The Consortium for Independent Journalism’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Joe Lauria has taken the reins this week as Consortiumnews.com’s Editor-in-Chief.
As a long-time contributor to the website and as someone whose career path followed closely the path taken by Consortium News founder Robert Parry – with an impressive resume in both mainstream and independent journalism – the Board is confident that Joe will provide the editorial guidance needed to take the website into its new chapter.
Joe, who took over on April 1, has a long and distinguished career in investigative journalism, writing for publications including the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, the Sunday Times of London, London Daily Mail, the Montreal Gazette, and Bloomberg News. Joe’s work has also appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Salon.com, New York Magazine and The Guardian, as well as alternative media websites such as Antiwar.com, The Duran, and of course, Consortiumnews.com. His focus has been international affairs and its intersection with domestic policy, particularly regarding the Middle East (where he lived for three years), and U.S.-Russian relations.
He is the author of two books, A Political Odyssey, with former U.S. Senator and American presidential candidate Mike Gravel, which is a history of U.S. foreign policy and the defense industry, and How I Lost: By Hillary Clinton, an analysis of the DNC and Podesta emails revealed by WikiLeaks, with a foreword by Julian Assange.
Although we can all agree that the late Robert Parry is irreplaceable, Joe Lauria has the journalistic background, editorial judgment and political perspective to ensure that Consortiumnews.com remains the trusted source of independent news and views that readers have relied on for crucial insight and analysis since its founding in 1995. We hope that the loyal readers of Consortium News welcome him and remain committed to strengthening this unique home for independent journalism. We are confident that Joe will not only strive to keep Bob’s 23-year-old project alive but will honor his legacy by ensuring that the reach of the website continues to grow, along with its impact.
With Bob’s widow Diane Duston serving on the Consortium for Independent Journalism’s Board of Directors, his family will remain intimately involved in the project, but the day-to-day responsibilities of running the website will be in the hands of Joe. Bob’s invaluable assistant Chelsea Gilmour will remain on the small staff, but Nat Parry, who has served as interim editor since Bob’s health issues took hold in January, will no longer have an editorial role. The Board wishes to sincerely thank both Chelsea and Nat for their dedicated work over the past few months to ensure that Consortium News remained up and running and publishing vital articles during this transitional period following Bob’s unexpected death.
A special thank you is also due to the writers who have continued to contribute content and the readers who have continued making Consortiumnews.com the special place that it is, with some of the highest level of informed discussions that can be found on the web. Thanks also, of course, for the generous donations that have continued to make the website viable and going strong in its third decade of operation. Bob Parry had a deep sense of gratitude towards his readers and always wanted to repay that loyalty by ensuring first-rate journalism and high editorial standards, which we are sure that Joe will uphold.
Welcome, Joe Lauria!
It sounds like Consortium News is in good hands going forward.
Welcome, Joe Lauria.
Well done Joe, your writing reminds of ‘ole days’ when people took the time to develop a statement or argument.
Keep it true! Unempire!
This is most befitting. With Mr. Lauria’s broad background in prominent mainstream journalism, coupled with integrity, honesty and courage to ask questions and report honestly, Consortium News is in the best hands.
Just pleas remember Robert and honor his legacy by pursuing truth vigourously.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellefabio/2018/04/06/department-of-homeland-security-compiling-database-of-journalists-and-media-influencers/#169166cc6121
A note to Mr. Lauria, the Board of Directors, and everybody who makes comments here: Homeland Security is watching….
Very glad to see Joe step in to help keep this website alive after the tragic death of Robert Parry. Way to go Joe!!! Kudos, and keep it real!
Congratulations, and welcome. Thank you in advance for the great work you will undoubtedly do.
I have been curious to hear who is taking the reins … now very happy to hear the news.
Congratulations Joe!
All the best to Joe Lauria. Great choice. His contributions to Consortium News have always been worth reading.
Sounds like a great choice, having read some of what Mr. Lauria has contributed to CN and that his resume’ suggests the same skepticism about the “givens” of our foreign policy that Robert Parry possessed. I am one of the well wishers for the continued success of CN.
Excellent!
As only a sporadic reader and regrettably meager supporter, I own a history of early thinking Bob was too kind to Mr. Obama but hung on to see a change that I felt more in line with the unkind reality of the Obama epoch. I suspect I was drawn to Consortium News by attending a couple of Ray McGovern’s missions to the boondocks, starting after 9/11.
Ray once assured that Bob was sui generis in his efforts and expertise; he was right. His many formal first tier accolades speak to Bob’s preeminence. It surely is added, if unneeded, kudos to have had John Pilger and Tom Feeley for support.
It was unsettling to read the critiques of select Joe Lauria wrtings, but convincing relief to read Abe’s seeming dispositive sorting through of the candor exchange.
I can’t cite chapter and verse but have occasionally read Joe’s contributions and thought them very fine.
That Ray McGovern is on board with his current article is propitious omen.
Tea leaves…we’re .very lucky Joe Lauria is offering his time and efforts…I’ve grave doubt that he getting rich in the process.
Yes, George. I criticized Bob both here at CN and at another site that posted his articles for being’ too kind to Mr. Obama.” Bob would detail a failing of the Obama Administration quite well, but then fall back on blaming it on “leftover” NeoCon’s that President Obama had “inherited” from Bush II.
I frequently pointed out that Obama had actually appointed or advanced some of the most repulsive of those NeoCons and other “conservatives.” Yes, he kept Robert Gates as Sec. of Defense, but ended up with Ashton Carter who publicly refused to follow Obama/Kerry agreements to work with Russia in Syria (and indeed within a week, “accidentally” bombed for an hour Syrian forces in der Ezoir, killing perhaps 80 SAA soldiers and allowing ISIS to capture much territory).
Obama appointees, Samantha Power and Susan Rice may have gone under the “liberal humanitarian interventionist” label, but I fail to see a significant difference.
Perhaps most repulsive was/is Victoria (F*ck the EU!” “Yats is the guy”) Nuland to finish off Ukraine and reignite Cold War II.
But, Bob did always correctly criticize the actual policies, regardless of shifting some of the blame, which is what made him a great investigative journalist. Though he clearly wanted to like Obama (and who to the left of John Bolton didn’t?), he didn’t shirk from calling it as he saw it.
So, I wish Joe Lauria well, both for him and for Bob’s heritage and our enlightenment.
It is a relief to know that consortiumnews will continue to keep us informed. Thank you Mr Lauria and welcome!
Danielle (France)
Welcome, indeed!
Wishing Mr Joe Lauria the best of luck & goodwill as the new editor of Consortium news. Bob Parry has finished his courageous race & now passes the baton onto others to continue the race for journalistic truth. Joe has taken the baton & will now continue the race from where Bob left off? All the best Joe, please know that you will have the love & support of thousands of thinking people, around the World as you continue to carry on this important work of informing us regarding corrupt organisations & Govts & the people who prop them up & holding these people to account for their vile actions, which affect every single person, around the World?
Welcome Joe Lauria! I hope the best for you and consortiumnews.com, I rely to on daily basis. I`am confident, that you will keep the standard of this site.
I wish you all the best
Joerg Pliquett
Germany
I’m very impressed and very glad. Looking forward to Consortium News continuing to play its important role, and foresee that importance growing.
Look forward to reading your essays.
Joe Lauria,
Congratulations on your appointment. You have big boots to fill. Few people commanded the respect of Robert, as well you would know
I am certain that all the readers along with me in Australia wish you well.
There are few if any publications that can match your writers as a group and your ability to keep the world informed is a worthy cause indeed. We thank you for your past efforts and those that will come as a result your appointment.
The very best of luck.
Rex Williams
Australians for Justice
Canberra Australia
Joe, Welcome aboard! Greg Maybury.
I miss Bobber. From the looks of things, I just lost another every day read…Damn shame. RIP Bobber. You had a pretty cool bully pulpit.
Welcome aboard. I wish you well with your important work.
I look forward to the future of Consortium News under Joe Lauria. We all come to an end. None return. But, life goes on, as it has and as it should. The role of this blog is to make sure that never ceases by reporting the truth and influencing those who hold the power with facts and argument.
Excellent choice, the future of Consortium News is in good hands.
Give ’em hell, Joe!
Welcome and congratulations to both Joe Lauria and Consortium News!
Welcome, Mr. Lauria.
2016 Interview with Peter Lavelle from The Duran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka4DFZEqzA
As always Abe, it’s great link. TY!
When I was a kid, we used to have a great expression, and that was “We get it right — we do it twice..” So yes, I do believe that incompetence is always present to some degree because for all of us, we are always learning. .. But, it certainly does help if you have monopoly powers.
And then their is the fact that their is so much darn money sloshing around in the security state. And again, we know a certain percentage of a very large number to begin with, will be mistakes.
But in the main, (maybe 90%(?)) I definitely lean towards managed chaos. The capitalist elite and their dark front have had a very long time, and much practice at “getting it right.” If it’s a country or region that feeds it’s capital back into the Investor State (London, Wall St), then they are covered. But if they don’t, then keep it hot forever with a huge arsenal of tools in non violent and/or violent warfare.
Welcome! The world-wide need for truth in news reporting, will take your breath away.
Warm welcome-excellent choice.
Wish you much continued success!
An excellent choice for Consortium News. Thanks to Nat Parry, Diane Duston, and Chelsea Gilmour for their very commendable efforts. I cannot attend the memorial service for Robert Parry, but he will live on in my thoughts and those of many thousands.
Being at CN, I feel like Kafka’s Joseph K might have felt if he had found companions to accompany him through the puzzling corridors of the Castle……….
Aaaaahhhhhhhh…………..(Sigh of relief that CN will continue in good hands. I confess that I am rather addicted to this venue.)
I wish Joe Lauria well, and look forward to reading ConsortiumNews under his leadership.
However, he should remember that he has an informed readership who will be taking a hard look at what appears here.
In that light, just to get things off to an uncomfortable start, I suggest taking a look at this CN piece by Joe Lauria from 2016, along with the comments:
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/08/06/how-us-spies-secured-the-hiroshima-uranium/
When commenters legitimately pointed out something in the article that didn’t make sense, Mr. Lauria replied in a defensive and unconstructive way, as if a dismissive attitude would make the substantive question go away.
Maybe Mr. Lauria was just having a bad day, but I hope that in his editorship he keeps in mind that readers here care more about facts than ego and bluster.
Thank you David G for your courage to go against the flow, which is in the best “Robert Parry” tradition. I too am concerned about the choice of Mr. Lauria for this post.
(Will our two comments now be removed by him?)
I appreciate the supportive reply, Verda.
I’m certainly not condemning Joe Lauria’s tenure right at the starting gate. I hope for the best: we all want (need!) CN to thrive.
Heartily agree.
After carefully reading the August 6, 2016 article, reader comments and Mr. Lauria’s responses, it is absolutely clear that Lauria was emphasizing the accuracy of Susan William’s research.
While the phrase “75 percent concentration of uranium” would corrects the Lauria’s imprecise “75 percent enriched uranium”, Lauria did accurately reference the “65–75 per cent” figure obtained from declassified 1947 government document cited by Williams.
Lauria also accurately referenced the Staten Island warehouse where the uranium ore from the Belgian Congo “remained until it was ready to be used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki”. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “From this warehouse, the ore was transported to various Manhattan Engineer District (MED) sites for long-term storage and/or processing.” The uranium was irradiated and transmuted into plutonium. The plutonium was then chemically separated from the uranium. So both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs originated from the Belgian uranium ore.
Lauria clearly cares about the facts and repeatedly cited them in the comments.
The remark about “ego and bluster” and concern about comments being “removed” are specious on their face. CN is in good hands.
I disagree with your analysis, but it was more thoughtful and civil than were Joe Lauria’s responses in that exchange. If he had done at least that much, I wouldn’t have posted this comment. Ideally, of course, you’d both get the facts about uranium “enrichment” right as well.
“Please read what I wrote correctly before commenting” was a thoughtful and civil response to nonsense.
It takes no “courage” to “disagree” with a fact-based analysis. Every rutting troll online fervently begs to “disagree”.
Lauria provided British researcher Susan Williams’s footnote from Spies in the Congo and the links she gives.
Lauria’s August 2016 article did warrant a minor correction in the mention of the technical term “enriched uranium”. Nonetheless, his report was otherwise sound and accurately referenced Williams’s research.
In 2016, Lauria was a CN contributor perfectly entitled to point out nonsense in the comments. I presume the episode was highly instructive.
As CN editor, we may expect Lauria to be no less watchful of nonsense.
If y’all had done at least that much, you wouldn’t have posted those comments. Viewing your latest nonsense, you appear rather determined to “remove all doubt” (see “Mrs. Goose, Her Book” by Maurice Switzer, 1907)
Not specious Abe. Settle down.
This is awesome. Congratulations!
I intend to continue my support at the present level because of my admiration of Robert Parry and in the hope that CN will continue to be an influence on events long after I am gone.
Waiting to announce and transition until the day after April 4th, clearly demonstrates great quality and the characteristic of balancing respect, sensitivity and judgement, while simultaneously directly pointing us all towards the future.
Each and everyone of us is good at something. And, I thank everyone at C.N. for how they have chosen to use their talents! Each one of you are the best!!
It was about 10 years ago that I found this quote in a newspaper. I ‘am not one to clutter up my refrigerator, but I immediately cut it out, and slapped it front and center. It is now all too yellowed and frayed. .. But I can’t begin to tell you how many times it has slowed me down, and drowned me in sweet moments in thinking of those who have touched our (my) lives in the past; as well as those who are still with us.:
“I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can. I will take love wherever I find it and offer it to everyone who will take it. I will seek knowledge from those wiser and teach those who wish to learn from me.”
~ Duane Allman
Congratulations, Joe. Great choice!
Welcome to you, Joe! You have mighty big shoes to fill, but I have every hope that your commitment to journalistic integrity and morality will be evidenced by the fabulous writers that continue to Grace consortium news.
I hope to see work by Phil Rothrock soon? I hope I didn’t just rip his name to shreds!
Peace and wisdom be with you as you travel this new journey.
YES – in the very least, Phil Rockstroh is a hoot to read.
Mr. Lauria has high standards to live up to. I hope he maintains the late Mr. Parry’s journalistic ethics. Welcome aboard and good luck.
It is good to know that in the aftermath of Bob Parry’s so upsetting and demoralizing death, serious thought and planning were immediately given to maintaining continuity and significance of the site. Joe Lauria already has a strong independent reputation. .
A warm welcome to him.
Great choice! Welcome Joe. Consortium News is in good hands.
Great choice and good luck. Background in Middle East and Russia is more important than ever.
Best wishes to new Consortium News Editor-in-Chief Joe Lauria, along with the many fine men and women writers featured, loyal readers and supporters across the years. Through the efforts of founder Robert Parry and those associated with Consortium News the world has become a better place.
Big shoes to fill. All the best in carrying on the legacy of truth and facts in reporting. All the writers at consortiumnews have the highest standards in journalism. We are grateful every day for our go-to source.
Excellent choice. Congratulations.
Congratulations to Mr. Lauria, and may he someday find time to look into the Word List embedded in the Moderation Censor software.
:)
Welcome, Joe!!! Great choice!!
My fond hopes that you will be able to carry the torch forward!
WELCOME SIR I LOOK FORWARD TO CONSORTIUM NEWS CONTINUATION OF THE TRUTHS AND FACTS.
Welcome Joe Lauria! (a worthy choice)