As Tennessee Republicans expelled two state House Democrats for joining in a protest calling for gun reform from the House floor, the national media turned its attention to the chamber.
And most of the “news” articles I’ve seen don’t bother to mention that the two legislators expelled are young Black men, and the one who survived the vote is a White woman. Coincidence?
Are any members of the Tennessee House majority people of color?
Good on TPM for calling out the racism at work.
Sounds like the umpires have been bought off. Either call the balls and strikes correctly, or find a new job.
I would expect nothing less of them.
Ultimately: all about the Benjamins.
And this is why having non-partisan live coverage of events in such places is so important.
It’s a shame that this isn’t possible, pretty much, anywhere anymore.
These are not examples of “polarization.” They’re examples of a Republican party on an authoritarian, rightward-march, growing increasingly comfortable taking an iron fist to democratically elected lawmakers who express opinions they oppose.
And, in Tennessee, giving them a tongue-lashing that only a good ol’ boy can deliver.
It’s factionalism.
Sadly the founders didn’t envision people who, devoid of comity and a respect for the democratic system, bend the rules in any way possible to maintain power.
This NPR headline “Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members over gun protest”
What do you expect? Elon Husk has branded NPR as a state actor. they’ve gotta serve the overlords.
But seriously, this is an example of poor journalism by NPR.
I believe, or was taught, that the founders were more liberal in their thinking about how to govern than the countries that fathers or grandfathers came from. For them the divide was class and wealth, but unfortunately race was a step too far. Well race and gender.
"But, but, but . . . don’t you understand?
“Peacefully protesting the murder of schoolchildren is EXACTLY LIKE violently overthrowing the government and attempting to hang the Speaker and Vice President!”
– the media
Many of these articles clarify and report on the dynamics well in their bodies, but it’s not enough. This was a clear-cut example of the growing danger of a Republican Party further emboldened, in a Trumpian style, to break norms and crack down on dissidents. Shrouding that peril in mealy-mouthed fretting about both parties being mean to each other is a disservice to readers and to citizens, and obfuscates the truth and clarity journalism is supposed to provide.
Quite possibly one of the all-time best paragraphs published. Well stated, Kate
I just tried to see what the ny times is reporting today and literally the only mention of Tennessee on the entire front page is the “letters from our readers” section - not one headline or story
Take a look at The Tennessean. They are not both-sidesing this story.
The story was plastered across cable news and front pages alike, with reporters tweeting the moment each of the two was booted — the first expulsion based on partisan politics, instead of misconduct, since the Civil War era.
Based on racism.
A former slave State expelled two African American legislators.
Nothing to see.
This NPR headline — “Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members over gun protest”
Just to note that NPR isn’t “US state-affiliated media.” Its sin – a real big whopper of a sin – is that it leans towards, and often fully embraces, bothsidesism, like it’s an addiction.
The Corporate Controlled Conservative Press once again recites the usual Republican talking points.
The CCCP is totally useless.
Partisan Bickering Ensues After Shots Fired on Fort Sumter
Pierson’s expulsion I’m not sure about but Jones may be out because he was wearing white before Memorial Day.