The CNN line of defense, that they were poised to expose a dangerous misogynist-homophobe-racist has been properly described elsewhere as "bafflegab."
It bears no relationship to what #FakeNews @CNN did, nor what they set out to do. To review:
- CNN is not the Boss of the Internet. "Cleaning it" up isn't their job.
- Even if they were, they took no action to enforce their (retroactively convenient) definition of "ethical behavior."
- What CNN wanted to do was use the threat of exposure to coerce behavior; their own statement makes the perfectly clear. They forced an apology, and threatened the poster with exposure if he didn't stay quiet, and do their subsequent bidding.
- When 4chan & /pol/ revealed the names & addresses of CNN staff, CNN staff were quite alarmed -- why, if people need to "own their opinions" and "have no right to anonymity?"
- Probably the worst postings by this guy were anti-semitic. Why doesn't Powers mention that? Because calling out Jew haters doesn't get you any virtue signalling points, in fact, it loses you chits with the SJW's.
- Finally, it's pretty clear that CNN did not even "out" the right person. There are a number of problems with the details of the "exposed" meme'ers gif. Duh.
In fine, and in sum: Powers' is defending the indefensible by saying CNN had every right to do something it had NO right to do, did NOT do, had no INTENTION of doing, was horrified by when done to CNN, and did not even do CORRECTLY.
Losers and #CNNBlackMail 'ers.
Powers is defending the indefensible by saying CNN had every right to do something it had NO right to do...Yes, while Trump was in Poland defending Western Civilization, TimeWarner CNN continues to try to destroy Western Civilization.
