4 ms·

If Amazon losing this deal makes US oligarchs think twice about getting involved in politics, it's probably a good thing.

Grazester 7y ago
Isn't the Washington Post(and in turn Bezos) that Trump has an issue?
- Mountain_Skies 7y ago
  What was Bezos motive for purchasing the Washington Post? It certainly wasn't financial.
  - p0rkbelly 7y ago
    Haven't followed Bezos too closely, but, never thought of him to be a political person or saw anything where he made political comments. Buying the Washington Post certainly forced the world around him to see him as political...even if he considers himself not.
    - serf 7y ago
      > Haven't followed Bezos too closely, but, never thought of him to be a political person or saw anything where he made political comments. You never considered the idea that the richest man in the world may be political? It'd be more surprising for me to find out that he wasn't political; you don't accrue that kind of cash without playing political games at at least some point in your portfolio -- even if it's just for the opportunity to reduce your tax burdens.
      - p0rkbelly 7y ago
        Oh, I think he's political. I think he carefully tried not appearing that way though. My point is, I don't think he bought the Post to be political or political reasons. I think he bought The Post because he's a rich collector of nice/novel/rare things..and it seemed like a fun hobby. At the time. If someone wanted to sell me The Post or let's say WSJ for what I consider pocket change, I would most certainly be interested. Good journalism is something that is going away, but, the obscenely rich can curate and prop up.
      - dbliss 7y ago
        I don't think Bezos is inherently political, but the world/US requires him to be so. Anyone in his position would have to be whether they want to or not.
  - jmckib 7y ago
    Found an article about it here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniedenning/2018/09/19/why-jeff-bezos-bought-the-washington-post/#673e8e113aab https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniedenning/2018/09/19/why... TL;DR: Bezos thinks the Post is an important institution for our democracy, and he believed he could help it recover financially by taking advantage of the internet.
hn_throwaway_99 7y ago
I can't think of a more ironic statement given that the oligarch named Trump is probably thrilled at this news.

Grazester 7y ago

Isn't the Washington Post(and in turn Bezos) that Trump has an issue?

Mountain_Skies 7y ago
What was Bezos motive for purchasing the Washington Post? It certainly wasn't financial.
- p0rkbelly 7y ago
  Haven't followed Bezos too closely, but, never thought of him to be a political person or saw anything where he made political comments. Buying the Washington Post certainly forced the world around him to see him as political...even if he considers himself not.
  - serf 7y ago
    > Haven't followed Bezos too closely, but, never thought of him to be a political person or saw anything where he made political comments. You never considered the idea that the richest man in the world may be political? It'd be more surprising for me to find out that he wasn't political; you don't accrue that kind of cash without playing political games at at least some point in your portfolio -- even if it's just for the opportunity to reduce your tax burdens.
    - p0rkbelly 7y ago
      Oh, I think he's political. I think he carefully tried not appearing that way though. My point is, I don't think he bought the Post to be political or political reasons. I think he bought The Post because he's a rich collector of nice/novel/rare things..and it seemed like a fun hobby. At the time. If someone wanted to sell me The Post or let's say WSJ for what I consider pocket change, I would most certainly be interested. Good journalism is something that is going away, but, the obscenely rich can curate and prop up.
    - dbliss 7y ago
      I don't think Bezos is inherently political, but the world/US requires him to be so. Anyone in his position would have to be whether they want to or not.
- jmckib 7y ago
  Found an article about it here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniedenning/2018/09/19/why-jeff-bezos-bought-the-washington-post/#673e8e113aab https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniedenning/2018/09/19/why... TL;DR: Bezos thinks the Post is an important institution for our democracy, and he believed he could help it recover financially by taking advantage of the internet.

hn_throwaway_99 7y ago

I can't think of a more ironic statement given that the oligarch named Trump is probably thrilled at this news.