--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed…" description: "\"I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only journalism but also democracy and truth.\" — D..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png" --- # I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen… ![“I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only journalism but also democracy and truth.” quote by David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png) > “I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only journalism but also democracy and truth.” [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques how conservative forces undermine media and democratic truth. **In simple terms:** Right‑wing groups damage journalism and democracy. Key Takeaway Guard truth, support independent media. Themes politics media democracy truth Mood concerned critical Type political analytical When to use this quote - elections - newsrooms - public discourse Key Concepts propaganda institutional bias Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens protect press freedom? - What role does media literacy play? A Different Perspective Complex issue; not all conservatives are corrupt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [It's all a sham: I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/it-s-all-a-sham-i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed-from-my-own/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Journalism still, in a democracy, is the essential force to get the public educated and mobilized to take action on behalf of our ancient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/journalism-still-in-a-democracy-is-the-essential-force-to-get-the/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [All forms of the state have democracy for their truth, and for that reason are false to the extent that they are not democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/all-forms-of-the-state-have-democracy-for-their-truth-and-for-that/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Parliamentary democracy is, in truth, little more than a means of securing a periodical change in the management team, which is then allowed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/parliamentary-democracy-is-in-truth-little-more-than-a-means-of/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [There can be no democracy without truth. There can be no truth without controversy, there can be no change without freedom. Without freedom there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-young/there-can-be-no-democracy-without-truth-there-can-be-no-truth-without/) [Andrew Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-young/) > [“No one has a monopoly on the truth, but the whole premise of our democracy is that truth and justice must win out. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/no-one-has-a-monopoly-on-the-truth-but-the-whole-premise-of-our/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [Trump has hired people who have sabotaged him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-cernovich/trump-has-hired-people-who-have-sabotaged-him/) [Mike Cernovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-cernovich/) > [“I’d sabotaged myself, with help from Ian.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-erickson/i-d-sabotaged-myself-with-help-from-ian/) [Megan Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-erickson/) > [“Hospital practices sabotaged breastfeeding, as they still do in too many places.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-palmer/hospital-practices-sabotaged-breastfeeding-as-they-still-do-in-too/) [Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-palmer/) > [“I have checked our teleportation technology," Tridax said. "There was no sign of sabotage. You are a liar." "Well, no one ever said Makuta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-farshtey/i-have-checked-our-teleportation-technology-tridax-said-there-was-no/) [Greg Farshtey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-farshtey/) > [“Michael rose to his feet and padded down the last few steps silently, came up behind Kim, and leaned over her to say, “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/michael-rose-to-his-feet-and-padded-down-the-last-few-steps-silently/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [ The \[Democratic\] party pulled out its kill switch against Bernie \[Sanders\] and sabotaged him. As we saw from the emails revealed, showing the collusion… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/the-democratic-party-pulled-out-its-kill-switch-against-bernie/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [Have you ever sabotaged yourself? Ever come close to victory only to slide back into the jaws of defeat? When you are fighting yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-allen/have-you-ever-sabotaged-yourself-ever-come-close-to-victory-only-to/) [Robert G. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-allen/) > [I've had some great relationships that I have absolutely sabotaged because I'm afraid to get close to someone, and I know, eventually, I'll run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-bones/i-ve-had-some-great-relationships-that-i-have-absolutely-sabotaged/) [Bobby Bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-bones/) > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) Brian Reade ## More by David Brock > [Eventually the story would spill over into the regular media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/eventually-the-story-would-spill-over-into-the-regular-media/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [I'm kind of a builder of institutions. I think I've got some ability to look at what's out here, look at a playing field,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-m-kind-of-a-builder-of-institutions-i-think-i-ve-got-some-ability/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [“QUESTIONS FOR CLARIFICATION What do you mean by…? What is your main point? How does \_\_\_\_\_\_ relate to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_? Could you put that another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/questions-for-clarification-what-do-you-mean-by-what-is-your-main/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Donald Trump intimidated the press and bullied the press.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/donald-trump-intimidated-the-press-and-bullied-the-press/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [It's all a sham: I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/it-s-all-a-sham-i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed-from-my-own/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Trump's opinions on the Iraq War have been as erratic as his opinions on other foreign policy matters - such as his careless position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/trump-s-opinions-on-the-iraq-war-have-been-as-erratic-as-his-opinions/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [I think the Democratic Party has to learn how to be a party of opposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-think-the-democratic-party-has-to-learn-how-to-be-a-party-of/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [The Right has been trying to take down Bill Clinton for 20 years. I know; I was there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/the-right-has-been-trying-to-take-down-bill-clinton-for-20-years-i/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [I didn't wake up one day and say, you know, 'Supply-side economics doesn't make sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-didn-t-wake-up-one-day-and-say-you-know-supply-side-economics-doesn/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [“What are your goals for the call?” “If things go right, what are some stretch goals?” “What is the worst thing that might happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/what-are-your-goals-for-the-call-if-things-go-right-what-are-some/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Once you apologize, then the press wants you to get down on your knees and say you're sorry. They are not appeasable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/once-you-apologize-then-the-press-wants-you-to-get-down-on-your-knees/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Ive been interested in watching the level of conservative misinformation that circulates through the media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/ive-been-interested-in-watching-the-level-of-conservative/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Ignorance can be improved; willful ignorance and inaction is inexcusable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/ignorance-can-be-improved-willful-ignorance-and-inaction-is/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [We all know liberals and Democrats who look down on certain people, and there is such a thing as P.C.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/we-all-know-liberals-and-democrats-who-look-down-on-certain-people/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) > [Editors of conservative magazines aren't out trying to raise money. The money is there; the cash reserves are in the bank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/editors-of-conservative-magazines-aren-t-out-trying-to-raise-money/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) [Explore all 88 David Brock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only journalism but also democracy and truth.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Brock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed-from-my-own-pen-how-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed-from-my-own-pen-how-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/david-brock-7746_democracy_i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed_1823462.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only…” — David Brock", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Brock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have seen, and I know...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed-from-my-own-pen-how-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-have-seen-and-i-know-firsthand-indeed-from-my-own-pen-how-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```