"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage on the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation. We'll look to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media.
08.26.21
Low Octane Gas Lighting – MSNBC
- US servicemen deaths by suicide bomb are just a 'Meh' daily event for Malcolm Nance.
We have covered here how MSNBC has been less than enthusiastic with their coverage of the Afghanistan fiasco. Some of their nightly shows have avoided it entirely. Now, their resident expert pundit, Malcolm Nance, has weighed in, and it is not the kind of thing the network would be using in their promotions.
20 YEARS- FYI there have been terrorist suicide bombers killing civilians nearly DAILY in Afghanistan. This ain’t new. It’s why we are leaving. #DealWithIt
— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) August 26, 2021
Considering this kind of position, maybe it was wise when MSNBC was silent on the issue.
Screen capped, if he comes to his senses.
— Brad Slager - Focused On Lasers (@MartiniShark) August 26, 2021
There were no US serviceman deaths in Afghanistan for over a year. To call this tragedy a daily occurrence proves how MSNBC wants to diminish the impact, and Biden's culpability.@MalcolmNance should be ashamed, but he's not capable. pic.twitter.com/Em48gCvM67
Matching Media Memorandum – WASHINGTON POST
- The biggest problem is when journalists actually do their job accurately, correct Jennifer?
Not to be outdone by Nance, Jennifer Rubin has to slide in with her own horrid take on Afghanistan. The biggest tell of the hacks in our media is when you hear the complaints that the press is somehow being unfair in the coverage of these events and being critical of how President Biden is handling things.
Rubin gleefully posted comments from James Carville during an MSNBC interview, where he was scorching the press.
James Carville Goes Off Calling Media Coverage of Afghanistan 'Hysterical and Stupid' - YES https://t.co/IyGrNkAKP1 via @mediaite
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) August 26, 2021
Jenn's comments consistently age poorly. This is remarkable in the way she managed to look 180 degrees out of phase with reality in just a matter of hours.
Reporting On The Mirror – CNBC
- Now is the time for tersely written columns!
At CNBC, James Pethokoukis saw the violence at the Kabul airport and pinpointed the real problem – the Taliban did not keep their word.
He cites what he describes as a "scorching" impression from CNN's Nic Robertson.
A harrowing, scorching analysis by CNN's Nic Robertson on the utter inability of the Taliban to keep its promise to keep foreign terrorists out of Afghanistan. It will again be a safe haven for such groups.
— James Pethokoukis (@JimPethokoukis) August 26, 2021
Hopefully, this will make the Taliban leadership realize just how bad they look! If this kind of violence keeps up, they could be on the receiving end of some tersely-worded emails!
Pounce Of Prevention – CROOKED MEDIA
- Now, they get angry BEFORE the Republicans even have the chance to pounce.
It is a running punchline that the press uses the trope of "Republicans Pounce" to deflect away from Democratic political problems. The underlying effort is to blunt legitimate criticisms, and it is on perfect display from Brian Beutler.
Brian makes the bold prediction that upon hearing the news of the Kabul suicide bomb attacks, Republicans would react cheerfully, so they would have a means of scoring political points. So now, when anyone hears word of military deaths, if they issue any type of reaction, there can be a means to just shut down their impressions.
That sound you hear is Republicans hoping to god there are American casualties so they can wave the bloody shirt and turn it into a multi-year political campaign. Decent people will hope for minimal casualties of any kind, while not playing sucker to the insincere. https://t.co/LMqXLo781Z
— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) August 26, 2021
