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How to think critically about what the media is telling you?


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The "Springfield pets hoax" gained traction because it played on people's existing fears and frustrations. On its own, the idea of Haitians eating cats or geese sounds absurd, but in a town like Springfield—where many are already upset about overcrowding, cultural differences, and public services being stretched thin—it becomes more believable.

With many Haitians on expired visas or extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS), locals already feel these immigrants have overstayed their welcome. When rumors and videos of Haitians eating pets started circulating, even if false, they fuel stereotypes and hostility toward immigration. 

Do some Haitians eat cats? Yes. But is there evidence of Haitians eating their neighbors' cats in Springfield? No—just allegations without any solid proof.

The hoax was further fueled by a video of a Black woman in Ohio, falsely labeled as Haitian, eating a cat. In reality, she wasn’t Haitian and was struggling with mental health issues, but the misinformation spread quickly, making the hoax even more effective.

 

-----  Why did this work on me?

At first, it seemed like an obvious lie—who eats pets? But hearing so many Springfield locals with similar stories and the real Ohio cat-eater video being falsely labeled Haitian made it seem believable. The repetition made it feel real.

 

-----  How effective is this hoax?

Incredibly effective. The "immigrants eat pets" rumor stuck after the debate. People still talk about it.  Trump is strongly against illegal immigration.  He actually attempted to end TPS and he has declared he will deport illegals.  Harris is associated with enabling illegal immigration.  Even if one learns the rumor is false, it brings attention to frustrated Springfield residents and builds support for Trump.

Edited by jross
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The "Trump Suckers and Losers" hoax is believable for similar reasons as the "Springfield Pets Hoax." The claim sounds far-fetched in isolation, but it feeds into confirmation bias and emotions.

Trump’s brash style and controversial comments make him a target for attacks. When the media report (or invent) hoaxes as fact, it makes people more likely to believe the next big story. If you were already convinced by the "neo-Nazis are fine people" claim, you’re more inclined to accept new outrageous accusations.

 

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Anti- Trump comic book

In a brazen attempt to brainwash young voters in Pennsylvania, an anti-Trump comic book full of lies about the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot is being sent to every public high school and library in the crucial swing state on the eve of the presidential election.

Copies of the first issue of “1/6: A Graphic Novel” will be mailed out this week, according to the Philly Voice, which describes it as “speculative fiction in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale.” 

The comic, funded by the left-wing Kettering Foundation, is set in an alternative universe Washington DC in which Trump’s “insurrection” was successful, and authoritarians have taken over the country and begin executing journalists. 
 

https://nypost.com/2024/09/15/opinion/striking-a-blow-for-the-whistleblowers-who-exposed-the-bidens/

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Here is a current example of how the MSM rolls from nbcnews.com

In an interview with Newsweek in 2022, Routh said he was 56 at the time and that he was from North Carolina and had flown to Ukraine from Hawaii. He complained about U.S. leadership as it related to Ukraine and urged greater support for the country from the U.S. government.

"This conflict is definitely black and white," he said. "This is about good versus evil."

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, after Trump's term in the White House. Trump has promoted a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election and has refused to say whether he wants Ukraine to win its war against Russia. He has also expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

There was no immediate indication that Trump's stance on Ukraine motivated Routh's alleged actions Sunday.

So why did they include that middle paragraph (bold added) in the article?  It has nothing to do with the current situation and issue.  Even NBC's three points in that paragraph, when you read their other articles, are dependent on how you parse and interpret words and response and they don't include direct quote of the question.  

If you are critically thinking about this article and why they included the paragraph the only conclusion I come to is NBC wants all their readers to remember - Orange Man Bad!

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Another current (today) example.  Decided to watch the noon top of the hour news to see how the latest info presented.  Using the Hulu start over  feature makes it easy to view multiple news channels.  CNN was hosted by Amanpour and had a guest.  Within 3 to 5 minutes (there was way more than 3 to 5 minutes of new news to cover) she asked the guest if we had a gun problem.  The guest pushed back she was not dettered.  Now ask yourself why would she go there, is it to keep her viewers triggered (pun intended)?  

But what new law do we need?  If the rifle were actually a fully automatic AK47 then that would be illegal for most everyone to possess.  Given the serial number was filed off it would be illegal for any to purchase or possess this rifle.  Given Routh is a convicted felon it is illegal for him to purchase or possess any firearm.

Fortunately it is not a AK47 but a SKS else the barrel might not have been extending thru the fence.  Maybe we need a new law that says it is illegal to poke a rifle barrel from the public side more than 1" thru the private side of a golf course exterior fence.  Yeah that would've stopped him. 🙄

Oh and referring to the Butler attempt she used the phrase "get him," like sure this is what the MSM is thinking and hoping but I'm shocked any said it out loud.  

She had lots of things to talk about why did she go back to the old everyday talking points? 

Edited by ionel
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On 9/20/2024 at 6:49 AM, Saylors_Tiny_Willie said:

@Saylors_Tiny_Willie

Did you check the charts bias? 

The first red flag is that the majority of respondents trust Kama more on crime than Donald Trump.  That is outrageously unbelievable unless the respondent majority slant a certain left direction.  

 

image.png

 

 

The second red flag is that the chart (above) is sorted in descending order for trust in Kamala Harris.  An unbiased sort would show trust in the order that the voters said was must important (below).

 

image.png

 

 

My BS meter is spiking, and now I’m wondering:

  • How many respondents?
  • What are their political affiliations?
  • What are their age and gender demographics?

The survey had 2,028 respondents, all paid to participate. This included 712 (35%) Hispanic respondents and 528 (26%) Black respondents. For context, Hispanics make up about 19% of the U.S. population, and Black Americans make up about 12%.

Links

 

This biased chart omits key information, and the media presents it as if "all of America" trusts Kamala on the economy.

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28 minutes ago, Saylors_Tiny_Willie said:

Easier to read for incredulous people.

https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2024/Items/Sep21-3.html

The methodology indirectly documents that more democrats than republicans were surveyed.  Here is the indirection connection you are missing.

The chart methodology states it has a higher representation of blacks and hispanics for “reason of analysis.”🧐 

In 2020, 92% of single-race Black, non-Hispanic voters cast a vote for Democrat Joe Biden, while only 8% backed Republican Donald Trump.

Although then-President Donald Trump made gains among Hispanics in 2020, a majority of Latino voters (59%) voted for current President Joe Biden that year, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of validated voters.

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On 9/14/2024 at 9:20 AM, jross said:
The "Springfield pets hoax" gained traction because it played on people's existing fears and frustrations. On its own, the idea of Haitians eating cats or geese sounds absurd, but in a town like Springfield—where many are already upset about overcrowding, cultural differences, and public services being stretched thin—it becomes more believable.

With many Haitians on expired visas or extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS), locals already feel these immigrants have overstayed their welcome. When rumors and videos of Haitians eating pets started circulating, even if false, they fuel stereotypes and hostility toward immigration. 

Do some Haitians eat cats? Yes. But is there evidence of Haitians eating their neighbors' cats in Springfield? No—just allegations without any solid proof.

The hoax was further fueled by a video of a Black woman in Ohio, falsely labeled as Haitian, eating a cat. In reality, she wasn’t Haitian and was struggling with mental health issues, but the misinformation spread quickly, making the hoax even more effective.

 

-----  Why did this work on me?

At first, it seemed like an obvious lie—who eats pets? But hearing so many Springfield locals with similar stories and the real Ohio cat-eater video being falsely labeled Haitian made it seem believable. The repetition made it feel real.

 

-----  How effective is this hoax?

Incredibly effective. The "immigrants eat pets" rumor stuck after the debate. People still talk about it.  Trump is strongly against illegal immigration.  He actually attempted to end TPS and he has declared he will deport illegals.  Harris is associated with enabling illegal immigration.  Even if one learns the rumor is false, it brings attention to frustrated Springfield residents and builds support for Trump.

stolen from scouts honor I:you don’t hate the press enough.  
 

Nancy:   So you smear somebody with falsehoods and all the rest…

and then you merchandise it.

And then you {referring to the press} write it.

and they they will {referring to you the people that they are lying to} say well it’s reported in the press…. That this, this, this, and this.     

so now you have validation of the smear …. Because the press reported it.  

and that’s what they call a wrap up smear.  

and now I {referring to politicians / democrats / pelosi etc} will merchandise that the press has reported it…… 

and it’s a tactic… and we use it   

now this vid below (same vid) On tik tok …. less edits than the YouTube version    (Surprise surprise lol)

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFMP6jK9/

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6 minutes ago, Saylors_Tiny_Willie said:

In all seriousness, that’s pretty powerful stuff. If we take a page from the poster above, who’s referenced another posters stance on “you don’t hate the media enough”…..let’s throw all media garb out the window. All of it, including the bites that register with our confirmation bias and make us feel good about it….throw all media out the window, and just listen to the people truly in the know.  You have these 740 national security officials, you have over 100 former Republican national security advisers last week, you have the majority of his previous cabinet…..all saying NO!  This guy for president is really a bad idea.  
 

So when it really comes down to it, you can listen to what the media and cool people on Twitter are telling you, or you can listen to the people that have had their actual fingers on things and what they’re telling you. 

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