NewsBusters Columns

WASHINGTON -- A fellow Spectatorian is under enemy fire, and we all must rally around him, particularly because he has done nothing wrong and because if those attacking him triumph, we shall all suffer. The cause is free speech. The free speech that is endangered is in Great Britain, but if the forces of censorship win in London, it is only a matter of time before the forces of censorship will be bringing their muzzles to our shores.

Where have we seen this play before: A woman comes forward to accuse a conservative of inappropriate behavior in hopes of harming him sufficiently so he will be unable to achieve his policy objectives? People with even short memories will recall “act one” was Anita Hill, a law professor at the University of Oklahoma, who in 1991 accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. Ultimately, it was Hill’s word against Thomas’ and he was appointed to the Supreme Court by a Senate vote of 52-48.

It's quite simple: Some political relatives are more equal than others. Agenda-driven journalists love to exploit familial dysfunction when a prominent politician is conservative and his or her kinfolk espouse liberal views. When a vengeful offspring, sibling, cousin or distant relation wants to wreak havoc, instant fame and adoration are just a tweet or call away. The media schadenfreude over such bloody bloodline battles is thicker than California wildfire smoke.

During the weekend of Aug. 4-5 (and the preceding Friday night), 12 Chicagoans were shot dead, and 62 others were shot and wounded, the Chicago Tribune reported. Before last week's mayhem, 1,718 Chicagoans had been shot since the beginning of the year, and 306 had been murdered. Adding to this tragedy is the fact that Chicago's clearance rate is less than 15 percent.

I am offended at the Newseum’s T-shirt. Take a look at the label of this t-shirt at the Newseum's gift shop being offered for sale. It is described thusly: “Ladies Alternative Facts Tee.” On the shirt itself it defines “Alternative Fact” as follows: 1. A false statement delivered with deliberate intent to mislead or to deceive. Synonym: lie, prevarication, untruth.

If you read any number of my previous columns, then you’re familiar with my thoughts on the Hallmark Channel. The company seemed like an unlikely team trying to save American culture from Hollywood’s ongoing politicization and smut. Yet, here they are creating high quality, apolitical, and  original family-friendly movies and shows that the entertainment industry has been ignoring lately. And that especially appeals greatly to red states.

Entertainment writers need a 12-step program to cure their addiction to late night TV. In the Age of Trump outlets like Deadline.com, TheWrap.com and even the Associated Press feverishly churn out stories based on what late night comics say. Just jokes? Not to these smitten journalists. More specifically, it’s every slam uttered against President Trump and the GOP. Although said outlets are so addicted to late night fare now they regurgitate apolitical bits. 

“When I managed to finish my first pussy hat, though, I was overjoyed.” That’s an actual line from an actual article in Slate about politicized knitting. It seems that’s a thing, with a “community,” and you can buy Donald Trump pincushions on Etsy

Did you see a particular Wall Street Journal front-page headline on Monday? It read "Profits Soar as Economy Advances." That headline will probably be the most important headline of the week. It certainly is of colossal importance. Our economy is robust. The rest of the world is not doing so well. Take, for instance, China. Yet our economy is unusually healthy. If we have to engage in a trade war, it is an auspicious time for us to do so. 

It's ironic that the loudest of Trump haters routinely breach the very civil standards of decency they claim justify their antipathy. Others are just creepily obsessed. I'm not exaggerating. Trump haters from both sides of the political aisle have fretted themselves into a consuming frenzy against the president. Whatever worldview they had, it is now overlaid with a Trump-animus fixation that obscures rational thought. It has slain their civility and subordinated their passion for certain policies.