Hard Pass

On this edition of Hard Pass, we focus on corporate news media coverage of the shooting incident at the White House correspondents' dinner. This news event had and unusual component in that the room near where it happened was full of journalists. How well did they do at reporting on an event they witnessed? We also discuss how social media pundits are overwhelmingly focusing on the conspiracy theory that the shooting was staged. This is season two, episode 17 of Hard Pass.

On this edition of Hard Pass, we focus on corporate news media coverage of the shooting incident at the White House correspondents' dinner. This news event had and unusual component in that the room near where it happened was full of journalists. How well did they do at reporting on an event they witnessed? We also discuss how social media pundits are overwhelmingly focusing on the conspiracy theory that the shooting was staged. This is season two, episode 17 of Hard Pass

In this episode we take a different tack. Instead of a corporate news media story, we let The Late Show's Stephen Colbert give the "news coverage" of a couple of religious elements that happened in politics this week. One, the battle between the President and the Pope. Two, Secretary Hegseth's conflation of a Bible quote and a popular Hollywood movie. All this and more in season two, episode 16 of Hard Pass.

In this episode we take a different tack. Instead of a corporate news media story, we let The Late Show's Stephen Colbert give the "news coverage" of a couple of religious elements that happened in politics this week. One, the battle between the President and the Pope. Two, Secretary Hegseth's conflation of a Bible quote and a popular Hollywood movie. All this and more in season two, episode 16 of Hard Pass.

First we discuss media coverage of the failed peace talks from the weekend. We also talk a little bit about Melania Trump’s announcement and the president’s claim that he was unaware that his wife was making the statement. Also, for guys that grew up during the space race … like Brian and Mark … the Artemis trip around the moon is something that we want to recognize as well. This is season two, episode 15 of Hard Pass.

First we discuss media coverage of the failed peace talks from the weekend. We also talk a little bit about Melania Trump’s announcement and the president’s claim that he was unaware that his wife was making the statement. Also, for guys that grew up during the space race … like Brian and Mark … the Artemis trip around the moon is something that we want to recognize as well. This is season two, episode 15 of Hard Pass.

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS PROFANITY! The president released a rather unusual Easter message on Sunday. The corporate news media jumped on it quickly. But, while they covered it, how well did they do in that coverage? Some used the full text including all of the profanity while some attempted to soften the wording. We talk about this as well as some of the reasons that were proffered as to why Mr. Trump posted this including potential cognitive decline.

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS PROFANITY! The president released a rather unusual Easter message on Sunday. The corporate news media jumped on it quickly. But, while they covered it, how well did they do in that coverage? Some used the full text including all of the profanity while some attempted to soften the wording. We talk about this as well as some of the reasons that were proffered as to why Mr. Trump posted this including potential cognitive decline.

In this episode, Spin Doctors, we talk about two particularly troubling stories that were presented by the Pentagon. One, attacks by Iran on U.S. forces and equipment at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The Pentagon said that some U.S. planes were damaged and would be repaired. Recently released photos of one of the planes shows it damaged beyond repair. The second story was an attack by the U.S. on land in Venezuela of what the Pentagon said was a narco-terrorist training camp. The New York Times visited the site which turned out to be a dairy farm. Is this merely spin or outright deception? The team then looks at a couple of polling results that were in the news as well. Join us for season two, episode 13 or Hard Pass.

In this episode, Spin Doctors, we talk about two particularly troubling stories that were presented by the Pentagon. One, attacks by Iran on U.S. forces and equipment at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The Pentagon said that some U.S. planes were damaged and would be repaired. Recently released photos of one of the planes shows it damaged beyond repair. The second story was an attack by the U.S. on land in Venezuela of what the Pentagon said was a narco-terrorist training camp. The New York Times visited the site which turned out to be a dairy farm. Is this merely spin or outright deception? The team then looks at a couple of polling results that were in the news as well. Join us for season two, episode 13 or Hard Pass.