Bill Rodgers

Former Editor/TV Producer/Former Latin America Correspondent

[savevoa @savevoanow]

Kate Neeper, a director at USAGM, "who was put on paid leave in 2025 and joined a lawsuit to stop the dismantling of V.O.A., said Ms. Lake’s departure confirmed that V.O.A. journalists and its support staff prevailed against the administration’s blitz."

https://t.co/4TyQPdxbOX

[Bill Rodgers @BillRodgers8]

Spot on translation of what @SecRubio is really saying about the #trump administration’s position for ending the #Ukraine war.

[Kate from Kharkiv @BohuslavskaKate]

Q: "What's the US position on Donbas?"

Rubio: "We've told Ukraine what Russia is demanding. We're not pushing it. It's their choice, not a 'take it or leave it' situation. Our job is to understand both sides and try to find middle ground."

Translation: Ukrainians, the decision is yours. We’ve explained Russia’s demands and will keep pressuring you to accept them, while blaming you for blocking peace. Security guarantees only after you surrender Donbas. But of course, it’s your choice. 🤦‍♀️

[Michael McFaul @McFaul]

So why are not doing more for Ukraine?

[Bill Rodgers @BillRodgers8]

https://t.co/vMFXQtepKQ

[Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ @RepDonBacon]

This story should make every red, white & blue American’s blood boil. Rampant infighting & incompetence w/in DoD, negotiators, POTUS & VPOTUS. Weakness towards Russia is also seen as weakness by China. The only guy that comes out looking smart is Kellogg. https://t.co/EJlJAN86ha

[Sarah Longwell @SarahLongwell25]

Our president is an international calamity.

[Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @AdamKinzinger]

State owned media

[Republicans against Trump @RpsAgainstTrump]

https://t.co/rqR1QG0zY1

[Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @AdamKinzinger]

So wait 60 minutes CENSORED a story about human trafficking?

This is outrageous. @CBSNews @60Minutes

[Bill Rodgers @BillRodgers8]

Witcoff should be fired for how he has been undermining #Ukraine. ⁦@anneapplebaum⁩ raises excellent points in this #atlantic article. https://t.co/GXDqkqmsyG

[Sen. Lisa Murkowski @lisamurkowski]

Senator Kelly valiantly served our country as an aviator in the U.S. Navy before later completing four space shuttle missions as a NASA astronaut. To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong. The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation.

[Senator Mark Kelly @SenMarkKelly]

When I was 22 years old, I commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and swore an oath to the Constitution. I upheld that oath through flight school, multiple deployments on the USS Midway, 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, test pilot school, four space shuttle flights at NASA, and every day since I retired – which I did after my wife Gabby was shot in the head while serving her constituents.

In combat, I had a missile blow up next to my jet and flew through anti-aircraft fire to drop bombs on enemy targets. At NASA, I launched on a rocket, commanded the space shuttle, and was part of the recovery mission that brought home the bodies of my astronaut classmates who died on Columbia. I did all of this in service to this country that I love and has given me so much.

Secretary Hegseth’s tweet is the first I heard of this. I also saw the President’s posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death.

If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.

[Thomas L. Friedman @tomfriedman]

My column: Trump’s Proposed Ukraine ‘Deal’ Is a Disgrace https://t.co/0qe7VNfB63

[Paul Farhi @farhip]

Kari Lake, who spent most of her professional career as a TV anchor, may be the biggest journalism hypocrite ever. Consistently trashes accurate reporting and legit commentary while dismantling an entire news organization. https://t.co/MeAaZ7Kn2x

[Susan Glasser @sbg1]

Judge strikes Trump's lawsuit against New York Times over its content https://t.co/n6QlQ65tkP

[Bill Rodgers @BillRodgers8]

A dangerous development for #PressFreedom in #America. #Trump Sues The New York Times for Articles Questioning His Success https://t.co/JRLFDe01Lv via @NYTimes

[Joe Biden @JoeBiden]

Jules Witcover was one of the most consequential journalists of our time because he understood to his core the fundamental role journalists play in our democracy – and the great responsibility that comes with being one.

Over the course of my career, I spent a lot of time with Jules who came from a middle class background a lot like mine. He also believed, like I do, that family is the beginning, middle, and end. That perspective gave him an innate sense of decency that he never lost sight of – no matter how big the scoop, or how controversial the topic. I saw it firsthand in the reporting Jules did on my own life. His work was always fair, honest, and smart.

Jules was a straight shooter. And he listened. For him, journalism was more than just telling a story, it was about telling the hard truths. Jules' words – and his coverage of all the big moments in recent American history – will help future generations better understand what this country is all about. And his work will continue to inspire generations of young journalists.

For six decades, Jules was a respected, reliable voice for readers across the country and a mentor to many. He was one of the greats. Jill and I send our love to his wife Marion, his children Amy, Julie, Paul, and Peter, his three grandchildren, and all of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

[Bill Rodgers @BillRodgers8]

Good question! It’s impossible, of course. #savevoa

[Carla Babb @CarlaBNatSec]

Kari Lake said, "I believe we have about 15 people we will be staffing for our Mandarin coverage. [full disclosure, I've heard a number much smaller] And you mentioned if something were to happen, a big news story were to break, we would surge people over."

I'd like to know how that's going to work. Will Persian service employees stop broadcasting to Iran to help the Mandarin service broadcast to China if a crisis happens there?

[savevoa @savevoanow]

Lake repeatedly claims that VOA won’t call Hamas terrorists.

Fact-check: VOA’s central newsroom started referring to the October 7, 2023 attack as a terrorist attack on October 8, 2023. News stories routinely referred to October 7 as a terrorist attack and the perpetrators as terrorists. There was never a prohibition on calling Hamas a terrorist group. The Q2 2024 edition of the VOA Standards and Best Practices Manual clarified that ‘VOA uses the words “terrorist” and “terrorism” to label terrorists and acts of terrorism.’ and specifically cites the October 7 Hamas terror attack as an example of a “terrorist act.” /22

Read more: https://t.co/J4lg6enhwx

[Patsy Widakuswara @pwidakuswara]

Part of my RIF notice from Kari Lake, aiming to end over two decades of my service to independent journalism and the United States of America.
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