"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.
Next week there will be some end-of-the-year category recognition, as well as a listing of the top-worst pundits of 2021. Until then, some stray media shenanigans still can be found.
12.29.21
Legalized Press-titution – MSNBC
- Well, we no longer need to allude to the press worshiping Dr. Fauci – they are now admitting to it.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has come forward to now declare that a 10-day separation period for positive cases is too long, and instead, a 5-day period is sufficient. This is being decided, he says, not for medical reasons, but for one that is economic. So sciency!
Recommended
At MSNBC, Nicolle Wallace was addressing the issue on "Deadline: White House," but she was not questioning or challenging the man, for reasons she makes very clear.
- "I am a Fauci groupie…"
MSNBC host Nicole Wallace:
— The First (@TheFirstonTV) December 29, 2021
"I'm a Fauci groupie. I'm a thrice-vaccinated, mask adherent. I buy KN95 masks by the, you know, caseload. They're in every pocket. I wear them everywhere except when I sit down.” pic.twitter.com/tCwER0ZoeP
Stealth Story Evolution – WASHINGTON POST
- Jen Rubin delivers a brilliant point that was lambasted months ago.
There has been a whiplash effect in the press the past few weeks, as suddenly journalists are making declarations which a short time ago had been deemed hateful and dangerous, depending on the narrative. The latest is from Jennifer Rubin, who is sounding suspiciously like the Republican anti-vax Covid-denier smear merchants, according to past coverage of such items.
As we recognize that covid-19 is not a deadly or even severe disease for the vast majority of responsible Americans, we can stop agonizing over “cases” and focus on those who are hospitalized or at risk of dying.https://t.co/S4OQD7R58u
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) December 28, 2021
Politico Florida-based reporter Marc Caputo notes that months ago, this was the very thing Ron DeSantis had been saying. And back then, he was scorched for taking such a position. But now that Biden is looking helpless and saying states need to take care of things themselves, it becomes convenient to shift the narrative.
Is DeSantis anti-vaxx?
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) December 29, 2021
I covered that herehttps://t.co/15ZbjxG3uV
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – POLITICO
Politico delivers one of the myriad year-end lists, this one noting the Covid protocol-mandated masks seen around the US Capitol. The picture collection notes all of the activism on display, indicating that the mask-wearing was pure theater and had absolutely no bearing on safety or a basis in medical standards.
From members of Congress to protesters in the streets, many people have used protective face coverings to make a political statement this year. https://t.co/B5IxHjf38T
— POLITICO Magazine (@POLITICOMag) December 25, 2021
Blue-anon – USA TODAY
Will Carless draws up a nightmare scenario he witnessed recently at a gun show.
- "The Atlanta Gun Show, held over a weekend in late September, had everything one might need for a coming apocalypse or civil war: flame throwers, hundreds of rifles, thousands of handguns and knives, body armor, survival kits, medical supplies. A stall at the back sold paperback copies of 'The Anarchist Cookbook,' which describes how to make homemade bombs."
Or, put another way, all of the items you are familiar with seeing at any gun show for decades, including Nazi war paraphernalia. But Carless now draws a direct line to the January 6 riot and these ever-present gun shows – these are a gateway to radicalization! It is a fantastic point, as long as you ignore that the Nazi items and the book mentioned are from hyper-leftist origins…
My latest looks at how extremists have used #SecondAmendment activism and gun rights pressure to recruit new members:
— Will Carless (@willcarless) December 29, 2021
Down the barrel of a gun: How Second Amendment activism can be a gateway to extremist ideologies https://t.co/RRxL9GFvfz via @USATODAY
Gilded Reframe – WASHINGTON POST
At WaPo, they delivered what felt like a scathing rebuke of the stringent Texas heartbeat abortion law. Men are beginning to get vasectomies as a form of protest or a direct reaction to the legislation. One in Austin says his practice saw about a 15 percent increase in scheduled vasectomies after the Sept. 1 Texas abortion ban went into effect.
In a fine piece of obliviousness, we are told that it is about time for men to step up and take an active role in the issue of abortion.
- "Some reproductive rights advocates say it is time for men to take a more active role in both family planning and the fight for reproductive rights."
This means, after decades of being told that men have no say whatsoever in the decision for a woman to have an abortion, now it is acceptable for men to take on an active role in the decision-making. Oh wait – it turns out that is not the case, after all.
- "Advocates say they want to be clear: They are not pushing vasectomies as a replacement for the right to obtain an abortion, nor do they believe men should have a say in the decision to have an abortion."
To reiterate, there is a call for men to become more involved, but men still have no place being involved in the issue, and while more men are getting vasectomies, that is frowned upon because it could curtail the number of abortions performed.
And this movement wonders why they cannot attract more supporters to their side.
Men across America are getting vasectomies "as an act of love" https://t.co/RkX5iD6s3z
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 27, 2021
