The American Spectator : One Flu Over the Editor's Desk

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One Flu Over the Editor's Desk

By Mark Hyman on 11.25.09 @ 6:07AM

Flu pandemics then and now -- as covered by the Bush-bashing, Obama-protecting New York Times.

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In contrast to the paper personally blaming Bush and his administration for the seasonal flu vaccine shortage, the paper took a decidedly different position regarding Obama and the massive shortage of swine flu shots. The matter "was beyond the government's control," "Obama is unlikely to come in for personal blame," and it is "a situation that is beyond his control."

Only one of the six letters from readers was critical of Obama. That letter writer observed, "In August, a presidential panel estimated that up to 90,000 Americans could die from the H1N1 virus.… Why is no one holding the Obama administration accountable for this looming public health disaster?"

The wide differences in reporting and the obvious bias in the New York Times' approach to the vaccine shortages can be easily explained. That was then and this is now.

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topics:
New York Times, Media Bias

About the Author

Mark Hyman hosts "Behind the Headlines," a commentary program for Sinclair Broadcast Group. You can follow him on Twitter at @markhyman.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (10) | Leave a comment

Carl| 11.25.09 @ 7:18AM

This should not surprise anyone. The New York Times long ago ceased being a news organization and became an advocacy group for all things liberal -- and dangerous to the United States.

Connie| 11.25.09 @ 10:28AM

AND, this is the government that wants to take over our entire health care system? My 87 year old mother still hasn't received her "regular flu shot" that she gets every season! AND, my sister who has severe asthma hasn't received the swine flu shot!! Where is the howling of the New York Times? Nowhere - that's where!! Maybe, they are too busy trying to dig up dirt on Sarah Palin?

Appleby| 11.25.09 @ 11:10AM

I happened to be in the hospital yesterday for treatment in another matter, and I asked one of the interns whether she thought the Swine Flu Pandemic was real. Her cautious reply was that she believed it was real, but that the media had blown it completely out of proportion.

Incidentally, when I came into the hospital seriously short of breath, I was directed to put on a disposable mask which made it even more difficult for me to breathe. Fortunately this latter event got me seen much more quickly....

Tony in Central PA| 11.25.09 @ 12:34PM

I was telling any Obama supporter who cared to listen ( there were very few ) before the 2008 election that if Obama was elected, we'd stiil have the same problems. In fact, I told them the problems would likely even be much worse. The difference, I explained, will be that people won't seem to care as much.

Rmm| 11.26.09 @ 10:23PM

Leave it to the NYT to distinguish themselves again. One of the leading mouthpieces for the Left, they should declare themselves as a subsidiary of the Democratic Party. Bush was excoriated every time he turned around, Obozo gets a free pass while he chisels away at our freedoms of keeping Big Brother out of our lives and business. Fair and impartial, my butt.