July 5, 2021

Here's one of those headlines where it's hard to tell the nouns from the verbs and the illusion of something that's not there — dogs — is completely distracting.

Here, at Politico: "Virus lab leak theory dogs Democrats eager to keep focus on Trump's Covid failings."

I might be interested in this topic, but I'm distracted by "theory dogs." Theory dogs — it could be a comic strip I'd like to read. What are the theory dogs thinking about today? And how about that one dog, the so-called "virus lab"? It's such a jumble of words to sort out at the beginning — Virus lab leak theory dogs. Does that Lab need to go out to take a leak?

Yes, I know covid is serious, which is why I'm saying that "dogs" did not belong in that headline. It's an exciting and pithy verb. I get it. But people fixate on dogs, the beloved house mammals, and that's going to tip us into reading "dogs" as a noun. And so soon after "lab." You just tumble into fantasy land.

But let's consider the real meaning. Apparently, Democrats don't like the idea of misdoings at the Chinese level because they're hot to blame Trump for as much as they can. I'll just observe that the Democrats have a big stake in portraying themselves as the ones who are dedicated to science and rationality. Stamping a political template on everything degrades that image.

Now, I'll read the article:

President Joe Biden’s order to the intelligence community in May to redouble efforts to study the virus’ origins has given the issue more currency, though China isn’t cooperating and the administration hasn’t said whether it has uncovered new information. Democrats worry that murky conclusions that don’t identify the origin of the virus could play into the Republicans’ hands, while evidence that might disprove the lab leak theory will trigger more accusations of a cover-up.

There's fear of investigations that are too difficult to carry out and not certain to be conclusive. That's antithetical to a commitment to science.

8 comments:

Ann Althouse said...

Brian writes: "these theory dogs seem like they'd be great pets... IF they were housebroken."

I say: Yes, we don't want any "lab leaks."

Ann Althouse said...

Scot writes:

"At my house we call them "Board Tables Panel Talks"."

Ann Althouse said...

Greta writes:

"Isn't this what hyphens are for?

"Wouldn't this be clearer if they wrote "Virus-lab-leak theory dogs Democrats eager to keep focus on Trump's Covid failings"?"

Ann Althouse said...

Charlie writes:

""Democrats worry that murky conclusions that don’t identify the origin of the virus could play into the Republicans’ hands”

"Because then the Republicans would be right…..and somehow that’s bad? I guess everyone knows this by now but “the truth” doesn’t matter to our news media (or Democrats, but I repeat myself) anymore. In fact there is no truth to them, only stories to tell.

"Otherwise known as…….The Big Lie™"

Ann Althouse said...

Owen writes:

"Very funny. And astute: we DO read in context, a crawling linear accretion of “what do all these ink dots and pixels mean?” So the precursor words inevitably prime and frame what our reader brains, leaping among clues and associating madly, will take to be the meaning.

"My comment: Biden told his intel people to bring him the answer in 90 days. Firm deadline. That is the controlling narrative. Whatever they serve up on Day 91 will be the final version. This interim fluttering by the NYT is just chaff and a way to look like a wise and unbiased arbiter, sketching the politicization that the Republicans will try to impose regardless of what results.

"If the intel people find something, it will be downplayed except by the Republicans who will be desperately trying to rehabilitate that awful Orange Man. The story will be “Republicans obsess, overreact.”

"And if, instead, the intel people report that there’s nothing there, the story will be “Biden went the extra mile —such diligence!— and, just as we thought, China is a trustworthy ally. We owe them thanks for their cooperation, even as Orange Man and his diehard supporters owe them an apology.”"

Ann Althouse said...

Alex writes:

I disagree. I like it. I imagine the dems running through the forest, chased by the howling, barking spectral dogs of the truth of COVID (is it wrong to imagine them as Shar Peis?), like characters in a horror movie.

I suspect that the real fear is that as the official narrative falls apart, Trump will look better and better, and a lot of the blame will fall on his detractors in the bureaucracy, and blue-state governments. The left was determined to get Trump, and so pushed the Kung Flu as some apocalyptic event, shut down the entire economy, and inflicted psychological damage on a vast swath of the population which may never fully heal. It's only natural to demand answers for the behavior of the Chinese government and their enablers in the West.

Unfortunately, it looks more and more like the Chinese deliberately covered up a leak at their lab. A lab which was funded by many of the globalist set who have spent the past four years disparaging Trump and his supporters. The very global networks and institutions which they supported were the means by which the virus rapidly spread around the world. Western money funded dangerous experiments in mismanaged labs. Athletes gathered for an international competition were exposed without their knowledge. Chinese students and workers flew to Italy, the United States, and elsewhere with the Chinese government's knowledge and support. International health organizations assisted in this coverup, as did media organizations who attacked anyone who dared discuss it, or discuss alternative therapies like Ivermectin or HcQ.

The incantation went wrong. Sure, it got rid of Orangemanbad, but now Hell wants its payment and they are terrified.

Ann Althouse said...

Denever writes:

"They're everywhere, aren't they? From Jonathan Turley's blog:

"Howard Dean Under Fire for Defending Cosby"

"Of course, it was about Phylicia Rashad applauding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's recent decision. But my first thought was, "Howard Dean? He's back?! Haven't heard anything about that guy in ages! Is he even still ... ohhhh. Never mind.""

Ann Althouse said...

"The headline is a “Crash Blossom.""

I know. I was too lazy to put that in the post. Thanks.