Kansas City Star editorial columnist Yael Abouhalkah does not really have to follow rules of fairness as a reporter does.
As a columnist the veteran Star employee and can write whatever opinions he wants. It also seems he is above being edited.
However, at times he embarrasses himself and takes a major credibility hit when he becomes an absolute PR shill for such folks as Claire McCaskill, KCMO Mayor Sly James, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, President Obama and VP Joe Biden.
He considers himself a local kingmaker who can either make a candidate like former Mayor Kay Barnes, or bury one as he did with former Mayor Mark Funkhouser.
In his latest column ahead of tonight’s debate between VP candidate Paul Ryan and Biden, Abouhalkah tries to set the stage by making Ryan look evasive and testy in answering questions. He says Ryan couldn’t even answer a simple question about his own tax plan.
“Face it: Ryan – for all the hype he gets about being a numbers/budget geek – hasn’t exactly been covering himself in glory the last few days in televised remarks,” sniffed Aboulhakah.
Unfortunately, in his haste to attack Ryan prior to the debate, Abouhalkah makes a statement that may leave readers scratching their heads.
Abouhalkah says Ryan has a “Neanderthal viewpoint of abortion, which the GOP candidate says he’s against even in cases of abortion.”
That certainly is a Neanderthal stance. Ryan is even against abortion in cases of abortion.
If that is Ryan’s stance on the issue he certainly deserves to lose the debate.
What is also interesting was Abouhalkah’s dismissal of last week’s Romney-Obama debate that he didn’t feel was really very “entertaining.”
Is that the goal of these debates? To entertain people or educate them on the issues?
“After all, given the glib Biden and the overly confident Ryan promises to be more entertaining that the Romney-Obama debate of last week,” he concluded.
BIDEN LINE FOR TONIGHT
I plan to use that line in tonight’s debate. Thanks Yael!
A LEGEND
A legend to last a lunch time.
Cabbage: A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man’s head. – Ambrose Bierce
SUPPORTS HIS RIGHT TO ‘OPINE’
What do I look for in an editorial? First, it should be well-written (that’s a no-brainer) and have an orderly flow to it, but it should also appeal to one’s intellect, which suggests that the arguments the writer is making should be accompanied by some facts. That said, I’m certainly not against an editorial that appeals to one’s emotions, especially if the goal is to spur the readers into action on behalf of a worthy cause.
I don’t care for the use of high-brow language in an editorial, and I especially dislike editorials that are of a sarcastic or snarky nature. In short, maintain a level-headed approach to the matter at hand, avoiding “the gutter” at all costs. There was a time when a Star editorial carried some clout here in the area and well beyond for that matter, but unfortunately, that era has been replaced by the age of general apathy, 24/7 sound bites on TV and radio, YouTube video clips on the Internet, an increasingly fragmented populace, etc., etc.
Both number-wise and percentage-wise, fewer and fewer people are reading newspapers these days compared to what it was like 50 years ago, and while that definitely bothers me, it is what it is. Most voters, by all accounts, have already made up their minds about the national candidates, so in Mr. Abouhalkah’s case, there can’t be too many people out there to be swayed one way or the other by his editorial.
Just the same, I fully support his right to “opine,” as Bill O’Reilly would say.
OFFENDS THINKING PEOPLE
I’m sure Abuyahoo meant to say that Ryan is against abortion even in cases of rape, incest, whatever. Abuyahoo should have proofread his column before submitting it.
Doesn’t he know the Star can’t be counted on to have an editor?
The Star is falling. Its radical pro-abortion policy prohibits moral people from subscribing. Attacking pro-life people as “neanderthal” offends thinking people. Abuyahoo can’t make the pro-abortion argument on principle, so he resorts to name calling. Gee, I wonder why the Star is falling.
DEMS ONLY?
Has Yael ever admitted to a Republican he’s liked?
PERFECTION
Glad you have never made a mistake! You must be so perfect.
A HIGHER STANDARD
Hey Shane- it’s about a newspaper article. They’re supposed to be held to a higher standard of proofreading. If I want writing that has mistakes to be excused as no big deal I’ll go read a ninth grade newsletter.