Seriously
My local newspaper, the Fort Bend Herald, is the least amount of stuff you can buy for $.75.
The entire masthead is white men, always has been and always will be. You kinda know you’re in small town, Texas, when one of the choices on a front page poll about Planned Parenthood is “You betcha!”
Today’s editorial takes on an issue that I know you have been concerned about and is certainly something that needs the attention of the 1,000 small town people who read this newspaper.
They lament that Donald Trump is being treated unfairly by the press. It’s not anything the press says. It’s not even the fact that it’s 24/7 Donald Trump on all the news channels. It’s unfair to show pictures of him. Undamnfair.
The media outlets are providing a very particular lense through which to view the story. If the read- er sees a photo of Trump making a goofy face, they’re more likely to go into the story with a negative pre- conception of the story’s content.
And it isn’t run-of-the-mill news outlets that are guilty of this. Reuters and CNN have each published stories in the past week display- ing almost circus-like photos of Trump.
This is no different than Trump commenting on Carly Fiorina’s face …
Man, that’s heavy. On my list of Things You Need to Have a Strong Opinion About, this ranks about … well, it doesn’t rank at all. Let me tell you why: here’s what I want you to do. Go find me a picture on Google of Donald Trump that is not goofy.
Good damn luck.
Meanwhile, are we real sure that making everything Pumpkin Spice is a good idea?
“… are we neglecting our readers who want to hear his message?” No sweat, folks; aside from “you’re all stupid” (ok, not an actual quote [I believe], but close enough, and “I’m really, really rich”, there is no message.
1Found one! Oh wait… It’s from the back. Sorry.
2Wait…you want us to find a picture of a clown that does not look like a clown? The clown with a serious face, then the clown with a laugh on his face…..You can not change what the camera sees.
3It’s rather ironic the Fort Bend Herald is inadvertently suggesting T-Rump place a bag over his head. Wonder what their editorial opinion was when T-Rump gave the same advice to Gnarly Purina.
What next? An IV drip for Water Boy Rubio and a slave to wipe his sweat as the cameras focus elsewhere? Or, maybe they’ll suggest Dr. Carson show up at his next appearance in white face.
As for Jebya, “silence is golden, duct tape is silver.” No way to hide the st00pid, when there’s audio.
4I’m concerned about Trump. Remember, we are a nation that elected Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
5You will note that this charming rag did not offer a dignified picture of Mr. Trump to support their argument. Probably couldn’t find one! (Giggle/snort)
6La Boca Grande is in constant face-making mode. That is his MO, just like the sulky adolescents whose behavior he models.
7It’s all there is, no substance, no gravitas, just mugging for the camera, constant bragging and insulting anyone who is a threat to his ego.
The trick is to eliminate any and all footage of this con man. Print what he says and doesn’t say, bring up the scams he has already perpetrated (Trump University) and delineate what is missing in his background, education and diplomatic experience which disqualifies him for the presidency. It wouldn’t hurt to spotlight the half-wits who think he is qualified.
I tried, but I don’t think such a picture exists. To be entirely fair, I also couldn’t find a picture of a skunk that doesn’t look like a skunk.
8I reminded of my biology textbook which, in a segment about communication in various species, showed photos of an “open-mouth threat display” in a monkey and a human. The human was Richard Nixon. Now it might as well be Trump. I haven’t seen any photos of him looking sane and reasonable. Could be there’s a reason.
9@Rhea
Sorry but now my brain’s needle is stuck in the image of “open-mouth threat display” in a monkey and in Richard Nixon.
I’ll return when that image fades a bit.
10I keep saying The Donald is a member of the RWNJ Howler Monkey clan … seriously, what else would explain them all having that howler monkey look?
11Marcia in CO, the only exception to the “RWNJ Howler Monkey clan” appears to be Dr. Ben Carson. He seems to be an individualist to the degree he is either self medicating or self lobotomized to make his bat shit crazy come across as almost reasonable in his hypnotic presentation.
Then there’s Jeb? and Klepto Kasich with their soft spoken adherence to the Reaganomics. Hey Jebya, even your Daddy called it Voodoo Economics. Am thinking Babs and GHWB had a clue as to the st00pidity of their dumbest son.
12Trump and Company don’t have to say a word to explain what he’s thinking. Whatever it is, it’s right there in front of you. I do my best never to look at him.
13The RWNJ reality-TV viewers just didn’t get enough of whatever it is they needed from the old Cowboy Actor. Now they want the new and improved Heartless Capitalistic Captain Of Industry. ‘Cause, hey, health insurance and clean air, water, and food just don’t make happy dreams…
14Hard to trust a newspaper that can’t spell 4-letter words. There is no ‘e’ on the end of lens.
15Offhand I can’t think of any Republican Presidential candidate who wouldn’t appear in a better light if they just didn’t show his/her face.
If they didn’t let them talk that would help even more.
16I’ll guarandamntee that if you checked the computers of the Fort Bend Herald and staff members, that you would find every despicable cartoon and photoshopped image of President Obama and his family ever floated around the RWNJ (alternate) universe, from their blogs and email maze. Y’all know the ones I mean.
17Ask Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton how they feel about most of the media photos used on them. Get a grip, Trumpites.
18the long and short of it is that trump has made a “career” of the silly face thing. if anything, he without a doubt has brought the criticisms and parodies upon himself.
19This is the polar opposite of all the print stuff I read years ago about press photos who swore it was impossible to take a bad picture of Jackie Kennedy. Somehow, with all the laws of physics, you just knew this sort of thing would have to pop up! Unfortunately, it popped up among grey cells that can’t handle it!
20Editorializing by picture is nothing new, and it is frequently used to portray women as unattractive and demonic. More concerning is the use of the word “lense.” Alternately described in the dictionary as plural for lense or as a misspelling, “a very particular lense through….” doesn’t get a pass from the Grammar Queen.
21The FBH is making the same point that The Donald made last week, that because people make fun of his hair and his poutface resemblance to a cat’s behind he should be free to make fun of Carly’s looks. What the short fingered vulgarian (thanks Wonkette!) and now the FBH editorial board don’t realize is that a presidential candidate is supposed to be the grownup in the room and try to stick to, well, facts.
22Ya know, I hate to admit it, but when you attack a woman’s appearance, it’s different than when you attack a man’s. It shouldn’t matter, but there it is.
Also, criticizing one’s fashion choices or hairstyle is not as bad, because these are easily changed. But going after a person’s face, or weight, age, or race; these are part of the person him/herself, IMO, and a much more personal attack.
23Full disclosure: I met Trump once in the 1980s. I did NOT touch him (I’d read he didn’t like shaking hands, and I didn’t want Trump Cooties). Back then, he was more broody-looking than pouty-faced. You can see it here: http://trumpthemovie.com/watch
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