The Occasional Observer

Today's case in point: MSNBC.

You've got to love this headline, "On the trail, few mentions of McCain’s health"

This is followed up by a discussion of how no one is discussing the fact that McCain hasn't released all his medical records as he did in 2000.

I guess the headline passes muster as legitimate "journalism." After, all McCain is 71. And he has been sick before. And since last releasing his comprehensive medical and psychological records, he's been a hermit. I mean, who knows if he's been sick over the last 8 years? And most importantly, NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT. That alone makes in newsworthy, no?

Of course, I could substitute any issue and any person for "health" and "McCain", and as long as some crackpot somewhere has mentioned the problem before, the headline still works. For instance, recalling Obama's first book, MSNBC could go with,

"On the trail, few mentions of Obama's drug use"

Or if they were focused on rumors that the Clinton's are the beneficiaries of the financial largesse of their friends in Dubai, MSNBC could run with,

"On the trail, few mentions of Hillary's Islamic financial backers"

Or if they were focused on Obama's votes in the IL State Senate, they could use this one:

"On the trail, few mentions of Obama's push to legalize infanticide"

Or if they wanted to delve into the deep treasure trove of unsubstantiated whispers that swirl about the Clinton marriage, why not go with,

"On the trail, few mentions of rumors of Hillary's lesbianism"

The options are really limitless, and work well for lazy journalists (so, basically, bloggers) that want to spout off with their own political viewpoints instead of dealing with, well, facts.

Try it! You'll like it!