Publishing Made Up Facts

The attempt to blame right-wing talk shows for the Arizona tragedy has been discredited. But the attempt to blame mental illness continues. Here journalists publish a nonsensical statement from a cousin of the accused shooter making psychiatric diagnoses. What evidence is there for a family sharing a made up illness? What evidence is there that the illness is causally connected to violence? Is there any concern for publishing made up facts?

[From article]
"Jared Loughner's first cousin told The Washington Post that his extended family has a history of "bipolar disorder."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/killer_dad_feared_son_was_spiraling_eHhWV3ejInWzhZzNVPqC1N

Killer's dad feared son was spiraling 'out of control'
By JEANE MacINTOSH and DAN MANGAN
New York Post
Last Updated: 9:00 AM, January 14, 2011
Posted: 3:10 AM, January 14, 2011