12.27.23
Legalized Press-titution – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Considering the controversy already experienced over its coverage of the war, who at The Times thought this was a good look? The paper gave column space for Gaza’s mayor to explain what he and his people are enduring with the movements by the Israeli army. Not shockingly, there is barely a passing mention of the attack enacted by Hamas, and zero reference to that group violating the ceasefire weeks ago.
As a point of mirthful reference, we need to call back to a comment recently made by celebrated journalist Taylor Lorenz, who declared that at The Times, they only allow voices to reach print from one side of the political aisle.
This compare/contrast is rather amazing. pic.twitter.com/nZkW2zap0h
— Brad Slager: Flips On The Highbeams In Fog Of War (@MartiniShark) December 27, 2023
Pre-Written Field Reports – CNN
Remind us again, what is your specific beat again?
In another example of media sympathy for the Palestinians, CNN’s Christopher Lamb tried to make a bold declaration: He stated that were Jesus born today, he would be buried under rubble in Gaza from Israeli rocket fire.
It goes without saying Lamb was well off geographically and in need of some study of ancient maps, given that Bethlehem is not remotely close to the areas of Gaza. But making this desperate lurch even worse is that Lamb compromises his entire position, since he should have working knowledge of these details, given he is the network’s Vatican correspondent.
Can someone buy CNN a map of the Holy Land? pic.twitter.com/WrkpBJlB0c
— Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) December 24, 2023
Presentation Paradox – CNN
We seem to recall when threats against justices were called “free expression protests” or the like.
On CNN, they delivered an emotional and heartfelt report on the concern for the safety of the Colorado Supreme Court. According to the introduction, Trump supporters angered by the decision to have him removed from the primary ballot in that state have been delivering threats to the judges, and the FBI is getting involved.
But then as reporter Katelyn Polantz came on to deliver the details, she gave a slightly different version of things. Bill D'Agostino of Newsbusters captured the comments that contradict the premise of the lead-in to this report:
Denver Police had to go to one of the Justices’ homes because of what they call a ‘hoax report’ that was made. And since then, there are the names of the Justices on the Colorado Supreme Court being discussed on far-right pro-Trump websites. So, no specific threats at this time that are requiring law enforcement to make arrests that we know of. But this is a climate where there are many, many people making general threats and using violent rhetoric around public officials.
They are just so convinced that these threats are going to arrive that they are basically filing preemptive reports of violence at judges.
Democratic Custodial Services – WBUR
In a desperate bid to tell people just how good they have it under Biden, despite how they feel, this commentary from WBUR’s Steve Almond sells us on all of the grand things taking place these days.
Beyond that lame desperation is this utterly hilarious take on things; they attempt to sell us on the concept that the White House – where they had to fire a press aide for threatening a journalist, an influencer was flashing on the lawn, the interns are rebelling against the president, and where cocaine was literally discovered – is “drama-free.”
The US will spend more this holiday season than in decades, mainly attributed to the Biden admin, who helped engineer an amazing economic recovery.
— Democrats Abroad (@DemsAbroad) December 22, 2023
Biden’s drama-free White House is America’s most under-appreciated Christmas gift.#DemsAbroad #votebluehttps://t.co/Ij5scbUfwk
Gilded Reframe – NEW YORK TIMES
The settled science appears to shift as frequently as the weather.
The New York Times reports on some rather warm conditions experienced in Minnesota on Christmas Day, and the paper declares this is a direct result of climate change, of course.
Yet, this anecdotal thermometer analysis defies the stated lesson that focusing on an isolated meteorological event like this is wrong – delivered by The New York Times.
NY TIMES WHEN IT IS UNSEASONABLY COLD:
— Brad Slager: Flips On The Highbeams In Fog Of War (@MartiniShark) December 27, 2023
"These stupid anti-science Trump MAGA folks need to understand that weather is not climate change!"
NY TIMES WHEN IT IS UNSEASONABLY WARM:
"This PROVES there is climate change and the science is irrefutable!!!" pic.twitter.com/nH4pWt8nAD
"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage on the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation where Brad Slager looks to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media.
