Novak Diagnosed With Brain Tumor, HuffPo Closes Comments

Novak Diagnosed With Brain Tumor, HuffPo Closes Comments

By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
July 28, 2008 - 12:29 ET

For the second time in about two weeks, the Huffington Post has published bad health news about a high-ranking conservative media member, and has closed comments on the article likely to prevent its readers from disgracefully applauding the event.

UPDATE at 5:40PM: Comments still closed almost five full hours after the announcement.

On July 12, it was the passing of Tony Snow.

On Monday, it was the announcement that columnist Robert Novak has been diagnosed with a brain tumor:

Human Events reports that Robert Novak has been diagnosed with a brain tumor:
Robert Novak was admitted yesterday to a Boston hospital where he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In a written statement given to his publisher, Novak said:
"On Sunday, July 27, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have been admitted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where doctors will soon begin appropriate treatment."

If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see the following: "Comments are closed for this entry."

Given Novak's conservatism, as well as his involvement in the Valerie Plame affair, it seems a metaphysical certitude that HuffPosters would celebrate this announcement in a tremendously disgusting way.

I guess the good folks at HuffPo recognized this, and did the wise thing by closing the comments section.

That said, we at NewsBusters wish Bob a speedy recovery.

Comments Policy

All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

Democrat Underground is making up for it

July 28, 2008 - 12:50 ET by LibraryLady

There are plenty of sick comments from the idiots at Democratic Underground.

Do you have a link? I did a

July 28, 2008 - 15:29 ET by Indiana Joe

Do you have a link? I did a site search, and couldn't find any references to "Robert Novak brain tumor," other than older comments wishing one on him.

Give HuffPo

July 28, 2008 - 13:01 ET by Dr_Liberty

Give HuffPo kudos for doing this. That was a good move on their part.

Waiting for the

July 28, 2008 - 13:11 ET by general company

Waiting for the obligatory liberal to complain that conservatives would be just as foul, in 10-9-8-7

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

While I'm sure there are

July 28, 2008 - 13:19 ET by IgnatzJFahrquar

While I'm sure there are those on the extreme right that have spewed trash in regard to Ted K. I don't see it rising to the surface of the more prominent Conservative sites without being summarily skimmed and burned, along with the owner's IP address.

The general feeling I get is that the Libs can be just downright viscious. While I'd love to put a "Drill Now" or anti-Al bumper sticker on my car I just don't want the finish keyed.

"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain

A Helpful Hint

July 28, 2008 - 14:03 ET by Dr_Liberty

To get your bumper point across and avoid being keyed, here's a simple Good Housekeeping solution:

Buy the bumper sticker of your choice.
Then go to a craft store like Ben Franklin.
Purchase a magnetic sheet (they come in standard paper size 8.5 by 11).
Stick the bumper sticker on the magnet and then you can put the magnet on your car. You can easily peel it on and off depending where you go. I routinely use this handy tip to change up the message I want to convey that day.

Two caveats:

* It is not good in really hot weather as the sheet magnet may melt to the car. Not for use in Phoenix, Albuquerque or San Antonio or for anyplace above 85 degrees and in the sun for extended periods.

* Doesn't work on the new-fangled plastic cars that seem to be popular today. You need to have real honest-to-goodness steel.

What terrible news

July 28, 2008 - 13:13 ET by greenfairie

And I'm complaining about the pulled muscle in my neck. Lots of luck, Mr. Novak.

May Bob Novak have a tumor

July 28, 2008 - 13:34 ET by bigtimer

May Bob Novak have a tumor that is operable...my prayers are sent.

We all know how absolutely hateful, despicable, disgraceful the majority of the leftists are that blog on sites like DU....HuffnPuff, Dailykos...ect.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

There's a guy running

July 28, 2008 - 14:47 ET by

There's a guy running around here typing away that we should "Nuke'em till they glow and then shoot them." Or something like that.

Isn't that sort of hateful? Have you guys ever witnessed the horror of even one mangled body let alone the vaporization of a city? And you cheerlead this talk and call it a joke. It's disgusting.

I like this site and I like Noel Sheppard but I hate all of this cynicism and genocide talk.

flash... If you don't

July 28, 2008 - 14:52 ET by bigtimer

flash...

If you don't like it here...you can vaporize somewhere else...

Please...

I, for one... am sick of your complaints and trolling.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

But I do like it here and I

July 28, 2008 - 15:20 ET by

But I do like it here and I do like the people. Anyway what is your definition of a "troll" or "trolling." Just curious.

By the way did you see the news today where this guy in Tennessee shot up a church event (I think it was a children's recital)? He killed 2 and wounded 5. According to the note in found in his car he did it because he "hates liberals."

When you say that I can "vaporize somewhere else," are you threatening me physically bigtimer?

When I was in school we used to give people funny names. The biggest, tallest guy in my class, for example, was called tiny. Where did you pick up your nickname?

flash... Oh get a grip

July 28, 2008 - 15:31 ET by bigtimer

flash...

Oh get a grip troll...read and do try to comprehend.

The way you post I do think you have been here before anyway.

Carry on...

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

big & flash

July 28, 2008 - 15:55 ET by MrShy

BT, hey :) Yeah, could this be....... you know..... starts with an L, ends with an N.....?

- - - - -

FK, you're a troll, and you're trolling. So, you're the perfect definition.

You're usually a smart*** whose posts are quick flame-throwers to get people's attention. You seem to prefer score-keeping between the parties over any real exchange of knowledge, any claims and proof to back up any claims. And you definitely prefer bad humor/one-liners over any substantive debate.

You also possess one of the worst traits of human beings -- you're passive-agressive. You love playing both good cop and bad cop, coming on telling us all how you "like it here", "like the people" and "like Noel Sheppard", immediately followed with "have you guys ever witnessed the horror.... and you cheerlead this talk and call it a joke.... disgusting" and "I hate all of this cynicism and GENOCIDE talk".

If you truly found us even a fraction as hateful as the liberal sites and truly had the disdain for us that your bad cop conveys, then you wouldn't be opening with "I like this site...". No, you definitely wouldn't.

The Final Shy Judgement:

You're a game-playing troll.

* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change

Hi MrS... No it's not

July 28, 2008 - 16:03 ET by bigtimer

Hi MrS...

No it's not leon...but I do it is an old buddies of leons from long ago...lol.

anyway...great post you have there.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

When I was in school we

July 28, 2008 - 19:15 ET by BigB

When I was in school we used to give people funny names. The biggest,
tallest guy in my class, for example, was called tiny. Where did you
pick up your nickname?

When I was in school, most people felt sorry for people like you...some just beat you up and stole yer lunch money....

Now, this might sting just a little bit.....

Have you guys ever

July 28, 2008 - 16:38 ET by bassndude

Have you guys ever witnessed the horror of even one mangled body

In a word, Yes, I have. I have even assisted in mangling a few of them. Better them than me.

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

I for one think it's

July 28, 2008 - 17:31 ET by Schnikeys

I for one think it's hilarious to see non-Americans mangled, charred, and burned from nuclear weapons. Especially when they harbor lib viewpoints.

------------------------------------------------------------

"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"

But, back to the subject,

July 28, 2008 - 21:15 ET by FastEd

does it seem OK to say "hateful" words about someone who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor? Is it OK to cheer that somebody with a different viewpoint and has died? Is that the position YOU would like to have?

Not that you've noticed, but the folks here, those with sigs attached, have been around awhile (most of them) and when a newbie tries to attack or confuse the subject, the troll word is trown - and it usually hits the mark.

SO, is your sig a statement of fact, or wishfull thinking?

I like this site and I like Noel Sheppard but I hate all of this cynicism and genocide talk. Proof - cynicism and genocide talk, where, when, by whom?

There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V

Hi Fast.... I see where

July 29, 2008 - 18:41 ET by bigtimer

Hi Fast....

I see where and what you were talking about.

Just wanted to let you know...even though we are hitting and missing here.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Say what you want about

July 28, 2008 - 15:15 ET by Indiana Joe

Say what you want about HuffPo, but they know their audience. Notice that comments were never closed here when Ted Kennedy's cancer was announced. Maybe the odd post had to be removed, but the mods had faith in us posters.

A speedy recovery to Mr. Novak.

Best Wishes...

July 28, 2008 - 15:27 ET by Wildcatter1980

...for a speedy recovery for Mr. Novak. I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

The HuffPo knows their

July 28, 2008 - 16:41 ET by bassndude

The HuffPo knows their readers well. They understand what type of people they cater to and who they attract.

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

Newsbusters could learn something from this

July 28, 2008 - 18:10 ET by blogonator

I hope Newsbusters exercises the same level of restraint the next time they feel like posting a story relating in any way to Helen Thomas. You want tremendously disgusting? Have a look at the bulk of this thread. There is proof foulness and incivility know no ideological bounds.

There is proof foulness and

July 28, 2008 - 18:16 ET by bigtimer

There is proof foulness and incivility know no ideological bounds.

Oh cry me a river blogo...

You do not have to stay here if this site, or thread doesn't please you wittle sensitivities.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Someone's ugliness doesn't

July 28, 2008 - 18:22 ET by Schnikeys

Someone's ugliness doesn't exactly threaten their life the same way a brain tumor threaten's Novak's.

May someone dress up as Helen Thomas for Halloween this October and stop by your house while trick-or-treating. HAVE SOME FUN.

------------------------------------------------------------

"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"

blog - you will have to

July 28, 2008 - 18:30 ET by Hermano

blog - you will have to help me find out where posters were wishing her dead and her family dragged through the streets behind a speeding car. I am sure that if she became ill or died, you would see a great deal of sympathy for her family and a healthy dose of "she crossed the line" regarding her job. Check DU and honestly tell me that there are no comments of the nature of wanting Novak dead.

The Newsbusters Comments Crew: Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty

Yeaa, I noticed

July 28, 2008 - 19:46 ET by general company

There is proof foulness and incivility know no ideological bounds. blog

Yeaa, I noticed that virtually all of it is directed at you.

So like Jewell said: "So what does that say about you"

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

Do you mean we shouldn't show pics

July 28, 2008 - 21:18 ET by FastEd

of Ms. Thomas, similar to what the obamedia shows of the current administration?

There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V

Gettin' a bit tired of this...

July 29, 2008 - 12:05 ET by Cortillaen

Here we go again, the standard-issue non-argument of "But they do it, too!" This time, though, you get to fail more than once with the same argument (feeling special?): Obviously, our actions here have no bearing on those at HuffPo, hence your argument being a non-sequitur. Still, apparently unsatisfied with just tossing out an irrelevant claim, you also tried to defend people literally wishing horrible deaths to a man and his family with people making fun of a woman who's appearance matches the condition of her journalistic integrity. Show me where the NB community has ever wished death on or cheered the death of someone merely for holding a contrary political ideology, and I'll downgrade your offense to just a fallacious smokescreen.

www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.

"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi

HuffPo

July 28, 2008 - 19:18 ET by Emma Grump

I can recall when Tony Snow was first diagnosed with his cancer, and then again when his death was reported. In both instances, HuffPo had to close comments. That tells me a lot about the mindset and character of the majority of posters on that site. I have never seen that kind of vileness on the NewsBusters site toward any individual who has just received a terminal diagnosis, or whose passing will be imminent, or how desperately they wish for the person and his family to suffer the most agonizing of deaths. What sad miserable lives they must lead.