"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.
12.20.21
Low Octane Gas Lighting – THE NEW YORK TIMES
The only way this column was allowed to go to press is if The Times assumes their readers have zero recall memory. The always rational and never hysterical Michelle Goldberg (you know, the one who said on television Trump would like to round people up and shoot them) has a new piece where she boldly declares that Randi Weingarten, the head of the national teachers' union, will be just the positive force needed to reopen schools in this country.
I'll give you a moment after reading this…
Recommended
In case anyone needs a refresher on Randi's history of fighting to keep schools closed – such as Michelle Goldberg – here are just some of the ways she not only failed to open schools but fought to keep them closed.
New York Times Tries Gaslighting With Low-Octane Claims Making Teachers' Union President Randi Weingarten a Hero
— RedState (@RedState) December 20, 2021
https://t.co/JJjNG2jVo3
DNC PR Firm – CNN
- And suddenly, the press narrative has shifted just that quickly.
I'm sorry, but was it not just recently that we were getting hectored about the dangers to children to have them returning to schools? I seem to recall a particular governor from a particular state being accused of wanting to kill students by reopening schools, but suddenly it has become fashionable for the press to suggest that it is the right thing to do to have kids returning to classrooms?
Listen to Brian Stelter here and try to square how his words essentially echo what many on the Right have been saying for a long time and how he has previously lambasted those people over these words. Explain what has changed to have him sounding eerily like Ron DeSantis.
We collectively took action to protect the elderly from Covid. Now, shouldn't we be doing more to protect children by letting them live normal lives? Or, to pose the Q another way, are we really going to close schools again and let kids suffer even more? pic.twitter.com/FO1AjzneGh
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 19, 2021
Stealth Story Evolution – CNN
It is safe to say that CNN's resident editor-at-large, Chris Cillizza, is having a rough go of things in this new era of Omicron variants. First, he had a lengthy Twitter thread where he sounded close to being on the therapist sofa, fretting over the new strain of the Covid virus. The interesting part – he sounds like he is violating the new Twitter policy that does not permit people to suggest that people who are vaccinated could contract/spread Covid…even though that is a completely accurate statement.
- "But, deep down, I think I believed that being vaccinated (and boosted) would keep me from getting Covid-19 AT ALL. Because the reality is -- and has always been even if I didn't realize it -- that the vaccines don't, really, prevent you from getting the virus. Or, at least, they don't guarantee it won't happen."
For shame, Chris. The TOS people will be in touch shortly. But he did not stop there. Chris also penned a column therapy session on the matter, and I am not sure if he realizes it, but he has completely invalidated himself as anyone who should have an opinion on the virus. That does not mean he had not previously been a valid source, just that now he has provided us with his written testament to not being a source to listen to going forward.
- "Here's the problem. I'm not a public health expert or anything close to it. In fact, because of a long battle? --? I'm not sure who is winning at this point? -- ?with health anxiety and compulsive behavior, I am a terrible person to be tasked with making these daily calls."
I've been thinking a lot about why the latest surge has hit me so hard and I think it's because I have been fooling myself -- to some extent -- for the last 18 months ??
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) December 17, 2021
Pre-written Field Reports – POLITICO
One of the side hustles in the media during the Covid era is to report anytime they feel they have spotted vaccine mandate hypocrites. One of the tiresome details is when CNN's Oliver Darcy thinks he is landing a political hit when he points out that Fox News does not hype vaccines to a level of his satisfaction, but the network requires vaccines in their offices. Of course, he fails to note that in D.C. and New York City, the local governments require those mandates on businesses, but those are just cumbersome details.
One of the lamest was seen when Politico came to find out that a Christmas party was held in the home of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and they required Covid comportment from their guests.
- "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of the most prominent anti-vaxxers in the country. So it came as a surprise when an invitation to a holiday party at his home in California last week urged attendees to be tested or vaccinated beforehand, two people familiar with the matter told Daniel Lippman."
It turns out that his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, was the one throwing the party, and she was the one who issued the request.
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – THE LONDONIST
- Delivering all the arcane details needed for your pub crawl.
About ten years ago, British actor Simon Pegg delivered an over-the-top comedy of pub-crawling friends who reteamed later in life and then tasked with saving the planet. Called "The World's End," it was a wry title, as that was also the name of the drinking establishment featured.
Well, it turns out this was more than a comedic bit of license. London, it seems, is actually teeming with pubs that bear this very name, so the metro news portal decided to dig into why. It seems that the term derived centuries back when travel was arduous, so most people stayed put. As a result, they took on a very limited purview of their world, seeming to think that anything beyond the stretches of their farms and such was the great unknown. Then it took on a more marketable definition.
A tavern on the outskirts of society was deemed the last watering hole before undertaking a lengthy journey. Thus, calling it THE WORLD'S END signified your last chance at some requisite potables. So it is less a dystopian approach to life than an encouragement to get your suds on while you still have a chance.
Be here dragons? ?? https://t.co/5vc7ItvgFf
— Londonist (@Londonist) December 17, 2021
Reporting on the Mirror – DATAPROGRESS
- This is why pollsters rarely get invited to parties.
This is what it looks like when the nerds at polling outlets begin joking amongst themselves. The percentage finding the humor was underwater.
This means math= polls - vibes. https://t.co/E1zliN9RMT
— Steve Koczela (@skoczela) December 17, 2021
