As Twitchy reported, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had the perfect zinger for CNN’s Jim Acosta and others who were trying to insinuate that President Trump’s “enemy of the people” rhetoric was inciting violence: “The very first action the president did was condemn these heinous acts,” she said. “The very first thing that the media did was condemn the president.”
Actually, that’s all the media has done; it’s no secret that that’s the narrative being built by the New York Times and the Washington Post and CNN and MSNBC: Trump’s incendiary rhetoric (most visible at his rallies) is to blame for both the mail bomber and the Tree of Life shooter.
Father Jonathan Morris, whom we like very much, is unfortunately on that bandwagon too, responding to a tweet from the president:
There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news. The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People, must stop the open & obvious hostility & report the news accurately & fairly. That will do much to put out the flame…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2018
Continuing to use the term “The Real Enemy of The People”, in reference to some parts of the media does not help the healing and unity of a wounded, divided country the president has rightly called for. Some people take it as a battlecry, a justification for violence. https://t.co/LrvlTND3IL
— Fr. Jonathan Morris (@fatherjonathan) October 29, 2018
“To some parts of the media.” Which parts were those, Father? Trump seemed pretty specific.
Look at the responses to my tweet above: we have lost the ability to read and understand the meaning of words. Instead, with knee jerk tribalism, we react to any perceived affront to our political side by using the childish “but what about the others?!” argument, or get personal.
— Fr. Jonathan Morris (@fatherjonathan) October 29, 2018
And apparently, Father Morris also has lost the ability to understand the meaning of words: inaccurate, fraudulent, fake. And Trump’s not wrong: if the press would just report the news accurately and fairly, that would go a long way toward turning down the nation’s temperature.
Padre – We as Catholics hate the sin, not the sinners. It is not the press per se that is the enemy, it is the fake news that is the enemy of the people, that brings hatred & divisiveness. What the President states is correct.
— Zio Facciatosta (@ZioFacciatosta) October 29, 2018
I agree. The media is not necessarily the enemy of the people. Those that are quick to spread false news, are.
— Bob LaRosa (@larosabob) October 29, 2018
With all respect, Father, I saw thoughtful comments and truth. I, and I'm sure many others, are offended by your above assessment. Doesn't your comment show 'knee jerk' reaction also? And using words such as 'childish' and 'tribalism' are inflammatory.
— Chris N (@chgochris) October 29, 2018
Because people don't agree with your opinion you're the one seem to have your feelings hurt. Spare us Father, when someone lies about you or the faith don't you react? You're way off base on this.
— Kevin Murphy (@taconicglobal) October 29, 2018
Dear Father: Some could say the painful truth needs to be revealed….the media omits goods news and speaks hatred all day….they are being called out….that is good!
— camille hurley (@cookiedemo) October 29, 2018
Father, there are strong arguments with evidentiary support that: (1) Trump has taken much more dishonest criticism than can ever be justified, and (2) the media have been acting much more dangerously than most, including you, realize.
PATIENT, GOOD PEOPLE are fed up with 1 & 2
— ????? ?? (@W34K_80N4_F1D35) October 29, 2018
Operative word that everyone seems to miss is "FAKE"
If "fake news" wasn't our enemy, then why did Mueller spend millions targeting Russian troll FB accounts?
See this to understand media manipulation of truth.https://t.co/aDGkSqUImw https://t.co/SWoyCHGIcu— Sandy appreciates you! (@RightGlockMom) October 29, 2018
Father, I don’t believe they are the enemy of the American people, but they do Frame a narrative while reporting to fit their ideology. A free press is suppose to be impartial, they are far from that.
— All American Dad (@Mkunovich) October 29, 2018
Speaking of framing a narrative, over on CNN right now they have a panelist claiming that Trump has radicalized more people than ISIS. Just another day on CNN.
Please look at this. When THIS is allowed without pushback from host, we have a problem in the media, don't we? Regardless of "tribe".https://t.co/wW9a03hI0D
— Sandy appreciates you! (@RightGlockMom) October 29, 2018
Related:
'Laughably false'! CNN steps on every last rake in mad rush to paint Sarah Sanders as a liar [pics] https://t.co/j4I9L1A9LB
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 29, 2018
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