# Did Fox News kill this man's mother? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 19, 2012, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215 "2012-03-19T11:59:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/21 "2012-03-19T15:14:28Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > There are a lot of sources that call themselves news that are no such thing- just look at the tabloids in your grocery store checkout. It’s better to have too much information, even if it contains a lot of misinformation and even if outright liars call themselves a fair and balanced news network. True, but there isn’t any reason we couldn’t simply require them to stop referring to themselves as a news affiliate. We could require them to run a disclaimer, that states they are a political entertainment channel; and that the views and stories expressed may not be completely accurate, truthful, or balanced. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/22 "2012-03-19T15:17:19Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > True, but there isn’t any reason we couldn’t simply require them to stop referring to themselves as a news affiliate. We could require them to run a disclaimer, that states they are a political entertainment channel; and that the views and stories expressed may not be completely accurate, truthful, or balanced. The trouble with that in my opinion is who gets to decide what news is true news? Or if we succeed in having disclaimers put on FOX, who’s to say that next time the Republicans control all the levers for government that MSNBC and CNN would have to wear the scarlet letter? ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/23 "2012-03-19T15:18:39Z")
I don’t watch Fox news, and don’t think this is a real story. If it is true, Hallie’s a little crazy. I think Fox News holds at least some moral responsibility for this, if this is the type of stuff they report. Is Fox news really that bad? The Daily Show doesn’t seem to attack them more than other 24 hour news networks. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/24 "2012-03-19T15:36:56Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Is this true? > 2. Assuming that it is, does Fox News hold at least some moral responsibility for this? > 3. Assuming that it is, does Fox News hold some legal responsibility for this? The more important questions here are: (1) is Fox News morally or legally accountable for things it broadcasts? And (2), is Fox News morally or legally accountable for killing this old lady? The answer to (1) is probably yes. The answer to (2) is almost certainly no. As much bullshit as Fox _does_ broadcast, I seriously doubt even Glen Beck has ever accused Obama of funneling money to the Muslim Brotherhood. I also don’t remember any Fox anchor warning people about “Obamacare getting their information”. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/25 "2012-03-19T16:52:16Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > [li]Assuming that it is, does Fox News hold at least some moral responsibility for this?[/li][li]Assuming that it is, does Fox News hold some legal responsibility for this?[/li][/LIST] > > For the sake of debate, even if this story turns out to be not true; what if it, or something like it, were? I would say that Fox does hold some moral responsibility for actions that people take based on the things that Fox presents as true, since Fox presents itself as a source of facts. By the same token, the most legal responsibility that Fox could possibly find itself under is fraud of some kind, and I don’t believe that there’s a high enough presumption of accuracy from TV news to even support that. Possibly relevant: I’ve heard several anecdotes about nursing homes and assisted care facilities banning Fox News because their particular presentation style is highly alarming even to people in full control of their mental faculties, and nigh-panic-inducing in people who have a diminished mental capability. I don’t think there’s any hard data on that, as yet (good luck funding THAT research). ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/26 "2012-03-19T17:04:27Z")
You know, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and respond without even reading anything but the thread title: no, no Fox News did not kill the man’s mother. Note to mods: this belongs in the pit. It’s really just a lightly disguised rant against Fox News. At least in that forum, the poster would be able to get some really valuable feedback. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/27 "2012-03-19T17:13:01Z")
I think Fox has come up with a splendid solution to the healthcare crisis. If they keep on broadcasting that going to the doctor will cause your records to go into the horrid Obamacare, their critically ill viewers will die without becoming expensive patients. We save money, we raise the national average IQ level, and we reduce the pool of Republican voters who have demonstrated that they are too stupid to be entrusted with this sacred right. What’s not to like? We can call this a Modest Fox Proposal to Reduce Medical Costs. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/28 "2012-03-19T17:15:47Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You know, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and respond without even reading anything but the thread title: no, no Fox News did not kill the man’s mother. > > Note to mods: this belongs in the pit. It’s really just a lightly disguised rant against Fox News. At least in that forum, the poster would be able to get some really valuable feedback. What could be more valuable than your “I didn’t even read the thread but here’s my knee-jerk opinion anyway” contribution, which you’ve already graciously provided? ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/29 "2012-03-19T17:22:08Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > [ol] > [li]Is this true?[/li][li]Assuming that it is, does Fox News hold at least some moral responsibility for this?[/li][li]Assuming that it is, does Fox News hold some legal responsibility for this?[/li][/ol] 1. Probably not. Sounds like something from an email foward. I’m surprised he didn’t stick in something like “if you don’t foward this you hate old people and puppies.” 2. No. 3. No. IF it happened (which I seriously doubt), this lady had a screw loose. Her son doesn’t sound as if he’s playing with a full deck, either. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/30 "2012-03-19T17:24:27Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > No, he couldn’t have. Or rather, he could have, but the paramedics could not transport her. They are not qualified to determine mental competency. OK, you got me. But, as described, the woman would have had to have been in horrible physical pain. That would have earned her a trip to the hospital. And not for nothing, but people who are that far gone would only require a little white lie to get them to cooperate… “Hey Mom, great news! We found you a private hospital that doesn’t have anything to do with Obamacare! They’ll fix you right up!” ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/31 "2012-03-19T17:42:35Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > What could be more valuable than your “I didn’t even read the thread but here’s my knee-jerk opinion anyway” contribution, which you’ve already graciously provided? If it’s moved to the pit you will have the answer you hunger for. And now that I have read the thread, I see that I was completely right. Question for you though: your noted infatuation with me aside, do you not think it odd that one would come into a thread and not opine on the actual subject of that thread? So while I’m sure there are many things more valuable than me giving a quick answer to the absurd question posed by the OP, the question your post raises is: is there anything that could be _less_ valuable? A question that your post is affirmative proof of. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/32 "2012-03-19T18:00:24Z")
1. As others said, I highly doubt that it’s true. It’s not even consistent, it seems to be based on a satirical view of Fox News. That’s not to say that I’m a fan of Fox News, I’m not, but even of all the people I know who watch it religiously, they’re mostly old people who depend heavily on medicine. 2. No. The vast majority of this sort of information doesn’t even come in the form of news but from the commentary types, like O’Reilly, Hannity, and their ilk, though the anchors themselves do spread untruth at times. Still, everyone has a responsibility to research and verify information or at least verify their sources and how accurate their information is. 3. No. I’d think, or at least like to believe, that First Amendment rights cover this. There’s nothing that says what you say has to be true or honest or well researched or anything. It may be horrible and damaging speech, but I think we can’t start trying to break this right down or we’ll quickly lose it. As far as I’m concerned, the First Amendment is sacrosanct. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/33 "2012-03-19T18:18:57Z")
I agree that the story sounds suspect for a number of reasons, but I think it makes a good hypothetical for an interesting debate. As the OP, I should be participating more, but I’m swamped at work at the moment so, carry on. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/34 "2012-03-19T18:56:48Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Question for you though: your noted infatuation with me aside, do you not think it odd that one would come into a thread and not opine on the actual subject of that thread? So while I’m sure there are many things more valuable than me giving a quick answer to the absurd question posed by the OP, the question your post raises is: is there anything that could be _less_ valuable? A question that your post is affirmative proof of. Had I known you were so eager to hear my opinion, I wouldn’t have tantalized you with the anticipation. Yearn no further, my son, and slake thy thirst: 1. Doubt it. 2. No. In an ideal world, yes, but we don’t live in an ideal world and Fox News is an amoral entity composed of immoral members. 3. No. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/35 "2012-03-19T19:59:20Z")
Doesn’t sound like Fox News killed anyone here. What it sounds like (assuming the quoted and linked-to report is true, which I’m not assuming) is that their sensationalist ranting reinforced the delusions of an already unbalanced woman. And, by the way, this struck me: > [@](#): > > As she made out her will she told her lawyer, “I don’t want any of my money going to the Muslim Brotherhood!” What kind of lawyer is it that assists a clearly demented woman to write a will? Surely (again, assuming that the report is true) there’s no way such a will would hold up in court if anyone wanted to contest it? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/36 "2012-03-19T20:09:18Z")
As much as I hate Fox News, I just can’t buy this one. It reads too much like one of those conservative recreational outrage chain letters my family is always buying into, which are usually stuffed to bursting with lies and exaggerations. And even if it is true, Mom, crazy or not, is way too gullible. ---
**Author:** ![just\_some\_guy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@just\_some\_guy5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/just_some_guy5)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/37 "2012-03-19T20:19:11Z")
Why would someone be scared that Obamacare would have their medical records? The basis for this supposed story appears to be that she avoided going to a hospital for fear Obamacare would have her records -what kind of explanation has Fox News been supposedly espousing that would lead her to 1) believe Obamacare would get her records and 2) believe this would be a very bad thing? Can someone at least post a link to one of these Fox News stories? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/38 "2012-03-19T20:20:02Z")
Crazy mom is crazy. Also, dead. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/39 "2012-03-19T20:21:35Z")
> [@just\_some\_guy5](#): > > Why would someone be scared that Obamacare would have their medical records? The basis for this supposed story appears to be that she avoided going to a hospital for fear Obamacare would have her records -what kind of explanation has Fox News been supposedly espousing that would lead her to 1) believe Obamacare would get her records and 2) believe this would be a very bad thing? > > Can someone at least post a link to one of these Fox News stories? An old person would be scared that Obamacare would have their medical records because that would mean they would get into the hands of one of the death panels that conservatives have conjured up out of thin air, meaning they would be marked for death. (I don’t believe a word of it, but I know the meme is out there.) ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215/40 "2012-03-19T20:57:04Z")
My grandmother is 82 years old and has never shown any signs of dementia. She lives by herself, takes care of her own affairs, etc. She keeps Fox News on for most of the day and sort of half-watches it. She doesn’t pay enough attention to really understand what they’re talking about, or to question it. (Like many in her generation, she believes they couldn’t say things on TV if they weren’t true.) What she gets from it is an impression, and the impression is pretty much a parody of Fox News–Obama is a non-Christian and probably non-American who has destroyed the economy, associates with bad people, etc. A few years ago she started talking about ACORN, but clearly didn’t know what the organization actually did–they were just a big scary bunch of people trying to do unspecified bad things. She hasn’t talked to me about Obamacare, but I’m sure she has a similar impression about it. I like to think she wouldn’t refuse medical care over it, but if a little bit of dementia started to set in I could see it. The story in the OP rings my bullshit alarm, but I don’t think it’s implausible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215.md?page=3)