The other day I read an article reporting some internal strife at Fox News wherein two high-level personalities there took issue with Tucker Carlson’s series on the events of 1/6/21, the alleged insurrection. What I found amazing within the story was that nowhere could I find a single statement, word, approach, indicating what these gentlemen factually disagreed with. What I did find was that their feelings were offended. They felt that the Tucker Carlson series verged into conspiracy territory and yet I saw no indication that any of the opposition at Fox News put in any work needed to actually refute Tucker with alternative facts. This is a trend that I see growing in media. It’s easy to make accusations, it’s easy to throw bombs, but no one wants to put in the work, and why should they when a provocative headline is all it takes to constitute faux substantive ‘news’. Few even bother to read the following story which is why media types think can get away with such slovenly practice.
The kerfuffle over Tucker Carlson’s piece wasn’t limited to media wonks and one, Liz Cheney for example, took so much exception to it that she contacted Carlson’s bosses and demanded that they intervene in airing the broadcast. Surprise, surprise, when Carlson invited Liz on air to discuss the topic, she went suddenly AWOL. She has no ideas of her own to defend, only accusations and innuendo toward thoughts that didn’t fit her worldview.
You see the same thing when you go to Facebook. Occasionally – rarely in fact, some people will post real articles, some more reliable than others which is fine but more often than not, the best that you’ll get is a meme, often tantamount to propaganda. I’m always amazed by esteemed progressive friends who claim to have abundant collegiate and advanced degrees, but they can’t be bothered to post any more than a meme. Not only do those memes present the wrong answer, but more significant, they also present the wrong unsolicited question as well; quite convenient when you have no facts to back up your conclusions. It takes no work to hit the share button on your favorite meme site.
As I write this, we’re beginning the holiday season starting with Thanksgiving. People will be gathering at tables this weekend and for many other holiday gatherings this month and beyond. We’re at a point where we joke about political discord that all too often can be expected at the holiday/family table. Anyone that’s conservative would be best to eat their turkey, peas, mashed potatoes, and gravy in silence with a smile on their face, enjoy their food and let the others rant. No one’s doing any research, writing a term paper, no one’s bringing their citation to the table, but what you’ll get is a lot of unhinged emotion, so let them eat that for their Thanksgiving meal; it’s not like they’re interested in a heaping plate of truth.