"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.
07.27.22
Pre-WrittenField Reports – WASHINGTON POST
Get ready for a shocker: Max Boot wrote a column expressing his displeasure with Trump and the Republicans. Yes, the man who recycles content more than a beer bottle near a college campus with a deposit on empty is at it again, but we should acknowledge he has peppered in some newer aspects.
- "I used to be an optimist about America's future. Not anymore. There's a good reason why so many people I know are acquiring foreign passports and talking about moving somewhere else: The prognosis is grim."
Max and his Tru-Con Inc. friends are threatening to leave?! Well, I guess the only thing left for the Post to do is play his old columns in syndicated reruns.
I used to be an optimist about America’s future. Not anymore. There’s a good reason why so many people I know are acquiring foreign passports and talking about moving somewhere else: The prognosis is grim. https://t.co/7v9KZ21z53
— Max Boot ???????? (@MaxBoot) July 25, 2022
DNC PR Firm – ASSOCIATED PRESS
Look at how many journos and outlets are willing to tell us that we are not currently in a recession because of reasons. The primary reason is they do not want Biden blamed for it, as that will make November's promised red wave an even bigger Democrat disaster.
By one common definition — the economy shrinking for consecutive quarters — the U.S. economy is on the cusp of a recession.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 26, 2022
Yet that definition isn't the one that counts. https://t.co/Bw1am1viQ4
Presentation Paradox – LOS ANGELES TIMES
It is quite the cliche anymore to have a ridiculous news item introduced with the qualifier, "Not 'The Onion/Babylon Bee' this time." In this case, you would be fully expected to scroll back to the top of the story and make sure.
The LA Times reports that in Mexico City, the residents are getting a bit perturbed. It seems that as a result of rental prices being so out of whack, there has been an incursion in recent months. Get this: Mexican residents are really bothered by how many Americans have moved into their region, and they are grumbling that they would prefer they go back to their own country.
?? Hundreds of responses poured in after a young American posted this seemingly innocuous tweet: “Do yourself a favor and remote work in Mexico City — it is truly magical.” https://t.co/F9G2SaZFvE
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 27, 2022
Anti-Social Media – WASHINGTON POST
We have crossed some kind of social rubicon in the case of race relations when things formerly regarded as racist are now looked at as solutions for racism. Note how frequently we get stories on how segregating classrooms or making events exclusive are considered wise ideas. Adding to this list is Washington Post deep thinker Damon Young, who found it perfectly acceptable to admit to the world how he struggled with his daughter playing with a "white" toy.
His daughter was discovered playing with a white baby doll with blonde hair. He described how she would "dote on it for two days." Was he happy to see her accepting another race or behaving in a color-blind fashion without prejudice? Not exactly.
- "We still don't know how it got into our house. So…how do we get rid of it?"
Perspective: Someone gave our daughter a White doll. How do we, um, “disappear” it?https://t.co/s6T5vEBKqP
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 26, 2022
Glossary Over Things – ASSOCIATED PRESS
You knew it was only a matter of time. After all, this is the era when declaring what is a female is controversial, and it is deemed hateful to say a woman is who can have babies, so of course, the AP Stylebook had to be adjusted to also pay heed to the trans community.
In the newly revised edition, the AP needed to offer up more than two dozen revisions in order to properly address the new language required for covering stories involving trans issues. To say some of the new standards are perplexing is hardly surprising. To wit:
Among the unhelpful clarifications was this gem.
- "Don't refer in interviews or stories to 'preferred' or 'chosen' pronouns. Instead, 'the pronouns they use,' 'whose pronouns are,' 'who uses the pronouns,' etc.
See, the pronoun that a person selected for themself to use is…is not preferred…I think…? They decided to use it, but that does not…um, does not mean they chose it…we have to suppose?
Hope that clears things up for you journalists when writing!
The AP Stylebook Has New Trans-Language Guidance, as the Arbiters Show How Ill-Defined Their Standards Have Becomehttps://t.co/TmQOMOPhx3
— Townhall Media (@TownhallMedia) July 27, 2022
Gilded Reframe – WASHINGTON POST
We could suggest that WaPo was disappointed to see a poll result where Glenn Youngkin received favorable approval numbers, but we do not have to. We can just let the paper tell us themselves.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin above water in new VCU poll https://t.co/aZRD9hK1Ay
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 27, 2022