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Vigilance - Now more than ever...
Author: BobR    Date: 07/03/2009 12:38:49

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
- Mark Twain


The 2008 election was an historic moment - the first black president of the United States was chosen by a majority of the voting public. At the same time, the House and Senate were given over to the Democrats with solid majorities. The messages from the campaigns struck the right notes in the ears of Americans, and the they went to the polls to vote for hope, but more importantly: change.

But of course, some things never change. The players in charge of disseminating the smears and lies about Obama and the Democrats (Limbaugh, FAUX News, ... you know who they are) have not only kept up the propaganda, they've ramped it up. The problem with this is that there is a small percentage of the population that eats this up as truth because it reinforces what they already believe and feel.

The BIGGER problem is when this small percentage talks to other people, who consider them to be reliable sources of information. I was reminded of this while working at my part-time job the other night. There is a person who works there that claims to be a Libertarian. Every day she comes in with yet another talking point (an assumption on my part, but certainly every day I am working). She spews it out sardonically and with an air of certainty, and I cringe as I see people (other coworkers and customers) that would be more comfortable in a progressive camp eat it up and get angry about yet another blow against common sense and their personal liberties.

The most recent one involved the energy bill. She claimed that people would need to seal up their fireplaces, and would have to get their houses "up to code" before they could sell them. Surprise, surprise, that's what FAUX News is claiming as well:
On July 1, the Fox Nation linked to an article from the conservative news organization CNSNews.com under the headline, "Pelosi Requires All Homes to Meet Eco-Standards Before They Can Be Sold" -- a claim not supported by the CNS article. CNSNews.com's Matt Cover reported that the American Clean Energy and Security Act recently passed by the House of Representatives "contains a new federal policy that residential, commercial, and government buildings be retrofitted to increase energy efficiency, leaving it up to the states to figure out exactly how to do that." Cover then theorized that this policy "means that homeowners, for example, could be required to retrofit their homes to meet federal 'green' guidelines in order to sell their homes."

I've looked at the bill. What it says is that for homes (and home appliances) to be labeled as energy efficient, they would need to meet certain codes. At a certain point, houses labeled as such are going to be easier to sell and command a higher price. If this means that traditional fireplaces would preclude the label, then people with houses that have them would have to make a choice. Also included in the bill is funding to help people make those retrofits, as well as tax credits.

What this shows is that with each iteration and interpretation, you get further and further from the truth.

It also shows that vigilance is still necessary. After this last time, I am no longer going to sit idly by while she regurgitates yet another talking point. I will call "bullshit" and ask her for her source. I can guarantee it will be "FAUX News" or "Neal Boortz", at which time I will discredit it. We have to take steps to prevent the poisoning of the waters (uncomfortable as it might be), even if it is our coworkers, friends, or family.

The problem of course is providing the truth when you don't have access to the internet to show them, or you get blindsided by some bizarre claim (as I did) and you don't have the facts at your fingertips. I will certainly try to be more prepared, checking in at Media Matters and perhaps (*gulp*) listening to right-wing radio and/or TV to see what nonsense they're trotting out, so I can lookup the facts and be prepared.

Taking our country back wasn't the end of the battle - it was the beginning. Now is not the time to sit back and relax, because those who would derail the progress we seek are charging ahead with all pistons firing.

Vigilance!

 

65 comments (Latest Comment: 07/04/2009 03:52:17 by BobR)
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Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 12:53:12
Goood morning all.



In the spirit of giving the middle finger to the continually craptastic New England weather, I'm enjoying my day off by liveblogging outside anyway. At least as long as the laptop battery holds out. I usually run an extension cord outside but I'm not THAT stupid.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 13:02:49
That's the same crap I heard from Fatty and the Forehead aka Dennis and Callahan yesterday morning on the Murdoch chan....er ... Boston Herald chan..... er.... WEEI. Callahan was fuming about how terrible it was that we would be forced to retrofit our homes and that bad-smelling hippies would be coming into your home to inspect it. Even though that was the first I heard of it, I figured Callahan was full of shit.

Comment by TriSec on 07/03/2009 13:22:12
Morning, folks. Late start today, but it matters not.



I'm with TR; since I'm working at the store tomorrow, I'm planning a 3rd of July cookout today. I have the gear; I'll grill in a downpour, dammit!



:pirate:





Comment by TriSec on 07/03/2009 13:25:19
Oh, and as an *actual* card-carrying Libertarian.....the takling points they come up with are mostly crap.



There is a party website.



While I'm not as hardcore as I used to be, there's still a lot of good stuff out there.





Comment by livingonli on 07/03/2009 13:53:54
Good morning everyone.



Didn't sleep very well last night so I am up already. So much to do. So little time.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 14:10:19
Took the opportunity while the landscapers were mowing the lawn to top off the charge on the laptop.



MMMMMMM the smell of fresh mowed grass.

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 14:15:32
Good Morning. This talking point is almost as absurd as the *He's Gonna take our Guns away* meme.



What is that? DO I hear you have a some SUN up in New England?

Comment by clintster on 07/03/2009 14:18:46
This should be at the top of your list for 4th of July viewing! It's at the top of your list!!!!!





Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 14:24:14
I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 14:32:40
Quote by Raine:

Good Morning. This talking point is almost as absurd as the *He's Gonna take our Guns away* meme.



What is that? DO I hear you have a some SUN up in New England?




Yeah, the nasty stuff is supposed to spring up this afternoon. So I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Mother Nature is recharging her thunderstorm batteries.

Comment by livingonli on 07/03/2009 14:35:47
It's cloudy here. We had enough thunderstorms last night. We're still supposed to get storms today but it may be nice this weekend.

Comment by clintster on 07/03/2009 14:39:18
Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.



Comment by livingonli on 07/03/2009 14:44:08
The KTLK stream seems to to be stuck in a PSA loop.

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 14:46:28
I love how Hal is framing the hate crime debate.







Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 14:51:26
Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.





Unfortunately, that was taken, though my chosen name still has a Pythonish character to it. I do have a comment in the linked thread.

Comment by clintster on 07/03/2009 14:57:58
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.





Unfortunately, that was taken, though my chosen name still has a Pythonish character to it. I do have a comment in the linked thread.




"Fox "News" - We distort, you decide."?

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 14:58:24
Morgen alles. Boy that was bad German, right up there "Die Bart Die."





Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 15:07:25
Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.





Unfortunately, that was taken, though my chosen name still has a Pythonish character to it. I do have a comment in the linked thread.




"Fox "News" - We distort, you decide."?




That's it!



Comment by BobR on 07/03/2009 15:07:44
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.





Unfortunately, that was taken, though my chosen name still has a Pythonish character to it. I do have a comment in the linked thread.


Pythonesqe? It "wood" have to be wooden_badger!

Comment by clintster on 07/03/2009 15:10:40
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.





Unfortunately, that was taken, though my chosen name still has a Pythonish character to it. I do have a comment in the linked thread.




"Fox "News" - We distort, you decide."?




That's it!





Cool! I now have you in my favorites list.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 15:16:33
Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by clintster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

I'll tend to link Fark stories rather than the RW nutball places like Fixed Noise, NewsMax, Washington Times & the like. You can choose whether or not to go to the original article to give them the click-thru. The Fark threads are much more amusing and the story is usually quoted enough to get the gist of what's going on.



HORRORS!! College Republicans BANNED!!!!!



Of course, this is "Liberty" "University". And the College Democrats were banned long ago. But that headline wouldn't work for Fixed News.



See if you can guess my Fark handle.




Hmmm, I'm guessing "trojanrabbit"? Have you commented lately? I am trying to add you as a favorite on Fark, but I want to make sure that's your handle there.





Unfortunately, that was taken, though my chosen name still has a Pythonish character to it. I do have a comment in the linked thread.




"Fox "News" - We distort, you decide."?




That's it!





Cool! I now have you in my favorites list.




Thanks. You've been on mine since I ran across you about a month or so ago (I think).



Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 15:35:56
Hal DID do a lot of great work this week.

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 15:46:27
Wow, caller is very good at skirting the uber talking points.

Comment by clintster on 07/03/2009 15:54:08
OK, another keyboard cat... Glenn Beck, come on down!





Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 15:55:02
Glad Newty supported the Military Coup in Honduras (this is the kind of "democracy" he likes, I guess) :



Coup “President” Installs Nephew as “Mayor” of Honduras’ Second City

:waiting:







Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 15:59:10
Rebekah!

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/03/2009 16:36:59
Excellent post, BobR!!



I hope that everyone is doing well. I have been busy with a few things here, and will soon wrap up my online Arizona Constitution course == the last thing I need to do before getting an upgrade in my teaching license.



Everyone, please have a great and safe Independence Day weekend.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 17:20:03
Hearing some raindrops hit the patio umbrella.

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 17:52:07
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Hearing some raindrops hit the patio umbrella.






Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, Rabbit...

Comment by clintster on 07/03/2009 18:09:18
Oh, I see, we're allowing gays and lesbians to exist.

Comment by BobR on 07/03/2009 18:24:04
Quote by Will in Phoenix:

Excellent post, BobR!!



I hope that everyone is doing well. I have been busy with a few things here, and will soon wrap up my online Arizona Constitution course == the last thing I need to do before getting an upgrade in my teaching license.



Everyone, please have a great and safe Independence Day weekend.


Thanks Will - you too!

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 18:32:48
Quote by clintster:

Oh, I see, we're allowing gays and lesbians to exist.




What a dick.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 18:49:53
Quote by Raine:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Hearing some raindrops hit the patio umbrella.






Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, Rabbit...




Heh, it rained for about 5 minutes then stopped. The sun's out again. I suppose I could go back out but radar shows a bunch of stuff coming in, so might as well just call it a day and putter down at the workbench.



Comment by AuntAzalea on 07/03/2009 19:19:06
Great post BobR!

Hope everyone has a great 4th.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 19:22:08
I've been reading today's post from the Rude Pundit (hilarious) and at the bottom is a little, almost marginal note. He is going to be on mit Momma on Mondee.

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 19:32:07
So Sarah Palin is stepping down as gov???



:thud:

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 19:34:06
Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 19:45:21
She is a f*cking Drama Queeen. She was upset that MJ was getting more coverage than her.

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 19:48:50
Seriously-- you don't make a run for a Job IN Government by leaving government.







Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 19:53:10
Quote by Raine:

Seriously-- you don't make a run for a Job IN Government by leaving government.











You are forgetting that as a whiskey-tango, sierra-bravo (that is white trash, snow billy if you are wondering) princess it's not about the office, it is about the money. This running for President scam pays better than being Governor of Alaska. Plus there are too many people being mean to the thin skinned t@#t.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 19:55:19






BTW, did you see the comments? "pedifile" Is that a fancy term for a toe nail file?

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 20:01:59
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Seriously-- you don't make a run for a Job IN Government by leaving government.











You are forgetting that as a whiskey-tango, sierra-bravo (that is white trash, snow billy if you are wondering) princess it's not about the office, it is about the money. This running for President scam pays better than being Governor of Alaska. Plus there are too many people being mean to the thin skinned t@#t.






More like whiskey-tango-foxtrot

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 20:02:25
Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 20:04:34
Sarah has shown that she can't finish the job. Who the hell thinks she would be able to complete one term as president?

Comment by Scoopster on 07/03/2009 20:05:58
Hi folks! Just got home from running errands & shopping.. what this shit I hear about Palin resigning?

Comment by Raine on 07/03/2009 20:13:40
Quote by Scoopster:

Hi folks! Just got home from running errands & shopping.. what this shit I hear about Palin resigning?


Yup as of July 25.



Reasons not really known -- she thinks she can do more for Alaska outside government --- :rolleyes:

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 20:17:01
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Scoopster:

Hi folks! Just got home from running errands & shopping.. what this shit I hear about Palin resigning?


Yup as of July 25.



Reasons not really known -- she thinks she can do more for Alaska outside government --- :rolleyes:




She's "not wired for government." WTF. Do you think there is some scandal brewing. I mean another one.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/03/2009 20:19:20
Andy Borowitz: " BREAKING: Comedians Mourn Palin Resignation"

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/03/2009 20:28:39
Fox News is going to rename the show Hannity & Palin



Fair & Balanced, boy howdy you betcha also too.

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