Topic: Double Standard

The treatment of Julian Assange, currently held in a UK high-security prison, is compared to the Western outcry over Alexei Navalny. Critics argue that the U.S. effort to extradite Assange for publishing classified information creates a double standard regarding the protection of whistleblowers and journalists. This perceived hypocrisy is noted as a factor that diminishes the impact of Western human rights rhetoric in the non-Western world.

Candace Owens reportedly demonstrated a double standard on Twitter by replacing the word "white" with "Jew" in Sarah Jeong's tweets, resulting in a temporary ban for Owens. The New York Times' defense of Jeong as a victim of "counter-trolling" is criticized as an attempt to protect a hire that fulfills specific diversity criteria.

The hosts examine the lack of professional consequences for Samantha Bee and Joy Reid following their own controversial statements. They contrast the swift firing of Roseanne Barr with the retention of Reid at MSNBC despite past homophobic blog posts, and Bee's use of a gendered slur against Ivanka Trump.

During a CBS This Morning interview regarding the Al Franken resignation, host Gayle King commented on Senator John Thune's physical appearance. The remark, "look as good in person as you do on TV," is characterized as a hypocritical instance of sexual harassment given the somber context of the discussion. The interaction is presented as an example of media double standards.

Senator John McCain's incoherent questioning during the Comey hearing is analyzed for its underlying point regarding a double standard. McCain attempted to ask why the investigation into Russian meddling was closed for Hillary Clinton but remained open for Donald Trump, despite the FBI never gaining physical access to the DNC servers.

A Washington Post profile reveals Vice President Mike Pence's policy of not dining alone with women other than his wife. The revelation draws mockery from late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert, leading to a discussion about religious double standards in media.

The hosts discuss the media's double standard regarding leggings, noting that while women are defended for wearing them, men are often mocked for the same choice. They also mention a new children's book titled *Santa's Husband*, which features a black Santa Claus and his white husband living at the North Pole.

Social media discourse surrounding the Oregon occupation has focused on perceived double standards regarding race and law enforcement response. Critics on platforms like Twitter and Facebook used hashtags like "Vanilla ISIS" and "Yeehawists" to mock the occupiers. Many users argued that if the protesters were black or Muslim, the federal response would have been immediate and violent, with some calling for drone strikes against the group.

MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry expresses outrage over the New York Times showing photos of the San Bernardino shooter's apartment, claiming the items shown are common in Muslim households. She criticizes the media for using a photo of the suspect in a hijab, arguing it creates a specific image of what terrorism looks like. The hosts find her defense of the suspects' domestic life "brain-frying."

A discussion regarding Hillary Clinton's health and her reaction to a supporter's comment about wanting to "strangle" Carly Fiorina. The hosts reference a BBC report suggesting a warped sense of humor can be a sign of dementia. They argue that Clinton's "crazy laugh" and her failure to condemn the violent imagery used against Fiorina highlight a double standard in political discourse.

Hillary Clinton appeared on Ellen DeGeneres' show to apologize for her private email server, claiming she made a "mistake." Ellen defended Clinton, arguing that she is held to a different standard because she is a woman. The hosts point out that General David Petraeus faced criminal prosecution for similar actions, suggesting Clinton is actually benefiting from a "soft standard."

The hosts highlight the media's silence on the uprising in Bahrain compared to the coverage of Syria. They note the massive arms deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which helped clamp down on Bahraini protesters. They speculate that a major event or "October Surprise" is being planned to influence the upcoming U.S. election.