Thank you, but I say sue the bastards. Fox and Musk have gotten away with spreading disinformation because of a misunderstanding of the political speech doctrine: The First Amendment protects ‘core political speech’ above all other forms of expression. But Musk purchasing the world’s town square only to weaponize it to support his own agenda, and Fox admittedly lying to viewers nonstop to promote Trump, isn’t political speech presumptively entitled to legal protection.
Weaponized disinformation will ultimately kill the First Amendment, which the Supreme Court recognized back in 1969 when it approved the Fairness Doctrine and required accuracy in the media. Even in politics, the foundational role of protecting free speech is the promotion of free ideas, not to protect a nefarious publisher’s monopoly.
True, but then in the aughts the Roberts Court ruled that money is speech, which leads right up to today and Musk buying as much of the election as he could.
Hi Stephanie. I grew up in a fascist authoritarian household so I have a lot of direct experience with it. I am the only one (I have 4 siblings) to make it out and am the only progressive. My perception is that authoritarians are not wired in a way that enables them to receive. They are essentially closed individuals and desire a closed system.
There's much to be said for the ice cream vs broccoli analogy but, in my opinion, it misses an important aspect. It's not really ice cream they're being served; ice cream is sweet. It's a steady diet of hate cream and fear cream. Negative emotions are much more engaging and motivating than positive emotions online and in other media. Add to that the fact that internet trolls have said in the past that they've tried to spread falsehoods among liberals, and they simply aren't as likely to take the bait as conservatives. So, we have a third to half (if the non-voters follow the distribution of voters) who are especially susceptible to the kinds of disinformation that gets them worked up and ready to take action. It will be much harder to confront that without, perhaps, turning into them, at least as a public facing rhetorical device. I don't know that we would want to do that. But otherwise, we just have to wait for the planned economic policy to tank the economy, in which case we'll do well with the voters next time, only to have the cycle repeat 4 or 8 years later.
True. I don’t think we’ll reach the cult. But we might reach non political non voters if we do it right. It’s gonna take money, a whole lot of spending money.
We still have work to do to maximize Dem seats in the House. Races are not yet called. Cure ballots. It makes a difference, like it did yesterday for George Whitesides’ win in CA-27 over the MAGA incumbent.
We need to build a coalition of community leaders who are willing to stand up locally for what is right. We have been conditioned to "not protest" and fear the oppressor. I am reading Timothy Snyder's book "On Freedom" and would like to join a book club via Zoom if anyone is interested. It is becoming obvious that neoliberal politics are not going to save us. Would we react as well as South Korea did if Trump were to declare martial law? It will come to this in the near future. Also, if the Democratic party is to succeed, we need to support leadership that will support grassroots organizing. Right now, the only candidate who seems like he is interested in this is Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler. Wikler has built a reputation as an effective fundraiser and gained respect across party lines for his state leadership of the party.
Thank you, but I say sue the bastards. Fox and Musk have gotten away with spreading disinformation because of a misunderstanding of the political speech doctrine: The First Amendment protects ‘core political speech’ above all other forms of expression. But Musk purchasing the world’s town square only to weaponize it to support his own agenda, and Fox admittedly lying to viewers nonstop to promote Trump, isn’t political speech presumptively entitled to legal protection.
Weaponized disinformation will ultimately kill the First Amendment, which the Supreme Court recognized back in 1969 when it approved the Fairness Doctrine and required accuracy in the media. Even in politics, the foundational role of protecting free speech is the promotion of free ideas, not to protect a nefarious publisher’s monopoly.
True, but then in the aughts the Roberts Court ruled that money is speech, which leads right up to today and Musk buying as much of the election as he could.
Hi Stephanie. I grew up in a fascist authoritarian household so I have a lot of direct experience with it. I am the only one (I have 4 siblings) to make it out and am the only progressive. My perception is that authoritarians are not wired in a way that enables them to receive. They are essentially closed individuals and desire a closed system.
I think you’re right. But we have to reach the people who aren’t political, and want nothing to do with political news.
There's much to be said for the ice cream vs broccoli analogy but, in my opinion, it misses an important aspect. It's not really ice cream they're being served; ice cream is sweet. It's a steady diet of hate cream and fear cream. Negative emotions are much more engaging and motivating than positive emotions online and in other media. Add to that the fact that internet trolls have said in the past that they've tried to spread falsehoods among liberals, and they simply aren't as likely to take the bait as conservatives. So, we have a third to half (if the non-voters follow the distribution of voters) who are especially susceptible to the kinds of disinformation that gets them worked up and ready to take action. It will be much harder to confront that without, perhaps, turning into them, at least as a public facing rhetorical device. I don't know that we would want to do that. But otherwise, we just have to wait for the planned economic policy to tank the economy, in which case we'll do well with the voters next time, only to have the cycle repeat 4 or 8 years later.
True. I don’t think we’ll reach the cult. But we might reach non political non voters if we do it right. It’s gonna take money, a whole lot of spending money.
And,
It's gonna take time, Whole lot of precious time, It's gonna take patience and time
to get it right
Be do be
We still have work to do to maximize Dem seats in the House. Races are not yet called. Cure ballots. It makes a difference, like it did yesterday for George Whitesides’ win in CA-27 over the MAGA incumbent.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/ballot-curing-ca
Check for ballot curing in states in addition to California. Campaigns also need funding.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/ballot-curing
I decided to pick myself up, dust myself off, and help lots of talented people run for office! https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/elections-breaking-down-the-red-wall-a0b
An amazing response! Absolutely one of the most important things to do!
We need to build a coalition of community leaders who are willing to stand up locally for what is right. We have been conditioned to "not protest" and fear the oppressor. I am reading Timothy Snyder's book "On Freedom" and would like to join a book club via Zoom if anyone is interested. It is becoming obvious that neoliberal politics are not going to save us. Would we react as well as South Korea did if Trump were to declare martial law? It will come to this in the near future. Also, if the Democratic party is to succeed, we need to support leadership that will support grassroots organizing. Right now, the only candidate who seems like he is interested in this is Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler. Wikler has built a reputation as an effective fundraiser and gained respect across party lines for his state leadership of the party.