June 28, 2013

"South Africa's Mandela 'improving' as Obama flies in."

Headline at Reuters inspires me to compose a poll. (I wish Mandela well and apologize in advance for the skepticism displayed here, which has nothing to do with South Africa's national hero, but with the U.S. President and the journalism profession, both of which desperately need critique.)

What is, most likely, the truth behind this headline?
  
pollcode.com free polls 

36 comments:

Mogget said...

It would be quite amusing if Mandela were to join the rest of the world's leaders in dissing Obama publicly in some fashion.

Wince said...

"South Africa's Mandela 'improving' as Obama flies in"

But anticipate a "downward revision" when the final results come out... "unexpectedly".

Simon said...

Yes, yes, but any word about whether our planet has begun to heal, and whether the rise of the oceans has begun to slow?

tacotaco said...

So you're saying that the SA govt, the Mandela family (which is on record as being upset with press intrusion), the Obama Administration, and the entire intl press corps gatheree in South Africa conspired to prevent Obama from being "overshadowed" on a trip I'd bet most Americans didn't even realize he was making.

That would require such a high level of discipline and secrecy, one wonders if this could be successfully carried out without a leaker to betray the group.

But until then, it's true in Althouse's Conspiracy Phantasmagoria...

Anonymous said...

How on earth does Reuters' headline constitute a critique of the president? Unless you are implying that Obama had a hand in writing the headline, which is beyond silly.

You are losing it Althouse.

Rabel said...

More concerning is the disgusting and inappropriate growth in the use of the phrase "in hospital" as opposed to the correct and more Godly "in the hospital."

edutcher said...

There seems to be some confusion as to whether he lives or not.

The Guardian has an interesting theory. Of course, they're a pack of racists for giving that white kid Snowden a platform to defame the Messiah.

As for Nelson, another communist terrorist like Ho Chi Minh or Fidel.

Little Zero can have him.

tim said...

If o goes to see Mandela, he will surely die soon there after. The reverse Midas touch.

SteveR said...

Freder, read it all again.. slowly, its not funny if we have to explain it

edutcher said...

Rabel said...

More concerning is the disgusting and inappropriate growth in the use of the phrase "in hospital" as opposed to the correct and more Godly "in the hospital."

When are the English going to learn to speak English?

Ann Althouse said...

"How on earth does Reuters' headline constitute a critique of the president?"

I didn't say it did. I said my poll was motivated by my agenda of critiquing the press and Obama, which is something I only said because it's sad that Mandela is dying, and being funny on the subject seems wrong. Maybe you can't see what's funny about the headline. Too bad for you. Hope you have fun somewhere, with something. You are always grim here.

rhhardin said...

You say in church, in school, why not in hospital.

rhhardin said...

Obama is flying in to divide the races.

Irene said...

"Obama: I don't need 'photo op' with Mandela."

Meade said...

That's right - just like Freder Fred asked how on earth not how on the earth.

Ann Althouse said...

"More concerning is the disgusting and inappropriate growth in the use of the phrase "in hospital" as opposed to the correct and more Godly "in the hospital.""

Are your kids out of the school for the summer? Makes you want to go to the bed early, no? But not until you've had the dinner, or the hunger might wake you up at the midnight.

Meade said...

When will English learn to speak the English?

Rosalyn C. said...

Mandela improving as Obama arrives. It could be part of the general need to be upbeat and positive as if that will change events. Or it's impolite to be dying when the President of the US comes for a visit. Put on a brave face. Or it's nobody's business except for the immediate family if Mandela is dying, etc. They want some privacy to deal with the immensity of the loss before the rest of the country goes nuts.

Mandela's grandson just said the other day that Mandela was doing fine. Improving even. I didn't believe him for a second. There might even be a fear about evil spirits, etc., not giving into the dark forces, besides just being in a general state of shock and denial.

ricpic said...

Hang on Nelson, you don't want to depart this mortal coil before seeing the face of our black messiah.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

That's it... nobody talks to my friend Rabel like tat.

I'm leaving... on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again. Oh, I know, darling I hate to go.

AllenS said...

What if Obama walked into Mandela's room, and he died right away? Does anyone think that the press would report that? One word on the subject of the press that needs to be mentioned -- JournOlist.

jacksonjay said...


Do you graduate high school or graduate from high school? Inquiring minds want to know.

Known Unknown said...

Whats Winnie up to?

Amartel said...

I'm going with #2. Passing the torch photo op. I bet Obama hauls ass over to that hospital. Wouldn't want to miss out on the reflected pathos and glory.

Amartel said...

“I don't need photo op," he said. "The last thing I want to do is be intrusive at a time when the family is concerned” with Mandela’s condition.

He so wants a photo op. He's definitely given it some thought.

edutcher said...

EMD said...

Whats Winnie up to?

If she's got a tire and a gas can, run.

Charlotte C said...

Winnie is where the action is, at the hospital. She arrives mid morning in a new BMW and matching wig. Impressive, considering a month ago she had her assets seized for defaulting on debt.
Open letter to South Africa from foreign media

AllenS said...

I wonder if Winnie and Michelle buy their wigs from the same vendor.

Skeptical Voter said...

Jeebus! All this comes from a laying on of hands by our New Messiah? Who knew that Da Bamstuh had healing power?

If he actually does have such healing powers, he sure as heck hasn't applied them to the dissension in Washington DC or to our faltering economy.

traditionalguy said...

Reminds me of a very funny (to a southerner) book called Being Dead is No Excuse. It's worth the read.

Anonymous said...

Maybe you can't see what's funny about the headline. Too bad for you. Hope you have fun somewhere, with something. You are always grim here.

You think it is my job to amuse you?

Frankly, I find your sense of humor spiteful and demeaning to others. I am glad you think I am grim. If you thought I was fun, I would think there was something seriously wrong with me.

Petunia said...

Apparently the Mandela family is deeply divided over where Nelson will be buried. One relative has actually relocated the graves of several of Mandela's relatives and plans to open a shrine and soccer stadium near the site.

JAL said...

It's okay, Rabel. I understand.

More concerning is the disgusting and inappropriate growth in the use of the phrase "in hospital" as opposed to the correct and more Godly "in the hospital."

The Brits do this and it has spread
into American English. Drives me bonkers too.

In the same vein, it's like when I graduated from high school, I graduated from high school. Now it's "When did you graduate high school?" Or "She graduated college in 1996."

When you are in the hospital you are usually in a particular medical building which is usually called a hospital. When I worked in a hospital, I went to the hsoptial to work, I did not work hospital.

The comparison to seasons, meals, and times is not the same.

Chuck said...

edutcher:

Thanks ever so much for that utterly fantastic Guardian link!

That cockamamie theory (which could actually be true, given the real life/death weirdness we saw in the death of Arafat almost certainly due to AIDS) is better than fiction. As they say, 'You can't make this stuff up.'

SteveR said...

Freder done no good in reading comprenshion. He thins its bout him

Meade said...

I no. He's vary amyoosing. We thing he's fun.