Truth & Fact-Checking aren’t Crimes
“The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing was created by an executive order signed by United States President Barack Obama in December 2014. Obama created it in response to the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri following the shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer there.”
Trump opted to tweet disinformation about the murder of another Black man; George Floyd; by police, caught on tape & in broad daylight, but threatens to suppress or shut down Twitter and other social media, because it won’t let him & his party lie without necessary fact-checking. Never mind, that this American company actually cares about its integrity, credibility & reputation. What credible nation would want its leadership to routinely lie to the citizens? Most would argue that the president of the United State does not have a constitutional right to lie & deceive the American people.
Yep, we awaken to hearing Reuter’s and other media outlets report on the president’s interest in curbing fact-checks on social media.
Interestingly, last December, Russia tested its own “internet”, designed to cut Russian citizens off from the rest of the world. Is 45 learning from the spy chief?
These articles about nations we once condemned for their humanitarian and political practices are sounding too close to home. Media articulates concerns about these acts, but, who would have thought they’d talk about America, too? Who would have thought that substantiated lies that are fact check- not removed = political bias & interference? In America? All parties should demand truth from elected officials. The First Amendment does not allow for deception and disinformation to go unchallenged.
“Increasingly, authoritarian countries which want to control what citizens see are looking at what Iran and China have already done.” If Trump has his way, we could be living like the Chinese, or a gradual takeover, like Hong Kong is experiencing. Maybe he has North Korea on his mind: “Censorship in North Korea ranks among some of the most extreme in the world, with the government able to take strict control over communications. … All media outlets are owned and controlled by the North Korean government. As such, all media in North Korea get their news from the Korean Central News Agency.”
Life in TrumpTown
If Trump has his way, we can have 24/7 Fox & Friends, OAN and Breitbart as our news. Imagine Kayleigh McEnany lead all of the previous communications staff in managing what we see & hear. That’s part of the vision of cult leaders — you only hear from the “supreme leader”. Some are already operating in this cult-like existence. He can do no wrong in the eyes of millions.
Maybe those who defend Trump want our new normal to look like Iran: “ Iran is one of the countries most strongly identified with internet censorship. Beginning on November 17, 2019, in response to the 2019 Iranian fuel protests, an internet shutdown reduced internet traffic in the country to 5% of normal levels.”
Most of us don’t realize that a slow, trumpian takeover, by Maryland’s Sinclair Broadcast Group, is already underway. Sinclair is acquiring myriad stations, which allows them to not be limited to one tarnished name, like FOX. They can do a network version of shape-shifting, allowing messages and bias to, subtly, seep into our airwaves.
Propaganda is a global political strategy, which has been around since people began communicating. Democracies and dictators use it to win over and secure the heats and minds of the people. Free speech is one of the assets that makes the U.S. a beacon on a hill. But, if leaders are lying to you about issues that are literally, life and death, then, they are no democracy.
People still continue coming here, seeking better lives than the places they left. Most are hopeful that our government will be better than the place caging children and separating families. The racist acts of citizens and elected officials are anomalies. They ignore the posturing of a president, who has certainly startled foreign leaders — ESPECIALLY, long-standing allies — with his Un-American antics. They don’t see the presidents lie spreading and personal attacks. Real leaders never stoop so low, that such juvenile conduct is their executive norm. No one would have imagined that a U.S. President would brag that almost two million Americans sick and over 100,000 dead from a pandemic equals success. Imagine a military general celebrating such loss — and remember the president is considered “Commander-in-Chief. Plus, he has gains praise from some spiritual leaders, so he feels ordained — if not superior, to deity. The vocal in his pews drown out the majority, and that’s what he wants. So, here WE are.
Those with American citizenship aspirations — and those who live here — would never imagine a U.S. president would attempt to silence American businesses, until they comply with his view of the constitution. Never mind, they have a commitment to honor its terms of services, even if the president (endorses by his party and systems) scoffs at the rule of law. Companies & competent business leaders know that their public reputation matters above all else. So, how can a reputable leader attempt to use their authority to force lies upon their people? America used to frown on suckers who attempted to spread lies like a pandemic.
Our government once had agencies that would identify and stamp out disinformation campaigns. Who would have every thought we would crown the president with power to do what we once condemned. I would have never imagined we could become a nation of suckers.
I’d never imagine we would have a sucker in chief. We all have a civic and moral duty to respect ourselves, our families, our communities & practice integrity. What will you do?
