"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.
02.23.22
Blue-Anon – WASHINGTON POST
It was only five days ago – FRIDAY! – when the Washington Post granted op-ed inches to George Conway, he of the now-neutered Never Trump grift The Lincoln Project. Conway, though acknowledging his history of elusiveness, hopefully predicted that finally, there seemed to be hope that the former president would meet some kind of severe punishment. Typing with crossed fingers, George wrote, "But maybe, just maybe, this time will be different."
It won't. The announcement came down today that in New York, two of the attorneys working on the Trump prosecution have resigned, as the new DA announces that the case does not look tenable.
The two prosecutors in charge of the Manhattan district attorney’s criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump have suddenly resigned, throwing the future of the probe into question. https://t.co/EG4AyB0FwJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 23, 2022
DNC PR Firm – CBS NEWS
Even in the low-threshold quality expected from the genre of Biden protectiveness, this is a weak attempt by CBS. The outlet takes a look at the numerous and mounting economic challenges we are facing and strains to excuse the president from culpability.
You see, it is not his fault that we are getting squeezed on numerous fronts economically – it is all because of that pesky Western Europe trespassing that Russia is engaged in right now!
Of course, for this to hold up, it would mean Putin invaded that country last summer…
The U.S. economy has been hit with increased gas prices, inflation, and supply-chain issues due to the Ukraine crisis. https://t.co/d9dwXWpcvf
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 23, 2022
Low Octane Gas Lighting – MSNBC
It appears to be both difficult and yet surprisingly permissive to be a press member tasked with the defense of the president. Difficult because you need to make significant contortions to justify things, but at the same time, you operate with the confidence that few people will actually check your work.
At The Maddow Blog, Steve Benen had the justification for Putin making the decision to barge into Donbas this week. You see, he never did this under the Trump administration because Trump was doing Putin's bidding…and that means Putin would not do things…for some reason…?
- "Why didn't Russia invade Ukraine during Trump's term? Perhaps because Putin was so pleased to see Trump pursuing goals in line with Moscow's agenda."
Putin was allegedly achieving his goals during the Trump years. It is the perfect explanation for why he chose not to...um, pursue his goals at that time.
.@MaddowBlog: Why didn’t Russia invade Ukraine during Trump’s term? Perhaps because Putin was so pleased to see Trump pursuing goals in line with Moscow’s agenda.https://t.co/5baJIf2gsB
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 23, 2022
News Avoidance Syndrome – VARIOUS OUTLETS
A Gallup/Knight Ridder poll has found a curious rejection of the press taking palace over the course of the past year. After asking respondents about their news consumption, the amount of people who say they pay a great deal of attention to the news has dropped in a couple of significant ways, and it could be bad news for Democrats.
While the amount of attention to local and international news did not change in 2021, those following the national news closely fell from a high of 54% at the 2020 election down to a current level of 33%.
But one internal number is jarring. Among Democrats under 55, the amount following national affairs was sliced in two. Those much-needed voters walking off is not a good sign at all for the party.
More troubling bellwethers for Democrats, as many are simply checking out, turning away from national events.
— Brad Slager - Aluminum Medalist 12oz Curling Team (@MartiniShark) February 23, 2022
A Gallup poll on news consumption shows big drops in interest, with under-55 Dems saying they follow national news cut in half from 69% in 2020 to 34% in 2021. pic.twitter.com/zeX01GPzC5
Anti-Social Media – VARIOUS OUTLETS
In another poll, this one by Sienna Research, they asked respondents about their position on school mask mandates. It is a good reflection on the disconnect between parents and what the media is lecturing and dictating for their children. This is the same media, by the way, who have been saying parents should have no say in the curriculum being taught to their kids.
At the top of the report, Sienna delivers the narrative talking point, "Strong Majority (58%) Want Early March Data Before Lifting School Mask Mandate." But it is in the details where the truth is found.
The desire to keep kids masked is notable among those who do not have children. Among those parents with kids in school, you get a far different result, as less than half support continuing the mandate, and a close number state the mandates should have already been rescinded.
The ''We know better than parents what their children need'' flex is strong among those with no skin in the game. pic.twitter.com/P8srWlnoWD
— Brad Slager - Aluminum Medalist 12oz Curling Team (@MartiniShark) February 23, 2022
Legalized Press-titution – NBC NEWS
One piece of legislation in the Florida capitol that has the left in a snit is a new bill, HB 1557, entitled The Parental Rights in Education. This is written to allow parents to have more of a say in what is deemed inappropriate to teach to younger children as far as relationship topics and sexual orientation. Critics and Democrats have dubbed this the "Don't Say Gay Bill," and it is revealing anytime a news outlet decides to forego the official title on the legislation and instead have the headline and report use that reactionary header.
Florida House Republicans advance bill to forbid discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. https://t.co/twAnh8tsul
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 23, 2022
Artisanal-Crafted Narratives – GOOD MORNING AMERICA
As the ABC morning program obediently pimped out a promotion for the network's signature singing competition "American Idol," the famous singing judges were live in-studio for an interview ahead of the debut. Well, most of the judges. Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan were on their panel, but Katy Perry was notably not in the studio, and hostess Robin Roberts clumsily alluded to her. "We'll get to Katy - she's going to pop in."
This was because, while Covid is seemingly in retreat across the country as well as in New York, ABC still has a strict mandate on protocols. All guests need to be tested, and Perry submitted to multiple tests, which came back inconclusive. This meant an outside studio setup had to be made in order for her to appear on the program remotely.
