01.30.24
Legalized Press-titution – MSNBC
We await her blaming this on hackers breaking into her microphone.
There was a splendid episode playing out on "The Reid Out," where hostess Ms. Joy had a hot mic moment. While a video of a Joe Biden speech was playing, Joy, in her truncated wisdom, was unaware her mic was still live and, while seemingly having a word with her producer, could be heard on the air uttering a vulgar invective complaining about Biden waging another war.
MSNBC jaw flapper Joy Reid proves even a blind squirrel can find a nut when she's caught on a hot mic saying Biden is
— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) January 30, 2024
"Starting another f'ing war" with his border belligerence pic.twitter.com/t7KzCioeBF
Less about the profanity making it onto the primetime airwaves, Reid openly complaining about Biden's actions before instantly coming back on camera to defend those very same actions shows how her network is completely dedicated solely to the administration's activities, regardless of her own position.
Stealth Story Evolution – WASHINGTON POST
Is this a hitch of having a billionaire owner when reporting on papers with billionaire owners?
In a piece published on January 27, Perry Bacon Jr. was writing about the layoffs at the Los Angeles Times and the broader discussion about billionaires who purchase newspapers, operating at a loss but resting on their wealth to keep them operating. The crux of his column centered on the operations at The LA Times and how its wealthy owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, was facing challenges in running his paper.
It was found that a previous version of the column had been posted on January 24 and then taken down in its entirety rather quickly. The Post stated this was because the article was posted improperly before being vetted editorially. By the time Bacon's column ran on Saturday – despite no real objectionable words made in reference to the publisher – all one dozen references to Soon-Shiong had been removed entirely, and only a solitary reference to the Times laying off employees remained.
Opinion by Perry Bacon Jr.: The news media should focus squarely on America’s crises, both to help the country and give itself a mission that could make it more financially viable. https://t.co/VCObgssmjV
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 27, 2024
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – THE NEW YORK TIMES
When The New York Times ventures beyond its comfort dome.
In a piece about a new photo book being released, The NY Times sounds somewhat curious about what is a staple in most parts of the country. The book and ensuing article cover businesses in the south catering to automotive needs as well as delivering food options – at the same location!
Despite mostly being an inviting read, there was still a need to inject some political commentary into the proceedings. The author sums up her approach to the subject matter with a curious bias in place:
You’re rolling down the road and they catch your visual attention. Then you wonder what’s behind that glass door when you hear that little bell ring. Is it the MAGA South? The welcoming South? Who’s at the cash register? Who’s at the grill?
Imagine our surprise that establishments are seen as either being "welcoming" or "MAGA"-run operations.
Gas stations in the South are different. Thanks, @katemedley, for taking us inside that magic world. (And for helping me get the recipe for fried olive po’ boys) https://t.co/zxZobr6Tkt
— Kim Severson (@kimseverson) January 29, 2024
Reporting on the Mirror – THE ONION
Based on the previous results of these walkouts, we are betting this will not have a mirthful result.
Just to recap – there have already been a number of strikes by media members against their publishers this year. Reaching back to the Washington Post walkouts in December, you can add Forbes, the LA Times, The NY Daily News, and others. All have resulted in staff experiencing cuts.
So, with that in mind, we are certain this will go over well for all involved.
The Onion Union represents the creative staff at The Onion, The A.V. Club, Deadspin, and The Takeout. If a strike is called, picketing will begin in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City — all the cities where staff are located — on February 1 https://t.co/b1Wo8pOOyk
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 29, 2024
Low Octane Gas Lighting – THE NEW REPUBLIC
When you do not have to operate in reality, it certainly frees up your writing!
Greg Sargent wanted to address the current dust-up in Washington between Joe Biden and the Senate regarding the southern border. Greg is clearly on the side of the president. Greg is also clearly writing from the standpoint that his readers have not heard a single thing about the border in the past three years until today. That is the only conclusion you can arrive at after seeing that he claims Republicans are blocking the passage of a border bill that would allow Biden to close the doors at our southern boundary. He also claims Trump is behind the passage because he wants the bill for himself once elected so he can then engage in what Sargent calls "Ethnosavagery."
*Takes a moment to pour a stiff bourbon in order to continue*
This stunted approach means Greg wants us oblivious to numerous items.
We need to ignore Biden's numerous executive orders rolling back Trump border policies.
We need to ignore Biden's refusal to enforce current border laws and his suing Texas to refrain from its enforcement.
We need to ignore they are blocking the GOP House-passed Secure The Border Act.
We need to ignore that Biden had more power as president than the man who is not the president.
We need to ignore that in demonizing Trump for using a border law in an allegedly menacing fashion, he is lobbying to pass that very same law today, which Trump would then have access to... to supposedly act in a menacing fashion.
Apart from those pesky little inconsistencies, this was a brilliant article.
The Onion Union represents the creative staff at The Onion, The A.V. Club, Deadspin, and The Takeout. If a strike is called, picketing will begin in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City — all the cities where staff are located — on February 1 https://t.co/b1Wo8pOOyk
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 29, 2024
