David Corn: RFK Jr. Is Even Crazier Than You Might Think

[Nevilledog]

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/05/robert-kennedy-jr-conspiracy-theory-covid-pandemic-event-201/


Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being normalized.

He’s a conspiracy theorist who has made a lot of money pushing baseless or disproven notions about vaccines, Covid, and other hot-button subjects. At the start of his 2024 presidential bid, the media reported his history as a disinformationalist on multiple fronts. Yet now he’s largely covered as another character in the ongoing presidential horse race.

Most of the recent stories about him focus on his standing in the polls, what voters he’s attracting, and speculation regarding his potential impact on the outcome. In such pieces, his extreme conspiracism is often not conveyed fully and sometimes not even mentioned. A recent Washington Post story on Kennedy family members endorsing President Joe Biden noted in mild fashion that RFK Jr. “has embraced controversial, unfounded claims on issues including vaccines and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.” A Wall Street Journal article on chaos within his campaign merely said Kennedy “has promoted conspiracy theories—in particular on vaccines—and espouses political views from across the spectrum.” A New York Times piece referred to him as a “vaccine skeptic” who has promoted “vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories about the government.”

Those descriptions of Kennedy do not do him justice. He is much further around the bend than they indicate. With his advancement of unhinged and outlandish conspiracy theories, RFK Jr. is in the league of Alex Jones. There’s at least one difference. While Jones comes across as a shameless charlatan grifting his audience, Kennedy does seem to fervently believe the dark nonsense he spews. That makes him particularly dangerous, not merely because he may influence a critical election but because his presidential run is something of a super-spreader event for false information, lies, and paranoia.

One could spend countless hours examining and countering the long list of hair-raising and unsubstantiated allegations Kennedy, once known mainly as an environmental lawyer, has peddled over the years in books, interviews, articles, and public appearances. But I took a deep dive into one that serves as an example of how far out-of touch from reality he can be—and how far he will go to twist the truth to serve his ideology of conspiracy.

*snip*

[underpants]

1. Good read. Sounds like the panel discussed basically what RFK Jr does for a living now

The panel was asked, “How can government, international business, international organizations ensure that reliable information is getting to the public and prevent highly damaging and false information, to the extent that’s possible, about the pandemic from spreading and causing deepening crisis around the world? How much control of information should there be and by whom? And how can false information be effectively challenged?”

[hlthe2b]

2. I participated virtually in the Johns Hopkins-sponsored (201) simulation--available on youtube still.

I had no idea he was referencing this for his looney tune theories, but looking back, I can't be surprised. I honestly don't think he is unintelligent, but maybe it is the drugs that have disconnected him from critical thinking and susceptibility to wild conspiracy theories passed his way. Of course, public health was the focus---and why I participated. But likewise, all the other groups and aspects involved with a comprehensive response as we were about to find out with COVID-19. This is NOT the first such event with pandemic simulations. They have occurred in preparation for pandemic flu and even (more limited) response to SARs and Ebola.

It is a shame, but he needs to be exposed for all he is. And very little of it is "good."