We’re in a Crisis But the Press Is Stuck on Stupid [OPINION]
I long ago lost patience with the mainstream media and pretty much just tuned out all of the noise. However, it becomes more and more difficult to block it out when, during an international health crisis that has brought the nation to its knees, the press is hell-bent on pushing its political agenda.
Yesterday, a reporter accused President Trump of supporting racist attitudes by referring to the coronavirus as "the Chinese virus." She actually scolded him for it and the liberal press is ablaze with criticism of Trump for his choice of words.
Trump offers no apologies for calling the virus what it is, a Chinese virus. Nor should he. The virus originated in China. Trump also points out that the Chinese regime is attempting to blame American soldiers for the coronavirus outbreak in China, which is absolutely absurd. Trump says its important to set the record straight and it is.
Remember, viruses have long been named after their place of origin. But Trump wasn't president then.
Calling the coronavirus the Chinese virus has nothing to do with racism or the Chinese people but with the news media stuck on stupid and, transfixed on Trump, it will suffice to justify criticizing the president, even as prominent Democrats such and Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsome praise Trump's handling of the crisis. Even Ilhan Omar of all people has praised Trump's handling of the crisis as "incredible and the right response in this critical time."
With so much at stake and so much to report on, the national press has again chosen to prioritize non-issues making it even more irrelevant than before. Now, who would have imagined that was even possible?
Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.