Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Duckhunter935

(16,974 posts)
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 07:41 AM Dec 2015

the news sucks

Once again the stupidity and laziness of the television news shows itself. Msnbc this morning. 2 rifles and 2 handguns for 2 people is a fucking arsenal. I have seen that arsenal word many times. I must have a massive huge arsenal in my 12 weapons.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
the news sucks (Original Post) Duckhunter935 Dec 2015 OP
Link? SecularMotion Dec 2015 #1
I am watching Alex Witt Duckhunter935 Dec 2015 #2
here are some Duckhunter935 Dec 2015 #3
Just another example of the growing... discntnt_irny_srcsm Dec 2015 #4
Journalist need to be licensed for competency. JonathanRackham Dec 2015 #6
assault rifle mog75 Dec 2015 #11
MSR is fine with me discntnt_irny_srcsm Dec 2015 #12
14 people were killed. The country morns and you care about using the word arsenal upaloopa Dec 2015 #5
unlike some, I can Duckhunter935 Dec 2015 #7
Apparently the media's mind tricks are working. JonathanRackham Dec 2015 #8
Today, working from home with a computer... discntnt_irny_srcsm Dec 2015 #9
Probably wouldn't get lots of friend request. JonathanRackham Dec 2015 #10
"The country mourns....." (fixed your spelling) pablo_marmol Dec 2015 #13

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
4. Just another example of the growing...
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 08:21 AM
Dec 2015

...illiteracy among journalists today. There must be brownie points for the use of certain words and phrases.

I point to the way the media latched on to the "assault weapon" term and how they have for years conflated that undefinable term with "assault rifle" to the point that at least one of our regular pro-control participants now argues for the acceptance of "assault rifle" as correct when referring to an average semi-auto AR-15.

I find it sad that circulation and sensation mean more that clarity and correctness. Perhaps there will be a Michael Moore production on this issue.

JonathanRackham

(1,604 posts)
6. Journalist need to be licensed for competency.
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 09:01 AM
Dec 2015

There's no minimum requirement for them to be allowed to practice the First Ammendment. Anyone with a computer now a days can claim to be a journalist. Journalist who write for the big papers and networks just work for their master or get fired, so the whole journalist thing can actually work at a conspiracy level.

At work we have fun picking apart the errors in science, technology, engineering, environmental.... articles because the journalist just don't comprehend it.

.....and then they send it off to the readers.

mog75

(109 posts)
11. assault rifle
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 02:52 PM
Dec 2015

They are actually MSRs. Modern sporting rifles. I would prefer modern hunting rifle, but a lot of people use them for target shooting/competition as well, so I guess sporting is the proper classification for them. Assault weapon/rifle doesn't even make sense. This class of firearms are used in less assaults than any other class of weapons.

If I'm not mistaken there is an actual class of weapons classified as assault weapons, but they aren't available to the general public without jumping through some pretty ridiculous hoops, and handing over a couple months income. Other than that they're only available to military, le, and criminals as far as I know. What's being touted as assault weapons by the media is nothing but barely functional look alikes.

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
12. MSR is fine with me
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 04:13 PM
Dec 2015

The term "assault rifle" (IIRC) can be traced to the sturmgewehr 44: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StG_44

The critical aspect qualifying is as an "assault rifle" being the selective fire functionality.

For those media wizards that call any semi-auto rifle with a pistol grip and a bayonet lug or other generally cosmetic features, an "assault weapon" they have no basis upon which to justify the usage. Various qualifications have been applied over the last 20+ years and they come and go like like the politicians and pundits who misuse the language.

It has been aptly demonstrated by some of the most effective infantry in history that even full-auto fire on a carbine or standard rifle is not a clear means to or necessary component of tactical superiority in combat.

Full-auto firearms, either submachine guns (like the Thompson SMG) or select fire weapons (like an M-16A1), are highly regulated.

JonathanRackham

(1,604 posts)
8. Apparently the media's mind tricks are working.
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 09:04 AM
Dec 2015

This is exactly the reaction that's expected.

May the farce be with you.

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
9. Today, working from home with a computer...
Sat Dec 19, 2015, 10:28 AM
Dec 2015

...Diogenes would have no more success than he did thousands of years ago, perhaps less.

pablo_marmol

(2,375 posts)
13. "The country mourns....." (fixed your spelling)
Mon Dec 21, 2015, 02:01 PM
Dec 2015

Yes, and while the nation mourns some opportunistic folks talk bullsh*t.

The fact that the nation is mourning does not grant immunity to liars. Upa logic fail #8,175.
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control & RKBA»the news sucks