Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Over-Covering Ferguson
Townhall.com ^ | August 21, 2014 | Michael Reagan

Posted on 08/21/2014 5:43:08 AM PDT by Kaslin

Why have the protests and riots lasted so long in Ferguson?

Why have out-of-town agitators and opportunists like the Communist Revolutionary Party and the New Black Panthers flocked to a St. Louis suburb?

Why, 12 days after Michael Brown was shot to death by a policeman, do the good people of Ferguson who want to see a fair and just investigation into the facts surrounding Brown's death still have no peace?

It's the national news media, stupid.

It's the ratings-hungry, pot-stirring, sensationalizing TV media that never misses a chance to milk - and perpetuate -- a white-on-black news story.

Ferguson is not just big news on network TV and in the Washington Post. It's become a nightly action-packed reality show on CNN, MSNBC and FOX.

The images of tear-gassed protestors squared off against militarized police make for great TV. So does the tension and drama.

Will protests turn more violent tonight? Will a provocateur throw a bomb, burn down a variety store or shoot a cop with a deer rifle?

We all hope not. But if anything exciting happens, don't you worry, America.

Jake Tapper, Chris Hayes, Steve Harrigan will be there on the sidewalks of Ferguson to capture it live for CNN, MSNBC and Fox.

Then Anderson, Rachel and Greta will analyze and discuss everything until the country falls asleep.

Obviously, no one can or should stop the news media from stampeding in a herd to Ferguson. We need and want the national print and electronic media to thoroughly cover tragic events like this.

But we need the news media to do its job right - and with restraint.

We need journalists to dig up accurate new information, challenge the authorities, debunk rumors and lies and provide perspective, thoughtful analysis and commentary.

At this point in Ferguson the TV media's saturation coverage - and saturation commentary -- is only making things worse.

Its round-the-clock presence is not only attracting publicity seekers and troublemakers who give Ferguson's good people a bad name.

What's worse, the media attention is encouraging residents of Ferguson to continue the unnecessary daily protests that are destroying daily life in their town.

The people of Ferguson deserve to learn the truth. The investigation should be done properly, and state and federal agencies have come in to make sure that happens.

But the process of determining whether police officer Darren Wilson was justified or not in shooting Michael Brown is going to take months, if not years.

The autopsies are not complete. The grand jury hasn't finished its work. We don't have the police incident report yet. We've heard conflicting eyewitness reports.

Instead of standing around on sidewalks in the dark waiting for something exciting to happen, the TV news guys should do everyone a favor and back off for a while.

That will never happen. But if it did, overnight Ferguson's streets would be filled with cars again, not protest marchers, riot police and Al Jazeera camera crews.

Everyone involved - especially the TV news media - needs to calm down and wait for all the facts before they start spouting their pre-conceived conclusions.

The shooting death of a young black man like Michael Brown is an American tragedy. Unfortunately, it happens all too often.

Too many unarmed citizens of all races are being killed each year by our cops. No one knows for sure how many. But in a handful of highly publicized cases, it's a white cop killing an unarmed black man without justification.

Maybe that's what happened to Brown, maybe not. We'll see.

Meanwhile, while the national media herd waits for all the facts about Brown's death, they might want to spend some quality time in Chicago.

Last year 500 murders were committed there. As in most inner cities, most of the victims and the perpetrators were young black men engaged in gang warfare.

Chicago's permanent murder spree is not as sensational or as racially charged as a white cop killing an unarmed black teen. But its causes and cures could use a lot more media attention.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: communityorganisers; dogwhistle; drugs; escaltors; ferguson; fox; holder; media; obama; orchestrated; race; riots
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

1 posted on 08/21/2014 5:43:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

The sensationalist media will overplay any story to distract attention from the loss of our country; Ferguson just replaced Bridgegate as the latest non-story to fit the bill. There is nothing to either story, yet we’ll be bombarded with them until a Republican is back in the White House. Then we’ll see the economy and foreign policy covered again (in great detail).


2 posted on 08/21/2014 5:47:02 AM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Yesterday the black protesters were outnumbered by the white people with cameras and phones who were there to enjoy the experience.

Essentially the riots are over. It’s down to party time. The cops should just go home and leave a few undercover cops to monitor the situation and call in the reserves if it gets out of hand.


3 posted on 08/21/2014 5:50:13 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (There can be no Victory without a fight and no battle without wounds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
No Brain-er.
If the media would "make like a tree" and leave. It would dry up.
jessie & al would be gone faster than bat out of hell.
4 posted on 08/21/2014 5:50:45 AM PDT by DeaconRed (We don't have News anymore. They all are propagandist. Yes even FOX.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kearnyirish2

Not to mention the inevitable weeks and months of Greta flexing her lawyer credentials on FOX. I can’t watch her anymore, she leans left, and salivates over any trial in the news, reliving her OJ glory days.


5 posted on 08/21/2014 5:52:47 AM PDT by FrankR (They will become our ultimate masters the day we surrender the 2nd Amendment.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]



FReepathon day 51.

Two percent a day keeps the 404 a way.

6 posted on 08/21/2014 6:00:18 AM PDT by RedMDer (May we always be happy and may our enemies always know it. - Sarah Palin, 10-18-2010)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: FrankR

I’ve only watched some of those shows during elections; otherwise, except for coverage on FR, I wouldn’t know these people still had their programs.


7 posted on 08/21/2014 6:05:03 AM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Question: If white-on-black crime is such a common occurrence, why is it such a media circus every (rare) time it happens? Shouldn't we be having Lootapaloosas every week to protest all of these?
8 posted on 08/21/2014 6:05:08 AM PDT by sportutegrl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sportutegrl

Check out Bill Whittle’s latest piece on Ferguson. It provides the appropriate context. I’ll try to provide a link later.


9 posted on 08/21/2014 6:12:08 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Kaslin, my long-time FRiend, the left, the race batters, and this administration want a particular narrative about Ferguson, and they have a willing and abetting media to help make it happen and maintain it.

Simply put...that’s why this incident is lasting so long.

This Ferguson narrative of a white cop deliberately executing an unarmed black teenager who was just walking down the street continues their race touble propaganda, distracts from the much more serious issues of the day, and they hope will give them political cover for the fall election.

This Ferguson narrative also as no basis whatsoever in the truth.

Eyewitness accounts make plain that:

1) Michael Brown profaned a police officer who at first simply asked him get out of the middle of the street.

2) Micael Brown refused to get out of the middle of the street.

3) Michael Brown assaulted the police officer when he returned to question Brown, striking him several times in the face, attempting to the hus weapon in the process.

4) Michael Brown ran from the police car after assaulting the officer.

5) Michael Brown turned around and taunted the police officer when he was told to stop.

6) Michael Brown charged the police officer.

7) Michael Brown was killed by gunfire from the police officer as he charged tht officer, Darren Wilon.

The police incident report agrees with this sequence of events.

Conversation from two bystanders discussing what happened on a YouTube video agrees with this sequence of events.

Other eyewitnesses agree with this sequence f events.

The medical report on the officer indicates he was severely beaten about the face and head...beaten almost unconscious...and sustained a fractured orbital bone to his left eye.

I believe the forensics and ballistics will prove this sequence of events.

Michael Brown was a large, very powerfully built and strong young man who was also a violent criminal and thug. He had strong-arm robbed a store minutes before this confrontation.

This officer was heroic in his actions.

After significant injury to himself, and at moral peril to himself, he confronted a violent criminal and attempted to do his duty and apprehend the criminal. He then had to defend his life against the criminal and shoot him.

God bless you officer Wilson, and God keep and keep you.


10 posted on 08/21/2014 6:14:03 AM PDT by Jeff Head (Semper Fidelis - Molon Labe - Sic Semper Tyrannis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Beaten to Death at McDonald´s

...The media's handling of this case was no surprise: political correctness rules in America's newsrooms.

But imagine a hypothetical crime: two clean-cut black couples go into University McDonald's during the daytime – and are viciously attacked by a mob of whites. An international media circus undoubtedly would erupt. Big-time journalists from all over the world would descend on College Station to deal with the deplorable state of America's race relations caused by bigoted whites

11 posted on 08/21/2014 6:14:25 AM PDT by opentalk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Head

Very good summary, JH! Hope all is we’ll with you...


12 posted on 08/21/2014 6:15:42 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: opentalk
The media narrative in Ferguson and elsewhere about racism in America is a politically motivated 100% farce.

Its a crime as well, as the sense of rage and entitlement it generates is directly contributing to the injury and death of thousands.

13 posted on 08/21/2014 6:22:22 AM PDT by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

The media hype and overplay anything that causes strife. The media wants to exacerbate tensions, wherever they exist. They love to get people angry with each other and fighting, then the media swoops in with their cameras to record it all.

The country is already divided along several lines:
black/white, gay/normal, men/feminazis, ROP/normal, enviro-wackos/normal. The media love these divisions and do all they can to make them worse.


14 posted on 08/21/2014 6:40:26 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Media: completely irresponsible. Complicit in the destruction of this country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

State Police Capt. Johnson said that all is quiet in Ferguson due his calming the waters last night.

Uhm... Anybody know that there was a thunderstorm there last night?

Hazardous Weather Outlook

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
348 AM CDT THU AUG 21 2014

ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027-
034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-221200-
GREENE IL-MACOUPIN IL-MONTGOMERY IL-BOND IL-FAYETTE IL-CLINTON IL-
MARION IL-WASHINGTON IL-RANDOLPH IL-ADAMS IL-BROWN IL-PIKE IL-
CALHOUN IL-JERSEY IL-MADISON IL-ST. CLAIR IL-MONROE IL-KNOX MO-
LEWIS MO-SHELBY MO-MARION MO-MONROE MO-RALLS MO-PIKE MO-BOONE MO-
AUDRAIN MO-MONITEAU MO-COLE MO-OSAGE MO-CALLAWAY MO-MONTGOMERY MO-
LINCOLN MO-GASCONADE MO-WARREN MO-ST. CHARLES MO-FRANKLIN MO-
ST. LOUIS MO-ST. LOUIS CITY MO-JEFFERSON MO-CRAWFORD MO-
WASHINGTON MO-ST. FRANCOIS MO-STE. GENEVIEVE MO-IRON MO-
MADISON MO-REYNOLDS MO-
348 AM CDT THU AUG 21 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN AND
CENTRAL MISSOURI AS WELL AS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS EARLY THIS MORNING.
THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT ACROSS
NORTHEAST MISSOURI AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. ORGANIZED SEVERE
WEATHER IS NOT CURRENTLY ANTICIPATED.


15 posted on 08/21/2014 6:45:42 AM PDT by KeyLargo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Chris Hayes will be there on the sidewalks of Ferguson to capture it live for MSNBC.

Isn't that a little dangerous for a girl to do?

16 posted on 08/21/2014 6:51:38 AM PDT by ErnBatavia (It ain't a "hashtag"....it's a damn pound sign, number sign, or octothorpe. ###)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Just a thought. Suppose a white guy was shot instead of a black guy and whites rioted and destroyed property. How would all of this be handled?


17 posted on 08/21/2014 7:06:51 AM PDT by jetson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sportutegrl

Question: If white-on-black crime is such a common occurrence, why is it such a media circus every (rare) time it happens? Shouldn’t we be having Lootapaloosas every week to protest all of these?


When we lose more of our freedoms, you will be sent to re-education camp, for having the audacity to ask such questions!

To the liberals, it is a given that these cases happen all the time, and that there is a war on black men, and whites are guilty. Black men are being shot like a dog in the street by racist white cops and racist white Hispanic watchmen! You are not permitted to ask for details! You must parrot back the liberal line or be re-educated!!!


18 posted on 08/21/2014 7:09:50 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego (s)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: KeyLargo

What? You mean the rioters decided to come in out of the rain???


19 posted on 08/21/2014 7:11:17 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego (s)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
These riots really show the black community for the paper tiger that it is.

Yeah, yeah, they can tear up their own turf. Scare whitey so that he, even more, doesn't want to live any where near him. Call people racist. Bring in the race hucksters.

Other than that, they've got no real power.

At the end of the day, they go on killing each other, not progressing and getting left behind.

20 posted on 08/21/2014 7:12:33 AM PDT by riri (Plannedopolis-look it up. It's how the elites plan for US to live.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson