"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.
03.08.22
Anti-Social Media – NBC
- Late-night comedian caters only to his wealthy audience members.
Like medical advice, it is equally dubious to take economic guidance from our late-night comedians. Last evening, Stephen Colbert addressed the prospect of the US and other nations refusing to purchase any more Russian crude. He acknowledges that it will be tougher to see prices go up, but his sympathy was short-lived in order to deliver an elitist punchline.
- "I'm willing to pay $4/gallon. Hell, I'll pay $15 a gallon b/c I drive a Tesla."
Well done, Steph. You just erased the past few years of workforce activism because your new fuel pricepoint manages to match the push for a $15 minimum wage.
.@StephenAtHome: "Today, the average gas price in America hit an all-time record high of over $4/gallon. OK, that stings, but a clean conscience is worth a buck or two. It’s important. I’m willing to pay $4/gallon. Hell, I’ll pay $15 a gallon b/c I drive a Tesla" pic.twitter.com/my8Ukya5rQ
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 8, 2022
DNC PR Firm – THE NEW YORKER
- Reflexive anger at the GOP should be considered "pouncing."
After the Senate Republicans posted how the national gasoline average price has hit a new high, Susan Glasser springs into action to condemn their alleged hypocrisy.
so it begins--Republicans demand ban on Russian oil, complain about high oil prices and blame Democrats for them. https://t.co/l4kpGLGY8L
— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) March 8, 2022
Two problems with her lashing out:
- The demand was for domestic oil protection.
- The complaint is about the prices now, before a ban has even taken effect.
Low Octane Gas Lighting – TWITTER
- When real-life exceeds nightmare scenarios.
While the national gas price climbs above $4.25, that is the average, with certain areas of the country significantly higher, in California, they are experiencing per-gallon prices in excess of $6, which brings to light a harsh reality when compared to a fantasy scenario from Hollywood – they are paying more for gas than seen in a dystopian nightmare!
Gas prices are officially more expensive than I Am Legend depicted during the apocalypse. pic.twitter.com/AWHzOwSjkw
— PJ Matlock (@PJ_Matlock) March 7, 2022
First Amendment Strike Force – ABC NEWS
With a legitimate war being staged in Ukraine, many of the usual military tactics are being employed, although some of those may not be used in the usual manner.
Propaganda is an expected tool, something expected to be seen from both sides. But in this era, there is a new wrinkle; one of the primary methods for delivering messaging about the battle is memes.
Typically used for fun on social media, memes out of Ukraine are serious business amid Russia's attack. https://t.co/1qljWBcKhk
— ABC News (@ABC) March 6, 2022
Anti-Social Media – TIK TOK
While memes are being launched on the battlefield on the homefront, there is another cause for concern. It turns out that on Tik Tok, some account holders are using old song methods to re-edit videos and have them displayed as military conflicts. Now THAT should have the fact-checkers working overtime.
- "Some videos falsely claiming to show the conflict in Ukraine are taking advantage of the same audio sharing feature used for lip syncing that helped TikTok grow in the first place. TikTok users are overlaying the same sounds of gunfire and sirens onto unrelated visuals and live-stream shots to create the impression that they are showing the war."
New @PolitiFact: I wrote about how misinformers are exploiting TikTok's audio sharing features, overlaying sounds of gunfire and sirens onto unrelated visuals and live-stream shots to create false war footage purportedly filmed from Ukraine. https://t.co/VI1tOQSy4x
— Bill McCarthy (@billdmccarthy) March 4, 2022
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – WASHINGTON POST
Most people do not know Walker Hayes by name, but certainly more people know him by his secondary moniker - "The Applebees Song Guy." Hayes' hit song "Fancy Like" has been ubiquitous over the past year, either heard on the country charts where it topped all others or in the incessant commercials from Applebees, the eatery featured prominently in the song. This is a bizarre amount of attention for a song that basically is just singing the menu items ordered while in a booth.
After years of ups and downs in Nashville, the singer-songwriter is hoping to make the most of 2021's runaway hit.https://t.co/XWqpLQsmA4
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 8, 2022
