Spin Watch (12/3/25)

Man who shot two National Guardsmen near White House appears in court

The framing of this story centers the violent actions of an individual, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, without addressing the structural system that enabled his actions. The narrative emphasizes Lakanwal’s individual choices and actions, positioning them as aberrations rather than outcomes of a larger systemic issue. The judicial system’s response is presented as legitimate governance, despite its reactive nature and insufficient efforts to prevent such incidents. The case is described as “exceedingly strong,” implying legitimacy and security through the court’s ruling, but the story doesn’t question the structures that allowed for this act of violence in the first place.

The language used in the story creates a dichotomy between the accused and the victims, further obscuring systemic issues. The victims are identified by their military roles—National Guardsmen—while the accused is labelled an Afghan national. This linguistic choice reinforces an “us versus them” narrative that distracts from the systemic problems that might be at play, such as gun access, mental health support, or immigration policies.

Original Article


Israel: ‘Hezbollah is arming itself at a much faster pace than it is disarming’

This story uses euphemistic language to describe violent actions. The phrase “arming itself” is used instead of more direct language like “building up weapons” or “increasing military power.” This choice of words frames the escalation as a defensive move, suggesting that Hezbollah’s actions are a response to perceived threats rather than an act of aggression. This framing could be seen as an attempt to legitimize Hezbollah’s actions.

The story also reveals a contradiction between stated values and observable actions. The responsibility of disarming Hezbollah is placed on the Lebanese government, which is presented as a separate entity from Hezbollah. However, the Lebanese government’s failure to disarm Hezbollah suggests a tacit approval or inability to control Hezbollah’s actions, raising questions about the government’s legitimacy and power.

Original Article


December 2, 1947: The day the British stood by as Arabs killed Jews in Jerusalem

This story reveals a structural breakdown where violence is presented as legitimacy. The British authorities’ inaction during the Arab riot against Jews is depicted as a decision made on behalf of maintaining order. This framing legitimizes the violence and suppresses the rights of those subjected to it.

The language used in this story is noteworthy. The British authorities are described as “standing by,” a phrase that implies passive observation rather than active participation or prevention of violence. This euphemistic expression obscures the British authorities’ culpability in the violence and downplays the harm done to the Jewish population.

Original Article


Israeli woman recounts torture in Iraq: ‘They wanted me to confess’

The structure of this story highlights a breakdown where violence is presented as a form of interrogation. The woman’s torturers are implied to be seeking information or a confession. This framing legitimizes the use of violence as a tool for extracting information, instead of highlighting it as a violation of human rights.

The story also uses euphemistic language to describe the woman’s experiences. Phrases like “severe abuse” and “harsher methods of torture” are used instead of explicitly describing the violent acts committed against her. This language choice can be seen as an attempt to shield readers from the brutal reality of her situation, but it also minimizes the severity of the violence she endured.

Original Article


Hillary Clinton: ‘Israel has the worst PR of any group I have ever known’

This story reveals a contradiction between stated values and observable actions. While Clinton advocates for better public relations for Israel, she fails to address the structural issues that contribute to Israel’s negative reputation. The focus on PR can be seen as an attempt to manage perception rather than address the root causes of the criticism.

The story also uses euphemistic language to describe the challenges facing Israel. The term “PR crisis” is used instead of more direct language like “international criticism” or “human rights concerns.” This choice of words reframes the issue as a communication problem, rather than a response to Israel’s policies or actions.

Original Article


Bat Yam mayor warns residents: Stay away from Iranian contacts

This story conveys a structural breakdown where coercion is presented as security. The mayor’s warning to residents to avoid Iranian contacts is framed as a protective measure, suggesting that individual citizens have a role to play in national security. This framing legitimates the restriction of personal freedoms in the name of perceived threats.

The story also employs euphemistic language. The term “contacts” is used instead of more explicit terms like “spies” or “informants.” This language choice obscures the potential implications of such interactions, simplifying complex geopolitical tensions into individual decisions.

Original Article