Lost on the Disinformation Superhighway 0
Several weeks ago, The Denver Post explored rumors that spread on social media of incidents of voter intimidation in Denver, but which in fact were unfounded. Buried the middle of the article was this telling observation (emphasis added).
People are relying less on previously trusted sources such as local government and local newspapers, Hupfeld said, and instead on social media, where information may not be verified.
We see this taking place every day, as the newspaper mill is replaced by the electronic rumor mill. (The article goes on to recommend things we can do so as not to get sucked in the maelstrom of lies which passes for political discourse amongst twits on Twitter and frolickers on Facebook–and, now, I guess, twerps on TikTok and yokels on jodel and the list goes on.)
Aside:
This is in no way to downplay the danger of efforts to intimidate voters. They are continuing, and not always at the polls.
But we need to live and vote in the real world.
The Lies of the Land 0
Peter Baker takes inventory. A snippet:
Follow the link for the evidence.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Politeness is a family value.
(snip)
Sometime shortly after 2 a.m., her parents heard the garage door open and thought someone was breaking into the home. The girl’s stepfather retrieved his gun and went to investigate.
When the two encountered each other, the girl was accidentally shot in the abdomen, said Sgt. Joni Money.
One more time, “accidentally” is not a synonym for “negligently.”
QOTD 0
Unknown (cited by Jason Whiting):
Never argue with someone who believes their own lies.
Whiting, Jason, “Talking to Difficult People,” (Psychology Today, December 2020), p. 54.
Hoist on the Elmer Gantry 0
Jerry Falwell, Jr., accused the Lincoln Project of being involved in publicizing the scandal which led to his ouster from Liberty University.
The Lincoln Project’s response is delightful.
Immunity Impunity
0
Julie Werner-Simona, a veteran of three decades as a Federal prosecutor who’s now a law professor, argues that it comes from the top.
The Superspreader 0
Spocko does the math.
Gutting Out the Vote 0
Farron discusses the election protection hotline and suggests that you keep the number (866-OUR-VOTE/866-687-8683) at hand if anyone tries to intimidate you as you cast your vote.
Fly the Fiendly Skies 0
One more reason I’m glad my days of flying all over the country to conduct training classes are behind me.
The Whitelash 0
Darcia F. Narvaez explores the human cost of what she refers to as “movement conservatism,” which is defined in detail in the opening of her article. She cites several specific examples from the research of Jonathan Metzl (citation at the link), arguing that the policies are rooted in racism, but ultimately rebounded to harm the white voters who supported them.
Follow the link for very specific examples, and, as you do, remember the words of Lyndon Johnson.
(Broken link fixed.)