"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.
10.05.21
Low Octane Gas Lighting – MSNBC
- Only a problem when they do it…
On "Deadline: White House," Nicolle Wallace hosted a panel in order to condemn Facebook for being guilty of the same things the mainstream press is seen doing on the regular. Claire McCaskill weighed in to suggest the major outlets are the paragons of truth and propriety – with a straight face.
After hostess Wallace declared Facebook is "the most damaging influence in this country" (you are off the hook, opioids and tobacco companies!), Claire went on with this nugget.
- "This isn't like traditional media where things are fact-checked by editors … [Facebook] will be the Wild West until Congress steps up."
Would it be intemperate of me to point out how we just got through watching the traditional media telling lies about whipping migrants and hospitals overflowing with Ivermectin poisonings...just in the last month?
"Why isn't Facebook owning up to it? First, it's ugly stuff if they say we helped do this really bad thing, they better have a way to fix it and I don't believe they do yet because... the bottom line comes into play, it's about profit" - @FrankFigliuzzi1 w/ @NicolleDWallace pic.twitter.com/TdFX97dMyf
— Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) October 4, 2021
Both Kinds of Standards – JEZEBEL
- She brought it on herself, right ladies?!
It has been deeply revealing to see so many in the press rise up and defend the practice of hounding Sen. Kyrsten Sinema into a bathroom and filming her as she enters a bathroom stall. Joining the list of those approving of this formerly condemned behavior are the gals over at Jezebel.
They have signed off with their approval for this confrontation, completely chucking the years of #MeToo activism into the proverbial commode.
Absolutely Bully Kyrsten Sinema Outside Of Her Bathroom Stall https://t.co/gmoSFyvPWi pic.twitter.com/7ve9G0NesD
— Jezebel (@Jezebel) October 4, 2021
The amusement here is that not only is the women's news outlet defying the safety measures of the past few years, they also managed to contradict their own messaging.
Just fantastic obliviousness on display.
— Brad Slager - Focused On Lasers (@MartiniShark) October 5, 2021
No bad tactics, only bad targets. https://t.co/IiwRzbdmDm pic.twitter.com/lZZswow8Ji
Gilded Reframe – DAILY BEAST
- When normal behavior becomes a different act entirely.
For most sane people, the act of using a public restroom involves some expected activities; requiring privacy, closing a stall door, and securing it to prevent unintentional intrusions.
If you are in the media, however, and there is a politician you do not like, these normal actions take on a whole new meaning ripe for interpretation.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema locks herself in bathroom to avoid young activists on ASU campus https://t.co/kCHs3FsCGb
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) October 3, 2021
DNC PR Firm – WASHINGTON POST
- You people do not understand how tough it is on Biden to be told he cannot play with Monopoly money.
As the monolithic spending bill has completely stalled out and hopes of it passing fade, the staff in the White House are scrambling to cobble together a new spending plan that is lower in total value, hoping to have this become more appealing to holdout senators.
Jeff Stein of the Washington Post tells us just what a harsh reality this is for them to find new ways to spend our money – it's positively grueling!
Stein draws up sympathy, first by telling us how a bill filled with completely new spending is somehow facing "cuts."
-" 'The president and his team have to make some very tough decisions here. There will have to be some real serious cuts to key priorities,' said Jim Manley, who served as an aide to former Senate majority leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). 'The cuts required are going to be really ugly and really painful.'"
Let's all just hope they can recover from having to play with less of the money we do not have in the first place.
White House confronts grueling choices as it debates major cuts to Biden economic plan https://t.co/p6oTmU0NLf
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) October 2, 2021
Legalized Press-titution – NEW YORK TIMES
When it comes to coddling and protecting the White House, it is looking like Maureen Dowd may be second only to Jennifer Rubin. Mo-Do is very disappointed in these politicians who are holding up Biden's spending agenda and harming his public standing!
Maureen falls in lockstep with all the other journalists, pretending that Manchin and Sinema are the only senators opposing Biden's profligate plans, ignoring there are 50 others who also are resisting tossing Joe the checkbook.
- "Somehow, we have gotten ourselves in a perverse situation where Sinema and Joe Manchin rule the world, and it's confounding that these two people have this much sway."
Then we see what truly has Mo so bothered.
- "Sinema and Manchin are now directing what Joe Biden gets to do and deciding how his presidency will be defined."
What is the principle leading Kyrsten Sinema "to obstruct the party of her own president, who really needs a win right now?" asks @maureendowd. https://t.co/tzUnm3yif5
— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) October 4, 2021
