Six years ago I begged journalists to “stop being loudspeakers for liars” — and I have to admit that my entreaties fell on deaf ears.

Last week’s lie-filled “press conference” at Trump’s home was a powerful demonstration of why journalists should at least try to deal with a situation they encounter again and again and again. But they’ve made it clear that they will never even acknowledge this fundamental flaw in what they do, much less do anything to repair the ongoing damage.

I guess it’s hopeless but I keep hoping that the craft will someday recognize what damage it’s doing to all of us.