It’s true that TV news gives very abbreviated information, and that many people may hear the definite number (16) and pay little or no attention to the statements that the actually number is believed to be far higher (”in the thousands”, etc). I understand that many people aren’t analytically inclined. But I think it’s important to try to keep the focus on the facts, especially those facts that are being missed by a lot of people.
What annoys me about all the conspiracy theory stuff is that it distracts people from factual information that they really need to be paying more attention to in order to keep their pets safe. Nonsense about “notice how their press release says ‘Not for Release in the US’ on it”, and utterly unfounded claims that the Menu Foods CFO knew all about this when selling some company stock on the first day the company conducted tests, steers pet owners away from scrutinizing the important information that IS available, and makes them inclined to think there’s no point looking at that info in detail because it’s all just a bunch of lies put out by people who want to get rich and don’t care if they have to poison your beloved pet to do so.
I agree.
The truth lies in the middle. Both sides lose when they argue extremes. (Ironically, it’s the same with politics today!) And the first thing both sides lose is credibility. Without credibility, no amount of arguing/yelling will get one’s point across. And in cases like this, that results in tragedy.