Barack Obama breaks his silence about the current situation in the US: “Imagine if I had done any of this”
The former president asks the crowd to think what would have happened if he had taken away press credentials from Fox News or punish companies or people for dissenting.
During a conversation at Hamilton College, President Obama spoke out about what the Trump Administration is doing to silence critics. “I’m more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” he said. “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening. Imagine if I had said to law firms that were representing parties that were upset with policies my administration had initiated, that you will not be allowed into government buildings.”
The former president tried to make clear to those present at the conversation that the situation is very serious and universities, students and the media need to fight to preserve freedom of speech. Obama continued trying to explain to the students and other members of the audience how important some concepts are in our daily lives. “I think people tend to think, oh, democracy, rule of law, independent judiciary, freedom of the press. That’s all abstract stuff because it’s not affecting the price of eggs. Well, you know what? It’s about to affect the price of eggs,” he told the audience.
President Obama expressed to the audience the importance of democracy and how fragile it can be. “One of the things that has distinguished us in the past has been this basic idea that we are a rules-based society,” he said. “What that means is that you know what? I can support one candidate instead of another, and I don’t have to worry that the police are going to come harass me or my customers. That’s what happens in other places. That’s what happens in Russia.”
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The conversation continued on a lighter note and Obama went on to discuss topics such as the past, present and future of technology and the important role it played during his presidency and the importance it can have in communication and helping people interact.
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