"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.
11.14.22
Legalized Press-titution – WASHINGTON POST
We hate to ever imply that the press is working on behalf of the Democratic Party; we choose to display the evidence of it happening.
In the latest case, we see the press – who has clearly shown antipathy to Elon Musk taking over Twitter – working in tandem with a member of Congress to generate “proof” of wrongdoing, and then that Congress-critter using the ginned-up “evidence” as justification to go after Musk for a supposed impropriety.
Senator Ed Markey displayed some outrage that Twitter allowed a false account to be made in his name, using it as justification to criticize Musk over this offense. In this instance, writer Geoffrey Fowler looked to create a paid blue-check Twitter account under the name of Senator Ed Markey. Of note: He did so in a coordinated effort with the politician.
- I did my test again with the permission of a U.S. senator, Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). In a few minutes, I got a blue check mark on an impersonation of the lawmaker, who has for years scrutinized tech giants in the Senate.
So the senator had a reporter create the false account under his name in order to feign outrage and possibly use this as justification for taking congressional action against the social media platform. For his part, Elon responded to the senator, and he does not appear to be particularly concerned over the perceived threat this accusation carried.
Perhaps it is because your real account sounds like a parody?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2022
Reporting on the Mirror – POLITICO
- We are not entirely sure if Sam Stein realizes the admission he just made.
As the press continues to grapple with the new Twitter parameters, they also continue to expose their bias and the desire to control narratives on social media. In looking over the Sen. Markey escapade, Sam Stein decided to weigh in, delivering some veiled condemnation to Elon Musk, but in so doing he also tipped his hand at why the press might be so beholden to one party.
Stein lectures on the danger of being critical of the Democrats in Congress as they retain a level of power. Interesting tell, as he does not seem to harbor any concern over getting abrasive toward Republicans. It is those Democrats you need to be wary of offending, as they are the ones with the tendency to silence opposition, you see.
Always risky to attack members of congress. Especially risky with Dems assured of Senate power. Curious play by Musk here. He has many interests before Congress https://t.co/XxEtm6NuBq
— Sam Stein (@samstein) November 13, 2022
DNC PR Firm – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Last week, we showed how the press (at least Katy Tur) was enthralled with John Fetterman to the point of promoting him for president in 2024. Adding to those swooning over the accomplishment-free senator-elect is Maggie Haberman, who looks at the resounding victory of the Fetterman campaign and declares he should become the model for Democrat supremacy.
- "Did John Fetterman just show Democrats how to solve their white-working-class problem? Mr. Fetterman, with his tattoos and Carhartt wardrobe, and priorities like marijuana legalization, appears to have regained ground with the white working class."
So goes the theorizing in the piece headlined: "Democrats See a Blueprint in Fetterman’s Victory in Pennsylvania." What becomes overlooked in this success story is the revealing aspect of this piece.
BLUEPRINT:
— Brad Slager: Polling For Soup (@MartiniShark) November 13, 2022
Hide all deficiencies of a candidate from voters, have the media attack anyone criticizing the weak points, then delay a revealing debate until after most mail-in ballots and early voting took place. https://t.co/1Q8D8XvFbX
Legalized Press-titution – THE HILL
- When subverting our democracy is not a threat to our democracy.
Look, we do not blame Douglas Mackinnon for this dormitory hallucinogenic-level crackpot theory to get Gavin Newsom into the White Hose. As a former Reagan and George Bush operative and current Never Trumper, he fits the mold of so many other derangement sufferers in declaring that the path to true conservatism is through getting Democrats into office. But we do blame The Hill for publishing his fever-dream hypothesis to get California’s fool’s-gold-en child into power.
Mackinnon proposes that Biden fire Kamala Harris, place Newsom into the vice presidential role, then soon after his resigning from the presidency, Gavin ascends to the throne of the party. Let us reflect that this hypocritical hypothesis to get Newsom anointed as the unelected leader takes place in the era when it is alleged that Republicans are the ones striving to undermine our democracy.
"Here’s a game plan: Biden replaces Harris with Newsom and then resigns" (@TheHillOpinion) https://t.co/EzzXAiTeSC pic.twitter.com/3PLteyrmkE
— The Hill (@thehill) November 14, 2022
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – FOX NEWS
Tomi Lahren is a bit of a polarizing figure, to be sure, but one thing we might be safely in agreement on is she could be seen as a questionable source for medical guidance. In a recent syndicated radio spot, Lahren delivered some illuminating information about a possible connection to Alzheimer's, as a public service to her listeners.
- "A new study out of Australia suggests there is a link between digging for gold and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease! When studied on mice, it was shown the bacteria was able to travel up the nose and into the brain. Apparently, this nose to brain bacteria connection can be a catalyst for dementia or Alzheimer’s."
So what is Ms. Lahren’s conclusion as a word of warning for all of us concerned with mice developing late-stage diminished mental faculties?
- "Now this phenomenon has not yet been studied in humans, but perhaps we should all be on the safe side and just not pick our noses?"
First Amendment Strike Force – THE DAILY BEAST
- How many years did it take to be taught how to not do your job?
Another piece of evidence showing how unhinged the press has become over the new Musk-scented Twitter came from Daily Beast writer Shannon O’Connor, who seems very perturbed at the concept of general regular-type people being able to go on social media and expressing their views on news and such. These citizen journalists are an insult to the profession because they did not go to school to learn how to fabricate news items or ignore major stories which run contrary to the approved narratives.
The most precious part of her rant (protected from comments mind you) is where she touts how the “legitimate” press has fact-checkers and editors, so those who went to school for journalisming will be considered the only arbiters of the truth. I guess J-school taught O’Connor the importance of silencing voices as outlets deliver misinformation because they do not want their fractured facts to be corrected.
All legitimate news organizations have fact checkers and editors so that false and misleading information isn’t given to the public. Just because you don’t like what is being reporting, doesn’t mean it’s false.
— Shannon O'Connor (@ShannonOConnor0) November 11, 2022
“Citizen journalism” has no system of checks and balances.
