Three-String Raconteur is Rekindled! Make Your Escape.
Hello, I’m Isolde Myers, the Chief Editor of Three-String Raconteur. After two years of absence, we’re back online. I cannot describe how sorry this makes me.
New or noteworthy events and actions.
Awash in Misinformation Memes
We keep pretending misinformation memes are ideas. They only mimic rational thought. Memes aren’t communication, they’re infection vectors, full of self-satisfaction and intellectual masturbation.
NY Times: Stupid or Afraid of Republican Retribution?
The New York Times is infamous for minimizing Republican misbehavior. Are they stupid, unaware of their known bias, or do they falsely “both sides” their coverage to avoid Republican retribution?
Another Washington Post Media Blunder
In a classic “both sides” media blunder, the Washington Post declares that a book about Republican delusions really describes all Americans. Honestly, no, it’s mostly about Republicans.
What’s Wrong with the Washington Post?
Why do major US news media ignore the Russo-Ukraine War so badly? It’s probably the most important conflict of the decade. The Washington Post was the worst today, but they’re all terrible.
Dramatic News: Ukraine Defeating Russia
Wonderful, dramatic good news! After months of grueling artillery duels, Ukrainian forces are defeating Russia on every front.
Accurate Ukraine War Reporting from the Washington Post
Most American war coverage is terrible. Thankfully Washington Post Ukraine War reporting was a surprisingly accurate and helpful high-level summary of the balance of forces there. That’s refreshing. Kudos to Liz Sly.
Give Them the Historically Accurate 2nd Amendment
Another shooter guns down children by the dozen, and bloodless NRA Republicans gurgle out “thoughts and prayers.” Try getting historically accurate instead. You only get black powder muzzleloaders.
Media Competence with Liars, Suck-ups, Cowards, and Kevin McCarthy
We have a moment of honesty. Kevin McCarthy established he’s a bald liar. Here’s a test of basic media competence: will the press still repeat whatever he tells them? We get to find out if reporting is dead.
Daily Kos Still Posts the Best Ukraine Reporting
The major new media paint Putin as powerfully masculine; leaving Ukraine as passive, feminine Nell tied to the tracks. It’s a rehash of their Republican/Democrat disaster. The best Ukraine reporting is in Daily Kos.
Media Bias and Misinformation
Did you know that 37% of Americans say the US is losing jobs? In reality, job growth under Biden is high, and unemployment is historically low. We get our news from the media. If we’re misinformed, is that media bias?
Daily Kos: The Best Russo-Ukraine War Reporting
Most major media war reporting isn’t just uniformly terrible; it’s biased and nearly criminally incomplete. The best Russo-Ukrainian war reporting I’ve seen is in the Daily Kos.
Why Obscure the Responsibility for War Crimes?
The Washington Post headlines have been getting better. But today’s site has one screwed headline so massively passive it brought tears to my eyes. Is there a WaPo law about never using active voicing? Why obscure the responsibility?
I Hate Weasel Words & Literary Cowardice
It’s weird when big media like the Washington Post hedges what are clear ideas. They seem to get exceedingly vague about wars and climate. Is it careful phrasing or literary cowardice in the face of conservative blowback?
Give Ukrainians More Drones!
Military leaders are famous for re-fighting earlier wars. So sure, bribe Poland into donating all their old, expensive, delicate MIGs to the cause. But starting, like yesterday, send Ukraine more drones.
Russian Invasion; The New Russo-Ukrainian War
Putin’s declarations don’t just repudiate the 2014 peace accord, he denies the agreements that peacefully ended the Soviet Union. Welcome to the new Russo-Ukrainian War.
Op-Ed Kings, the Chaterotica, and Intellectual Dishonesty
Nathan is right about Matt Bai. There’s a lot of lazy illogic and intellectual dishonesty in the chattering class. But there are also good and insightful writers. Even when I disagree with them.
Too Little, or a Big Rock to the Head
The Times writes, that if Russia invades Ukraine, Biden will hit Russian banks “harder than ever before.” Unless they’re talking artillery it’s too little.