While false insinuations of racism are a dime a dozen for today’s mainstream media, this one by New York Times’ Nick Kristof is particularly odious. He seems to be dredging up a meme from July, when people were slamming Romney for calmly stating that GDP per capita in Israel is much higher than in the Palestinian Territories. Of course, Romney was being 100% factually accurate in his assertion, and he’s never uttered a disparaging word about Arab or Palestinian culture, but why let pesky facts get in the way of a good narrative? Besides, GDP numbers are totally racist, right?
We’re sure Mr. Kristof will insist this is just a joke and that we shouldn’t take him too seriously. However, as a journalist, he should know better than to put words in the mouths of public figures. Of course, he’s too busy patting himself on the back for being “mean” to care about things like ethics.
Darn it, I'm feeling really mean.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) September 18, 2012
As long as I'm being mean, I'm glad #RomneyEncore is now trending. Add your voice and be mean, too!
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) September 18, 2012
If you think Kristof is bad, check out how his ever-classy followers are eating this stuff up.
@NickKristof Run with it. Let your mean flag fly! Sometimes it is what's necessary.
— Patty WASH YOUR HANDS CTVoter (@CTVoter) September 18, 2012
@NickKristof I like it when you're mad & mean. Feelin' mad & mean myself…but I'm too lazy & dependent to do much about it. #RomneyEncore
— Sally Nan (@SallyNan) September 18, 2012
Thank you @NickKristof these #RomneyEncore tweets are hilarious.. and so True. I bet Ann is saying "YOU PEOPLE needs to leave him alone!"
— Donna (@donna_dc8) September 18, 2012
Luckily, at least one of his followers seems to have a soul.
@NickKristof You are and frankly, those tweets are beneath you. You lost a follower.
— Eric (@ericwisniewski) September 18, 2012
Kristof may think it’s funny to traffic in myth, slurs, and slanders — but the rest of us aren’t laughing.
Update: Kristof retweeted this:
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