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The Truth is Out There
Author: BobR    Date: 12/21/2011 13:42:58

It was Mark Twain who said "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes". With the internet, that is more true than ever, as would-be journalists try to out-scoop each other posting "news" items they find without taking a moment to verify their veracity.

Thus we get the recent Jon Bon Jovi death hoax. That one was easy enough to fact-check, and in fact was debunked within hours. It's when other stories break (and I do mean "stories") - particularly involving politics - that those who want to believe them will - even when the truth finally does get its shoes on and make an appearance.

When the Affordable Health Care Act was still only a bill, the lies were rampant. It was bad enough that Raine and I created the HealthcareReformMyths.org website to help debunk all the lies that the right-wing was putting out. As it got closer to being passed, we also had to debunk lies from the Left as well. Where the mere election of Barack Obama to the presidency seemed to create the Tea Party, it was this piece of legislation and what Democrats in Congress had to do to get it to pass that seemed to galvinize a tiny vocal minority on the left against the President. Sure some of them were PUMAs already, but after that point, the hate was set in stone, and no story was going to be too ridiculous to not believe, and no accomplishment was going to be good enough.

Fast-forward 2 years from all the Angry Left cries of "insurance company giveaway", and we find the truth: The Affordable Health Care Act has provided a means for 2.5 million young adults to get health insurance where they couldn't before. Lives are being saved for people with pre-existing conditions. Sure there isn't "single-payer"... but is this a good first step? I am certain these millions of people would say "YES!" Despite the anger and the lies, the bill was passed into law, and has been battered by critics from both sides ever since. The truth, though, is that it has accomplished what it was meant to do: Make sure that American people can get, keep, and afford health care insurance.

Since that passed, the House has come under control of the Republicans, and the Senate is split nearly 50-50 (not that it matters much with Republicans filibustering EVERYTHING). Yet somehow, every bit of watered-down legislation that comes out of this mess still seems to be the president's fault, and if he signs a bill that mostly helps Americans, the Angry Left focuses entirely on the poison pill the Republicans have put into it. The Republicans may not be good at governing, but they understand politics, and they know that every time they slide something unpleasent across President Obama's desk, he loses more votes.

The recent payroll tax cut fiasco is another fine example. Sure, the Republicans will agree to extending the tax cut - but only if the Keystone Pipeline gets a green light. Naturally, the environmental single-issue voters are outraged. But is it as bad as it seems? It never is:
The two-month payroll tax break extension bill passed by the Senate on Saturday included language that would make Obama decide within 60 days whether TransCanada Corp's 700,000 barrel-a-day Keystone XL oil sands pipeline is in the country's national interest.

But the U.S. State Department, which must approve the cross-border project, has said it will not be rushed into a decision before it has time to consider the environmental impact of alternative routes. That could leave Obama room to approve the project in principle but still keep construction at bay.
[..]
An Obama administration official who briefed reporters said the State Department would "almost certainly" have to turn down an approval because there would not be enough time to complete its review of alternate pipeline routes through Nebraska's fragile Sand Hills region.
[..]
"The foundation for plausible deniability has been laid already," said Kevin Book, an analyst at ClearView Energy Partners in Washington.

"The Obama administration has already said they won't be rushed, but they don't have to rush to say no, either."

It certainly seems likely that President Obama told Senate Democrats it was okay to agree to this, since it wasn't the President himself that would shoot the pipeline down later. The Republicans got played, yet the Angry Left don't see the truth. Of course - all this is moot since the House refused to vote on the Senate bill, then left town, assuring that taxes will go up for millions of American middle-class families in January.

The other recent legislation-related story that got the Angry Left so incensed was the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that gets passed every year to extend and authorize our bloated military for another year. The original bill contained some language that seemed to authorize the military to incarcerate American citizens. President Obama threatened veto if the language wasn't changed. The language WAS changed, and it was getting passed by the Senate. Senator Carl Levin was talking on the floor, and a small snippet of it was posted online purporting to show that the President asked for the language to be put back in.

Naturally - the outrage was of the high spittle-and-foam variety, and the usual suspects reported on this video snippet as if it was Divine Truth. More and more people began pointing out the language that said otherwise, and the fixation came down to the word "required" (as opposed to "allowed", I suppose), even though other sections clarified this. Apparently, it's too much to ask to have people understand that legislation has numerous sections that often reference other sections and clarify their meanings. Eventually, the focus migrated to "indefinite detention", even though that law was already on the books and unaffected by this bill.

The immediate questions I had when I saw the video snippet were:
  1. Where is the rest of the video? I want to see this in context
  2. Who posted this video?
  3. What are their motivations?

These are simple questions that ANYONE should ask when they read something or watch something. Knowing the source of the story - and, indeed, the WHOLE story - is critically important. Fortunately, someone DID do the research, and determined that this was put out by a spammer. Once the Carl Levin video is seen in context (and the post-vote news entry on his website is read) it's pretty clear that the law does not apply to American citizens, and Carl Levin knew that, and was NOT saying otherwise.

The video was essentially a lie, designed to create website hits and rile up the President's supporters, and it worked. I am quite certain that there are still people out there for whom the truth still hasn't laced up and jogged on over for a visit.

It's a shame that people are so quick to bestow the mantle of credibility to false stories because they tell a tale that we want to believe or confirms our suspicions. We should ALWAYS strive to learn the truth (from various sources), especially before passing the story on. We deserve it.
 

82 comments (Latest Comment: 12/23/2011 02:46:38 by Raine)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 12/21/2011 14:06:16
Morning!

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 14:07:09
Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 12/21/2011 14:12:47
Mornin' all..

Comment by TriSec on 12/21/2011 14:31:48
http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgfp2189+i-want-to-believe-x-files-poster.jpg


Sorry, sorry. Won't happen again.


Comment by BobR on 12/21/2011 14:43:53
Le Blog is up - sorry for the delay.

Comment by BobR on 12/21/2011 14:44:30
Quote by TriSec:
http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgfp2189+i-want-to-believe-x-files-poster.jpg


Sorry, sorry. Won't happen again.

Not displaying - I get a "permission denied" when I try to open it in it's own tab. But - I see the name, and know the poster.

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 15:03:58
good morning! This blog was a breath of fresh air.

and that is truth. One thing I really thing that has actually gone under the radar was this (from the blog)
would make Obama decide within 60 days whether TransCanada Corp's 700,000 barrel-a-day Keystone XL oil sands pipeline is in the country's national interest.


Tar sands sucks-- but I tend to agree with something Shane said -- even if it is approved, it's not likely to ever happen. too many state environmental impact studies have to happen -- and they take forever.

As far as the NDAA this is a really non hysterical read, and it lays out what it does and does not do.

Comment by BobR on 12/21/2011 15:13:36
Quote by Raine:
good morning! This blog was a breath of fresh air.

and that is truth. One thing I really thing that has actually gone under the radar was this (from the blog)
would make Obama decide within 60 days whether TransCanada Corp's 700,000 barrel-a-day Keystone XL oil sands pipeline is in the country's national interest.


Tar sands sucks-- but I tend to agree with something Shane said -- even if it is approved, it's not likely to ever happen. too many state environmental impact studies have to happen -- and they take forever.

As far as the NDAA this is a really non hysterical read, and it lays out what it does and does not do.

It's a bit discouraging that we have to come out with these "take a deep breath people" blogs so often, showing how the Angry Left (and/or Professional Left, Firebaggers, etc) will believe and promote a sham story without even checking to see if it's true.

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:18:39
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine:
good morning! This blog was a breath of fresh air.

and that is truth. One thing I really thing that has actually gone under the radar was this (from the blog)
would make Obama decide within 60 days whether TransCanada Corp's 700,000 barrel-a-day Keystone XL oil sands pipeline is in the country's national interest.


Tar sands sucks-- but I tend to agree with something Shane said -- even if it is approved, it's not likely to ever happen. too many state environmental impact studies have to happen -- and they take forever.

As far as the NDAA this is a really non hysterical read, and it lays out what it does and does not do.

It's a bit discouraging that we have to come out with these "take a deep breath people" blogs so often, showing how the Angry Left (and/or Professional Left, Firebaggers, etc) will believe and promote a sham story without even checking to see if it's true.



does it seem like people's reactions are become a tad over wrought these days?

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/21/2011 15:25:41
Quote by Raine:
good morning! This blog was a breath of fresh air.

and that is truth. One thing I really thing that has actually gone under the radar was this (from the blog)
would make Obama decide within 60 days whether TransCanada Corp's 700,000 barrel-a-day Keystone XL oil sands pipeline is in the country's national interest.


Tar sands sucks-- but I tend to agree with something Shane said -- even if it is approved, it's not likely to ever happen. too many state environmental impact studies have to happen -- and they take forever.

As far as the NDAA this is a really non hysterical read, and it lays out what it does and does not do.


What part of "tar" do people not understand? Seriously.

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 15:26:21
Quote by wickedpam:

does it seem like people's reactions are become a tad over wrought these days?
It's not "seem" they are. pure and simple.

And I am getting really tired of it. It's just exhausting.


Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 15:28:35
You Need to Dial 719-266-2837 Right Now.

No really... I just did, and it's totally worth it.

Comment by TriSec on 12/21/2011 15:29:55
I've said it before; we're the exception to the rule around here. Does anyone take a story at face value anymore? I've got literally dozens of information resources at my fingertips. If I see the same thing reported on a number of widely-separated sites (politically and geographically), then I start to think it might be reasonably accurate.

Americans on the whole, and particularly those single-source ones (whether it be Fox or MSNBC) are the 'lazy' among us and are more likely to repeat that lie without checking.


Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:33:14
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:

does it seem like people's reactions are become a tad over wrought these days?
It's not "seem" they are. pure and simple.

And I am getting really tired of it. It's just exhausting.



I'm not even talking politics on this - just in general life too. It is very tiring.

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:34:34
Quote by Raine:
You Need to Dial 719-266-2837 Right Now.

No really... I just did, and it's totally worth it.





Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:35:41
woohooo!!!!!! 1480 AM!

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/21/2011 15:35:46
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:

does it seem like people's reactions are become a tad over wrought these days?
It's not "seem" they are. pure and simple.

And I am getting really tired of it. It's just exhausting.



I'm not even talking politics on this - just in general life too. It is very tiring.



Oh I agree. Everybody is acting as if what they are doing right now is the most important thing in the world. if you don't treat it as such they melt down.

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:36:04
now lets see if I can get the station toward the west

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 15:38:12
Quote by TriSec:
I've said it before; we're the exception to the rule around here. Does anyone take a story at face value anymore? I've got literally dozens of information resources at my fingertips. If I see the same thing reported on a number of widely-separated sites (politically and geographically), then I start to think it might be reasonably accurate.

Americans on the whole, and particularly those single-source ones (whether it be Fox or MSNBC) are the 'lazy' among us and are more likely to repeat that lie without checking.
Fact checking is just critical. take for example this story I posted about the other day in the blog posts: a website fraudulently leveraging the names of journalists Josh Harkinson (Mother Jones) and James Kerchick (The National Review; Wall Street Journal) to spread misinformation about the NDAA,
calling President Obama a “serial liar” and accusing him of treason — I’d say there seems to be a concerted effort going on to stoke the flames of anti-Obama discontent among those who have fears about the odious detention provisions in the NDAA — whether real or imagined — through the purposeful dissemination of half-truths, misrepresentations, and outright lies.


They did the following under the guise of respected journalists:

Meanwhile, unelected.org is further inciting readers around the passage of the NDAA. Yet another recent post there offers up a file containing the home addresses and telephone numbers of members of Congress who voted for the NDAA. There is no legitimate reason to publish such information when all members of Congress are easily contacted via their DC and district offices, unless you want someone out there in the internet to take it upon themselves to dispense a little retribution. And as of this writing, this article has been shared 224 times on Facebook




Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 15:39:03
Quote by wickedpam:
now lets see if I can get the station toward the west

What is the call number? We interviewed David when I was on the air with ?Shane and he broke this news then, and I didn;t get the call number.

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 15:39:58
Quote by wickedpam:
woohooo!!!!!! 1480 AM!

oh... that. thanks mala!

I WAS ABOUT READY TO DIE!

Comment by BobR on 12/21/2011 15:48:29
Quote by TriSec:
I've said it before; we're the exception to the rule around here. Does anyone take a story at face value anymore? I've got literally dozens of information resources at my fingertips. If I see the same thing reported on a number of widely-separated sites (politically and geographically), then I start to think it might be reasonably accurate.

Americans on the whole, and particularly those single-source ones (whether it be Fox or MSNBC) are the 'lazy' among us and are more likely to repeat that lie without checking.

there's also the Glenn Greenwald acolytes


Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:50:03
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
woohooo!!!!!! 1480 AM!

oh... that. thanks mala!

I WAS ABOUT READY TO DIE!





Comment by TriSec on 12/21/2011 15:51:39
Quote by Mondobubba:

Oh I agree. Everybody is acting as if what they are doing right now is the most important thing in the world. if you don't treat it as such they melt down.


Heh. I see that a lot at the store this time of year.

The Scene: Downstairs in the footwear pit, 6 days before Christmas. A customer approaches a green-shirted sales rep.

"Hi, do you have this slipper in a weird colour in size 12 wide?"

"I doubt that very much, but let me check." (sales rep disappears out back, rummages around shelves, climbs ladders, etc.) "No, sorry. It's completely sold out."

"Well, what are you going to do for me, then?"

<< thought bubble >> "How about smacking you upside the head for expecting to find an esoteric item in bulk 6 days before Christmas. It's not my fault you waited until the last minute.

And END SCENE.

It's that...when did we go from an "Oh well, I guess I messed up" attitude to that sense of entitlement, that "I made a mistake, missed an opportunity, forgot to do something, and NOW I NEED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR MY MISTAKE."

Maybe if we can answer that, we can figure out why everyone is in such histrionics about everything all the time.




Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 15:57:34
what are the call letters for the San Fran station?

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 16:08:05
Quote by wickedpam:
what are the call letters for the San Fran station?

KNEW 960

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 16:08:51
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
what are the call letters for the San Fran station?

KNEW 960



thanks

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 16:09:56
I think that it might be time for an HD radio.



Comment by Mondobubba on 12/21/2011 16:11:26
Quote by BobR:
Quote by TriSec:
I've said it before; we're the exception to the rule around here. Does anyone take a story at face value anymore? I've got literally dozens of information resources at my fingertips. If I see the same thing reported on a number of widely-separated sites (politically and geographically), then I start to think it might be reasonably accurate.

Americans on the whole, and particularly those single-source ones (whether it be Fox or MSNBC) are the 'lazy' among us and are more likely to repeat that lie without checking.

there's also the Glenn Greenwald acolytes

'
I would include MSNBC opinion shows, KO and the Young Turks as Greewaldites.

Comment by clintster on 12/21/2011 16:13:59
It's always nice to hear my Becktoven's 5th on Steph. :)

Mornin' everybody!

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 16:26:35
You know, I don;t mind opinion shows --- Even RAchel and KO -- I just feel like it is still important to fact check.


ok, to tell the truth -- I can't stand TYT-- I really don't like them.

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 16:27:00
Quote by clintster:
It's always nice to hear my Becktoven's 5th on Steph. :)

Mornin' everybody!

Heya Clint!

You on break yet?

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/21/2011 16:38:36
Quote by Raine:
You know, I don;t mind opinion shows --- Even RAchel and KO -- I just feel like it is still important to fact check.


ok, to tell the truth -- I can't stand TYT-- I really don't like them.



I've tried watching, meh. Not compelling.

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 16:57:09
Take a look at the chapter it was hidden in.
The Transportation Security Administration says officers found two throwing daggers hidden in a hollowed-out book at a checkpoint at Reagan-Washington National Airport.


Comment by clintster on 12/21/2011 17:01:21
Quote by Raine:
Quote by clintster:
It's always nice to hear my Becktoven's 5th on Steph. :)

Mornin' everybody!

Heya Clint!

You on break yet?

Oh yes, on break. I am now 9 hours away from my M.Ed., and trying to keep my cool around my co-workers. In other news, my little guy recently lost his two front teeth. Here's a song from him:



Comment by livingonli on 12/21/2011 17:08:36
Good day everyone. I wonder what it says that both Greenwald and Sirota are Ron Paul supporters? (And to a lesser degreee, TYT) They both are big on his anti-imperialism (isolationist) and pro pot legalization positions but they turn a blind eye and ignore his horribly reaction positions which at least TYT has acknowledged so his support for Paul is only within the GOP primary where Sirota said filling in for Randi that he was his candidate of choice.

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 17:10:00
Quote by livingonli:
Good day everyone. I wonder what it says that both Greenwald and Sirota are Ron Paul supporters? (And to a lesser degreee, TYT) They both are big on his anti-imperialism (isolationist) and pro pot legalization positions but they turn a blind eye and ignore his horribly reaction positions which at least TYT has acknowledged so his support for Paul is only within the GOP primary where Sirota said filling in for Randi that he was his candidate of choice.
I don;t know about Sirota -- but many of these folks tend to be ex republicans....

Cenk and Greenwald are.


Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 17:11:31
Clint, the video just said an error occured and to try again later.

I can't wait to see it! Little man is getting so big!

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 17:13:08
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by clintster:
It's always nice to hear my Becktoven's 5th on Steph. :)

Mornin' everybody!

Heya Clint!

You on break yet?

Oh yes, on break. I am now 9 hours away from my M.Ed., and trying to keep my cool around my co-workers. In other news, my little guy recently lost his two front teeth. Here's a song from him:



Oh
mah
Gawd.

That is wonderful! BTW -- He's a spitting image of Mrs Clintster! What a handsome young man! (getting a little verklempt here!)


Comment by velveeta jones on 12/21/2011 17:14:33
Quote by Raine:
You Need to Dial 719-266-2837 Right Now.

No really... I just did, and it's totally worth it.

Oh dear GOD! What evil genius thought this up?
:lol:

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 17:16:00
I see Thom is seeing the glass half empty again

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 17:19:38
Quote by wickedpam:
I see Thom is seeing the glass half empty again
I walked away a moment before he went to break.

Mala, did you (or anyone else) listen to Randi yesterday?

Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 17:25:14
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I see Thom is seeing the glass half empty again
I walked away a moment before he went to break.

Mala, did you (or anyone else) listen to Randi yesterday?



Randi was great yesterday - and the blog today was great - the whiners are kill'en me

I get that Thom has a point that the Repubs know how to message - thing is, we need to message better or more stratigcally(sp)

Comment by BobR on 12/21/2011 17:29:37
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I see Thom is seeing the glass half empty again
I walked away a moment before he went to break.

Mala, did you (or anyone else) listen to Randi yesterday?


Randi was great yesterday - and the blog today was great - the whiners are kill'en me

I get that Thom has a point that the Repubs know how to message - thing is, we need to message better or more stratigcally(sp)

It's hard to message when there are people like Greenwald, et al that are killing the messenger

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 17:33:18
Quote by wickedpam:
Randi was great yesterday - and the blog today was great - the whiners are kill'en me

I get that Thom has a point that the Repubs know how to message - thing is, we need to message better or more stratigcally(sp)
Exactly.

At a certain point we need to getbeyond the meme that the GOP is so great at messaging... and that they won this fight politically.

The other day I got a WONDERFUL tweet from the Senate Dems:
Remarkable: After months of opposing #payrolltaxcut altogether, #House GOP now claims extension is too short http://1.usa.gov


So there is messaging out there -- I just honestly believe it gets drowned out by pearl clutchers and the RW ---


Comment by wickedpam on 12/21/2011 17:40:43
True, true

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 18:05:28
I've been having serious holiday Stress. but then I just read that POTUS just left the WH to a suburban Shopping mall...

I feel better now. Almost presidential...


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/21/2011 18:07:24
Quote by Raine:
I've been having serious holiday Stress. but then I just read that POTUS just left the WH to a suburban Shopping mall...

I feel better now. Almost presidential...



Which one?

Comment by Raine on 12/21/2011 18:10:49
Blessed Solstice!