In 1964, the New York Times published what still ranks among the most damaging false stories in U.S. media history: 37 witnesses heard the screams of a bartender named Kitty Genovese being stabbed and not one of them intervened or call the police. The story sparked what became known as the “bystander effect,” a theory that held that when multiple people witness a crime or acts of wrongdoing, they are less likely to intervene than when a single witness observes a crime.

Here’s a modern-day twist on the bystander effect: When someone is accused of racism and dozens of persons know that the allegations are false, they are less likely to intervene than if only one person knows for certain.

A professional politician who can’t properly secure her guns in a crime-ridden city and accepted a lucrative scholarship that figured prominently in a corruption investigation is unfit to lead the City of Angels.

The termination of Canadian television anchor Lisa LaFlamme’s contract has generated outrage in Canada and the U.S. because of speculation she was fired for allowing her hair to go gray. More likely, the network decision to terminate LaFlamme was driven by budgetary considerations.

Despite the uproar, LaFlamme has refused to comment, which is despicable for a journalist.

Michigan governor played Washington Post reporter Ruby Cramer for a fool. What’s troubling is the Post recently declared Cramer as one of her generation’s “dynamic talents.”

Here’s another example of why Americans shouldn’t make political determinations and judgements based on what they read in the legacy media.

The Washington Post posted a profile this morning about Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who declined to speak with the once nationally respected publication. Here’s why DeSantis’ diss was a watershed moment in American politics and journalism.
An added bonus is an opportunity to learn a once popular Yiddish expression.