NEWS AND OPINION:

What would the information media do with out former President Donald Trump? He is all the time a dependable supply for provocative content material, a minimum of for a trio of nationwide broadcasters.

The Big Three networks — ABC, NBC, CBS — proceed to concentrate on Mr. Trump reasonably than on a variety of different necessary matters, together with tales targeted on President Biden and his household, in accordance with a examine by Geoffrey Dickens, director of media evaluation on the Media Research Center, a conservative press watchdog.

The networks, he wrote, “remain obsessed” with numerous investigations surrounding Mr. Trump, resembling these centered on porn star Stormy Daniels, or the FBI seek for paperwork saved at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

There is a “glaring double standard” at work, Mr. Dickens mentioned.

“Over 20 days (March 16-April 5) ABC, NBC, CBS filled their evening, morning and Sunday roundtable shows with over 658 minutes (10 hours, 58 minutes, 17 seconds) of Trump investigation coverage,” the analyst famous.

But that was no protection — as in “zero” protection — on Mr. Biden’s household points, he mentioned.

“On average, network audiences saw almost 33 minutes per day of Trump investigation stories,” Mr. Dickens wrote in his evaluation, which was launched Thursday.

“NBC devoted the most amount of coverage to the Trump investigations (4 hours, 40 seconds), followed by ABC (3 hours, 40 minutes, 8 seconds) and then CBS (3 hours, 17 minutes, 29 seconds),” Mr. Dickens mentioned.

“The contrast in coverage is staggering but not surprising,” he famous.

A MOMENT WITH REAGAN

Let’s pause for a second and think about this message from President Ronald Reagan, which was included in a radio tackle to the nation on the official observance of Easter and Passover, delivered on April 2, 1983.

“My fellow Americans: This week as American families draw together in worship, we join with millions upon millions of others around the world also celebrating the traditions of their faiths. During these days, at least, regardless of nationality, religion, or race, we are united by faith in God, and the barriers between us seem less significant,” Reagan instructed his huge viewers on that day.

“The generation of Americans now growing up in schools across our country can make sure the United States will remain a force for good, the champion of peace and freedom, as their parents and grandparents before them have done. And if we live our lives and dedicate our country to truth, to love, and to God, we will be a part of something much stronger and much more enduring than any negative power here on Earth. That’s why this weekend is a celebration and why there is hope for us all. Thanks for listening, and God bless you,” Reagan later concluded.

ALL BOOKED UP

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a brand new cultural scenario to face.

It considerations his new e-book “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival” — which was launched on Feb. 28 and was ranked No. 1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists.

It nonetheless has loads of followers.

A fast test on the Publisher’s Weekly listing on Thursday reveals that Mr. DeSantis’ e-book stays a favourite with most of the people. It is within the prime 10 greater than 5 weeks after publication — touchdown at No. 9 and besting such authors as Paris Hilton — who penned a memoir known as “Paris” — now listed at No. 10. Then there's Michelle Obama, who has written a nonfiction e-book titled “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.” That’s ranked at No. 15.

There are those that don’t admire Mr. DeSantis’ e-book, nonetheless.

“Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature law to censor books in Florida schools has found an unintended target: his own book,” The Daily Beast reported Thursday.

“In a clever bit of trolling, Florida Democrats are subjecting DeSantis’ new tome to the rules that he and GOP lawmakers established to weed out books with allegedly inappropriate content on race, sexuality, and gender from school libraries. Fentrice Driskell, the minority leader in the Florida House, is leading an effort across 50 counties to see if any of them might review or ban DeSantis’ book based on his law’s vague and unwieldy criteria,” the report mentioned.

“You get caught up in the trap you set for others — and, yes — Florida House Democrats did the catching,” Ms. Driskell mentioned in a tweet, in overview of the scenario.

Mr. DeSantis signed the invoice in query on March 24. It would enhance scrutiny of books and tutorial supplies in colleges and provides a larger position to folks within the course of.

COCKTAIL DU JOUR

Is there a well timed Easter cocktail? Why sure. There is.

Just Born, the maker of the enduring Peeps marshmallow chicks and different candy fare, shared this recipe for a Peeps Cocktail in 2019. For these so inclined, right here it's:

Edge a martini glass rim with a lemon wedge, then dip in coloured sugar. Set apart. In a shaker stuffed with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces of cherry vodka. 1/2 ounce of triple sec and three ounces of half-and-half plus a touch of grenadine. Shake till chilled. Strain into ready glass, garnish with the marshmallow Peeps of your alternative; serve instantly.

POLL DU JOUR

• 90% of registered U.S. voters are “extremely or very” involved about inflation and better costs.

• 87% are “extremely or very” involved with increased crime charges.

• 83% are equally involved about political divisions.

• 71% are thus involved by the quantity they pay in taxes.

• 69% are so involved about what’s being taught in public colleges.

• 69% are involved about border safety.

• 68% are involved a few conflict between the U.S. and China within the subsequent two years.

• 66% are involved that U.S. assist of Ukraine may result in conflict between the U.S. and Russia.

• 61% are involved about local weather change.

SOURCE: A Fox News ballot of 1,007 registered U.S. voters performed March 24-27. Respondents may cite a number of objects.

• Have a cheerful Easter and Passover, and thanks for studying Inside the Beltway.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com