CNN’s Brian Stelter: Conservative Media “Weaponized” Smollett Hate Hoax
By Richard Moorhead
The CNN host believes alternative media took advantage of the situation.
CNN’s Brian Stelter responded to the revelation of Jussie Smollett’s likely hate hoax in a predictable, although laughable, manner in a segment on his network Saturday.
Stelter claimed that the story had been thoroughly “weaponized” by conservative media. He made a distinction between “strong, high quality news organizations” and their competitors, apparently living in an alternate reality in which CNN is the former.
The CNN host revised history, trying to claim that the mainstream media had covered the story carefully with an appropriate amount of skepticism. In reality, outlets such as CNN treated Smollett’s account with credibility from the get-go, only questioning the story when it became clear police were investigating the possibility of a hoax. Stelter went on to say that the story had been effectively weaponized by “random websites all over the web.”
Stelter left it unclear exactly what was “weaponized-” it’s possible he’s simply uncomfortable having to admit that mainstream media were exposed as naive dupes once again by their alternative media competitors.
CNN’s coverage of the incident is somewhat reminiscent of their reaction to another hate hoax, the now-discredited smears against the boys of Covington Catholic High School. In both incidents, the fake news network treated a narrative invented by progressives as factual when there was more than enough evidence to suggest it was less than truthful.
CNN presenter Don Lemon spoke of texting and calling Smollett every day in the aftermath of the fake “attack.” His exchange with the likely hoaxer doesn’t seem to have led him to consider that the attack, which was clearly unlikely to have occurred in the manner Smollett described from the beginning, was fake.
Report: NFL Paid Kaepernick $60 to $80 Million in Collusion Settlement
By Dylan Gwinn
No one knows for sure, just how much Colin Kaepernick received as part of his collusion settlement with the NFL. However, if the latest reports are accurate, Kaepernick won’t have to worry about working in the NFL or anywhere else anytime soon.
According to Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman, the NFL paid the former 49er and original anthem protester somewhere in the range of $60 to $80 million.
Kaepernick Attorney Mark Geragos released a statement shortly after news of the settlement broke. However, a confidentiality agreement between the NFL and Kaepernick’s legal team, prevented the disclosure of exact details:
For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL. As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party.
The NFL Players Association released a statement acknowledging the settlement:
Today, we were informed by the NFL of the settlement of the Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid collusion cases. We are not privy to the details of the settlement, but support the decision by the players and their counsel. We continuously supported Colin and Eric from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what we believe the NFL and its clubs did to them. We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract, and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well.
If nothing else, the amount of the reported settlement with the NFL explains why Kaepernick refused to play in the Alliance of American Football, for anything less than $20 million.
BREAKING: Two Suspects and Workout Partners of Jussie Smollett Are UNDER ARREST — BEING HELD BY POLICE
February 15, 2019
HATE HOAX UPDATE—-
Multiple sources told ABC 7 Chicago on Thursday that Jussie Smollett and two other suspects were being questioned by police for staging the racist sub-freezing attack in January.
Sources said Smollett’s character was being written out of the show Empire.
The two suspects are brothers and friends of Jussie Smollett.
Smollett follows their Instagram account.
And they work out together!
The brothers appeared on “Empire” in the past.
The brothers appeared on “Empire” in the past.
Abimbola ‘Abel’ (left), 25, and Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo (right) are the two brothers being questioned over the Jussie Smollett attack. (Daily Mail)
The two Nigerian brothers Abimbola ‘Abel’ and Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo are now under arrest.
Jussie has a lot of explaining to do.
Hate Hoax Update: Jussie Smollett Hurls More Racist Insults at Doubters of Alleged Polar Vortex MAGA Beating
by Jim Hoft February 14, 2019
Actor Jussie Smollett arrived in Chicago on January 28th. He went out to get fast food at 2 a.m. when he said he was allegedly attacked by two Trump supporters in MAGA hats who recognized him in the freezing cold, beat him, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck.
It was -15 to -30 degrees wind chill on Tuesday morning.
Smollett said the mysterious MAGA men poured bleach on his head but bleach freezes at 18 degrees.
The weather on Tuesday was a low of -9 degrees.
Frozen bleach will not pour.
Jessie Smollett said he was assaulted and suffered a cracked rib but condo surveillance video shows Smollett walking past security to the elevator without telling them he had just been attacked by thugs who “beat the hell out of him” and “broke his ribs.”
On Saturday Smollet admitted his rib was not broken.
This was complete crap – just like the rest of the story.
Via Michelle Malkin:
And Jussie was carrying his Subway sandwich when he arrived home — he saved it during the alleged assault!
Jussie Smollett says he was talking to his manager during the assault but he won’t turn over his phone.
The Associated Press reported that police had released images of “persons of interest” from surveillance camerafootage, but were unable to find footage of Smollett being attacked.
The persons depicted in the police video were said to be walking away from the scene prior to 1:45AM.
Jussie Smollett’s neighbors say they doubt his assault story.
On Wednesday Rafer Weigel reported the Chicago police will re-interview actor Jussie Smollett over his redacted phone records.
But Jussie continues to speak out on the alleged late night assault.
On Good Morning America Jussie Smollett accused his doubters of being racist Islamophobes.
“I have to acknowledge the lies, and the hate,” he told “Good Morning America” in an interview with host Robin Roberts that aired on Thursday. “And it feels like if I had said it was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me much more. A lot more. And that says a lot about the place that we are in our country right now.”
Police said they will press charges if they discover Jussie lied about the alleged attack.
It can’t come soon enough.
SPIKE LEE: CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS WAS A ‘TERRORIST’
‘I was not told George Washington owned slaves’
By Grabien Staff
EXCERPT:
LEE: “I have to say the reason why I’m wearing this hat and pullover is that many years ago the first slaves were brought to the country in Jamestown, Virginia, 1619 and 2019. I think a lot of people need to know this. Because this — this is part of American history, which is not all good. You know, I think that when I was in public school in Brooklyn, New York, I was not told George Washington owned slaves. I was told he chopped down a cherry tree and wouldn’t tell a lie. In 1492, this guy, this terrorist sailed the ocean blue. I mean, we have to start teaching — I feel, my opinion, let’s be honest about our history and — and let’s move forward.”
#StandwithIlhan: Social media users defend Ilhan Omar after her forced apology over anti-Semitism
Social media users are flocking to #StandwithIlhan after Rep. Ilhan Omar was pressured to issue an apology for her tweets about the Israel lobby’s influence over US politicians, after she was accused of anti-Semitism.
Omar was seemingly forced to apologize by Democratic leadership after she tweeted about Israeli influence and named the powerful Israel lobbying group AIPAC as having a hold over US politicians.
READ MORE:‘All about the Benjamins’: Ilhan Omar sparks Twitter backlash over ‘anti-Semitic’ post
Although her statements were backed up, Omar faced an onslaught of outrage from a wide range of commenters, from Chelsea Clinton to President Donald Trump, who said she should be “ashamed of herself.” This despite the fact that Trump faced criticism for making anti-Semitic tropes about members of the Republican Jewish Coalition liking money and making deals when he addressed them in 2015.
“I don’t think her apology was adequate,” he unironically said of Omar.
Listening and learning, but standing strong 💪🏽 https://t.co/7TSroSf8h1—
Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 11, 2019
Omar “unequivocally” apologized for her remarks in a statement which also reaffirmed the problematic role of lobbyists in US politics. This prompted many to accuse her of not apologizing enough, while her supporters expressed disappointment that she was apologizing at all.
READ MORE:‘Sorry, not sorry?’ Ilhan Omar apologizes for ‘anti-Semitic’ tweet, reigniting controversy
Many voicing their support for Omar pointed to American values of freedom of speech and shared a petition urging the Democratic leadership to stand up against “bad faith attacks” targeting Omar even after her apology. Others said they had donated to her campaign.
Social media users also provided more information to back up Omar’s initial tweets about Israel’s influence, and pointed to disconnects between House Leader Nancy Pelosi’s statement supporting Israel and denouncing “racism, prejudice and discrimination” in light of freedoms not offered to Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
The volume of outrage and cries of anti-Semitism from the US establishment seemed to further bolster Omar’s comments about the sway the Israel lobby holds over elected officials and the country’s two leading political parties.
Ironically, smearing people as anti-Semites is a tactic employed by the Israel lobby both in the US and theUK, as detailed in two Al Jazeera documentaries which saw an undercover reporter infiltrate both the US and UK lobby to reveal methods employed by the groups. The US version was never aired by Al Jazeera as a result of pressure wrought by the Israel lobby and members of Congress, who accused the network of… anti-Semitism.
One clip from the censored documentary shared on Twitter shows former AIPAC Director Eric Gallagher explaining that “everything AIPAC does is focused on influencing Congress.”
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Gov. Northam Vows to be Virginia’s “Moral Compass”
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam vowed that he will remain in office and be a “moral compass” amid a slew of scandals engulfing the state’s chain of gubernatorial command.
During an interview on Face the Nation, Gov. Northam touted his own virtue and valor as leadership qualities necessary to guide his constituency through the on-going political turmoil.
“We’ve had a good first year, and I’m a leader,” Gov. Northam told host Gayle King when asked why he “deserves” to remain in office amid myriad calls from both sides of the aisle for his resignation.
“I’ve been in some very difficult situations — life and death situations, taking care of sick children — and right now, Virginia needs someone that can heal. There’s no better person to do that than a doctor.”
“Virginia also needs someone who is strong, who has empathy, who has courage and who has a moral compass. And that’s why I’m not going anywhere,” he asserted.
Northam told King he has “learned” but has “a lot more to learn” from controversy stirred by the emergence of a photo possibly depicting him in ‘blackface’ or a Ku Klux Klan outfit during his time in medical school, although it is unclear if he is either or neither person in the photo, as he has both confirmedand denied his presence in the shot.
However, just days prior to the photograph’s emergence, Northam shocked many when he seemed to endorse post-birth abortion, raising pressing questions about his “moral compass.”
Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has now been accused by two different women of sexual assault and rape.
Two out of three Fairfax staffers have now resigned, as well as two employees of his political action committee, according to reports.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who would become governor if Northam and Fairfax should fall, is embroiled in a ‘blackface’ scandal of his own.
NFL NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTER SIGNS MASSIVE CONTRACT. HERE’S HOW MUCH MONEY HE’LL MAKE
By David Hookstead
Eric Reid’s NFL career won’t be ending anytime soon.
According to the Associated Press on Monday, Reid signed a three-year deal valued at more than $22 million to remain with the Carolina Panthers.
He signed with the Panthers last season a few weeks into the year.
I can’t wait to see how people try to spin this one. I guess it’s kind of a massive middle finger the whole belief national anthem protesters can’t get jobs.
Reid was one of the first people who refused to stand for the anthem back when he was playing for the 49ers, and now he’s on a $22 million deal. (RELATED: Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton Has Shoulder Surgery)
It would seem like you absolutely still play in the league and get paid if you kneel during the anthem.
The reality of the situation is simple. Reid is still in the NFL because teams think he can help them win, and he does clearly have something left in the tank.
Kaepernick is not in the NFL because he’s a massive distraction, and his play dropped off a cliff by the end of his career. Let’s stop making up facts and let’s focus on the truth instead.
Believe it or not, it’s really that simple.
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