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Now Playing
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Thanks to Joan Vennochi for presenting examples of the many ways the media are remiss in their coverage of Donald Trump and of Joe Biden (“Media treats Trump with kid gloves on coronavirus, pummels Biden on old allegation,” Opinion, 5/7). Just as they were instrumental in helping Trump get elected by keeping the story of Hillary Clinton’s e-mails alive, they have kept the Biden story prominent even when there are no significant developments.
In the half-decade since Trump announced his candidacy, the media still haven’t figured out how to cover him without advancing his agenda. There is plenty of information on how to avoid promoting him, but the media are too addicted to him and too lazy to change their ways.
For example, cognitive science shows that repeating what Trump says, or even reporting the negative of what he says, activates in the brain the idea he wants to plant there. In reporting, the media should first state the correct information and then refer to Trump’s distortions. This applies to headlines and teasers as well as the reports themselves.
Though he excoriates mainstream media, Trump could not have gotten elected without their unintentional complicity, and he might get reelected with their continuing help.
Michael Biales
Acton
Note from KBJ: Donald Trump is always five steps ahead of his critics, opponents, and enemies. It's why we elected him—and why we're going to elect him again.
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— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2020
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Here.
Ten Years Ago Today in This Blog
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Here.
Dilbert
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Yesterday evening, Katherine and I completed our viewing of Coast New Zealand (2016). It's a six-part series that originally aired on BBC, following in the wake of Coast and Coast Australia. The presenter, Neil Oliver, travels around the coast of New Zealand, pausing to discuss history, geology, archaeology, biology, and botany with various experts. The cinematography is beautiful. I have always wanted to visit New Zealand. This series makes me want to visit even more.Here is a clip.
Film
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Donald Trump's approval rating is 49%. Barack Obama's approval rating at the same point of his presidency (15 May 2012) was 47%.
Politics
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A scene from today’s bike ride. Click to enlarge.
Roto Ergo Sum
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To the editor:
We are well past that point at which it’s enough for an ex-president like Barack Obama to speak out against President Trump. Many more former leaders of our country should issue a joint statement to the world—more like an apology—for letting our very stable genius flourish. (“Welcome back, Barack. What took you so long?” column, May 13)
I propose that a letter by the following leaders from both parties be issued: all living ex-presidents and ex-vice presidents, former leaders in the House and Senate, retired judges, former military and intelligence agency leaders, ex-Cabinet secretaries and people who served in federal agencies and on commissions.
They should tell the world that this is not who we are, and the American people that this is not business as usual.
Marc Scott, Pacific Palisades
Note from KBJ: The elites didn't elect Donald Trump, Marc. We the people did. And we're going to re-elect him in November. Get aboard the Trump train, chump!
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LIVE: POTUS Delivers Remarks on Vaccine Development https://t.co/ktpk4urgB1
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 15, 2020
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