1.
“What Is MAHA?” December 16–29
New York’s latest cover story mapped the Make America Healthy Again movement. Ethan Freedman said, “This spread demonstrates one of the real challenges in reporting and covering these issues and people now — the ideas floating around are a mixture of bonkers conspiracies and real (and concerning!) science. Separating those is crucial.” California_polish commented, “Are we dismissing these MAHA voices because some of them are scientifically illiterate conspiracy nuts? … we should be better than dismissing public discourse because it doesn’t sound like ‘our camp.’ ” Wrote eldin, “No good will ever come of ‘maha’ because no Republican administration, especially not Trump’s, will ever do the one thing we need to make America healthier: impose firm regulations on multiple industries.” Commenter 10_27_2011 said, “What I wish you also delved into is how contradictory the whole MAHA and MAGA movements are … We’re going to eliminate fluoride but we’re going to allow companies to dump their waste into our water supply. Make it make sense!” Tigersatthezoo said, “I just implore people who are skeptical about big pharma and big ag for putting profits over people to be equally skeptical about the folks telling you essential oils will cure your kids autism. They’re in it to make a buck just as much as the other guys and they are also not your friends.” Oedipamas said, “How dare you put Rachel Carson in the maha bucket!”
2.
“The Late Eight”
Also in the issue, Bridget Read wrote about passengers stranded in São Tomé after missing their cruise ship’s departure. Mrokakopa explained, “The supposed inability of Norwegian’s shore-side staff to reach the ship except by email was simply a lie. All ships are equipped with satellite communications and shore-side staff can contact a ship by voice 24/7. Having spent 40 years as a Captain of deep-sea ships I’ve had my share of crewmembers who missed the ship. Regardless of blame, the first order of business was to … make sure the straggler was looked after, provided accommodation, and repatriated if necessary.” takemetoyourleader said, “Cruises are surreal, grotesque, and (depending on the route) populated with some of the most comedically ignorant Americans you could ever imagine. and that’s not even mentioning the horrifying labor practices and environmental impacts. abolish cruises.” twizzlers22 added, “Cannot fathom volunteering yourself into a floating jail with Norovirus, no laws, and they leave you behind and don’t answer the phone.” Some of the late eight signed up for another cruise after their ordeal, prompting Jsylvanita to say, “Apparently there’s more than ‘one born every minute’ and they all take cruises.” @pecunium had a more hopeful take: “This is what people do … when in a stressful, even catastrophic, situation … they pull together, and help each other. It’s not ‘Everyone for themselves.’ ”
3.
“Friends Like These”
E. Alex Jung wrote about comedian Brian Jordan Alvarez and the former collaborator who has accused him of sexual assault. @sikemeay said, “God the allegations against brian jordan alvarez are devastating. I was rooting for his success for so long.” Lh29 wrote, “Well, this is a mess.” Amy Brown commented, “what do you mean the ‘sitting is the opposite of standing’ guy is a rapist. that’s my emotional support shirtless dancing himbo.” @anxiousdeluxe said, “What happened here is awful but no shade I have never heard a normal thing coming out of a close-knit group connected to improv. it’s always like if The Secret History played out in a UCB basement.” Stef280 called Alvarez’s lawyers’ dismissive response to the accusation “actually insane. Since they were intimate before, it’s ok for Alvarez to assault his costar in the middle of filming a scene?! That’s not how consent works, at all.” Commenter nycweboy1 said, “It’s helpful that we have more words to discuss these topics and we take sexual abuse of men more seriously.” @barbzforbernie said framing the story “as a hit piece … obscures the more interesting conversation on power dynamics on set, and what early in their career twenty-somethings will turn a blind eye to if the person accused provides them opportunities or exposure.”
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