Foolishness at Fox

 

Fox News used to have a reputation among intelligent conservatives for    responsible hosts who gave platforms to prominent and thoughtful figures on the Right.  Hosts such as Megyn Kelly and Bill O’Reilly and opinion leaders such as Charles Krauthammer and George Will come to mind.

Things have changed since 2016, when Donald Trump started attracting significant support on the Right which led to the White House.

From that period, Fox became more interested in offering its audience a less sophisticated view on news and opinion in favor of perspectives likely to win emotional approval (and profit) from viewers.  So, a sometimes skeptical take on Trump’s policy pronouncements was replaced generally by unrestrained endorsement and a vigorous defense of the President.  (Sean Hannity – who acknowledged almost daily phone contact with him - is the primary example.)  That has resulted in Fox commentators often appearing to offer excuses and rationalizations for Trump’s unconscionable  conduct like his role in contributing to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

The pattern has continued.  For reasons highlighted in last week’s blog of The Sensible Conservative, many on the Right have refused to get Covid-19 vaccines.  Related to that nonsensical position (the costs are essentially non-existent while the benefits can be life-saving), many Americans are protesting mask mandates as an infringement on individual freedom.  Of course, it is.  But does that constitute a reasonable basis for refusal?

NO.

To be sure, the efficiency of mask wearing is not resolved.  So what?  Maybe masks do prevent the spread of a deadly virus.  And the limitation on freedom of choice is hardly a serious consequence.  Concern for public health certainly should over-ride an aversion to wearing face covering if doing so might serve the interest of others.  (How about school vaccinations to protect the student’s classmates?)

Yet, despite these considerations, some Fox hosts believe that spokesmen for the “right to refuse” deserve a platform.

Apparently, many Fox viewers are sympathetic to that view.  But, it is a ridiculous attitude which should be denounced by the network, not given credibility by airing it.

Fox News appears foolish and non-serious while doing so.  And it is not helping its viewers by giving respect to the “mask deniers”.  Maybe lives are being put at risk because some people believe that their “liberty” is being infringed upon.  Freedom should not be made to appear dangerous.