DiscussMormonism.com

On January 24, John Roberts, co-anchor of Fox News’ America Reports, asked whether protesters were “more … about being anti-police than being pro-environment” and parroted far-right commentator Andy Ngo, who called them “spoiled children of privilege trying to burn Atlanta down” in the New York Post. On Newsmax, on January 23, journalist Carolyn Ryan also echoed the idea that the activists only “claim” to want to protect the old-growth forest. Speaking with Roberts on January 24, Juan Williams, who for years served as a “liberal” co-host on Fox News’ The Five, said that “no question these people are from out of city, out of state” and that he hopes the protesters are “put down.”

The brutal murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police in neighboring Tennessee showed us, once again, that police use excessive and deadly force under questionable circumstances. Yet without footage, right-wing media have unquestioningly accepted the Atlanta police’s narrative.

On January 23, OAN host Dan Ball called the protesters “environmental whackos” and “defund-the-police Nazis” and insisted, despite conflicting information from Defend the Forest, on characterizing police’s behavior toward the group as peaceful. He also claimed that “police and witnesses” saw Tortuguita shoot first, not mentioning that the only witnesses were the police.

“They had no right to be in that forest,” said Fox News host Jenine Pirro, referring to the protesters on the January 24 segment of Hannity. “Someone from there shoots a cop and that’s what started the whole thing. … They turned it into police violence.

The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh and former Daily Caller writer Greg Price have suggested that these activists be dismembered, “beaten with a bullwhip, or forced into “labor camps where they spend all day drilling for oil.” Frequent Fox News guest and climate change denier Steve Milloy called climate activists “enemies of humanity.” The Washington Free Beacon put forth the absurd notion that Democrats would soon storm the Capitol over climate change policy. And in an October 14 segment of Tucker Carlson Tonight, Carlson suggested that they should be monitored by the FBI.

Fox News Digital writer Thomas Catenacci often writes about activists embracing extreme tactics. In July, Catenacci falsely claimed that climate activists had embraced “violence” as the “deadline to 'save the planet' draws near.” It’s not uncommon for Fox News journalists to vilify activists who support causes they oppose while defending or downplaying extreme and violent actions of activists whose causes they support.

Antifa, the right’s favorite scapegoat, has become part of the conversation as well, with media figures referring to the movement and forest defenders interchangeably to fearmonger about the protests.

Neo-nazi collaborator Jack Posobiec portrayed Defend the Atlanta Forest as antifa, which right-wing figures have blamed for the January 6 insurrection, as well as other violent incidents.

Fox host Jesse Watters alleged on December 16, without evidence and before the shooting even took place, that Defend the Atlanta Forest was “plotting to kill cops” and that the protesters were “all card-carrying members of antifa.”

Over the past few years, antifa has been used to detract attention from the climate crisis and its impacts. In September 2020, podcaster Joe Rogan and other misinformers blamed antifa for wildfires on the West Coast, and climate activists were similarly blamed for wildfires during Europe’s extreme heat wave this past summer. The right wants people to think climate activists are dangerous, and it seems they’re willing to say anything to support that.

Vēritās wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 02, 2023 6:28 am

. . . The right wants people to think climate activists are dangerous, and it seems they’re willing to say anything to support that.

Gunnar wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:20 pm

My sister, who lives in Oregon, claimed that people with BLM logos on their uniforms and equipment were observed lighting fires near her home, which she had to temporarily evacuate because of its proximity to one of the worst of the fires. I pointed out to her that it was probably the Bureau of Land Management personnel (not Black LIves Matter activists), who are primarily responsible for fighting fires in federally owned lands. What those witnesses certainly saw was Bureau of Land Management firefighters lighting backfires, which is a recognized and approved firefighting technique. They probably saved her home from being burned! It defies all reason that Black Lives Matter activists would be going around maliciously starting wildfires, while advertising who they were by putting BLM logos all over their clothing and equipment!

Gunnar wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:20 pm

Vēritās wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 02, 2023 6:28 am

. . . The right wants people to think climate activists are dangerous, and it seems they’re willing to say anything to support that.

My sister, who lives in Oregon, claimed that people with BLM logos on their uniforms and equipment were observed lighting fires near her home, which she had to temporarily evacuate because of its proximity to one of the worst of the fires. I pointed out to her that it was probably the Bureau of Land Management personnel (not Black LIves Matter activists), who are primarily responsible for fighting fires in federally owned lands. What those witnesses certainly saw was Bureau of Land Management firefighters lighting backfires, which is a recognized and approved firefighting technique. They probably saved her home from being burned! It defies all reason that Black Lives Matter activists would be going around maliciously starting wildfires, while advertising who they were by putting BLM logos all over their clothing and equipment!

Speaking to investigative news outlet The Lever, Steven Ditmeyer, a former top official at the Federal Railroad Administration, said the "severity" of the accident was likely increased by the lack of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes.

Legislation was passed under President Obama that made it a legal requirement for trains carrying hazardous flammable materials to have ECP brakes, but this was rescinded in 2017 by the Trump administration.

The National Transportation Safety Board, a federal agency responsible for investigating rail accidents, told The Lever that the Ohio train that derailed was not fitted with ECP brakes.

"Would ECP brakes have reduced the severity of this accident? Yes," Ditmeyer said.

Some Schmo wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:50 pm

I love that the marketers for M&Ms, of all products, screwed with Fox News leading up to and in the Super Bowl. Awesome. Probably the best marketing stunt I can remember.

Dr. Shades wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:18 am

Some Schmo wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:50 pm

I love that the marketers for M&Ms, of all products, screwed with Fox News leading up to and in the Super Bowl. Awesome. Probably the best marketing stunt I can remember.

So, . . . what did they do?

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News lost an attempt Tuesday to shut down a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit that accuses the network of spreading lies that a voting-technology company helped “steal” the 2020 election from then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

New York's Supreme Court Appellate Division, a mid-level appeals court, ruled against the network, which wanted judges to dismiss the $2.7 billion defamation case.

The company that brought the case, Smartmatic, has said it played a valid and small role in the election. It hailed the ruling as a step toward holding Fox News accountable for amplifying unsupported and damaging claims from Trump's lawyers.