You’re getting your news wrong, all wrong

Bring on the comet! I’m not certain if I’m embarrassed for my fellow man, or ticked off at the ignorance many display when they find – and then share – the “news” read in a Facebook post, Instagram meme or other “news” websites. Take a step back from the keyboard and say this out-loud any time you’re about to comment, or share a news item or meme you find on the Internet. (I apologize for the language, but it’s necessary.)

“Most of the stuff I read on the Internet is total bullshit.”

Then, if the story seems over-the-top or contains any quote from Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, President Obama, or just about anything to do with guns, say this out-loud.

“This is certainly total bullshit.”

My approach may seem extreme, but it’s the only way we’ll save ourselves from total embarrassment.

Question everything, share nothing until you’ve checked at least six times to verify the information. If you are unwilling to follow these easy steps, you’re part of the problem. You’re also proving that you are totally ignorant about the subject and showing your uninformed bias. You’re a low-information person, who form their staunch, “justified” opinions quickly and without actual thought. Congratulations. I hope you don’t ever vote.

And don’t tell me that it “sounded like something he or she would say because of what they said in the past.” You idiot, that thing you heard “in the past” was most likely total bullshit as well.

If you are unwilling to put the time into understanding just the basics of the subject at hand, don’t comment on it or share it. It’s that simple.

The latest embarrassment showed up on my Facebook feed this morning. It linked to a fake news website targeting conservatives, libertarians and Republicans that has two buttons just below each headline; “Show Facts” and “Hide Facts.” I’m not kidding. That’s right, this parody website mixed one paragraph of facts, with five paragraphs of fake Sarah Palin quotes created from the mind of a totally delusional writer who is certainly chuckling about all the readers who will think their fiction is real and will share it.

Of course, you barely notice the “show” and “hide” buttons, and that’s all part of the plan to ensure you are dumbed-downed voters.

What’s disturbing is you’re reading this stuff and forming opinions based on total fiction. Then you’re sharing it with like-minded lemons who think it’s real. And then you vote! God, save us all.

The example is in the screen shots below. I really was tempted to leave the names in place to embarrass these folks, but this time I’ll cut them a break. No, I’m not providing a link or even the name of the website. Never even saw it before this morning, but it’s certainly totally full of complete bullshit targeting conservatives and Republicans. (There are sites targeting liberals and Democrats, so don’t think this is one-way stupidity.)

Facebook Thread

Note there were one or two folks who tried to point out this is totally fake.

facebook-feed-2

Fake News Story

Are they protected from liable laws by simply adding the show facts and hide facts buttons?

fake-news

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

3 Comments

  1. stinkfoot on July 2, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    Stop meeting propagandists half way?



  2. Law-AbidingCitizen on July 3, 2016 at 8:36 am

    HA! I am surprised that this Palin story isn’t being repeated on every talking head Lame Stream Media outlet. This is just the kind of red-meat that the liberals love, especially since they hung the “Stupid” sign around Palin’s neck and it stuck with the LIV’s. Sarah isn’t stupid.
    The latest crap being peddled by the media is the Clinton-Lynch meeting. Without a doubt, this was a setup to rescue Lynch from any responsibility regarding Hilliary’s scandal. By meeting her, Bill has saved her for another day. Let some Schmoe in Justice make the Hilliary decision and suffer either the wrath of the left or the Right, or, maybe both. Lynch can float above it, maybe to SoS or SCOTUS in a Hilliary regime?
    Talk radio went after it like the hounds after the bunny at the races. The media dutifully reported the tip which was actually a leak. And, predictably, the media swallowed the story on its face: 70-something ex-president with a bad ticker plays golf in 112 degree Phoenix heat; just happens to meet with the Attorney General investigating his wife’s ongoing soap opera scandal; and, they talk about grandchildren, of whom Lynch has none, for half an hour?
    This buggers credulity.
    Everyone was had by Slick Willie. This is political theater at its best.



    • stinkfoot on July 3, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      …or worst.



comet

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