08.04.23
Presentation Paradox – NEW YORK TIMES
For weeks now, the press has been wailing about the perceived social aggressions found in the Jason Aldean song “Try That In A Small Town.” They attempted to cancel him and the single, but only managed to elevate it to #1 on the national music chart.
Now, we see just how vacant all of the outrage has been. After straining to find the unspoken (unsung?) offensive elements in Aldean’s song, the media are presented with another song from South Africa, one that outright calls for the killing of a swath of their society.
Curiously, the Times comes out and defends the song, and says anyone criticizing it are the ones who are the problem.
Recommended
The media clowns. These stories are mere days apart.
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) August 4, 2023
Jason Aldean:
Never mentions race = RACIST
Never mentions shooting = WANTS GUN VIOLENCE
Never alludes to lynching - PROMTES LYNCHING
South African Anthem:
Calls to kill whites = "Well, you see, there are nuances..." pic.twitter.com/Ftnqppr54S
1st Amendment Strike Force – FOX NEWS
In a case of the media complex having to face actions of its own creation, there is a federal lawsuit that is raising some vexing positions for the journalists covering it. This involves a Chinese-American scientist, Yanping Chen, who is suing the FBI over being investigated and claiming that improper leaking of information took place. As a result, she wants Catherine Herridge – who is currently at CBS News, but was working at Fox News in 2017 – to reveal the source(s) of her reporting.
The judge has ruled that Herridge does indeed need to turn over her sourcing, something that poses a direct threat to the freedom of journalism and the 1st Amendment.
What is most interesting is to see this being sympathetically reported on by CNN’s Oliver Darcy, who has not only been an ardent opponent of Fox News, but has also lobbied to have the network silenced in a variety of fashions.
She reported a scientist was under FBI investigation. Now a judge is ordering her to reveal her source (@oliverdarcy - @CNN) https://t.co/eRwEhB1jXn
— MediaREDEF (@MediaREDEF) August 3, 2023
Legalized Press-titution – WASHINGTON POST
- When Gavin Newsom is considered a centrist that explains the problems with your outlet.
There was plenty of hyperventilating in the press when Ron DeSantis agreed to have a formal debate with California Governor Gavin Newsom. In its reporting on this landmark, historical, groundbreaking event, WaPo detailed the two participants, but see if you notice a differing approach to where the two gentlemen are positioned politically.
Republican presidential hopeful and right-wing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has agreed to finally meet California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on the debate stage. Fox News host Sean Hannity will moderate the live debate. https://t.co/TmUAohLWEk
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 3, 2023
Low Octane GAs Lighting – CNN
- Meh, he was discussing Donald Trump – no need at all to challenge his wild claims.
Last on CNN, they were discussing Donald Trump’s indictment, as that will both feed their obsession with the man as well as give them every reason to avoid covering Joe Biden’s myriad issues.
They had on the exalted former Capitol Police officer from January 6, Michael Fanone, and the man who once stated he never intended to be a major anti-Trump figure was, once again, on the air slandering Trump. The hostess, Laura Coates, never thought to rein him in or challenge his comments with any common sense.
Never forget that Michael Fanone did an interview with Rolling Stone saying he didn’t want to be a “resistance hero” and just wanted to be left alone, then turned right around and signed a contract with CNN to talk about Trump nonstop. https://t.co/7jW8xNnJ4X
— Vanessa (@Nessakins_) August 3, 2023
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – NBC NEWS
- We are rather surprised you did not go with BREAKING on this trenchant report, Kelly.
In yet another example of how coverage of Donald Trump leads to imbalanced thinking and reporting, take Kelly O’Donnell delivering her impressions on Trump traveling from New Jersey to DC for his arraignment Thursday. No, her joining in on the breathless live coverage of Trump commuting is not the issue here.
For Ms. O’Donnell, the fact that Trump’s plane had to wait its turn before taxiing for a takeoff was significant, and then she truly struck Pulitzer gold with this detail – this is all due to the fact that Trump is no longer president!
We take it on the assumption that Kelly received this information from confidential inside sources...who possess calendars.
A clear sign he is not president anymore. Despite all the motorcades and perks, his plane has to wait to taxi. Air Force One gets immediate clearance. pic.twitter.com/bcHma5fJXe
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) August 3, 2023
Pre-Written Field Reports – WASHINGTON POST
You people with your intolerant changes in beer preference have no concept of the impact you have on the world!!!
In this completely stunted report, Washington Post writer Mohamad El Chamaa tries to claim that this country’s current cultural debate over items such as trans issues is spreading intolerance to countries in the Middle East.
In the Jordanian capital of Amman, a movie screening with a gay male lead was canceled recently on orders from the governor. In Lebanon, a beer commercial that appeared to include a gender nonconforming person was met with widespread derision online, similar to the backlash faced by Bud Light in the United States after it partnered with a transgender TikTok star.
Yes, those normally tolerant nations who have warmly embraced the LGBT+ community are being poisoned by the consumers formally known as Bud Light drinkers.
You damned conservatives are starting to become a bad influence on those communities in the Middle East that have been tossing gays from rooftops for years! https://t.co/tREVrz3l3M
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) August 4, 2023