Despite Calling ‘Death Panels’ Illogical ‘Hysteria’ Last Month, National Review Promotes Them On New Cover
Despite Calling ‘Death Panels’ Illogical ‘Hysteria’ Last Month, National Review Promotes Them On New Cover
Last month, the National Review editors wrote, “We should be against hysteria.” To conclude that President Obama’s health reforms “will lead to ‘death panels’…is to leap across a logical canyon,” they wrote.
At the time, National Review’s Andrew McCarthy criticized the editors of his own magazine for their admission that the “death panels” controversy was hysteria based on a lie:
The editorial’s contention was that there wouldn’t “literally” be death panels. To me, that’s not much different from quibbling over “what the meaning of ‘is’ is.” The stakes here couldn’t be higher, time is short, and “death panel” cuts to the chase.
Indeed, the cover of the current issue of National Review promotes the “death panel” hysteria. And, McCarthy now believes that his defense of “death panels” hysteria has been vindicated by National Review’s choice of cover art. McCarthy writes that the cover “made me wonder why we were arguing so much a couple of weeks ago.”
McCarthy actually has a point. It’s disingenuous, to say the least, for National Review to admit in print that “death panels” are a lie, while at the same time trying to sell magazines with art that promotes the same lie.
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National Review was against Death Panels Hysteria before it was for them.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:29 pmSucks to be them these days.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pmMcCarthy actually has a point. It’s disingenuous, to say the least, for National Review to admit in print that “death panels” are a lie, while at the same time trying to sell magazines with art that promotes the same lie.
– - The NR can’t help it, print is dead.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pmpeople it’s a pay day and anything goes. Rep. Wilson got paid by the Insurance Company and now he might even get a big bonus check for job well done. Everyone is using the American people for personal gain. Fox News fake Journalist say things even an insane person wouldn’t say. Cheney comes out of his cave when he’s in the hot seat for his crimes. Bush is staying low because of his drug and alcoholic problems. Eric Cantor is up to his neck in working for Israel and still sniffing after Britney Spears. One Republican Law Makers had to resign after getting sex and money for votes. Please the terrorist in competition with Law Makers on who will bring down the US and the Republicans/Dems are winning. No wonder Bin Laden said no one would ever have to attack the US again we’re destroying ourselves.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pmThe boogie man is going to get you, the government is going to kill you, terrorists are everywhere, blah blah blah. The sad part about the politics of fear…there are people stupid enough to fall for it.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pmIf they’re trying to depict a “death panel”, shouldn’t there be at least three hooded, scythe-wielding figures? And shouldn’t they be dressed like typical washington bureaucrats, with polyester ties, i.d. badges and short sleeve dress shirts? Come on, NR, let’s get our (imaginary) facts straight here…
September 10th, 2009 at 2:35 pmWesley Freakin’ Smith is their cover author? He, of the Christianist Discovery Institute and fanatical devotion to Terry Schiavo.
Another “conservative” who hates government intervention, UNLESS it has to do with personal life choices.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:35 pmOh.. I’m scared! Look at the imagery! Too bad it’s coming out right before Holloween. People might mistaken it for a Holloween decoration. Too bad on the timing ‘National Review.’
September 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm***
conservatives singing out of both sides of their mouths.
this one’s called “death panels”
but don’t forget to check out “birthers” too!
:)
September 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm- – O.T.
The GOP’s new slogan:
http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2009/09/10/get-your-free-im-with-joe-wilson-t-shirt/
September 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pmI would think William F. Buckley is spinning in his grave.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:43 pmWell. We always said the GOP loves to spread fear. You can’t get any more blantant with this cover.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:45 pmWith all the lies that have been put out there, it is no wonder why people get confused. The problem with lies is that you have to keep telling more lies to cover the first lie. Eventually, you lose track of all the lies.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:45 pmToday’s CNN poll found a 14% jump in support for health insurance reform after President Obama’s speech.
THAT is why I voted for him!
September 10th, 2009 at 2:45 pmWhy do the g*dd*mned f**king liars lie so much?
It PAYS.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:47 pmTo borrow a Republican talking point:
You Lie!
September 10th, 2009 at 2:49 pmOK, Matt, your lib/prog mojo might overpower MY lib/prog mojo, but I don’t get your point. Euthanasia is not the same thing as death panels, though those nonexistent death panels might persuade people to allow themselves to be euthanized. People may be thinking about euthanasia more BECAUSE of all the talk of death panels, but that’s like saying…oh, I don’t know…an article about the guys in the Jackass series and movies is a tacit endorsement of their reckless behavior. Euthanasia is not the taboo subject it once was decades ago (even a few years ago, during the Terri Schiavo fiasco). Living wills are not necessarily the norm, but people asking to not be left on life support, if their prognosis is bleak and they’re not responsive, has become more accepted. Seems to me that THAT is what the article is about (hence the term “creeping culture”) and not about death panels.
Now, to be fair to you, I haven’t read the article, and it may be all about those scaaaary death panels. But to be fair to ME, YOU apparently haven’t read it either, as you only write about the cover. Regardless of what McCarthy says the cover means, an image of the grim reaper whilst dscussing euthanasia is not the same thing as either an endorsement of death panels OR an endorsement of the claim that death panels are coming under Obamacare; you can’t blame a stupid man for trying to explain that he’s not stupid and his stupid opinion has since been vindicated through events that have nothing to with him or his stupid point. But you CAN still call him stupid for trying.
However, I will not be stupid, and if the article is indeed about death panels, I’ll stand corrected.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:50 pmPerhaps I missed something here. Does somebody have a problem with a wingnut publication aimed at other wingnuts writing about euthanasia? As impressionable as that crowd is the law of unintended consequences could get a workout soon. By the way, don’t tell McCarthy that last night’s Republic response was given by a cosponsor of the so-called death panel provision. Wouldn’t want him losing his will to live or anything.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pmjust wish we could have a death panel for the death of the panel
crap.
Well we all seen that they the wrong side (white side) has nothing to contribute to the good of this country.
corp first me second party next country last unless we need the vote.
shaking my head they make stupid look good.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pm.
National
ReviewLie.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm***
#10,
bad,
that’s priceless!
:)
September 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm.
Of course it’s not propaganda when (R)epublicans do it…
… CORPORATIONS AND PROPAGANDA
The Attack on Democracy
Part 1
Part 2
I got that from a thread over on C&L from yesterday.
WorldNetDaily, the RNC, and the mainstreaming of extremist ideas
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/worldnetdaily-rnc-and-mainstreaming
Rachel Maddow interviews Jon Henke.
WOW!!!
.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:06 pm“The state remains a dangerous servant and a terrible master, all the more so when it is your HMO.”
That is the final conclusion in the featured story.
Shocking covers are meant to attract readers and sell magazines.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:06 pmDose anyone also remember the
I will not let any gov. bureaucrat or insurance bureaucrat get in between you and your doctor.
or some thing like that?
September 10th, 2009 at 3:14 pmwhy is DEATH wearing pajamas?
everyone knows DEATH wears long black flowing robes and He rides a white horse named Binky and sounds like Christopher Lee.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:20 pmidiots….
@ 3:06
September 10th, 2009 at 3:22 pmWow.
That article spoke in such generalities, I misunderstood it’s point.
I thought it was implying that our public servant, our government representatives, would remain a dangerous servant and terrible master when under the control of for-profit health companies.
We already have death panels in America. They are employed by the Insurance Companies!
September 10th, 2009 at 3:26 pmAnd those insurance employees get bous points forclaim denials.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:29 pmSomething that would never go on in government run care.
#27 – krystalview says:
———————————————————-
“We already have death panels in America. They are employed by the Insurance Companies!”
September 10th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I refer to them as profit-margin-supporters. Your life means nothing if it decreases profits for the Insurance Co’s.
Now, that’s ironic!
September 10th, 2009 at 3:30 pmbonus points for claim denials.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm(correction)
The Reichwhiners appear to have settled on “THE DEMS WILL KILL YOU”! as their last line of defense.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:45 pmREPUBLICANS = HATERS, LIARS, KKK, FACISTS!!!
PATHETIC!!!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 4:08 pmNot a very flattering picture of Dick Cheney, I must say.
I remember when the National Review was focused on conservative issues, not a functioning mouthpiece of the Republican Party. Oh well, one deserves the other, I guess.
Do they really want to push this “death panel” idea? As others have noted, given a choice between a government bureaucrat processing claims and a for-profit corporate bureaucrat processing claims and incentivized to reduce/decline/delay the same…I’ll pick the former everyday of the week.
Only a moron would think a private, profit oriented company would be motivated to prolong your life with expensive end-of-life healthcare. Oh yeah, those would be the rubes that show up at town halls barking insurance company talking points and vote Republican, against their best interests.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:38 pmWe are doomed in this country, by the poison that has been spread by the GOP, wealthy enablers, and the uneducated lemmings that follow marching orders.
It is truly terrifying.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pmI am not an unqualified fan of Barney Frank in a general sense but he had a great appearance on Rachael Maddow’s show. The lines that stood out were:
“The Republicans don’t have any rational objections”.
and
“The very weakness of their position (death panels etc.) highlights the strength of ours”.
And, if the 14% jump in people who support health care reform is any indication, the American electorate is comming to that same conclusion. I share your disgust, SoapBox, but there are some encouraging signs and there are good, motivated, people trying to make things better. I don’t think it’s quite time to give up yet.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:40 pmThe editorial’s contention was that there wouldn’t “literally” be death panels. To me, that’s not much different from quibbling over “what the meaning of ‘is’ is.”
The contention is not only that there won’t literally be death panels, but also that there won’t actually or factually be any. In no sense at all will there be death panels. That’s not quibbling what “is” is, that’s just plain old reality.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:41 pmpete says:
I am not an unqualified fan of Barney Frank in a general sense but he had a great appearance on Rachael Maddow’s show. The lines that stood out were:
“The Republicans don’t have any rational objections”.
If medicare is such a great, well-oiled government program, why do we need to cut out millions of dollars in waste?
How can a private insurance company compete with a non-profit government plan? If they can’t compete, will the non-profit plan be overwhelmed with citizens signing up? Thus blowing up the program budget.
They say illegal immigrants will not be covered. But, if an illegal immigrant has an anchor baby and the media starts the tear jerker stories about denial of care for the entire family, what do you think will happen?
The major problem with entitlements is once in place they only get bigger, more expensive and more complicated. They never seem to get better or go away. People believe they “deserve” the entitlements for life. No matter if they are fiscally viable programs or not.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:47 pm1. Medicare successfully serves the needs of millions AND it needs some maintenance. Do you crush a car because it has a flat tire?
2. Private insurers can compete by offering a better product at a better price. Remember when computers cost $3,000- $5,000? From the three bill summaries I’ve read I haven’t seen anything about “free health care” so additional people in the program will contribute premiums which, according to the summaries I’ve read, should be enough to pay the operating expenses.
3. Even if the worst nightmare of all those “illegals” getting covered, your costs would not. The reason being that the care givers would be compensated rather than getting stiffed and passing the cost on to those of us who pay. BTW, I’m on Medicare and I pay a premium plus co-pays.
4. Please identify which draft legislation fits the title “entitlement program”. From what I’ve read it’s pay as you go.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pmWhat a great photo of the current private insurance company death panels. Yes, death panels do exist. They were started by Grassley himself. Republicans love money and they are happy when a rich grandma dies and they stand to collect.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:26 pmWith a title of “National Review” it would be interesting to find out which nation they’re from, because they don’t appear to know anything about America or health care reform.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:34 pm#26, okie,
Sorry, that article does NOT speak in generalities, as you suggest. As a matter of fact, Henke directly addresses WND and their support BY the GOP. The GOP, as an organization, is continuing to support an extremist web site, the WND. Both the interview that Rachel gives ALONG WITH the article by David Neiwert speak directly to this point.
There are no generalities used in the article and interview. As a matter of fact, the two part history, The Attack on Democracy, chronicles in DETAIL, as to how our media panders to conservative view points.
So when you say, “That article spoke in such generalities, I misunderstood it’s point,” I’m not sure exactly what you’re talking of.
.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:53 pm#37 – kwsventures says:
———————————————————
“If medicare is such a great, well-oiled government program, why do we need to cut out millions of dollars in waste?”
Nobody claimed that there was no waste at all, that’s a right-whiners talking point. Good regurgitation of talking points, you should ask for another serving of kool-aide.
“The major problem with entitlements is once in place they only get bigger, more expensive and more complicated. They never seem to get better or go away. People believe they “deserve” the entitlements for life. No matter if they are fiscally viable programs or not.”
September 10th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I couldn’t have stated the idea of tax-cuts for the rich in any better terminology. For some reason, the rich find ways to not pay their taxes, and feel that any amount they have to pay is “too much”. Pres. Bush enacted the “entitlement” idea to the rich that they don’t owe anything to the country for their wealth. They got their massive wealth, and deserve to pay nothing to the country that gave them the opportunity to amass vast wealth.
Then again, it’s the right-whiner condition to feel you owe nothing at all to your country other than lip-service.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:54 pmThank you for your sharing.!
September 13th, 2009 at 11:11 amMaybe a more pertinent question today is, why are they being encouraged and instructed to fear this kind of progress on the part of their government, which every other advanced nation’s government in the world has already long embraced?” estetik cerrahi
September 16th, 2009 at 8:45 am