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Ink Stained Wretches — News
Ink Stained Wretches

Eliana Johnson and Chris Stirewalt love the news business but they hate a lot of what’s happening to it these days. Using their decades of experience in print, digital and TV news they tell the story behind the stories, always on the lookout for bias, sloppy reporting and, well, just plain wretched journalism. Every week they help you to be a better, smarter news consumer.

Copyright: © Nebulous Media LLC

Latest Episodes:

Treating Israel and Hamas as Equals Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

We’re coming to you a day late this week, but we’re covering lots of ground. The media had a tumultuous few days covering the conflict between Israel and Hamas. We’re also looking at the odd choices for interviews by The White House, hot mics at Fox News, and controversy around Lunchables.

Time Stamps:

1:25 Front Page

46:05 Obsessions

56:42 Reader Mail

1:00:01 Favorite Items of the Week

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Show Notes:

Clarity with Michael Oren on Substack: Media FAQs about Gaza: Part II

New York Times: After Gaza Hospital Blast, News Headlines Shift With Changing Claims

National Review: Gaza Hospital Strike: The Blame-Israel-First Crowd Blames Israel First

New York Times: Powerful Donors Push Universities to Condemn Criticism of Israel

The Atlantic: Students for Pogroms in Israel

Washington Post: Biden gives fewer press interviews. But he woos more influencers.

Newsweek: Sean Hannity Email to Jim Jordan Opponents Raises Questions

Mediaite: Brian Kilmeade Caught on Hot Mic calling Rep. Don Bacon 'Dumbass' for Voting Against Jordan

WaPo: How Sean Hannity and Steve Bannon helped to fuel the GOP speaker chaos

CNN: Reliable Sources Newsletter October 16, 2023

WaPo: The make-believe Republican primary

Meidas Touch Network: NBC Files Motion to Televise Trump's J6 Trial

WaPo: Weak rules allow ultra-processed foods like Lunchables on school menus

Mediaite: Jada Pinkett’s Strategic Oversharing Has the Media Promoting Her Memoir

WaPo: It’s becoming impossible to report from Gaza

NYT: A Palestinian Restaurant Perseveres in War’s Shadow

Huff Post: ‘On Thin Ice’: Some Biden Administration Staffers Feel Stifled Discussing Horrors In Gaza

BBC News: Explaining the 'how' - the launch of BBC Verify

The Guardian: Ian McEwan criticises hiring of ‘sensitivity readers’ looking for offensive material in manuscripts

The Messenger: German Couple Gets Hitched at McDonald’s Because They Wanted ‘The Ultimate United States Wedding’

Free Beacon: I'm an American—And I'm Staying in Israel With My Young Family

War Brings Clarity (Mostly) Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Today’s episode will focus on the excellent reporting on Hamas’ attack on Israel as well as subpar coverage. We’re also talking buyouts at the Washington Post, the next Speaker of the House and College in the United States.

Time Stamps:

1:57 Front Page

51:58 Reader Mail

54:57 Obsessions

1:01:13 Favorite Items

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Show Notes:

Eyewitness Accounts of the Israeli Music Festival Massacre - Tablet Magazine

How Hamas duped Israel as it planned devastating attack | Reuters

Israel Was Prepared for a Different War - WSJ

Israel’s Intelligence Failure - Tablet Magazine

Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks - WSJ

Early Intelligence Shows Hamas Attack Surprised Iranian Leaders, U.S. Says - The New York Times

ADL Director Jonathan Greenblatt Tears Into MSNBC on Morning Joe: 'Who's Writing the Scripts? Hamas?'

How the American Left Sees the War in Israel - POLITICO

https://imightbewrong.substack.com/p/how-to-use-the-massacre-in-israel?r=2k455&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Tim Scott, please drop out, urge others to follow and unite behind Haley - The Washington Post

Best Foodie Cities in America (2023)

Nothing Defines America’s Social Divide Like a College Education - The Atlantic

Opinion | Without a College Degree, Life in America Is Staggeringly Shorter - The New York Times

Slow Boring on Substack: The "Deaths of Despair" narrative is wrong

What You Get Out of College Is Who You Put Into It - Chris Stirewalt - The Dispatch

Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department. - The New York Times

Yuki Tsunoda: The Potty-Mouthed Japanese F1 Racer Who Became a Cult Star - The New York Times

Washington Goes to the Dogs Oct 07, 2023

Show notes

What day is it? Who is in charge? Eliana and her cohost, AKA Chris, try to make sense of the busy week in Washington as they breakdown the mess in the House, Biden’s “rabid” dogs, Michael Wolff’s surprise NYT bestseller, SBF’s style and the demand for political disinformation. Wretch on!

Time Stamp:

1:29 Front Page

37:21 Obsessions

44:02 Reader Mail

50:38 Favorite Item

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Show Notes:

Politico: Playbook: Inside Trump's surprise endorsement

NYT:Can We Talk About Joe Biden?

Wapo:Commander is second Biden dog removed from White House after biting

Daily Beast: Michael Wolff’s New Book Is a NYT Bestseller—With Just Over 3,000 Copies Sold

NBC News:Second Republican primary debate had the lowest TV viewership since 2015

WSJ: Sam Bankman-Fried’s Courtroom Look Spells a Personal Vibe Shift

NYTimes: Gerry Turner Is the First ‘Golden Bachelor.’ Just Don’t Call Him a Silver Fox.

WSJ: After Shunning Scientist, University of Pennsylvania Celebrates Her Nobel Prize

WaPo:Americans don't hate living near solar and wind farms as much as you might think

The Demand for Political Misinformation is a Bigger Danger than the Supply

Hans Niemann pooh-poohs a chess cheating theory that's based on vibrating beads

Debate or Detroit Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Did you watch this week’s GOP Debate? If not, we have you covered on today’s episode. We’re also breaking down the latest 2024 polls, Bidenomics, AOC’s non-union vehicle and multple items on Taylor Swift. Wretch on!

1:50 Front Page

42:20 Obsessions

47:18 Reader Mail

51:00 Favorite Item

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

NY Post: Republican debate features attacks on Biden, absent 'Donald Duck' Trump

Detroit News: Donald Trump: UAW negotiations 'don't mean as much as you think'

Mediaite: Trump Calls on RNC to Cancel All Future Primary Debates 'So We Can Train Our Fire' on Biden

NPR: Commander bites again: Biden's dog has nipped another Secret Service officer

WaPo: Post-ABC poll: Biden faces criticism on economy, immigration and age

Axios: Scoop: Biden team's don't-let-him-trip mission

National Review: Americans Don’t ‘Believe’ Biden’s Economy Is Good Because That Is a Lie

Puck News: Mark Thompson’s Message & MTP Overheating

The Atlantic: Pangea Ultima Is a Bleak Vision of Earth’s Future

Medias Touch: Restaurant Responds to David Brooks: Bar Tab Was 80% of Bill

Raw Story: Taylor Swift squeeze Travis Kelce helped fund Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham campaigns

AP News: Largest US newspaper chain is hiring Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporters

WaPo: The new phone call etiquette: Text first and never leave a voice mail

WaPo: Dave Portnoy’s pizza festival brings buzz and backlash for pizzerias

Obsessions:

NYT: State Department Spent $52,701 on Curtains for Residence of U.N. Envoy

American Habits: Media obsession over Washington bad for federalism

Favorite Item:

Mediaite: Michael Wolff Reveals Tucker Carlson Was Source of DeSantis Dog-Kick Story He Publicly Denied

WaPo: Opinion Women's bodies should not be a matter of public interest

Eat My Shorts . . . and My Hoodie Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

If you’re reading this on a plane, please do your best to mind your own business (you’ll understand why 15 seconds into today’s episode). After our etiquette lesson, we jump into our front page including Rupert Murdoch’s breaking news, the Shutdown the dress code followed by a full Facile File and much more. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

02:56 Front Page

54:31 Obsessions

1:01:05 Reader Mail

1:04:45 Favorite Item

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Time Stamps:

NYT: Rupert Murdoch to Retire From Fox and News Corporation Boards

Daily Beast: Murdoch Called Hannity ‘Retarded’ and DeSantis ‘Kicked’ Tucker’s Dog, Wild New Book Claims

Politico: Republicans resigned to being the villains in the inevitable government shutdown

NYT: Lawmakers Give New Senate Dress Code a Dressing Down

WSJ: The Billionaire Keeping TikTok on Phones in the U.S.

WaPo:The food industry pays ‘influencer’ dietitians to shape your eating habits

CNN: US gas prices are unusually high. Here's why you shouldn't worry

Kite and Key Media: The Relationship Between Extreme Weather and Climate Change

WaPo: Her students reported her for a lesson on race. Can she trust them again?

NatGeo: Salted? Alkaline? Here’s what you actually need to hydrate.

NYT: Jann Wenner’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Reign Ended in 20 Minutes

@ChrisVannini on Twitter: “Nick Saban's radio show is the purest thing left in college football. Makes $11 million annually, greatest coach of all time, and he comes here every Thursday to take offensive line criticism from a man named Peewee.”

@overhearddistrict on Instagram: “Spotted at the DMV”

TMZ: Sexy Woman in Bodysuit Kicked Off Plane, Claims She's IG Famous

NYT: She Pioneered Internet Fame, He Helped Draft a Constitution. Now They're in Love.

Obsessions:

WaPo: U.S. and Iran trade prisoners, signaling partial thaw in relations

Slate: An Unexpected Scandal Could Lose Democrats the Virginia Legislature

Favorite:

The Atlantic: I Never Called Her Momma

The Atlantic: Nixon Between the Lines

Hanoi Joe Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Do you ever feel attacked? Tune in and hear how the White House deals with this feeling when their media allies start to turn their backs. We’re also diving into Walter Isaacson’s latest book, new plans to “Revitalize Local News” and the best hot dogs across our great nation.

Time Stamps:

3:01 Front Page

50:46 Obsessions

59:59 Reader Mail

1:06:38 Favorite Item

Watch this episode on YouTube

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

WaPo: Opinion | President Biden should not run for reelection in 2024

Cnn politics: Biden campaign plots long-game strategy as Democrats' fears of a Trump win spike

NYT: Biden’s News Conference in Vietnam Ignites His Opponents

Semafor: In books, Biden is an energetic leader. Too bad nobody reads them.

WaPo: Why do we care whether Republican candidate Tim Scott has a girlfriend?

NYMag: What Does Walter Isaacson Know About Elon Musk?

Semafor: Twitter appears to throttle New York Times

MacArthur Foundation: Press Forward Will Award More Than $500 Million to Revitalize Local News - MacArthur Foundation

NYTimes: Fox Sued by New York City Pension Funds Over Election Falsehoods

WIRED: Preferring Biological Children Is Immoral

NYT: 15 Regional Hot Dog Styles in America

Denver Post: Lauren Boebert escorted out of “Beetlejuice” musical in Denver after “causing a disturbance”

Business Insider: 'Corporate goths' are wearing their fishnets and eyeliner to work — and they're not apologizing for expressing themselves

Obsessions:

CBS: Virginia election candidate responds after leak of tapes showing her performing sex acts with husband: "It won't silence me"

MinnPost: MinnPost will no longer publish comments on stories. Here’s why

Fav Items:

NYT: Opinion | The One Privilege Liberals Ignore

NYT: D.E.I. Statements Stir Debate on College Campuses

When Libs Own Libs Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Do you think Trump’s trial should be televised? Do you enjoy Imagine Dragons? If either of those questions pique your interest than we have the perfect podcast for you! Welcome to Wretch Nation where we're breaking down the latest in 2024 coverage, migrants in NYC and troubles at Spotify. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

1:54 Front Page

1:02:00 Obsessions

1:09:42 Reader Mail

1:11:43 Favorite Item of the Week

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com. Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Show Notes:

WSJ: Biden’s Age, Economic Worries Endanger Re-Election in 2024, WSJ Poll Finds

THE HILL: The Trump trials should grant America a lens into the federal courts

Politico: DeSantis’ super PAC chief: We're spreading dirt on Ramaswamy

Mediaite: Rolling Stone Reports That Neo-Nazi Marchers Declared They Were 'All DeSantis Supporters,' Leaves Out Important Follow-Up

Politico: We Asked the 2024 Candidates to Pick the Songs That Stir Their Souls

CNN: Opinion: How Covid-19 is resurfacing after months of calm

CNN: Dr. Fauci responds to study that says masks didn't work

CBS: Mayor Eric Adams says asylum seeker crisis "will destroy New York City"

NYT: Opinion | Kia and Hyundai Helped Enable a Crime Wave. They Should Pay for It.

NYT: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on How She’s Changed

Mediaite: Stranded Fox News Reporter Hails This Year's Burning Man as 'One of the Best'

WSJ: Spotify’s $1 Billion Podcast Bet Turns Into a Serial Drama

Bethenny Frankel on Instagram: When Sofia Richie had her lavish wedding France, it changed the way people look at luxury.

WaPo: Look up the best regional pizza in your state

NYP: Just 12% of Americans — mostly men — are eating half of our beef supply: new research

NYT: Have You Seen Paul McCartney’s Lost Bass Guitar? Tips Welcome.

Obsessions:

Forbes: Elon Musk Promotes Campaign To Ban ADL While Agreeing With ‘Raging Anti-Semite’

Daily Mail: Does Elon regret giving Tucker free rein? Musk throws shade on Carlson's sit down with fraudster who says he had sex with Barack Obama - calling for 'objective evidence' and not claims from 'someone with a dubious history'

US News: Switzerland Is No. 1 in 2023 US News Best Countries Rankings

Favorite Item:

WSJ: They’ve Been Friends for 60 Years. Lew and Bobby Have Figured Out What Most Men Don’t.

FreeBeacon: Memoirs of a Closet Conservative

Unblemished Record of Heterosexuality Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Chris is out, and Eli is in. That’s right—Eli Lake, from The Re-Education, is stepping in for Chris this week. We’re taking a look at the new captain of CNN, reviewing corrections at Fox News that’ll make you say “yikes,” and ending with some Futbol talk. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.

Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Time Stamps:

1:43 Front Page

28:26 Obsessions

43:08 Reader Mail

47:12 Favorite Item

Show Notes:

WSJ: Mark Thompson Helped Revive the New York Times. CNN Is His Next Test.

APNEWS: Biden is widely seen as too old for office, an AP-NORC poll finds. Trump has problems of his own

The Messenger: ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ Singer Oliver Anthony Slams Use of Song at Republican Debate: ‘I Wrote That Song About Those People’

Military.com: Inside the Marine Corps' Fight with Fox News over a False Gold Star Family Story

CNN: Fox News apologizes to Gold Star family after facing backlash over false story

CNN: How conservatives use ‘verbal jiu-jitsu’ to turn liberals’ language against them

Bethanny Frankel on Instagram: The Manolo × Fauxnolo Comfort Test - lets go

WSJ: Who Needs an Entree? Diners Order Salad and Fries and Call It a Meal

NYT: Yale Students Got a Terrifying Message. From the Campus Police

WaPo: Boston University hires Harvard disinformation scholar Joan Donovan

MSNBC: Harvard expert reveals how she predicted Covid disinformation

KCAL News: Eminem asks GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to stop using his music

Tablet: Qatar’s World Cup FIFA Bribe Documents Exposed

Meat Bag Flow Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

We’re reporting from the dairy state on today’s episode. Even if Chris is physically back in D.C., his spirit is with Eliana back in Milaukwee. You already know we’re diving deep into the first GOP debate of the 2024 presidential election. On top of that, we’re checking in with Don Lemon, Justin Trudeau, Brittney Spears and one of the great inventors of our time. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

2:01 Front Page

48:28 Obsessions

56:15 Reader Mail

1:00:34 Favorite Item

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.

Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Show Notes:

NYT: How Ron DeSantis Joined the ‘Ruling Class’ — and Turned Against It

Business Insider: A fellow Yale secret society member said Ron DeSantis rolled his eyes when she talked about her upbringing as a Hispanic girl in Texas: 'It was like I wasn't worth listening to'

Mediaite: 'Says It All': Don Lemon Claims Vindication After CNN Fired Chris Licht — Who Fired Him

Fortune: Elon Musk to remove headlines from news articles shared on X

Reuters: Meta putting profit ahead of safety by blocking wildfire news, says Trudeau

Axios: Newsrooms grapple with rules for AI

WSJ: America’s Fight Over Tipping at Restaurants Comes to Its Biggest Battleground Yet

WaPo: A sex educator in Michigan refused to be shamed. Then came the backlash.

WSJ: The Inventor Whose Life Work Is Perfecting the Writing Pen

TMZ: Britney Spears Paying $10K a Month for Sam Asghari's New Apartment

New Yorker: Britney Spears’s Conservatorship Nightmare

The Dispatch: Crowd Madness Intensifies

Obsessions:

Free Beacon: Democratic Opposition Researcher, a Former '60 Minutes' Producer, Masquerades as Journalist While Digging Dirt on Pennsylvania's David McCormick

WaPo: West Virginia University plans to cut foreign languages and other programs

Favorite Item

Kansas Reflector: 'You're an ***hole, police chief': Kansas newspaper owner defiant in video of home invasion

NYPost: Why Sam Bankman-Fried likely won't get Adderall while locked up in Brooklyn jail

RICO Suave Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Eliana is out this week, but we have the great Kevin Williamson stepping in for her. We’re jumping into indictment coverage from the Washington Post and then moving onto Fox News woes, local news “solutions” and closing out the front page with BBLs (Brazilian butt lifts). Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

09:16 Front Page

1:13:13 Obsessions

1:21:24 Reader Mail

1:27:27 Favorite Item of the Week

If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.

Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Show Notes:

WaPo: Trump insults D.C. to get his trial moved. The city rolls its eyes.

Hollywood Reporter: CNN Overhauls Lineup: Abby Phillip Takes 10 p.m., Laura Coates to Host 11 p.m., New Morning Show Hosts and Weekend Programs

NYT: Fox’s Top Lawyer, Viet Dinh, Will Depart

Yahoo: 'A dangerous decision': Canadian news is disappearing from Instagram, Facebook

The Atlantic: The Local-News Crisis Is Weirdly Easy to Solve

Kansas Reflector: Police stage 'chilling' raid on Marion County newspaper, seizing computers, records and cellphones

The Dispatch: The Perils of Activist Journalism

Cincinnati Enquirer: Retired Reds beat writer John Fay's life story is a love story

Axios: As BBLs grow more popular, deaths rise in South Florida

APNews: Armed Utah man shot by FBI last week carried AR-15 in 2018 police encounter, records show

The Fire: Don’t tread on my editorial independence

NYTimes: The Frothy Saga of the Jacuzzi Family

The Spectator: Wolves and the Greens: why Germans are flocking to the AfD

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