but mutual respect. The White House press room has often been indecorous. Perhaps, it was meant to be that way. In the nine years I spent in the press room (Reagan and GHW Bush) the challenge for journalists was always the pursuit of truth.
April 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
What's missing is not decorum but mutual respect. The White House press room has often been indecorous. Perhaps, it was meant to be that way. In the nine years I spent in the press room (Reagan and GHW Bush) the challenge for journalists was always the pursuit of truth.
"Impartial" news takes work. You have to process it. Biased news only asks you to believe it, preferably unquestioningly.
April 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
"Impartial" news takes work. You have to process it. Biased news only asks you to believe it, preferably unquestioningly.
Vanity is now part of the job description.
April 12, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Vanity is now part of the job description.
Now where will American farmers who voted for Trump (and ultimately his tariffs) sell their soybeans?
April 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Now where will American farmers who voted for Trump (and ultimately his tariffs) sell their soybeans?
Is "Doge" eligible? It's been quite a stunt.
April 11, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Is "Doge" eligible? It's been quite a stunt.
True. But government agencies have long been notoriously slow at responding to FOIA requests. They also dramatically and excessively redact materials and tend to overcharge for replies to FOIA requests.
March 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
True. But government agencies have long been notoriously slow at responding to FOIA requests. They also dramatically and excessively redact materials and tend to overcharge for replies to FOIA requests.
To outsiders, this may seem petty. But as former WHCA president (1992-3), I assure you access is a primary asset for reporters covering the White House. The "pooling" nature of sharing the news makes it available to all. But White House dictating who is in the pool (and who is not) skews reporting.
March 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
To outsiders, this may seem petty. But as former WHCA president (1992-3), I assure you access is a primary asset for reporters covering the White House. The "pooling" nature of sharing the news makes it available to all. But White House dictating who is in the pool (and who is not) skews reporting.
FOIA is one of the few means of holding government accountable. Its imperfections are already exploited. Strengthen FOIA, don't weaken it.
February 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM
FOIA is one of the few means of holding government accountable. Its imperfections are already exploited. Strengthen FOIA, don't weaken it.
Since the Supreme Court has granted presidential immunity, sue everyone else in his administration. Then have Musk tell them the government won't pay their legal bills. See how many stick around.
February 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Since the Supreme Court has granted presidential immunity, sue everyone else in his administration. Then have Musk tell them the government won't pay their legal bills. See how many stick around.
So, if Trump wants half of Ukraine’s mineral resources, what dictator will get the other half when the US and Russia divide the spoils?
February 21, 2025 at 3:43 AM
So, if Trump wants half of Ukraine’s mineral resources, what dictator will get the other half when the US and Russia divide the spoils?
Newsrooms once were powerful and able to get behind common needs and goals. Not now when they struggle. A boycott has appeal, but the Trump administration would simply fill the gaps with sympathetic (even sycophantic) media. Maybe when it's renamed the "Gulf of Trump" that will be a gulf too far.
February 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Newsrooms once were powerful and able to get behind common needs and goals. Not now when they struggle. A boycott has appeal, but the Trump administration would simply fill the gaps with sympathetic (even sycophantic) media. Maybe when it's renamed the "Gulf of Trump" that will be a gulf too far.
It appears many voters—and more than a few Republican legislators—simply weren’t listening to what he was promising to do.
February 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
It appears many voters—and more than a few Republican legislators—simply weren’t listening to what he was promising to do.
If true, such a deal. Half for you; half for me.
February 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
If true, such a deal. Half for you; half for me.
Why would either of these autocrats trust the other?
February 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Why would either of these autocrats trust the other?
Worth reading, if only the incumbent were inclined to read.
February 16, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Worth reading, if only the incumbent were inclined to read.
Russia has never been terribly serious about environmental protection. Too big a country. Too much to spoil.
February 15, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Russia has never been terribly serious about environmental protection. Too big a country. Too much to spoil.
Spent nine years at the White House for CNN. Was never told what to write. Sometimes told when White House did not like what I wrote. (Their prerogative.) But then was told the same when I worked in Moscow. Kremlin was not very subtle. Neither is White House these days.
February 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Spent nine years at the White House for CNN. Was never told what to write. Sometimes told when White House did not like what I wrote. (Their prerogative.) But then was told the same when I worked in Moscow. Kremlin was not very subtle. Neither is White House these days.
Actually, it's the Gulf of Trump and it has nothing to do with a body of water.
February 14, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Actually, it's the Gulf of Trump and it has nothing to do with a body of water.
Walesa was certainly one of the more interesting leaders I was privileged to interview. In his garden. In Gdansk.
February 14, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Walesa was certainly one of the more interesting leaders I was privileged to interview. In his garden. In Gdansk.