Why would you want that?

I have to say, I don’t understand this complaint. After a WaPo reporter explains why the WaPo and other media outlets have written about the Birther nonsense while largely ignoring the 9/11 Truther nonsense for years. Yglesias then writes that “The question-asker is basically observing that there’s a double-standard in which nutty conspiracy theories that are backed by the conservative movement get media play that is denied to other nutty conspiracy theories.” He’s treating this as some sort of vast rightwing conspiracy in the media to bring attention to arguments that hurt liberals. Or something.

This strikes me as wrong. If anything, I think that the media highlighting of the Birther nonsense will serve to marginalize those on the right. Same thing with Vince Foster. This makes the right look crazy, something those in the media are more than happy to do. “Oh, look at those crazy conspiracy theorists, they think Obama’s not even a real ‘Murrican like they are/the Clintons are sociopaths who will stop at nothing, including murder, to maintain their grip on power.” Does Yglesias really want the media to focus on all the Democrats who believe that George W. Bush destroyed the World Trade Center? Does he think that will do his side any good? Does he think that the media is biased against the Truthers because that would make Bush and Cheney look bad? I just don’t get what he’s getting at here.