Meet Rebekah Jones, the COVID Whistleblower Who Wasn’t

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pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,674
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I must have missed the part where an aide for DeSantis came out and stated that the FL gov hid data from the feds? Did we miss that part?

When a potentially misleading article comes out about not supporting the Democrats' Covid conspiracy against DeSantis, they want to hang the author. But when an actual misleading and false story comes out against DeSantis and people push back, it's "why don't you believe in science and the truth, you racist Diabetuus Fuckwits??? You are a notsee and must be punched."
The states lawyers basically admitted in court to withholding information from the public. What more do you need than that?
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,681
136
This is an exercise in "See! They're just as bad!" when Rebekah Jones is just a self styled whistleblower unable to deliver the goods. OTOH, it's Ron DeSantis who basically lies about everything so it's hard to discount her entirely.
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,279
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When OP lists yahoo as the originator, he really means the National Review. Consume at your own risk.

Ah is he back to pulling that shit? He tried doing that before because people kept pointing out his sources were either shit (opinion pieces or just made up shit from right wing sites) or he clearly didn't read them because they refuted what his claim was. So he started trying to obfuscate them by linking the news aggregator to make it seem more credible when it was the same butt grade shit he was citing before. And then he'll start whining "I had no idea where it was actually from, how am I supposed to know!?!?!?!?!" Letting us know he can't even read.

He really is a fucking clown that just does the same routine, and then bitches when called out for it. What a fucking moron.

The funniest part is he's been trying to rehab his image on here because people just call him a racist lying sack of shit, because that's all he is. And then the stupid motherfucker goes and does his old routine which caused people to point out how full of shit he is.
 
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Pohemi

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
9,452
12,988
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This is an exercise in "See! They're just as bad!" when Rebekah Jones is just a self styled whistleblower unable to deliver the goods. OTOH, it's Ron DeSantis who basically lies about everything so it's hard to discount her entirely.
I liken it to falling out of a boat and hitting water when she claimed that Desantis wasn't being honest. That's already a factual statement if you added no further details.

The exaggerations or embellishment by her wasn't needed, but it doesn't discount any actual wrongdoing or lying on Desantis' part.

Of course, that's the name of the game with character assassination.
 
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Xcobra

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2004
3,660
409
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I must have missed the part where an aide for DeSantis came out and stated that the FL gov hid data from the feds? Did we miss that part?

When a potentially misleading article comes out about not supporting the Democrats' Covid conspiracy against DeSantis, they want to hang the author. But when an actual misleading and false story comes out against DeSantis and people push back, it's "why don't you believe in science and the truth, you racist Diabetuus Fuckwits??? You are a notsee and must be punched."
So strawman arguments is all you have?? They're both leaders of their states so if they fucked up, they both should condemned (I condemned Cuomo for his decision). Just because some half ass story comes out from a questionable source trying to free DeSantis from all guilt, does not make it so! See how I used logic there? Try it one time.
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,125
30,518
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National Review is a conservative publication, which falls about center-right. It tends to rely on mainstream sourcing and avoids conspiracy theories. It isn't really a fair comparison with Alex Jones. Or even Fox News, for that matter.

I certainly take into account NR's bias, but truth be told, I had Jones pegged as an attention seeker, hyperbolist and possible liar right from the get go. I'm not going to credit anything she says unless or until she produces evidence independent of her own word.

She's hot, though. I'll give her that. Her looks have certainly made her telegenic in all this media attention she has gotten for herself.
Every time I've read National Review they've reported highly dubious speculation as "the only possible explanation." It isn't even journalism. They spend all their time drawing conclusions from other people's reporting.
 

interchange

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,022
2,872
136
This is an exercise in "See! They're just as bad!" when Rebekah Jones is just a self styled whistleblower unable to deliver the goods. OTOH, it's Ron DeSantis who basically lies about everything so it's hard to discount her entirely.

I think that's the covert message in these attack pieces. It's a completely inappropriate comparison when you're talking about a cadre of people in positions of power with direct responsibility to the public and one private citizen's bad actions.

I will say this presents an opportunity for introspection as this was a story that was readily believed because it jibes with the predispositions of most on the other side of Trump politically. Who here went through some cognitive dissonance in recognizing it isn't credible?
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,125
30,518
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I think that's the covert message in these attack pieces. It's a completely inappropriate comparison when you're talking about a cadre of people in positions of power with direct responsibility to the public and one private citizen's bad actions.

I will say this presents an opportunity for introspection as this was a story that was readily believed because it jibes with the predispositions of most on the other side of Trump politically. Who here went through some cognitive dissonance in recognizing it isn't credible?
I see a very young adult doing her best in a very scary situation. Anyone criticizing how she handled it should consider that they know absolutely nothing about what it's like to be in your 20s and fighting a state government alone. I guarantee those pieces of shit played a lot of head games with her.

Would I have liked her to have kept a more level head? Sure, but the big picture point here isn't that. It's that none of this should have happened in the first place and those in power should be strung up.
 
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interchange

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,022
2,872
136
I see a very young adult doing her best in a very scary situation. Anyone criticizing how she handled it should consider that they know absolutely nothing about what it's like to be in your 20s and fighting a state government alone. I guarantee those pieces of shit played a lot of head games with her.

Would I have liked her to have kept a more level head? Sure, but the big picture point here isn't that. It's that none of this should have happened in the first place and those in power should be strung up.

I am curious, have you read the full article?
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,125
30,518
136
I am curious, have you read the full article?
The National Review? I'd rather get a honey enema and sit on an anthill. Let me guess, all the links in the story link to other National Review stories? They take everything the state says as gospel truth? The state run by DeSantis, a known liar and rabid Trump supporter?

What I did do is Google her name and constrain results to the past month, and found all the usual suspects: NR, Reason, NY Post, Business Insider, etc. Nobody talking about her anymore outside of the right-wing blogosphere.

If you'd like to discuss some of the allegations, I'd be happy to if you can provide a trustworthy source.
 

Commodus

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2004
9,215
6,818
136
The National Review? I'd rather get a honey enema and sit on an anthill. Let me guess, all the links in the story link to other National Review stories? They take everything the state says as gospel truth? The state run by DeSantis, a known liar and rabid Trump supporter?

What I did do is Google her name and constrain results to the past month, and found all the usual suspects: NR, Reason, NY Post, Business Insider, etc. Nobody talking about her anymore outside of the right-wing blogosphere.

If you'd like to discuss some of the allegations, I'd be happy to if you can provide a trustworthy source.

Business Insider is fine. A bit attention-seeking, but it's not a hardline conservative outlet.
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,125
30,518
136
Business Insider is fine. A bit attention-seeking, but it's not a hardline conservative outlet.
Okay here you go:

Oh great their source is NR.
 
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Commodus

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2004
9,215
6,818
136
Okay here you go:

Oh great their source is NR.

Yeah, there's the problem. I would avoid sourcing NR as a general rule unless it has a really strong case... which isn't often.
 

interchange

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,022
2,872
136
The National Review? I'd rather get a honey enema and sit on an anthill. Let me guess, all the links in the story link to other National Review stories? They take everything the state says as gospel truth? The state run by DeSantis, a known liar and rabid Trump supporter?

What I did do is Google her name and constrain results to the past month, and found all the usual suspects: NR, Reason, NY Post, Business Insider, etc. Nobody talking about her anymore outside of the right-wing blogosphere.

If you'd like to discuss some of the allegations, I'd be happy to if you can provide a trustworthy source.

I think pretty central to this story is that Jones has clearly alleged she was instructed to manually alter data by Dr. Roberson yet her position was to run the GIS dashboard which merely received data from FL DOH. She wouldn't even have the means to alter such a thing, and if her data presented on the dashboard differed from internal DOH data, it would be obvious. Now the reality is that I don't know for 100% certain that she couldn't have had access to such a thing. I don't have a different source for that bit. I will say that the burden of proof is on the accuser, and it seems pretty clear that the initial allegations went absolutely nowhere, and the alleged gestapo raid resulted in arrest warrant for which she surrendered to custody. In there is a whole bunch of other stuff alleging a pattern of dramatic behavior and criminal history, emails addressing problems with Jones and attempts to professionally address them while she was employed, etc. Really I don't care too much about that. Jones really has provided nothing other than her word to substantiate any claim of intentional malfeasance, and that is simply not enough.

I will agree that the hit pieces are intended to paint a divisive narrative much broader than simply documenting that Jones herself is not credible, and that narrative is not remotely reasonable or appropriate. But neither this fact nor National Review's history of similar disreputable reporting have anything to do with Jones' credibility.

The simple truth appears to be that NR and other such conservative apparatuses are toxically weaving a divisive narrative, FL under DeSantis' leadership did a horrible job of providing an organized and sufficient response to COVID, and Jones herself has not provided any substantiated evidence of anything sinister behind the scenes. This is not a zero sum game. All 3 of those parties can be simultaneously bad even though they oppose each other.
 
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dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,125
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I think pretty central to this story is that Jones has clearly alleged she was instructed to manually alter data by Dr. Roberson yet her position was to run the GIS dashboard which merely received data from FL DOH. She wouldn't even have the means to alter such a thing, and if her data presented on the dashboard differed from internal DOH data, it would be obvious. Now the reality is that I don't know for 100% certain that she couldn't have had access to such a thing. I don't have a different source for that bit. I will say that the burden of proof is on the accuser, and it seems pretty clear that the initial allegations went absolutely nowhere, and the alleged gestapo raid resulted in arrest warrant for which she surrendered to custody. In there is a whole bunch of other stuff alleging a pattern of dramatic behavior and criminal history, emails addressing problems with Jones and attempts to professionally address them while she was employed, etc. Really I don't care too much about that. Jones really has provided nothing other than her word to substantiate any claim of intentional malfeasance, and that is simply not enough.

I will agree that the hit pieces are intended to paint a divisive narrative much broader than simply documenting that Jones herself is not credible, and that narrative is not remotely reasonable or appropriate. But neither this fact nor National Review's history of similar disreputable reporting have anything to do with Jones' credibility.

The simple truth appears to be that NR and other such conservative apparatuses are toxically weaving a divisive narrative, FL under DeSantis' leadership did a horrible job of providing an organized and sufficient response to COVID, and Jones herself has not provided any substantiated evidence of anything sinister behind the scenes. This is not a zero sum game. All 3 of those parties can be simultaneously bad even though they oppose each other.
She may or may not have been instructed to alter data. Maybe she was instructed to deceptively present data. I seem to recall that was the issue. She believed everyone had a right to the raw data. The state can't prove a negative, that she wasn't instructed. She alleges she was instructed but can't provide proof, which isn't uncommon or even strange if it was a verbal communication. It's all fucking nonsense at this point though which is why OP deserves to be slapped with several large fish.
 
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digiram

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2004
3,991
172
106
I had to deal with the worst month of my life this past March and it stems from someone brining covid from Fla. which spread around my entire family here. Was in the hospital for days and risked exposure to covid to help my mom who's over 85. Ended up getting it myself, but didn't experience any symptoms. Thank god we didn't lose anyone, but it was awefully tough. So, I'm of the opinion.. Fuck Florida!!
 

cytg111

Lifer
Mar 17, 2008
23,993
13,519
136
This is an incredible story about one woman who creates such havoc everywhere she goes. The latest victim: Florida. She spun all kinds of stories about hyow FL officials fudged COVID numbers. Thats a simplistic statement though considering the story. Took me about 20 minutes to read the article twice. Its pretty amazing.

Rebekah Jones, the COVID Whistleblower Who Wasn’t (yahoo.com)



IMHO the blurb about Democrats is irrelevant, as both partys are guilty of running with one story and pushing it as fact. The story here is about Rebekah.

Of all the people you could single out of present time news to do a bit on, of all the people having a tango with the law. Sure. Hang her. Now hang the rest too.
 

interchange

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,022
2,872
136
She may or may not have been instructed to alter data. Maybe she was instructed to deceptively present data. I seem to recall that was the issue. She believed everyone had a right to the raw data. The state can't prove a negative, that she wasn't instructed. She alleges she was instructed but can't provide proof, which isn't uncommon or even strange if it was a verbal communication. It's all fucking nonsense at this point though which is why OP deserves to be slapped with several large fish.

She publicly alleged a specific person told her to alter the data directly. It's part of the problem with her credibility that the allegations have changed over time.

Nonetheless, me saying she is not credible is not me saying she is lying. If some random dude in a grocery store pulls me over and tells me I should buy stock in x company because he works for them and knows the earnings report they are about to release is vastly greater than expectations, well than that tip is simply not credible. I'm not going to invest any meaningful amount of money in company x based on it. But it still could be true.

All that said, in this case, the appears to be an absence of any circumstantial evidence to support her claims presuming that direct evidence of a verbal conversation does not exist. That's a problem, and if a pulic health agency were systematically covering something up, you'd expect at least one person to corroborate something along those lines. The problem here is that the validating evidence people are using is simply emotional reasoning supporting a conspiracy (e.g. DeSantis ordered a raid on her house for the purpose of intimidation). This kind of logic is how conspiracy theories are built.
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,125
30,518
136
She publicly alleged a specific person told her to alter the data directly. It's part of the problem with her credibility that the allegations have changed over time.

Nonetheless, me saying she is not credible is not me saying she is lying. If some random dude in a grocery store pulls me over and tells me I should buy stock in x company because he works for them and knows the earnings report they are about to release is vastly greater than expectations, well than that tip is simply not credible. I'm not going to invest any meaningful amount of money in company x based on it. But it still could be true.

All that said, in this case, the appears to be an absence of any circumstantial evidence to support her claims presuming that direct evidence of a verbal conversation does not exist. That's a problem, and if a pulic health agency were systematically covering something up, you'd expect at least one person to corroborate something along those lines. The problem here is that the validating evidence people are using is simply emotional reasoning supporting a conspiracy (e.g. DeSantis ordered a raid on her house for the purpose of intimidation). This kind of logic is how conspiracy theories are built.
Here's some actual factual reporting:

And more:
Here we can see guns drawn and pointed upstairs where the children are sleeping. Saying they were pointing "at my children" during a highly emotionally charged situation isn't what I would consider a dishonest representation like NR and others make it out to be.

I'm still trying to find records of these supposed public remarks that are inconsistent. Got any links?
 
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ivwshane

Lifer
May 15, 2000
32,548
15,424
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She publicly alleged a specific person told her to alter the data directly. It's part of the problem with her credibility that the allegations have changed over time.

Nonetheless, me saying she is not credible is not me saying she is lying. If some random dude in a grocery store pulls me over and tells me I should buy stock in x company because he works for them and knows the earnings report they are about to release is vastly greater than expectations, well than that tip is simply not credible. I'm not going to invest any meaningful amount of money in company x based on it. But it still could be true.

All that said, in this case, the appears to be an absence of any circumstantial evidence to support her claims presuming that direct evidence of a verbal conversation does not exist. That's a problem, and if a pulic health agency were systematically covering something up, you'd expect at least one person to corroborate something along those lines. The problem here is that the validating evidence people are using is simply emotional reasoning supporting a conspiracy (e.g. DeSantis ordered a raid on her house for the purpose of intimidation). This kind of logic is how conspiracy theories are built.

Using your logic; if a whistle blower is intimidated with police entering her house with guns drawn, how likely do you think other people will come forward?

So I'll ask my original question: what would be her motivation for making such an accusation in the first place? Show your work, don't just guess.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,133
30,084
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Oh yeah - She was the one that was raided by the feds last December. I think we had a thread on that at the time?

Yeah, she was a nutcase of epic proportions.




lol if you want documented proof of the level of cognitive dissonance here - look no further.

yeah but at least you never get your information from conservative and far right sources. We know this because you told us that!
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,279
5,720
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yeah but at least you never get your information from conservative and far right sources. We know this because you told us that!

I know, he prefers random YouTube channels with hard hitting journalism about Twitch gamer girls selling bathwater, British tabloids declaring broken escalators as Islamic terror attacks at EuroDisney, 4Chan, Bill Maher, and Charles Barkley.
 

interchange

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,022
2,872
136
Using your logic; if a whistle blower is intimidated with police entering her house with guns drawn, how likely do you think other people will come forward?

So I'll ask my original question: what would be her motivation for making such an accusation in the first place? Show your work, don't just guess.

The search warrant was executed in December, 7 months after she was fired from her job. There was a lot of time for others to come forward. Her characterization of a guns drawn raid has been disputed by police who have released body camera video. If you want to review that and decide whether the search warrant was appropriately executed, be my guest.

I have no reason to entertain her motivations. Lots of possible things come to mind, but I have no reason to think they are relevant.