This is some good stuff---a lot of it is pertaining to some of the posters here:
Meet the GOP operatives who aim to smear the 2020 Democrats — but keep bungling it
"As it turns out, the truth or falsity of a Burkman-Wohl-concocted story is merely an inconvenience. Let the media’s “puritanical” fact-checkers puzzle it out: That’s the view of this twosome who fancy themselves as sub rosa players in the 2020 presidential contest and busy themselves trafficking in Internet rumors they hope will damage Democratic candidates.
Like notorious dirty tricksters before them, they operate in a realm where it matters little whether their claims are proved — they hardly ever are — but only whether they somehow slip into a corpuscle or two of the national bloodstream. But today it’s a more dangerous game: They operate in an era when notions about truth and fiction have been upended and in which many Americans get their information from self-affirming, partisan silos, making their brand of political cyberwarfare hyper-relevant.
Though he wasn’t involved, Wohl speaks admiringly of the fringe effort to undermine Sen. Ted Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign with loopy claims that the Texas Republican’s father was involved in President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
“That was good stuff,” Wohl says. “That was brilliant.”"
Libs have been doing this for years. You mad aint ya.
You'er pretty stupid with your assumptions....I posted this as informative..not that most of you clowns even read the whole thing. Dirty tricks are as old as politics..the game changer is the instant communication of the social media..and how it has allowed people of like mind to affirm one another ad infinitum. Much as is done here.
I'm not mad..you idiot! I'm not a Democrat either...issue driven--and I firmly believe the fringes elements on both sides of the divide are the real problem.
Interesting, you think social media is the driver to all the radical behavior? Why is that? What is the one element that contributes to this insanity on social media?
I'll bite, a serious answer: I'm not sure that there is just one factor--but the ability of like to find like..and engage in mutual affirmation--is powerful for humans. 1 village idiot is ignored...10,000 have power..voting power, and thus are the targets of disinformation. Social media allows demographic targeting on a scale never before seen, IMO.
The ugly truth is that is you set the average intellect square in the middle..that places a large group south of that point. The effort of actually acquiring the database needed to perceive the nuances of both history and the social upheaval going on right now is either too hard..or judged not worth the effort, by many. It is just easier to join a group that echoes your opinions and affirms your beliefs.
The net has also given rise to what i call, "copy and paste intellectuals". They believe that any subject can be Googled and make them an instant expert. Because one can find a link to bolster any point of view..correct or not..it also empowers many. The truth is..there is no substitute for hard work..and the effort it takes to derive a nuanced world view.
Easier just to throw poo.
I could go on and on---but I doubt that this really is the right forum for intellectual discourse. I note that no matter my protestations..no matter my record..i get lumped where-ever the groups wants to put me..for their own peace of mind. When I talk about illegal immigration..I get called a right-winger..when i talk abortion..I get called a Lib. Everybody hates me on guns.
As for politics..all I really want is good governance--no matter the party. I do believe that I'm shit outta luck, on that one.