Et tu, CNBC?

I don't often watch the network news any more and stay away from the cable offerings of FOX, MSNBC, and CNN. The "news" is usually one-sided opinion and meant to heighten emotions rather than understanding. (I really can't blame anyone for following these channels obsessively, not only because I used to do it for years but because I also understand how addictive it can be.)

CNBC is an exception, because it usually conveys stock-market updates, interviews, and analysis that I can't find anywhere else. Also, its commentators for the most part keep their own political preferences well-hidden and limit discussions to how politics influence investment decisions, for example, how Washington's approach to China or fossil fuels will affect the fortunes of individual companies.

However, it is disappointing when CNBC uses some of the cheap emotional tricks employed on other channels to keep its viewers locked, like this morning's red "Breaking News" banner which turned into a nothingburger announcement about the Inauguration that we knew about for over a month.

C'mon, man!