60 Comments
User's avatar
Cathleen Labate's avatar

Often, heroes happen and are quietly celebrated....Scott Pelley is making a difference, though it may seem like a ripple, but it is becoming a tidal wave.

Roemer McPhee's avatar

I don't know what I'm going to tell the cops.

Tell them the truth, George. Easiest thing to remember.

--Glengarry Glen Ross

Mark's avatar
12hEdited

I often wonder why wealthy men are referred to as “powerful”. They are men just like any man on this planet. Never ever think a man is better than any man or woman. In fact, they are often less of a man for their arrogance and pride. Powerful so called men are only there because we let them.

Martha MacRae's avatar

Yes. Their power comes from convincing us that they are powerful - which is basically convincing us, or us convincing ourselves, that we need what they may withhold.

If that doesn’t happen, they’re nobody.

(Same is true for women though unfortunately. )

Ron Hacker's avatar

Thanks Steve, I just woke up, brushed my teeth, and sat down to read my emails. I clicked yours first, and it was a real great way to get my thinking on a good path. I've watched you more than I've read you, this piece was wonderful, it was like your voice and talking head were on the screen. Thanks again

Claire from Arlington VA's avatar

Agreed 100%, Ron. Steve's words are so powerful that it's hard to say which I prefer -- his written words or his oral ones. They both hit right in the gut, where they are supposed to. I admit that when I see any video he posts where he is speaking directly or interviewing others, I immediately watch.

Lee Robert Arzt's avatar

It appears to me that the devolution of our democratic republic as reached the point that at the moment there is a veto proof majority in Congress that we need to nationalize the entities owned by the Thiels Musks and other Robber Barons, so that the entities records are ours. Then we can prosecute the wrong doers, and cleanse the swamp of those who hate justice and democractic government.

Lee Robert Arzt's avatar

And pack the US Supreme Court to rid ourselves of the Sophist Originalists who have perverted the Constitution to mean what suits their malign purposes.

Joseph M Loya's avatar

I don't have an answer as to how we prevent this kind of influence in our democracy, but your suggestion feels an awful lot like socialism. Many of us have had a pretty negative reaction to tRump taking government interests in companies for the same reason. True democracy MUST have better guardrails than we have set up so far, otherwise this would not have happened.

Martha MacRae's avatar

Since the people can throw them out, the power resides in the people - which requires a very good education system, some communality in fundamental values and a shared belief in the importance of voting and governments.

It’s hard to get there in any country and even harder in a large, sprawling, very diverse country - like US and Canada.

Over time, the values seem to have slipped; probably due to huge, concentrated wealth, and poor tax policy.

Husaria's avatar

And, the rich and powerful buying media companies, cutting their own taxes, cutting education and healthcare funding for the working classes. As well as buying and selling MC ( Members of Congress ).

You can add despair and indifference of the general populace to that mix as well and……there you have it. How republics and democracies die.

Mike's avatar

“Never despair, but if you do, work on in despair.”

― Sir Edmund Burke

Kim Nesvig's avatar

What a contrast between Pelley and those oligarchs and their puppets who are now dismantling CBS. And another thought, how many times since 2015 have we been reminded of Joseph Welch. Evidently, the reminder of that era is too distant a memory for some Americans and evidently too may are indifferent to the lack of decency. Part of the restoration of America must be to the expectation of genuine decency in public office and public affairs.

Kathleen Hanna's avatar

Excellent courage in action!

Johnny with a G's avatar

Thank you, Steve. The house war powers vote is a step in the right direction.

Rick A.'s avatar

It is all about fear. Absolutely. And the moral cowardice and total surrender of legions of people who know better to the most perverse, cruel, corrupt, ignorant, evil and disgusting human being imaginable has been disorienting, heartbreaking and soul crushing.

Scott Pelley’s clarity and directness and moral courage are what we need—-everywhere.

Betty Moyers's avatar

Wonderful to see a glance of integrity again.

Especially in a man! It amazes me everyday when I think about how our world is controlled by such weak, mentally ill, incompetent MEN and we continue to allow them such power.

SO DISGUSTING!

mary M keymer's avatar

Thank You Steve .. I have a few heroes right now... Judge Merchan, Jerome Powell, Scott Pelley can make my day when I think of them. Now we just need more of them.

Thomas E. Brymer's avatar

Wealthy people are, in my view, referred to as powerful,not because of what they have done (which often is actually not much), but because power is somehow automatically ascribed and ceded to them by society. Not because of any useful contribution to the greater good. That’s why truth tellers like Pelley and the other individuals in this piece are so important, especially in a democracy. They are the truth tellers, shining a light on darkness, lack of ethics, and unlawfulness that pollutes a society. Thank God for them.

Thomas Locatell's avatar

It's a privilege to read and comment here, mainly because in everyday life people are tuned out to what has and is happening to our country. Asked two weeks ago about who Pelley is, I would have been hard pressed to answer. That's the result of my own tuning out of the televised MSM. They say familiarity breeds contempt and in that regard I am lucky to not be saturated by spoonfed, commercialized propaganda. When a person of note falls under my radar, I can judge in real-time for myself. I can give fresh looks at people I vaguely know of and reconsider others that I have dismissed. Everyone who has shown themselves for who they are deserves to be at the table. New evidence is cause for new conclusions and everyone deserves second chances. Disagreements are part of the process. Pelley, let's see what you got.

Claire Von Karls's avatar

Thanks Steve! This is amazingly impressive!! I applaud YOUR courage as well!!!

Tim Myslajek's avatar

Steve,

Very well written. What seems so obvious what this corrupt administration is doing to silence critics. It is difficult for me to understand how anyone could possibly support this disgusting maga regime. You make things so clear. Please keep it up.

Thank you!

Lee's avatar

Thank you Steve. When all this madness ends, the road to hell is gonna need repaving.