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.
08.09.21
Legalized Press-titution – THE NEW YORK TIMES
- When your defense of the man ends up bringing him down.
You probably noticed in the press last week a feud of sorts developed between the administration and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Many in the press were elated when President Biden was asked about disparaging comments made by DeSantis, and he responded with the tepid zinger, "Governor who?!" (OMG guys, #GovernorWho was trending!!!)
The next day, DeSantis kept the flame war going, hitting back with, "What else has he forgotten?" Upon seeing this effective retort, the press did the only thing that comes naturally to them – they ran defense for Biden. Upon seeing the video of the DeSantis presser, Maggie Haberman played movie critic, stipulating that since the governor looked as if he might have prepared the statement, it is a sign of his diminished political heft.
Recommended
Yes. The need to keep referring to notes to deliver a not-hard line is a reminder he actually hasn’t been the on a national stage that long. https://t.co/XWPCNsjAoY
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 7, 2021
If this is the measure of a politician ill-prepared for the national stage, we need to ask, has Maggie ever seen a Joe Biden press conference the past couple of years?
ALSO: referring to notes to deliver a not hard line....... https://t.co/lDSk5LsA0p pic.twitter.com/MUieypQWq0
— Pathofmostresistance (@Pathofmostresi1) August 7, 2021
The least we can say when Governor DeSantis refers to his notes, at least he can read them cogently.
Pre-Written Field Reports – LOS ANGELES TIMES
The press in D.C. managed to ruin all the talk of ending the Senate filibuster when they went full-on cheerleading for the Democrats from Texas, who fled their state to prevent votes on voting rights. Yea, it's tough to say you oppose a method of blocking legislation when you are supporting an illegal method of blocking legislation.
It is tough, but not impossible, as John Healy of the LA Times shows. In an editorial, Healy asked to be reminded why there was a need for the filibuster? It was rather easy to remind the deputy editor, given he was the very same deputy editor who had recently written an editorial in favor of the filibuster when the Democrats were in the minority.
Well, since John Healy asked, I feel this need to remind him.
— Brad Slager - Gold Medal Loser in the Keg Toss (@MartiniShark) August 7, 2021
See John, it was YOU who argued to keep the filibuster, during the last Congress. https://t.co/GBC6wCz7Yr pic.twitter.com/lxQ00zVnRZ
Pulitzer Prize Nominee – THE HILL
With so little in the way of serious news to report on, the diligent minds at The Hill were on the case of President Joe Biden's sartorial decisions, which were made for him last week. Some people may have noted how Biden was seen in a tan suit during a presser last week. (It was really a shade closer to Mediterranian Parchment or Filbert Husk.)
The Hill gave us the backstory to the decision to wear the ensemble.
Biden pays homage to Obama by rocking tan suit during birthday week https://t.co/TQuNdCQpht pic.twitter.com/e6MYC0rIKw
— The Hill (@thehill) August 7, 2021
We are glad they are on top of these important issues and not covering other items, like how Biden is paying homage to Obama by caging immigrant children.
Presentation Paradox – MSNBC
As shocking as this may appear, the leftist press is still obsessing over Donald Trump. We know, we totally did not see that coming this weekend…
The latest dose of pathology comes from MSNBC legal analyst Glenn Kirschner, who was on the Dean Obiedallah radio show and proposed that Donald Trump be arrested – for things that are going to take place in the future.
- "Isn't there now a public safety issue?! Don't we have to move out and charge Trump because he's out there continuing to push 'The Big Lie,' continuing to grift his base and in a very real sense recruiting the foot soldiers for insurrection 2.0? And I think nothing would make Donald Trump happier than insurrection 2.0."
MSNBC's Glenn Kirschner Says Merrick Garland Should Have Trump Arrested Now Before He Incites 'Insurrection 2.0' https://t.co/1APLOTK1iV
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) August 7, 2021
Reporting On The Mirror – KCPQ FOX 13 Seattle
- Reporter details her Keto attack at a courthouse.
Not to make light of any type of assault, but there is a bit of a question as to why a reporter would be compelled to detail what occurred once she came to the realization as to what happened.
Reporter Hana Kim was conducting an interview outside when someone approached and threw an item at her, striking her. Never an action to be encouraged, but once she saw that what had taken place, maybe not reporting on it would have been just fine.
Outside King Co Courthouse interviewing someone about safety concerns. A guy throws a cauliflower hard at me and trust me I felt the impact. He starts cussing at me. Witnesses see, not to mention officers are a few feet away. Relieved it wasn’t a rock or something #Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/yCfYnepGsy
— Hana Kim (@hanamkim) August 4, 2021
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – THE DAILY MAIL
A Russian woman is suing McDonald's. That alone is asinine, but the reasoning is more so. She is accusing the restaurant of being responsible for her having broken her vow of fasting for Lent. This took place in 2019. She is suing for the cost of the meal – roughly $14.
We need to thank our journalism industry for staying on top of such stories.
What a very silly woman! Woman sues McDonald's after she saw an advert for cheeseburgers and broke her fast for Lent
— Little Pink Kitchen (@TheLittlePK) August 6, 2021
via https://t.co/Ivx5nFRyZg https://t.co/tgk7WQbZZ4