# So How Will Fox Spin OBL Death? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 2, 2011, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451 "2011-05-02T04:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/81 "2011-05-02T18:14:36Z")
Fox News is not stupid enough to start the anti-Obama spin today. Today is one of the few days that Americans are united. Starting the spin so soon after a moment of national pride would be very bad strategy. Additionally, I doubt that they’ve determined exactly what the correct strategy is going forward. But if you don’t think that there are big meetings going on at FNC on just how to use this against Obama some time in the near future, or at least minimize the political damage to their (right wing) 2012 hopes, I’ve got a bridge for sale (real cheap!). ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/82 "2011-05-02T18:18:51Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Fox News is not stupid enough to start the anti-Obama spin today. Today is one of the few days that Americans are united. Starting the spin so soon after a moment of national pride would be very bad strategy. Additionally, I doubt that they’ve determined exactly what the correct strategy is going forward. But if you don’t think that there are big meetings going on at FNC on just how to use this against Obama some time in the near future, or at least minimize the political damage to their (right wing) 2012 hopes, I’ve got a bridge for sale (real cheap!). I think FOX is hoping for a terrorist attack and then pin it on Obama for antagonizing the jihadists and not doing enough to protect the country because he should have known it was coming. (Indeed some retribution does seem likely and we do know they will probably try but that doesn’t matter…it’ll be Obama’s fault). ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/83 "2011-05-02T18:21:01Z")
I don’t know where you’re getting that “consensus”, **Czarcasm** , but it’s certainly not from me. I have acknowledged that Fox News has a certain bias, as do most (if not all) news organizations. Bias is not the same as outright spin, though. Moreover, in this particular situation, I see no good reason to believe that Fox is promoting a pro-Bush, anti-Obama slant. Are other news outlets exhibiting biased coverage? Well… maybe. I did note that CNN failed to mention Bush’s commendation toward Obama on its website, for example. If someone wants to complain that Fox did not feature a photo of Obama on this particular day, then I think it’s fair to point out that CNN did not feature Bush’s response at all – _especially_ since Fox did give Obama prominent banner coverage just a couple of hours later, even as it replaced the Bush story with some more recent news. Note that this is NOT a case of saying “Even if they are doing it, it’s o.k. because the other guys do it too.” In an ideal world, there would be no news bias whatsoever. This is not an ideal world though, so I’ve come to expect a certain amount of bias from all camps. On this particular news day, I don’t see any reason to believe that Fox is engaged in egregious bias, much less spin, and I don’t think it’s any worse than what other news outlets are doing. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/84 "2011-05-02T18:58:20Z")
Well, as much as it pains me to praise Limbaugh, I have to give him credit where credit is due. Me thinks it’s an icy day Hades today. > **[Rush Limbaugh's Surprising Reaction To Obama's Handling Of Bin Laden](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/limbaugh-thank-god-obama-bin-laden_n_856425)** > > Rush Limbaugh's Surprising Reaction To Obama's Handling Of Bin Laden > [@](#): > > Rush Limbaugh said President Obama deserved “congratulation” for the death of Osama bin Laden. > > “We need to open the program today by congratulating President Obama,” he said on his Monday show. “President Obama has done something extremely effective, and when he does, this needs to be pointed out.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/85 "2011-05-02T19:07:23Z")
[http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/02/breitbart-bin-laden-deathers/](http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/02/breitbart-bin-laden-deathers/) (Warning! Center lefty cite, contamination protocols recommended…) **Meet the Deathers: Andrew Breitbart Website Pushing Conspiracy Theory That Osama Might Not Be Dead.** OK, not Fox. Close enough, in my book, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/86 "2011-05-02T19:32:14Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/02/breitbart-bin-laden-deathers/](http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/02/breitbart-bin-laden-deathers/) > > (Warning! Center lefty cite, contamination protocols recommended…) > > **Meet the Deathers: Andrew Breitbart Website Pushing Conspiracy Theory That Osama Might Not Be Dead.** > > OK, not Fox. Close enough, in my book, YMMV. Fox will just cover “the controversy” and “ask questions”. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/87 "2011-05-02T19:36:05Z")
In this country we should ask questions. Or do you think Nixon got a raw deal? ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/88 "2011-05-02T21:05:34Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > In this country we should ask questions. > > Or do you think Nixon got a raw deal? I’m just glad Woodward and Bernstein proved the moon landing was real rather than wasting their time on something frivolous. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/89 "2011-05-02T21:24:32Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > In this country we should ask questions. In this country, it would be considered polite to listen for answers instead of applause. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/90 "2011-05-02T21:33:37Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Well, as much as it pains me to praise Limbaugh, I have to give him credit where credit is due. Me thinks it’s an icy day Hades today. > > > [@](#): > > > > “We need to open the program today by congratulating President Obama,” he said on his Monday show. “President Obama has done something extremely effective, and when he does, this needs to be pointed out.” No one claims that “idiots” like Limbaugh have low IQs! It would be idiotic not to throw a bone at a time like this. Note that Limbaugh makes clear any praise comes grudgingly. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/91 "2011-05-02T21:48:39Z")
> [@Baffle](#): > > Tomorrow’s Fox News headline: > > “African-American male confesses to murder of homeless elderly man” LOL. another one I’ve heard is: “Obama administration orders murder of elderly religious man with kidney disease” ---
**Author:** ![p4poetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@p4poetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/p4poetic)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/92 "2011-05-02T22:44:16Z")
> [@Baffle](#): > > Tomorrow’s Fox News headline: > > “African-American male confesses to murder of homeless elderly man” Ha, good one. Very clever. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/93 "2011-05-03T03:16:01Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Well, news of the announcement cut into Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” last night, so I’m sure that’ll give the Fox News Douchebags TM something to grouse about. You win one Internets. From the TeaPartyNation founder Judson Phillips: > [@](#): > > Obama is taking credit for this. He did give the order. Did he really have a choice? If word leaked out that he had solid intelligence on where Bin Laden was and did not act, it would have killed any chance he had at reelection. Of course, he made his announcement right in the middle of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” show. Of course, that was just a coincidence. [Lefty site](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/tea-party-nation-obama-only-killed-bin-laden-help-his-reelection) but I tried registering to confirm at TeaPartyNation and you not only need to register, but you need to be personally approved after submitting your info it looks like. :rolleyes: I feel I’ve satisfied my duty to attempt to confirm. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/94 "2011-05-03T04:05:00Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Let’s see: in early 2002, [Bush took](http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/05/iraq_war_ledger.html) [special ops](http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-03-28-troop-shifts_x.htm) [units from Afghanistan](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52673-2004Oct21.html) - units that had learned the local languages and were involved in the hunt for bin Laden - and put them in Iraq. > > Then, per the links in [**Hentor** ’s post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13753517&postcount=61), in 2006, Bush disbanded the unit that was dedicated to hunting bin Laden, effectively giving up the hunt. > > Obama put his intelligence services back on the hunt, and directed them to make it their top priority. > > And while McCain would have refused to go hunting bin Laden in Pakistan, Obama willingly signed off on such a mission. > > No, neither Bush nor Obama was out there in the Af/Pak theatre, personally tracking down bin Laden. > > Yes, it makes a big difference who’s running the show. > > Anyway, I’m glad you agree that Bush’s choices to undermine and ultimately end the pursuit of bin Laden (at least, until he was succeeded by Obama) “bordered on treason.” Has anyway asked or commented yet on the special forces being allowed to run this mission in a foreign country? It’s a minor point, but hasn’t permission been denied before for similiar things under Bush and is there a more liberal / accomodating / co-operative attitude under Obama? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/95 "2011-05-03T04:11:03Z")
Well I don’t know about Fox, but Facebook conservatives are spinning it with this re-post: > [@](#): > > Let’s be clear on this: OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. An American soldier, who Obama just a few weeks ago was debating on whether or not to PAY, did. Obama just happened to be the one in office when our soldiers finally found Osama Bin Laden and took him out. This is NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!! RE-POST IF YOU AGREE!!! So apparently the military is on autopilot, and Obama just happened to be sitting in the cabin. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/96 "2011-05-03T04:12:54Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > If photographs were the only valid consideration, then I would agree. Ultimately though, I don’t think that’s an adequate basis for declaring some sort of blatant pro-Bush, anti-Obama spin. > > Like I said, Obama’s response was covered yesterday. What’s more, the main article does give credit to Obama, as does Bush’s response. Does the main article contain a photograph of Obama? Admittedly not, but that’s because such a photo would be inappropriate. The article is about the death of bin Laden, after all, and so there’s simply no good reason to stick the President’s photo in there. JT, When reading a newspaper, what order do you think people like at the contents? Could it be something like: Picture, then headline, then caption then actual story? I remember a study that measured how many people read the first paragraph of an article compared to the last - and the number is startling. (something like only 5% of people read articles to the end). If I wanted to influence people towards a certain view - I would certainly use the headline and / or photo to do it - even if that headline was out of step with the actual article, or the article provided a more balanced picture. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/97 "2011-05-03T04:54:09Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Well I don’t know about Fox, but Facebook conservatives are spinning it with this re-post: > > > [@](#): > > > > Let’s be clear on this: OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. An American soldier, who Obama \*\*just a few weeks ago was debating on whether or not to PAY, did. \*\*Obama just happened to be the one in office when our soldiers finally found Osama Bin Laden and took him out. This is NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!! RE-POST IF YOU AGREE!!! > > So apparently the military is on autopilot, and Obama just happened to be sitting in the cabin. Wasn’t it the teabaggers who were screaming “Shut It Down!!” when Congress was on the verge of failing to pass a budget. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/98 "2011-05-03T05:00:05Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Has anyway asked or commented yet on the special forces being allowed to run this mission in a foreign country? It’s a minor point, but hasn’t permission been denied before for similiar things under Bush and is there a more liberal / accomodating / co-operative attitude under Obama? WTF are you talking about? The military can only run missions in foreign countries. What the hell do you think they are for? Unless of course you are confusing “special forces” with the CIA. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/99 "2011-05-03T05:01:41Z")
But in any case, my question has been answered. Hannity asks every guest if this doesn’t prove that the use of torture was right all along. ---
**Author:** ![NiceGuyJack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/niceguyjack/32/3069_2.png) [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451/100 "2011-05-03T05:04:26Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Well I don’t know about Fox, but Facebook conservatives are spinning it with this re-post: > > > [@](#): > > > > Let’s be clear on this: OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. An American soldier, who Obama just a few weeks ago was debating on whether or not to PAY, did. Obama just happened to be the one in office when our soldiers finally found Osama Bin Laden and took him out. This is NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!! RE-POST IF YOU AGREE!!! > > So apparently the military is on autopilot, and Obama just happened to be sitting in the cabin. It’s true that the military executed the mission, and that it’s an American victory, but to not give credit where credit is due is just ridiculous. It’s like saying, Osama Bin Laden wasn’t responsible for 9/11 since he didn’t fly planes into the World Trade Center. He just planned it and took full responsibility. Obama certainly deserves full credit for his role as Commander in Chief and ordering the mission. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-will-fox-spin-obl-death/580451.md?page=6)