<p>Comedian Bill Maher criticized left-wing critics during a recent episode of HBO's "Real Time" for their backlash against Last Ditch Bar and Arts Venue, a lesbian bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The bar faced community outrage after announcing a mask-optional policy for one night a week.</p><p>According to a report by the Boston Globe, the bar's decision to lift its COVID-era mask mandate for Saturday nights was met with significant criticism, leading to a community meeting on September 11 where locals expressed their grievances.</p><p>Maher noted the bar's mission statement, which emphasizes inclusivity for various groups, and commented on its financial struggles, stating that patrons had difficulty affording the cover charge, leading the bar to allow entry without payment for some individuals.</p><p>He mentioned that one of the bar's owners was living in her truck due to financial difficulties. In response to the backlash, Last Ditch announced the mask-optional policy in an Instagram post on August 31, addressing concerns for immunocompromised patrons.</p><p>During the community meeting, some attendees criticized the decision, with remarks directed at a mediator who was a licensed therapist. Maher expressed concern over the perceived intolerance from the critics, stating, "the tolerant left did what they always do — became very intolerant and left."</p><p>He highlighted extreme comments made by critics, including statements that suggested harm to disabled individuals and threats to the venue. Tim Graham, Executive Editor of NewsBusters, commented on the situation, noting the irony in the reaction to the bar's policy change and Maher's critique of left-wing intolerance.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Last Ditch Bar for comment.</p>
Why this rating? · 13 signals
Signals flagged in the original
- loaded language: 'intolerant left'
- loaded language: 'faces fury'
- loaded language: 'far-left critics'
- loaded language: 'torched'
- loaded language: 'for daring to go mask-optional'
- loaded language: 'strict KN-95 mask mandate'
- framing: The headline adopts Maher's conclusion that the left is intolerant and characterizes criticism as 'fury.'
- framing: The article repeatedly labels opponents as 'far-left' while emphasizing inflammatory threats and criticism of the bar.
Analyzed by our bias model Full breakdown ↓
Bill Maher Critiques Left-Wing Backlash Against Massachusetts Bar's Mask Policy Change
Bill Maher criticized left-wing backlash against Last Ditch Bar in Massachusetts for its decision to implement a mask-optional policy one night a week. The bar faced community outrage, prompting a meeting where locals expressed their concerns. Maher highlighted the financial struggles of the bar and criticized the intolerance shown by some critics.
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Language Analysis
Loaded Language Removed
- ✕ loaded language: 'intolerant left'
- ✕ loaded language: 'faces fury'
- ✕ loaded language: 'far-left critics'
- ✕ loaded language: 'torched'
- ✕ loaded language: 'for daring to go mask-optional'
- ✕ loaded language: 'strict KN-95 mask mandate'
- ✕ framing: The headline adopts Maher's conclusion that the left is intolerant and characterizes criticism as 'fury.'
- ✕ framing: The article repeatedly labels opponents as 'far-left' while emphasizing inflammatory threats and criticism of the bar.
- ✕ framing: It gives extensive space to Maher and a NewsBusters editor's critique of left-wing 'COVID authoritarianism' without comparably presenting critics' substantive rationale.
- ✕ editorializing: mocking far-left critics who torched a struggling Massachusetts lesbian bar for daring to go mask-optional one night a week
Original vs. Neutral
Maher blasts ‘intolerant left’ after Massachusetts lesbian bar faces fury for tweaking COVID-era mask policy
Bill Maher Critiques Left-Wing Backlash Against Massachusetts Bar's Mask Policy Change