We’ve been writing a lot about CNN today. They’re scrambling: the Democrats are in disarray over the budget, the sticking point is two Democratic senators, and they risk embarrassing President Joe Biden while he’s overseas in Europe if they don’t pass what he wants, so of course CNN is nervous. Brian Stelter and John Harwood have already acted as cheerleaders for the DNC, and on Thursday, CNN’s John Avlon picked up on The Daily Beast’s report (based on Aaron Rupar’s clipped video) that Sen. Ted Cruz attempted to defend the Nazi salute — something Attorney General Merrick Garland also “defended.”
Here’s John Sexton from Twitchy sister-site Hot Air:
This "reality check" by @JohnAvlon is every bit as dishonest as I'd expect from CNN:https://t.co/DhPggfQ1h2
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
Here’s the clip, entitled, “Avlon calls out Cruz’s attempt at defending Nazi salutes.”
Probably not a coincidence this is the same exact clip highlighted by Aaron Rupar yesterday.
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
It goes from Vox’s Aaron Rupar to The Daily Beast to CNN, climbing up the chain.
"Of course the issue here isn't the First Amendment…" Avlon says.
Yes, that's exactly the issue Cruz was pointing to because 3/4 of the examples in the school board letter involved protected speech.
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
Just watch the clip CNN broadcast … Cruz was very specifically talking about the First Amendment.
Avlon is clearly relying on the school board letter. CNN's story about it is on the screen behind him during his rant. pic.twitter.com/JIgozKKBHW
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
He’s clearly relying on the National School Boards Association’s letter, which the NSBA has since recanted and apologized for, and over which many state chapters severed ties with the NSBA.
Here's what that same CNN story said about the letter and the allegation that this could be a form of "domestic terrorism and hate crimes." https://t.co/Hcw84BG4ww pic.twitter.com/bisVOW8pz2
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
And of course on example CNN pointed to was a father getting arrested at a meeting in Virginia. We now know why this father was so upset. His daughter had been raped. pic.twitter.com/0xlnT64bZG
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
We just searched CNN’s website again for “Loudon County” for its report on that rape and the transfer of the rapist to another school, where there was another rape. Again, the most recent result is a piece about a drive-in movie theater in Loudon County, Tennessee from August.
Avlon goes on to mention the letter from the NSBA but doesn't mention that it suggested parents might be domestic terrorists (or that CNN reported that). Instead he claims the media distorted Garland's response letter which did not contain that language.
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
Within five days of the NSBA’s “domestic terrorist” letter, Garland had sent out a memo to the FBI.
But you'll notice Avlon doesn't stick with Ted Cruz statements about the DOJ letter. Cruz didn't claim that Garland's letter contained that language. He asked if the DOJ had examined the incidents mentioned in the school board letter before responding to it.
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
In short, @JohnAvlon's hit piece attacks Ted Cruz for saying something AG Garland agreed with and for something Cruz didn't say all while comparing upset parents (including one whose daughter was raped) to segregationists. CNN is a joke.
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 28, 2021
CNN is garbage.
Related:
Glenn Greenwald shreds Daily Beast and other liberal outlets for shamelessly running with 'fabulist virus' Aaron Rupar's Ted Cruz 'Nazi salutes' lie https://t.co/aY0Xqa0gRN
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 28, 2021
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