Category: Media Watch

• It comes with the territory. You make a power or a cable or a pharmacy call, and you’ll likely start out on hold. And then you’re reminded of something else that comes with the territory: on-hold music. And one other thing: Like back-in-the-day elevator music, it’s supposed to calm and it rarely changes. Apparently for a lot of folks who call CVS and spend too much time on hold, having the same on-hold keyboard song for nearly 20 years only adds to the unhealthy frustration and tedium of waiting.

 

Among those not enamored of the CVS song “Golden Dragon” by circus composer Karl King is Harvard psychiatrist Steven Scholzman. “What they play is supposed to soothe you,” he says, “but after the three billionth time, it’s particularly unsoothing.” In other words, if CVS would just noticeably reduce the down time, music wouldn’t be an issue.

 

• From the folks who brought us Amazon’s Echo smart speaker, this just in for those looking to get more creative about another layer of home security. Forget lots of lights and a TV left on or the posting of a prominent “Beware of Dog” sign. Echo’s “away” mode features long audio tapes that sound like real–albeit weird at times–conversations that could actually be happening inside.

 

Among the “away” mode conversational choices: A couple breaking up while trying to watch TV and a frustrated mom explaining to her daughter how to assemble IKEA furniture on the phone. This could go far beyond creative; already it sounds like Open Mic Night material.

• “One of the reasons European citizens are stepping away from the European project (EU) is that we are interfering in too many domains of their private lives.”–European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
• “An exercise in economic masochism that Britons will long regret.”–Assessment of “Brexit” by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• “A mafia state.”–That’s how George Soros, the Hungarian-born American billionaire, philanthropist and Democratic activist, characterizes Hungary.
• “This series of measures is a mix of incoherent and contradictory ideas.”–Henkel Garcia, director of the Caracas consultancy Econometrics, on the announcement that the Venezuelan government will enact a drastic currency devaluation, a tax increase and a hike in gasoline prices.
• “It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent.”–Former CIA Director John Brennan, in responding to President Trump’s decision to revoke his security clearance.
• “…A loudmouth, partisan, political hack who cannot be trusted with the secrets to our country.”–Donald Trump, on his rationale for revoking Brennan’s security clearance.
• “The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it.”–Donald Trump in accusing local officials of inflating the costs of his proposed (now postponed) military parade.
• “One of the worst things about this moment in our national lives is the fear that if Trump gets into trouble by doing something dumb and obnoxious, he’ll respond by doing something huge and maybe dangerous.”–Gail Collins, New York Times.
• “He was disingenuous about his commitment to diversity. … I believe that he wants to start a race war in this country. … He has completely taken the presidency to the gutter.”–Former White House aide Omarosa Manigault-Newman.
• “Democrats are running against the tax cut more than Republicans are running on it.”–Paul Krugman, New York Times.
• “Falsehood flies, and the truth comes lingering after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect.”–Jonathan Swift.
• “It’s not our job to cover politics, purely, but we’ll cover the intersection of sports and politics.”–Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN, which announced that it would not be showing the national anthem before the Monday Night Football games.
• “This is one of the big puzzles for economists. How low can it go?”–Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James, on the Florida unemployment rate inching down to 3.7 percent in July–an 11-year low.
• “We are very concerned about the growing teacher shortage.”–Cathy Boehme, legislative specialist for the Florida Education Association.
• “He really has no plan, no vision, no agenda. … No working knowledge of our state. And it would be tragic to have the CEO of the third largest state doing on-the-job training during the first two years.”–Adam Putnam, on Ron DeSantis’ gubernatorial candidacy.
• “Once you check the ‘I wore a uniform in a war zone box,’ you’re home free in a Republican primary.”–Florida GOP strategist Mac Stipanovich.
• “It’s insane how much of the news cycle (Trump) eats up.”–Florida Democratic consultant Kevin Cate.
• “Every day that passes, we are letting down the citizens of Florida who are put at risk by the unintended consequences of this statute.”–State Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who tried to mobilize support for a special session of the legislature to revisit the “Stand Your Ground” law.
• “I’m not auditioning. I’ve got a job I love. I still have things to do before I leave.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, on speculation that he could be part of a Gwen Graham gubernatorial ticket.
• “You have the opportunity to not only transform this state politically by electing a strong progressive, but you have an opportunity to send a message that will be heard all over the country.”–Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, at a Tampa gubernatorial rally for Andrew Gillum.
• “They’re real estate developers.”–Bob McDonough, Tampa’s administrator for economic opportunity, referring to Brightline, which is bidding to build a high-speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa.
• “Just like BP paid to clean up the oil spill, we want these (drug) companies to pay to clean up the (opioid) pill spill.”–Mike Moore, one of the attorneys representing Hillsborough County in its opioid suit.
• “It’s really going to protect our citizens. A lot of activity of human trafficking comes from these bathhouses.”–Hillsborough County Commission Chairwoman Sandy Murman, on the county following the city of Tampa in cracking down on illicit services by moving to regulate massage parlors and bathhouses.
• “Our commitment has always been to provide the most enjoyable fan experience, and we feel that making Raymond James Stadium a smoke- and tobacco-free venue is a necessary part of that commitment.”–Tampa Sports Authority president/CEO Eric Hart.
• “The Empire State Building was built in 11 months. We should be able to have this figured out by year end.”–Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg, on knowing enough financial details by the Dec. 31 deadline to let St. Petersburg officials know if the Rays will leave Tropicana Field early under pre-negotiated terms.

• “Space Force all the way!”–President Donald Trump.
• “The fake news hates me saying that they are the ‘enemy of the people’ only because they know it’s true. I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American people. They purposely cause great division and distrust. They can cause War! They are very dangerous and sick!”–Donald Trump.
• “Exposing Mr. Trump’s lies seems to play right into his hands. We rarely consider the possibility that the president’s supporters want a scoundrel, as long as he’s their scoundrel. Great con men feed off accusations of dishonesty.”–Emily Ogden, author of “Credulity: A Cultural History of U.S. Mesmerism.”
• “Donald Trump is a demonstrable authoritarian in terms of his rhetoric, in terms of whipping up his base. Nixon did not do anything similar to that.”–Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein.
• “If we think of fascism as a wound from the past that had almost healed, putting Trump in the White House was like ripping off the bandage and picking at the scab.”–Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• “I think there is going to be a return to normalcy in the Republican Party, and I think there’s an opportunity for somebody or some people to come along and put it back on the right track. I don’t see this continuing beyond this presidency.”–Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.
• “He’ll get confirmed. It won’t be a landslide, but he’ll get confirmed.”–Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, on the upcoming confirmation hearing on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
• “We are a nation of less and less impulse control. … Communicating in a language that lacks precision ultimately means having to justify your words to people exercising their own agency in deciding what they want to hear.”–J. McCullough, National Review.
• “It’s now clear that Facebook will remove a dangerous hatemonger if a lot of people demand it. It’s not clear, however, if it will swiftly remove a figure of (InfoWars’ Alex) Jones’ ilk without a larger campaign.”–Alex Shephard, New Republic.
• “Corporate boards and managers need to wake up to the reality that sexual harassers, no matter how important they seem, do incredible harm to their companies. They desiccate a culture, draining employees’ motivation. They push qualified employees to leave. … It’s stupid, financially, to keep those men around.”–Bryce Covert, The Nation.
• “Every November the nation’s eyes turn to Florida. What happens in Florida is so much bigger than just Florida.”–U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., and grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, at a St. Petersburg rally underscoring the differences between Republican and Democratic health care policy proposals.
• “Here in America, health care is a right; it’s not a privilege for the wealthy few.”–U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.
• “Stand Your Ground has no place in a civilized society.”–Tallahassee mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum.
• “Why aren’t we effectively monitoring waterways so we can predict when an (algae) bloom is occurring?”–Calusa Waterkeeper chief scientist John Cassani.
• “Good pay is important, but if you look at the reasons people are leaving education, pay ranks about sixth because they aren’t being respected. They need a leader who understands their issues.”–Adam Putnam.
• “We plan on having a very robust discussion of the issues in the general election.”–Brad Herold, campaign manager for Ron DeSantis.
• “There are a lot of people who thought medical marijuana would be available in a certain manner when they voted, and it hasn’t turned out that way. I wouldn’t blame them if they felt like this was some kind of bait-and-switch.”–State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
• “As we see major new hotels and exciting new attractions come on line this fall and into 2019, we can expect to see our success as a destination continue to grow.”–Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, in announcing that hotel bed taxes—a 5 percent surcharge on overnight stays—have set records in nine out of 10 months so far this fiscal year.
• “Because the economy is strong, voters are more likely to accept marginal tax increases if the (transit) initiative is seen as legitimate and beneficial.”—Stephen Neely, USF School of Public Affairs.
• “The level of activity here and growth is pretty extraordinary.”—Tim Schar, SunTrust Bank president for Tampa Bay and southwest Florida.
• “What people need to realize is that I’m not here to run out. … Once people see I’m here to run this program, we can build on it. I really am happy to be here.”—USF head football coach Charlie Strong.

• As we’ve seen, Facebook has had a tumultuous year over fake news and misinformation on its platform. As we’ve also seen, it’s now much more active in policing that platform. It recently banned 32 accounts and pages for allegedly being involved in “unauthentic” and “coordinated” behavior. So, so long, “Aztlan Warriors, “Resisters” and more. Passive approval is no longer a given.

Sure, backlash over democratic meddling is a driver, but so also is this: Facebook stock recently took a massive hit.

In short, Facebook is now doing the right thing–whatever the motivation.

• “Hamilton.” OK, so you haven’t seen it yet, and you’re already too late for the Straz option next year. But there could be a major consolation prize: You may still be able to see “Hamilton”–the way audiences saw it on Broadway–at a movie theater. Studios are currently bidding for the rights to show a recording of “Hamilton” made in 2016—with its original cast.
• Say it ain’t so, Newseum. Up until recently, it had been selling “You are very fake news” T-shirts on its website. Surely, you can be dedicated to the importance of a free press and the First Amendment, and you can manifest an ironic sense of humor without further fueling the fires of media assaults that are both demeaning and dangerous. Surely.

• “The real alternative to an American-led, rules-based international order isn’t successful bilateralism. It’s a Chinese-led order.”—James Dobbins, Rand Corp. senior fellow and former assistant secretary of state for Europe during the administration of President George H. W. Bush.
• “We have not been taken for a ride.”—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in denying that the Trump Administration has been deceived by North Korea.
• “This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further.”—President Donald Trump.
• “The Russians want a weak America.”—Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C.
• “Instead of apologizing for America, we’re standing up for America.”—Donald Trump at his Tampa rally.
• “I appreciate your support, Mr. President. But I appreciate more the leadership you’re showing for our great country.”—Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, who’s been endorsed by Trump.
• “Donald Trump is the president of his base.”—Journalist Carl Bernstein.
• “You see the Nazi platform from the early 1930s … and you look at it compared to the DNC platform of today, you’re saying, ‘Man, those things are awfully similar to a point where it’s actually scary.”–Donald Trump Jr.
• “If Democrats manage to retake the House in November, the first question on everyone’s lips will be ‘Now what?’ … The true action will be in the committee rooms, if Democrats are ready to do the work.”—Matt Ford, the New Republic.
• “The globalist Koch brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade. I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas.”—Donald Trump.
• “(Trump’s) destroying the Republican Party for years to come.”–“Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough.
• “Consumer spending, business investments are on a tear. … I think the president deserves a victory lap.”—White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow.
• “You might recall that when I was nominated by President Clinton, the vote was 96-3. It’s not that way anymore.”—Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
• “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.”–A new entry in the Vatican’s universal catechism that now reflects Pope Francis’ total opposition to capital punishment.
• “Most of Florida does not believe in Donald Trump. Most people are ashamed.”—Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene.
• “It’s easy to change laws. It’s harder to change hearts.”—Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King.
• “For now. I’m always one day away.”—Former Florida Congressman David Jolly’s response to MSNBC’s Brian Williams when asked if he were still staying in the Republican Party after attending the Trump rally in Tampa.
• “Every day that passes, we are letting down the citizens of Florida who are put at risk by the unintended consequences of this statute.”–State Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who is trying to mobilize support for a special session of the legislature to rework the “Stand Your Ground” law.
• “They’re real estate developers.”—Bob McDonough, Tampa’s administrator for economic opportunity, in reference to Brightline, which is bidding to build a high-speed rail link between Orlando and Tampa.
• “Our commitment has always been to provide the most enjoyable fan experience, and we feel that making Raymond James Stadium a smoke- and tobacco-free venue is a necessary part of that commitment.”—Tampa Sports Authority president/CEO Eric Hart.
• “Being home to a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa validates USF’s growing national reputation.”—USF President Judy Genshaft.

• Omarosa Manigault. Sean Spicer. Corey Lewandowski. Sometimes it seems that there is zero separation between politics and show business. Not to be naïve or anti-capitalist, but must the marketplace be this accommodating to blatant, career-first opportunists still leveraging their Trump connections? Yeah, you’re right; it is naïve.
• For any journalist who’s covered Florida politics over the last three decades or so, very few sources can rival M. “Mac” Stipanovich as a quote machine. He was that way when he was counseling Bob Martinez in his gubernatorial run. He’s still that way as a Republican strategist assessing this disturbing, chaotic, Trump-driven political landscape. To wit: “Fundamentally, MAGA is reactionary, and it’s anti-intellectual and paranoid. … It’s a manifestation of fear and anxiety by a declining ethnic majority.” Alas.

• “Never ever threaten the United States again or you will suffer consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before. We are no longer a country that will stand for your demented words of violence and death. Be cautious!”—President Donald Trump to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
• “If the fate of the 20^th century was decided in the West, the fate of the 21^st will be decided in Asia. … With Europe finally getting serious about the threat posed by China, there couldn’t be a worse time for the Trump Administration to antagonize its natural allies with tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles. There are some issues on which the U.S. can go it alone. This isn’t one of them.”—Jamie Fly, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
• “We are ready to invite President Trump to Moscow. … And I’m ready to come to Washington if appropriate conditions for work are created.”—Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• “I would be willing to ‘shut down’ government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall!”—Donald Trump.
• “The story Donald Trump tells is that we good-hearted, decent people of Middle America have been betrayed by stupid elites who screw us and been threatened by foreigners who are out to get us. That story resonated with many people. You can get a lot of facts wrong if you get your story right.”—David Brooks, New York Times.
• “It’s true that the president throws gasoline on the fire almost daily, but this bonfire was lit long ago. Most commentators and politicians bring their gas cans to the Burning Man that is cable, talk radio and the Internet every day. It is an unstable situation, and our ‘purple’ famine only makes it worse.”—Hugh Hewitt, Washington Post.
• “Ideology almost doesn’t matter anymore. It’s about unconditional loyalty to the president.”—Florida Republican Congressman Tom Rooney.
• “By taking his message directly to the people, he can bypass the media, which slants everything. You’ve got to remember, this is how he won the presidency.”—Sarasota State Rep. Joe Gruters, who co-chaired Trump’s Florida campaign.
• “So, the fake news doesn’t waste any time with dumb questions. No, I did not know of the (Trump Tower Russian-and-campaign-staff) meeting with my son, Don. Jr.”—Donald Trump.
• “For better or worse. Donald Trump is becoming a far more transformative president than many of his critics like to acknowledge. Democrats become foreign-policy hawks when the topic turns to Russia. And they morph into states’ rights activists when they want to shield illegal immigrants from deportation.”—Jason L. Riley, Wall Street Journal.
• “It was very important for those of us who believe that norms have been violated to step out and say (Deputy Attorney General) Rod Rosenstein needs to be impeached.”—Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who supported an impeachment resolution over the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
• “I dream about Biden … Look, Joe Biden ran three times. He never got more than 1 percent, and President Obama took him out of the garbage heap, and everybody was shocked that he did. I’d love to have it be Biden.”—Donald Trump.
• “Trump has to be careful not to overhype this. There are still areas of the country that have not fully come back and that’s Trump’s constituency. Wage growth has been anemic.”—Greg Vallieri, chief global strategist at Horizon Investments, on the announcement that economic growth was 4.1 percent in the second quarter—the biggest quarterly jump in four years.
• “The problem is that the intersection of wealth concentration and pay-to-play politics is undermining representative democracy.”—Jared Bernstein, senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
• “I want a party strong enough to take on the hard job of cleaning up after the mess (Trump and his enablers) leave behind once they are gone.”—Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
• “If the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, they will move to impeach the president and stop his agenda, and we will move our country backwards.”—Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
• “Our policy is that you stand at the (National) Anthem, toe on the line.”—Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
• “I fought hard to elect President Trump, and I’m supporting Adam Putnam for governor. Adam will stand up with President Trump to get tough on illegal immigration, ban sanctuary cities and deport criminal illegal aliens.”—Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a political ad for Adam Putnam.
• “This is truly a victory for the citizens of Florida, especially with so many young people motivated to vote. This is the right decision, at the right time, for our democratic process.”—Patricia Brigham, League of Women Voters president, responding to a U.S. District Court’s injunction that orders Secretary of State Ken Detzner to tell all 67 Florida counties that they can use university and college campus buildings for early voting this fall.
• “Our democracy is envied around the world, so it’s not surprising to find our elections in the crosshairs of bad actors. While they may have promoted fear among our electorate, they have not been successful in ‘hacking’ the vote. Exercise your right to vote. Because every vote counts. And every vote will be counted.”—Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County supervisor of elections.
• “The (movie) theaters were a huge amount of space—all along the water, solid walls. We’re opening it all up. It’s some pretty great space.”—James Nozar, CEO of Strategic Property Partners, the developer of the Channelside Bay Plaza transformation into Sparkman Wharf.
• “The time to act was 20 years ago. The second-best time to act is today.”–Tyler Hudson, leader of the All for Transportation movement.

• Where cool meets, uh, weird: This fall Roy Orbison, the iconic R&R crooner, will return for a 28-date concert tour beginning Oct. 1 in Oakland, Calif. He comes to Clearwater on Nov. 19. Make that the LATE Roy Orbison. He died in 1988. It’s actually a hologram of Orbison that will tour North America. Virtual Orbison will perform 16 songs, including “Only the Lonely” and “Oh, Pretty Woman,” and be accompanied by a live orchestra.
• There’s apparently a market for Sean Spicer. Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?
• Among those who receive entirely too much local news coverage: race-baiting provocateur Tony Daniel and wrestler-lout Hulk Hogan. Enough.
• We know all too well about the travails of print media—from digital to demographic. Now add tariffs on newsprint. Here’s the bottom-line take of Paul Tash, the chairman and CEO of the Tampa Bay Times. “The tariffs would add $3.5 million a year to our newsprint expenses, an extra cost we simply cannot absorb,” said Tash.  “Already this year we’ve laid off 50 employees, including some veteran reporters and editors.” Indeed, we’ve noticed.

• “The entire hemisphere has a duty.”—Former Vice President Joe Biden, while in Colombia, underscoring the need for a collective responsibility to help restore democracy in Venezuela.
• “The summit with Russia was a great success, except with the real enemy of the people, the Fake News Media.”—Donald Trump.
• “In my career as an undercover officer in the CIA, I saw Russian intelligence manipulate many people. I never thought I would see the day when an American president would be one of them.”—U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas.
• “Disinformation during elections is the new normal. In democracies around the world, more and more political parties are using social media to spread junk information and propaganda to voters. The largest, most complex disinformation campaigns are managed from Russia and directed at democracies.”—Philip Howard, co-author of the Oxford University study on the global phenomenon of internet platforms spreading junk news and misinformation in at least 48 countries.
• “Through this trip to Turnberry (Scotland), the president is forcing his foreign hosts and the United States to spend enormous amounts of money so that he can get free advertising for his resort.”—Norman L. Eisen, chairman of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
• “I say if people can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”—Former President Barack
• “Identity politics is a fundamentally undemocratic phenomenon. It assumes that vast numbers of individual human beings can be reduced to the color of their skin, their gender or their sexual orientation.”—Jonah Goldberg, editor-at-large for National Review Online.
• “Since March a tariff of up to 30 percent on Canadian (uncoated) paper has raised the price of newsprint, making it difficult for cash-strapped newspapers to circulate their work. As if limiting economic freedom weren’t enough, the administration is also undermining Americans’ freedom of expression with this needless tax on journalism.”—Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media.
• “Three institutions do an impressive job of reducing racial disparity: the military, marriage and church.”—David Brooks, New York Times.
• “From gun control to birth control, environmental protection to voting rights, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court has been a reliable conservative vote on its steppingstone, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. … But unlike the late Justice Antonin Scalia, (Brett Kavanaugh) often seeks to appease rather than aggravate the other side.”—Richard Wolf, USA TODAY.
• “But maybe (U.S. vs. Nixon) was wrongly decided—heresy though it is to say so.”—Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh reflecting—in 1999—on the 1974 Supreme Court ruling that forced President Richard Nixon to turn over Watergate tapes.
• “I think we will see stronger (Florida) wage growth in the second half of 2018 and 2019 as there is more competition for workers.”—Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC financial Services.
• “Regardless of your political beliefs, (customers) don’t want to pay higher prices.”—Chris Bush, an owner at Tampa-based Titan Metal Service, on the bottom line of tariffs imposed on imported steel and aluminum.
• “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”—Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, on “Stand Your Ground” rationales.
• “We think now is a great time to move forward because there really isn’t any product to compete with us that can get to market as quickly as we can.”—Ken Stoltenberg, a partner in Mercury Advisors, which has announced plans to break ground on the 35-story, $74 million condo tower Eleve in the Channel District early next year.

“The hope is that the ridership keeps building and the subsidy keeps decreasing.”—St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, on the return of the Cross Bay Ferry.

No, there was no direct tie between the shrill demonization of the media by Donald Trump and the murder of those five journalists at the Capital Gazette. By all accounts, Jarrod Ramos had a personal vendetta with the paper that morphed into a murderous assault.

That said, we still can’t dismiss the context of a deadly media attack in an era where presidential animus toward the media is a daily constant. Especially when we also know that the Capital Gazette received death threats and emails celebrating the shootings following the slaughter. That wasn’t the warped work of Ramos; that was the vile upshot of the media-scapegoating times we live in. When the one with the bully pulpit megaphone labels the media “the enemy of the people,” all bets are off.