Ebola Czar Hypocrisy

Back in the Bush administration there was a time when avian flu was causing concern. Actually more than concern.

President Bush appointed Stewart Simonson to coordinate monitoring and preparation. He was a lawyer. Democrats criticized the appointment because he was inexperienced in medical response issues. Republicans either supported or kept quiet on the experience issue.

Recently, President Obama appointed Ron Klain, a lawyer, to coordinate monitoring and response to Ebola (Klain is sitting on the couch in the image).   I presume some Republicans are criticizing the Klain appointment and Democrats defending it but I can't find any particular critics or defenders who also had comments in the avian flu situation thus I can't identify any body as specifically hypocritical. However, the if time goes on some of the most vigorous and well resourced (from a research standpoint) critics of the avian flu appointment (e.g., Move On and The New Republic) don't say anything, that would make them hypocrites. The difficulty of documenting that someone hasn't made a comment will prevent me from making the hypocrisy accusation in the case of silence.

Anyway, a Washington Post story goes back in time to give examples of the criticism of the Simonson appointment, here.

One criticism of Klain's appointment is implicit in a recent cold start.

Carol Costello and the hypocrisy of violence commentary

Carol Costello is an on air reporter for CNN. She is the recipient of various media reporting awards.

One of the events Costello reported on was the Ray Rice affair. In July 2014,she criticized the NFL, Ray Rice, ESPN defenders of the NFL, etc. and used her experience as a victim to do so.

Then in October 2014, Costello aired audio from an altercation involving Bristol Palin (who was struck during the altercation). Costello did that with evident glee.

People pointed out the hypocrisy and Costello has apologized (in writing) for the Oct 2014 airing (although Costello does not seem to understand why her October 2014 on air actions are evidence of left wing media bias). This story has still to run as Costello has, as of the time of this posting, yet to give an on air apology nor has CNN taken any action (such as suspension or a fine).


Costello's July 2014 criticism of the NFL is here. http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/26/opinion/costello-ray-rice-domestic-violence/

A Washington Post article summarizing both the July criticism of the NFL, etc. and the October glee at the violence used on Bristol Palin is here.