"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.
10.14.21
Reporting on the Mirror – WASHINGTON POST
- If we can get all these faux-cons together in the mosh pit, that'd be great.
Yesterday, we mentioned how a rift has developed in the Never Trump ecosystem, with The Bulwark entering into a feud with Jonah Goldberg and The Intercept. Today, Jenn Rubin weighed in on the matter, and by now, we can only wait for the stunted troupe at The Lincoln Project to enter the fray and really bring this idiocy to a full boil.
epic takedown from @monacharen of the intellectually dishonest and cowardly anti-anti-Trump folks. Let's just call them Trump enablers. https://t.co/qiQ11I44GG via @BulwarkOnline
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 13, 2021
Low Octane Gas Lighting – THE LINCOLN PROJECT
- Funny thing about making market claims – the stock market usually does not care.
Speaking of the cerebrally-stunted thinkers at The Lincoln Project…
The latest gripe-fest from this gaggle involves the story from last week when it was revealed that AT&T was a financial force behind the accursed conservative news outlet One America News. So the cranks at TLP decided to fire off a new commercial, compelling people to drop AT&T because...Rick Wilson and his cabal do not like them or something.
Its new spot ran for less than a day before it tried to claim that it had severely impacted the stock price of the company, bringing it to a new low not seen in a decade.
The only thing – the stock surged this morning, less than 18 hours after the spot was released.
You simpletons - The stock has been on a downward trend since May, well before you decided to open your taco vacuums. CNN is more likely a drain on the company than your outfit.
— Brad Slager - Focused On Lasers (@MartiniShark) October 14, 2021
But they are up 5% today, so...yay you! https://t.co/W5gVG2qrGP pic.twitter.com/tcrTgjATsg
Body Checking the Fact Checkers – Various Outlets
- When there is a blatant falsehood for all to see...silence.
In a development that surprised only those in the media sphere, podcaster Joe Rogan conducted an interview with CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Rogan ran circles around the expert. A primary issue was Gupta's network claiming Rogan had taken livestock Ivermectin, and Dr. Gupta had to sheepishly admit their broadcasts had been incorrect.
This was an easily provable lie, and yet the fact check outlets were nowhere to be found on this story. However, they have been covering other vital issues:
- USA TODAY: "Orangutan reaching toward man warms hearts, but story's not quite correct"
- SNOPES: "Does Tennessee Find Kevin James Sexy?"
- AP FACT CHECK: "Infrastructure Bill Does Not Include Tax On Cows"
- POLITIFACT: "An image of empty grocery store shelves shows the effect of President Joe Biden's 'Build Back Better' plan."
Prose & Contradiction – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Senator Kyrsten Sinema has everyone tied up in knots. Yes, again. The Times has announced that Sinema has taken a trip to Europe this week to appear at fundraisers, and not only does this have people steaming, but it exposes quite a bit of hypocrisy. Hell, even if she just wanted to be able to find a bathroom to use in peace, the trip is justified. The tut-tut tone of The Times piece indicates how this might be considered a bad look for the Arizona senator, and many of the reactions to it indicate some severely stunted thinking regarding the woman.
For starters, the Senate is in a recess, so she is avoiding nothing. Secondly, the fundraisers are not for her but the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; you can take complaints up with Chuck Schumer concerning her behavior. But most curious here is why anyone is at all upset with a Democrat jetting off to another city in the first place. I recall just this past summer, the press was celebrating when a clutch of Democrats from Texas took a field trip to the nation's capital for a month.
NEW: As budget bill hangs in limbo, Kyrsten Sinema is in Europe this week. Her team had reached out for fund-raising meetings in London and Paris. https://t.co/9gkGehYR8F
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) October 14, 2021
Glossary Over Things – WASHINGTON POST
Earlier this month, we covered how The Washington Post made an announcement that in their style guide, they would be altering the language used to describe fertility situations. In the name of inclusiveness going forward, they would use the term "pregnant individuals" so as not to offend those who were pregnant but not identifying as a woman – or something. The individual who made the announcement quickly took down the post and even began blocking women who questioned the decision. Blocking out of inclusiveness, we assume.
Well, the paper seems to also be struggling with their new edict, as a recent piece on vaccines and pregnancies displays. Throughout the article, the term "pregnant women" is employed in general descriptions in a rather intolerant fashion.
Paige Ruiz believed in the coronavirus vaccine and planned to get it -- just as soon as her baby was born. She never got the chance. Days after giving birth to her second daughter, she died of covid. She was 32.https://t.co/vfADyDyMJH
— Brittany Shammas (@britsham) October 7, 2021
News Avoidance Syndrome – USA TODAY
Maybe this kind of explains why Pete Buttigieg has been a no-show on some kinda sorta important transportation problems. USA Today sure is not bothered, as the paper was not inspired to ask him about some of the pressing issues involving his office we are seeing currently, deciding instead to purely focus on the fact that he has become a new parent. That was two months ago.
Anything else taking place at that time worthy of discussion? Meh, nothing appearing on Mayor Pete's radar. He did manage to note the significance of Monday's holiday, at least.
- Gas prices out of control
— Brad Slager - Focused On Lasers (@MartiniShark) October 11, 2021
- California chased away an automaker
- Our ports cannot deliver goods
- Airlines are grounded due to idiot policies
- Amtrak seeks alternative plans for travelers
AMERICA: ''Thank God Buttigieg is on the case!''https://t.co/ILf9GAQWWs
