"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage of 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.
08.16.22
Gilded Reframe – CBS NEWS
- Using semantics to slander on behalf of the Feds.
In the feeding frenzy of media coverage of the Mar-a-Lago don't-you-DARE-call-it-a-raid performed by the FBI, one of the latest dramas was Trump announcing his passports had been seized improperly. Many members of the press jumped at the chance to call the man a liar on the subject, except then came the revelation of an email from the Bureau announcing it was returning the passports.
Wanting to add to the press piling on, Norah O'Donnell gave a carefully worded accusal in order to paint Trump in the wrong. By that time, the Feds were NO LONGER in possession of the passports. And Norah's attempt at cleaning up 30 minutes later was no help, as it indicates they had them, seemingly grabbed anything they could in the allegedly targeted search, and never listed these items on the official inventory of seized items.
Recommended
We are also learning tonight that if any items not contained in the warrant were retrieved during the FBI search at Mar-a-Lago, they will be returned.
— Norah O'Donnell ???? (@NorahODonnell) August 15, 2022
Stealth Story Evolution – THE ATLANTIC
There were a few ruffled feathers over a recent piece by Daniel Panneton that relies on the preferred method of blanket accusation that has become commonplace in the press. Anytime a questionable group is found employing a familiar symbol, then everyone hence seen using that same symbol is part of the movement. If someone in a MAGA hat does something racist, then all who wear the hat are racists. A Gadsden flag was found abandoned in the rotunda on January 6, and now anyone with the flag in front of their home for years becomes an insurrectionist. Even people wearing Hawaiian shirts became white supremacists because the Boogaloo Boys chose to wear them to some rallies.
Now, The Atlantic wants in on the game, suggesting that Rosaries are becoming a symbol of radical gun culture. The outlet clearly has received their share of pushback, as they have been spotted repeatedly revising this piece without noting the edits in the copy. We pray that after three attempts, they finally have this correct.
Now do you folks at @TheAtlantic want to try the fourth attempt at this, or are we good now? pic.twitter.com/26I9jKZkBg
— Lie-Able Sources (@LieAbleSources) August 16, 2022
Glossary Over Things – WKTV NEWS CHANNEL 2 - NEW YORK
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is proving herself to be ranked highly among the list of insipid state leaders. Her latest extremely helpful proposal that is assuredly going to change the world for the better is to reclassify how we refer to criminals who have been jailed. The state that does all it can to not even prosecute serious crimes will stop referring to convicted criminals as "inmates," opting instead for the far less hostile "incarcerated person," as it wants to take a kinder approach to how it addresses offenders.
Channel 2 has an explanation for us of what went into making this decision.
- "The changes, signed into law Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, are intended to reduce the stigma of being in jail."
The changes, signed into law Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, are intended to reduce the stigma of being in jail. https://t.co/OJzUpPul3e
— WKTV (@WKTV) August 12, 2022
Pre-Writen Field Reports – ABC NEWS
Adding to the ranks of outlets with a knee-jerk reaction to Governor Ron DeSantis, we can now add ABC News. In addressing the recent report that DeSantis suspended Andrew Warren, an area State Attorney, we learn that this move "raised eyebrows." (We operate on the assumption that this is bad.)
The news outlet sent out this notice saying the suspense was over Warren's stance on abortion and gender transition treatments for children when, in fact, DeSantis did not take action over a "stance." It was over Warren pledging that he would not prosecute abortion cases that were in violation of Florida law.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently raised eyebrows with his suspension of state attorney Andrew Warren, the top prosecutor in the Tampa area, over Warren's stance on abortion and gender transition treatments for children. https://t.co/Gz4lcHNApj
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 16, 2022
Presentation Paradox – THE GUARDIAN
There really is not much to say about a columnist, broadcaster, and author who delivers a nicely Orwellian proposal like this.
Do you want free speech to thrive? Then it has to be regulated, now more than ever | Simon Jenkins https://t.co/lbtjL6tsvm
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 15, 2022
Low Octane Gas Lighting – CNN
- Give the network credit for not introducing McCabe as a "character witness," we suppose.
The desperation in protecting the honor of the FBI, Merrick Garland, and Joe Biden continues unabated in the press. Yesterday, we noted the ridiculous move on "Morning Joe" to bring on Peter Strzok, of all people, to defend the good name of the FBI. Not to be passed by, CNN is doing their part to feature as their expert on the matter, disgraced former agent Andrew McCabe. Seriously now…
What is the best way we can bolster the image of the FBI following the MAL raid?
— Brad Slager: Raid Veteran/CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) August 16, 2022
Let's bring on Andrew McCabe who lied under oath, was a perpetual leaker, pushed forward the Steele dossier, and helped bury the Hunter Biden laptop story -- he'll show how disreputable Trump is!! pic.twitter.com/RUwx931UvA
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – SAN FRANCISCO GATE
Usually, a health code violation is not the stuff of serious journalism, but since what we cover here is not usually serious journalism, we will make an allowance.
A shop in Disneyland was closed down by the California Health Department. It turns out there was a severe rodent infestation, in the theme park from the entertainment empire that was built entirely around an animated rodent.
The inspection also uncovered “debris and dead insects.” https://t.co/9Bu11d5f70
— SFGATE (@SFGate) August 10, 2022
