The Morning Briefing: NBC, In-N-Out and Much, Much More

Good Friday morning.

Here is what’s on the president’s agenda today:

The president participates in a signing event on strengthening retirement security in America in Charlotte, NC
President participates in a roundtable with supporters
The president delivers remarks at a joint fundraising committee reception

Could it be that NBC is…dishonest?

Well this is certainly a surprise–a surprise that NBC tanked an investigation that didn’t fit in with its editorial agenda and industry alliances.

A former NBC News producer who was working with Ronan Farrow on the reporter’s investigation of alleged sexual misconduct by Harvey Weinstein has claimed that an order to stop pursuing the bombshell story came from “the very highest levels at NBC.”

Rich McHugh, who left the network’s investigative unit earlier this month, told The New York Times that he and Farrow were told “to stand down on the story altogether.”

Farrow ultimately won a Pulitzer Prize for his report on sexual misconduct by Weinstein and other powerful men, which ultimately saw the light of day as an article in The New Yorker. He left NBC months ago.

A real surprise.

You will be made to care, part 567,904

In-N-Out Burger donated $25K to the California Republican Party — and California Democrats called for a boycott.

https://twitter.com/gabemschneider/status/1034921393769590786

To which the Democrats responded:

Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party… it’s time to #BoycottInNOut – let Trump and his cronies support these creeps… perhaps animal style!https://t.co/9zkdFaG5CJ

— EricBauman (@EricBauman) August 30, 2018

According to Fortune magazine, In-N-Out donates to both sides of the aisle: “the chain has given tens of thousands of dollars to ‘Californians for Jobs and a Strong Economy,’ a political action committee that aims to elect moderate Democrats.”

I wish more people would resist calls for boycotts or demands for public denouncing of “undesirable” people or businesses. This weapon of politicizing everything, ginning up the virtual pitchforks, is really bad for society; people are afraid of having the mob turned on them. It’s straight up bullying.

Look what happened to Dick’s Sporting Goods: they agreed to stop selling guns to people under 21 and stop selling “assault” weapons and hi-cap magazines for firearms. The sporting goods store just had a bad sales quarter. Dick’s listened to the anti-Second amendment bullies and foolishly pissed off their market niche: gun owners and sportsmen. Were they worried that if they didn’t take a stand, the anti-2A crew wouldn’t shop there? Newsflash: those folks were never your customers.

I guess the moral of this story is that I love In-N-Out and wish I could eat their burgers all the time, but they are not on the East Coast. If you have one in the area, stop by and eat one for me.

Trump campaign rally roundup

The media loves to go bananas and get all self-righteous when the president has a campaign rally. Here’s a collection of the pearl clutching from yesterday’s MAGA rally:

Trump attacks Justice Department and FBI: ‘I want them to do their jobs’

Trump rally worker blocks lens as photojournalist tries to snap photo

President Trump Explains How The Media Will Cover Protester Getting Thrown Out Of Rally

Historical picture of the day:

American music group The Jackson 5 return to school after their summer vacation; during which they played concerts in 40 cities. Top left is Marlon, top right is Michael. Below, from left to right, are Jackie, Tito and Jermaine. Aug. 31, 1971. (AP Photo)

Other morsels:

Giuliani Says Bruce Ohr Should Be Investigated For Possible Felony

Mueller’s Revenge? Special Counsel Won’t Rule Out Going After Manafort in Third Trial

State Department Refutes WaPo Story- Passports To Citizens Denied More Under Obama Than Trump

3 arrested in protest over toppling of Confederate monument

Domestic cats reportedly facing potential ban in New Zealand town

Man accused of stealing teen’s MAGA hat indicted by grand jury

Australian Catholic Church rejects calls for priests to report child abuse confessions

Homeless man and woman he helped in court over GoFundMe account

Trump seeks to expand access to retirement plans for small businesses

Colin Kaepernick’s collusion case against NFL heading to trial

FDA warns of serious genital infection linked to certain diabetes drugs