02.19.24
Presentation Paradox – THE LATE SHOW
A therapy session on live television.
The unintentional amusement is that Stephen Colbert forgets that he is primarily supposed to be an entertainer and deliver amusement. But here he is, going on a 30-second rant about Trump that just makes most squirm with his unhinged nature. Even if part of a larger bit, that he taps into this level of derangement is unsettling enough.
The question is, what drives Colbert to this level? Biden's recent mental slide? Trump's growing strength in the polls? Or is it the return of Jon Stewart applying pressure in the late-night atmosphere?
I remember when Colbert first got The Late Show, being excited to see how he would bring his witty brand of humor to late night comedy without the heavy political bent of his Colbert Report character.
Now this is the current state of late night “comedy.”pic.twitter.com/8HfbOILbhJ
Anti-Social Media – LAST WEEK TONIGHT
Committing a crime in order to combat alleged criminal behavior is just edgy comedy!
Also losing the compass this week was John Oliver on his HBO quasi-comedy news show. In a segment, he wanted to address the perceived problem seen with Justice Clarence Thomas. In typically oblivious justification, Oliver proposed that he would give Justice Thomas a new RV and pay him $1 million annually to walk away from his position on the Supreme Court. (Sigh) Where to begin?
A Brit lecturing America is always a welcomed experience. Then there is the racial element that is an obvious problem, as well as the extended issue of perceived slavery. But it seems evident John overlooks the fact that what he is doing is legitimately proposing bribery. This underscores so much of the imbalance thinking in the media these days; he is proposing he commit a federal crime to unduly influence the highest court in the country and is ostensibly doing so for the sake of preserving democracy.
“Get the f*ck off the Supreme Court!” John Oliver offers Clarence Thomas a luxury motor coach, and $1 million a year, to resign from the Supreme Court. (Video: HBO) pic.twitter.com/LUVD6zC5o3
DNC PR Firm – CNN
"Mr. President, allow me to run interference for you..."
At CNN, a brief interview was conducted by MJ Lee with President Biden following the news that Russian dissident Alexei Navalny died in a Siberian prison. Lee asked the president if the GOP members of Congress have blood on their hands.
Asked whether he'd go as far as to say Alexi Navalny's blood is on the hands of House Republicans, President Biden just said, "I wouldn't use that term," but that they're "making a big mistake."
This is such a lapdog, throne-sniffing question for a few reasons. The aid package referred to has nothing to do with Navalny's incarceration. This is due to the man being jailed by Putin prior to the Ukraine invasion. Then there is the small detail that this desperate attempt at deflection is done in order to ignore that previously Biden had sworn Putin would endure a severe reprisal if Navalny met this fate while being held – a detail Lee's own network covered when he made this stern promise.
Navalny was jailed before the Ukraine invasion. Nothing in the aid bill would have impacted Navalny’s
safety in prison.
But your desperation in deflecting from Biden shriveling today after talking tough on the issue is notable, since your own network reported on it. https://t.co/IG2vTzxMPK pic.twitter.com/3eiF6OpyJG
Then, of course, there was his extended answer where he insisted upon Congress coming back and voting to fund NATO. Not Lee nor other reporters dared point out that of the countries set to receive US funding – Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan – none are NATO members.
Democratic Custodial Services – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Of all the things to rave about with this train wreck of a woman...
The evolving disaster that is the Fani Willis-led trial in Atlanta against Donald Trump has turned into a showboat fiasco of epic proportions. That she hired her inexperienced lover to work the trial has led to her having to take the stand in her own defense, and that became such a fiasco she refused to return for the balance of her testimony.
The press has done all it can to preserve her case, legitimacy and honor. Too bad for them, Willis has been working against their efforts. The New York Times's Richard Fausset strained to build up Fani's image.
NY Times takes special note of "boxy wool suits" interrogating "glowing" FANI. pic.twitter.com/6d9fbqYx6X
That many were mocking Willis for her appearance makes this non-legal defense of the woman all the more ridiculous.
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – ROLLING STONE
Is it antisemitism, sexism, or just plain stunted journalism? (Embrace the "and.")
For reasons perplexing and not at all logical, Rolling Stone Magazine – the outlet that recently chased off its Chief Executive Editor – has waded into a school board election in Montgomery County, Maryland. This is because it does not like conservative Jewish pundit Bethany Mandel, and it cannot tolerate that she is running as a Democrat – despite being registered in the county as a Democrat.
NEW: Bethany Mandel, the controversial right-wing pundit and prolific social media poster, is running for school board — as a Democrat.
Story: https://t.co/r9Xyy0987Q pic.twitter.com/G2VwiNVcYD
The piece – dripping with contempt for Mandel – was written by Andrew Perez, who, it might be said, has questionable opinions regarding rearing children.
Wait, is this the same @AndrewPerezDC who wrote this? pic.twitter.com/TPraFsPgRP
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – THE ATLANTIC
The toxic privilege of the rich opting to allow sunlight into their homes.
You have to hand it to the journalists operating in the realm of grievance culture – they sure can be creative with their divisive outrage. The other characteristic seen is a sharp lack of shame in their coverage.
In another example of getting upset about something few proper-thinking people would even think about, we come to find out the latest effort by those insufferable wealthy elitists to throw their smug lifestyles in our faces – they don't close their curtains!
An unexpected status symbol has become a fixture of high-end homes. Uncovered windows have quietly become a fixture of high-end homes across America. Most people do still close their shades, but Americans who earn more than $150,000 are almost twice as likely to leave windows uncovered as those making $20,000 to $29,000. The overall trend is clear: The choice to draw or not draw the curtains is in part driven by class. Slowly, uncovered windows have become a status symbol.
Uncovered windows have quietly become a fixture of high-end homes across America. How did ditching the curtains become such a common marker of wealth? @michaelwwaters reports: https://t.co/Wm6JKEyPHd
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