Which abuse is worse: Sexual abuse of multiple people by a trusted public figure, or the institutional abuse of public trust by the mainstream media?
If you believe that sex abuse is the more important story, then you will be delighted with the editorial choices by Fox News and CNN today. Here is CNN:
CNN:
Cardinal George Pell, a senior adviser to Pope Francis, is taking leave from the Vatican to fight historical sexual assault charges in his home country of Australia.That last statement is exactly why I would argue this isn't a lede story. Because it has been going on for decades (maybe even centuries).
The case is the latest black mark on the Catholic Church, which has been reeling from sexual abuse scandals across several countries that date back decades.
I would argue the true lede story is bigger than this story, because it hits all of us, and not just Catholics:
Project Veritas:
For the second day in a row, we have one of CNN's people calling the Russia story nothing. In this case, it is CNN commentator Van Jones, saying, "The Russia thing is just a big nothing burger."
So far, that makes one CNN producer and one CNN on-air personality, both calling the Trump-Russia collusion story baseless.
How does CNN respond to this story? They ignore it and blame Trump at the same time:
Real Clear Politics:
CNN's Clarissa Ward, a foreign correspondent, served as guest co-host on Wednesday's broadcast of CNN's News Day. Ward fretted that "people" in war zones have been "emboldened" by President Trump's "declaration of war on the media." Ward, expressing concern for members of the media in dangerous areas of the world, said to guest Chris Cillizza, 'I can only imagine what a person like you is dealing with. At what point does this become reckless or irresponsible?'CNN started this war of words with President Trump, and now they are worried about their own safety? But it is ok to blame Trump for their own bad editorial decisions? Even more important, how does Trump's "war on the media" create more danger for the media in dangerous parts of the world? This is a war of words that CNN made the editorial decision to start.
It should be noted Chris Cillizza is a Washington-based political correspondent and commentator.
By the way, it is quite obvious that Fox News hasn't taken advantage of this to pile onto CNN. Any wagers that Project Veritas has a Fox News expose in the works? Stay tuned...
In other news...
The Hill:
Warren Buffett is attacking the Republican Party's plans to repeal and replace ObamaCare, claiming bills in the House and Senate would provide tax cuts for the rich.When did the purpose of Obamacare become eliminating taxation inequality? Frankly, Buffett's comments are irrelevant to the discussion of health care legislation. If the Republicans could fix health care by giving tax breaks to the wealthy, it would be worthwhile. Or is wealth envy more important than providing access to health care to every American?
Legislation passed by the House, he said, should be called "Relief for the Rich Act."
Buffett, one of the wealthiest men in the country, claimed his tax bill would have been reduced by $679,999, or 17 percent, from the House bill.
"There’s nothing ambiguous about that. I will be given a 17 percent tax cut. And the people it’s directed at are couples with $250,000 or more of income. You could entitle this, you know, Relief for the Rich Act or something," he said in an interview with PBS.
Buffett made the comments are a question about the GOP plan to do away with an ObamaCare surcharge on people earning a higher income.
Of course, this whole discussion is silly anyway, since there is little chance Republicans or Democrats will fix health care. Will Rogers said it best:
This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.
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