Here are my observations on the media.

“Democrats, media are destroying the United States.” – Michael Livingston, Mesa, AZ

That headline over the Opinion section of the May 15, 2017 edition of the Arizona Republic, was a surprise from this liberal paper.

“Is anyone sick of the Democrats yet?” Livingston opens as he derides the Democrats who demonstrate, burn and destroy; and talk about impeachment. “All I’m seeing from the Democrats is let’s bring down the president in the process and maybe we can destroy this wonderful country in the process,” he wrote, “The only reason I see that this country is in trouble is because of the press and Democrats. God help us.”

Livingston’s piece provides me with an opportunity to comment on the media.

FROM THE LEFT – MSNBC and CNN regularly insult the president and his staff. CNN’s Anderson Cooper was caught rolling his eyes during an interview with Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway. Surely, with his on-camera experience, he knew what he was doing. Over at MSNBC, Mika Brzezinski, half of the elitist pair who host Morning Joe, insulted Conway by referring to her interview responses as dishonest. Brzezinski scolded CNN for continuing to book Conway, calling her contribution the “politics of porn.” Shameful.

THE PRESIDENT has threatened to change the way the White House press corps get their news. While I don’t believe he would stop the daily press briefings, he isn’t pleased with the obnoxious actions of the media who play to the cameras. The briefings have become a highly-watched event that was rarely viewed during previous administrations. Considering the traits of the president, Spokesman Sean Spicer, who has been criticized and panned regularly on Saturday Night Live, does a credible job for the Trump administration.

HOW EMBARRASSING – While watching Fox weekend news anchor Julie Banderas on Saturday, she demonstrated what has become known as a “news reader” rather than a true journalist. Following a heart-warming video piece on a Michigan veteran who was selling poppies to raise money to aid veterans, she commented that he gave each contributor “a small flower.” A small flower; can you believe it? Apparently Banderas, nor her producer, had knowledge of the Flanders Field war poem and the years of VFW paper poppy sales that have become a remembrance. How sad. Within minutes of that report, Banderas referred to Education Secretary Betsy De Vos as Betsy “Dee Vose.” Embarrassing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPEAKING OF EMBARRASSING – Fox continues to bring on lightweight opposition contributors, who just spout the left’s talking points. Marie Harf, who I have criticized here since her days defending Hillary Clinton at the State Department, can be seen with a broad smile regardless of the seriousness of the subject matter. Democrat strategist Jessica Tarlov has a voice only her mother could admire. Richard Fowler, host of a weekly liberal radio show and a political activist who specializes in organizing political youth groups, can be counted on to interrupt other guests or the Fox host. Another contributor, who causes me to reach for the remote is, Zac Petkanas, former communications aide to Sen. Harry Reid. I can only presume that Fox has brought them aboard to show the weakness of liberal thought.

A recent addition to the Fox lineup is, The News Specialists, a title that obviously is for specialist guests, like Pat Buchanan, who participate each day. Host Eric Bolling has earned his creds, but Katherine Timpf and Eboni Williams are lightweights. Williams is the stronger of the two with a background in law. Timpf’s background as a standup comedian makes her better suited for the Greg Gutfeld Show, where she is a regular. I’m not sure this show can survive.

Fox has moved its popular show, The Five, to the evening. Jesse Watters has successfully replaced Eric Bolling as one of the five, but the bumbling Bob Beckel continues to share the “oddman out” seat with Juan Wiliams. Beckel continues to come to the set without the benefit of doing his homework, and it shows.

As a news wonk, I continue to be embarrassed by most of the media.