“It is completely acceptable to confront the president about his tweets, but only if you are fair and equitable in your judgment.”
I just recently wrote an article referencing the violent rhetoric coming from the left, both politically and in mainstream media. It is amazing the amount of anger and hate exhibited toward the president and the right in general. I do believe that all of this anger is having an impact on those who are weak-minded and looking to immortalize themselves. Just look at the savagery that seems to manifest anytime there is a liberal protest. Scariest of all is the fact that those involved seem to be incapable of seeing their own fault leading up to these events.
With that being said, I want to be seen as fair-minded and principled. I cannot chastise the left for their hate if I am not willing to do the same when the right does the same thing. For example, on July 2, President Trump tweeted out a video of him during his more youthful years. This video was of Trump at a WrestleMania event where he beat up Vince McMahon, a figurehead of the wrestling conglomerate. However, in the video that President Trump posted, superimposed over the head of McMahon is the CNN logo. The message is very clear—the president is taking down CNN.
After watching the video, I have to agree with the feelings of many out there; this is truly beneath the president. I understand why he did it, and I believe I understand the strategy. However, in posting this, he completely takes the message away from moving forward his agenda. I believe he would be much better suited to calling out the Republicans in Congress for failing to move forward on meaningful reforms. I can also begrudgingly agree that this video is violent. Do I believe that it comes anywhere near the brutality that the liberals have levied against him? No, not even close. In fact, I would actually view this less as openly aggressive and more satirical. However, to be fair, I will leave that decision to the individuals who watch it.
As I stated, I attempt to be fair when I call out one side or the other. Anyone who has followed my articles will know that I am firmly against the Republican party and freely chastise them for their cowardice in offending the liberals. So in this regard, I can accept those who view the president’s tweet as threatening, no matter how ridiculous I may find those claims. However, what really irks me is the reaction from the media.
CNN immediately went on the offensive, stating, “A sad day when the president of the United States encourages violence against reporters.” I would agree with CNN. What is even sadder, however, is when a news organization supports and defends actions much more threatening against the political party they don’t support. It is completely acceptable to confront the president about his tweets, but only if you are fair and equitable in your judgment. CNN is supposed to be a news network. At least that is what they started out as. I guess you could compare them to MTV, which is supposed to play music videos. Clearly they have evolved past the place where they need to dispassionately report on the facts of the news and let the people decide what it means.
CNN published a piece from Dean Obeidallah, where he states, “No joke—it’s dangerous. Let’s hope that GOP leaders and Trump’s own administration can make that point to the president before he radicalizes someone to injure (or worse) members of the media who work at the outlets Trump has been demonizing.” Funny how I didn’t see the same commentary toward CNN or any other liberal organization after the radicalization of James T. Hodgkinson, who was a known Bernie Sanders supporter, after he targeted and attempted to kill Republicans during softball practice.
Following the tweet, Carl Bernstien stated in an interview on CNN that the president was attacking the first amendment rights of the press. In other words, because his first amendment rights upset CNN, he shouldn’t be allowed to have them. Olivia Nuzzi, a CNN reporter, then followed up by saying that while the president may not have intended to incite violence, “I think there is certainly a chance that someone could look at that tweet…and say this is what the president wants us to do.” A fair point to make, but only if that point is made unilaterally anytime someone makes hateful statements. For my part, I would expect more from any organization whose entire existence relies on having integrity beyond reproach.
CNN has lost its ability to maintain any moral high ground. They have proven themselves to be a political arm of the democratic party. This does not upset me as much as their inability to admit to such. Be who you are, as a person or a corporation. Instill your values, morals, and norms into your employees. All I demand of you is the honesty to label yourself genuinely. When you fail to do this, you are an organization whose existence is perpetuated by lies and corruption.
Final note—I would like for CNN to stop playing the victim and decrying freedom of the press every time the president looks cross-eyed at them. As I stated, I try to be fair when I call out individuals/groups for their transgressions. I will agree that the president is acting more like a petulant child than the leader of the free world. However, it takes two to argue. How can you make up stories about the man, perpetuate lies in the form of a Russian collusion story, and openly attack his supporters as racists (after all, we only voted for Trump as a white-lash against Obama) and then throw a tantrum when he strikes back against you?
I understand, Republicans since Ronald Reagan have only come in one type—pathetically weak. It is easy to bully those who are more afraid of losing their seats than actually standing for something. After a while, it makes you feel somewhat invincible. Who would dare call the media out for something? After all, the media would decry racism, sexism, white privilege, hate speech, calls for violence, and so on. Unfortunately for you, the media, you are now up against a man who just doesn’t care what you call him. Not to say he is above the fray—that would be a laughable statement. What he will do, however, is one-up you every time. If you come after him, he will return the favor, only slightly more viciously.
I will agree with this, however—at the end of the day, none of this serves the American people. Does the president end up looking ridiculous? Absolutely. However, the press looks even worse in my opinion. Why? Simply, the president is honest about his attacks against the media. He has no issue with calling them out for what he feels are injustices. The mainstream media, however, are trying to hide behind a wall of unbiased reporting. The only problem is that the wall is made out of tissue paper and they are standing in a rainstorm of attacks. It is time for both sides to grow up and stop with this behavior. We the American people deserve more from our president—and our media.
