2017 New Year's Resolution Suggestion

“Ignorance is Strength” is the third and most powerful slogan chiseled into George Orwell’s Ministry of Truth in 1984.

To combat FAKE news and support the truth in the coming year, Boots and I have resolved to support repitable news sources. We will select something (Washington Post, Mother Jones, New York Times, The Guardian, Slate, Huffington Post, Miami Hearld or Union-Tribune in San Diego, etc).

Like you, we can’t support or fund everything but we can try to help one or two. If you can, select something you trust will provide you with researched and true news. Then put some money on them. We all know that newspaper hard copy versions are archaic and disappearing in a lot of areas of America. Since none of us have the funds of a Warren Buffett and can’t be buying up papers across the nation, contributing to your choice(s) is a step to protecting the TRUTH.

Fight FAKE news - make support of TRUE and REAL news one of your New Year Resolutions!

Donald Trump Tricks The Media Into Crediting Him For Creating More U.S. Jobs

We need to prod legitimate news sources to be part of the solution not part of the problem with FAKE news! We need to write “letters to the editors,” call them on their complacency and/or lack of rigorous attention to the truth! Journalists need to stay on topic (truth) and not be swayed by the flashing lights and do-dads that the president-elect dances in front of their eyes.

The president-elect will have ample time (4 years at least) to make his mark and get credit for his administration’s successes/failures just like every president before him. He needs to keep his ego off of President Obama’s history/record!

“Ignorance is Strength” is the third and most powerful slogan chiseled into George Orwell’s Ministry of Truth in 1984.

Outraged over the focus on 'fake news,' conservatives pretend they don't know the difference

I don’t think I need to say anything else – this says it all!

“Ignorance is Strength” is the third and most powerful slogan chiseled into George Orwell’s Ministry of Truth in 1984.

Wielding Claims of ‘Fake News, Conservatives Take Aim at Mainstream Media

This is exactly what I have been emailing/sending other links about. The TRUTH will be diminished or overwhelmed by FAKE news. The term once referred to fabricated accounts intended to deceive, but many on the right have turned it against news they see as hostile to their agenda.

Is It a Religion Test or Just Islamophobia

Check out how the president-elect skirts around his original “Muslim Ban.” He’s still pushing the lie about how other family members saw “bombs all over the apartment” in the San Bernardino apartment. I believe that he will institute a Muslim Registry or worse.

Freedom of religion is a key component of the 1st Amendment “. . . respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise . . .”

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

One of the Ways the 1st Amendment Gets Attacked?

The president-elect’s new press secretary, Sean Spicer, has begun the process of diminishing the truth about the 1st Amendment. By falsely defining the “actual” 1st Amendment and the president-elect’s support of the amendment, Mr Spicer lets us know that truth is an optional element of his job. Again, these are the small seemingly minor attacks on the freedoms of the constitution –

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” [Emphasis mine]

I am encouraging you to stay alert and challenge conversations that degrade or disparage free speech/press. The continual false attacks and FAKE news will cause people to doubt everything in the media. A demagogue can then lead us by the nose anywhere they would like! Truth and freedom are the only weapons that we need. Keep them sharp and available!

Don't fall for these dishonest attacks on the 'metropolitan liberal elite'

A British perspective (and reminiscent of JFK's quote from a few emails back) but none the less pretty much right on!

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

An Open Letter To President-Elect Trump

What if we all sent this letter of respectful requests to the president-elect? Since I don't know his pre-augural email address and am not on Twitter, I'm sending this same email (minus the narrative) to the President of America's email address right after the inauguration ceremony.

OR, I found this link to the president-elect. You could call it “your story” – and copy the article’s text there.

How about you? What if he got a hundred of these requests, a thousand (‘cause we forward this email on to our friends), or almost 3 million?

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

FAKE NEWS IMPACT

First, Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas!

I am truly sorry to bring this to you on such a night as Christmas Eve but FAKE NEWS is starting to push people to make very serious scary decisions. Pakistani Defense Minister Makes Nuclear Threat Against Israel After Fake News Provocation.

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

Pakistani Defense Minister Makes Nuclear Threat Against Israel After Fake News Provocation | The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pakistan-nuclear-israel-fake-news_us_585f2e8ae4b0de3a08f58fb6?na55be9er45y36jemi

Samantha Bee and Glenn Beck Join Forces

This is an absolutely amazing exchange of perspectives and ideas! Enjoy!

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

Gutting Social Security

And, another important topic that isn’t about the 1st Amendment. Social Security is a prime concern of anyone in their 60’s and beyond. For me this is VERY VERY personal. My partner and I are living a pretty cheap life style in our RV. Gutting Social Security would put us in a very precarious situation. How about you? Watch the news and remember to contact your Representative and Senators!

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

Democrats See Medicare Fight As Donald Trump’s Achilles Heel

I know this isn’t 1st Amendment related but Medicare is critical for us mature Americans. So, check it out.

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

News Source Classifications

One of you assisted me by sending this diagram of new sources. While you might argue a little about the boundaries or definitions, it will be helpful in understanding how reliable and/or slanted content might be. With my old eyes, I had to enlarge this quite a bit but it was informative.

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

Bill of Portland Maine - DailyKos - Take on the First Amendment

“You can say anything you want except ‘Fire!’ falsely in a crowded theater or "Donald Trump has a mandate" seriously in a crowded room of people with functioning brains; You can peaceably assemble in public spaces to call out the government when it's acting badly, but we reserve the right to pepper-spray you in the face, zip-tie your hands behind your back and haul your ass off to jail if we feel like it; The press has the freedom to treat the statements and policies of the left and the right as equally valid because we know you gotta sell papers and achieve your daily clickbait goals. Bonus right: The United States is technically neutral on religion, except for prayers in Congress, and invocations at inaugurations, and language in proclamations, and at the end of political speeches, and during the Pledge of Allegiance, and in assorted draft legislation, and on your money, and...oh, never mind.” Billy Harnsberger

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

Interesting 1st Amendment Attack

There are many ways to negatively impact Freedom of the Press. Here’s another way from New Jersey’s Governor Christie.

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

FAKE News - UPDATE

Here is an approach to help ensure you are not getting FAKE news!

Ask the posting party for the journalism school of the author, note the absence of any by-line or profile on LinkedIn.....

Help Stop the Spread of FAKE NEWS

While this isn’t the only approach, it does appear to be on a good path to at least identifying FAKE NEWS and sharing that ID with others. When FAKE NEWS starting showing up on Facebook so prevalently, I wasn’t surprised. I prefer Internet Explorer to Chrome but will try this extension (This Is Fake) and see how effective it is for my needs.

Hope this is helpful for you all!

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

FAKE News

This morning MSNBC had an un-scientific survey about whether the one reading/forwarding news was responsible for ascertaining if it was FAKE or not. About 70% voted that it IS NOT the responsibility of the reader/sender to ensure that what they read/forward is TRUE or not.

I STRONGLY disagree with that! And, endeavor to send out only TRUE information. Remember to only send me something that you personally have confirmed it’s truthiness! THANKS

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

Autocracy: Rules for Survival by Masha Gessen

I haven’t read this yet but it is on my list. If you get a chance, watch an interview with her. She makes some interesting comparisons between Putin and our president-elect. I think her experience and perspective might be helpful to us in the coming days. Essentially – be observant be very observant!

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”― Edmund Burke (in a letter addressed to Thomas Mercer).

Artist Illustrates What To Do If You Witness Hate Speech Or Harassment

An action that we can all do to buffer HATE SPEECH. Be a helper!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/comic-islamophobia-racism-guide_us_582b6cd5e4b01d8a014aea4b

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" - Fred Rogers

1st Amendment Challenges

Just an FYI, I believe that our 1st Amendment rights needs to be protected from ALL sides (Democrats, Green Party, Libertarian, Republican, and any of the other smaller parties) and at ALL levels (Local, State, and Federal). I will not hesitate to share any impingements no matter where it comes from. As long as it isn’t “FAKE” news and we (you and I) can verify it’s truthiness.

Thanks

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” 1984 author, George Orwell

1st Amendment Attacks

Here are 3 links to how the free press (1st Amendment) of our nation is being attacked by the president-elect and his supporters that he encourages.
1) Megan Kelly must have armed guards for herself, her husband and her CHILDREN!
2) The FBI doesn’t follow protocol and investigates a journalist for a joke.
3) AP pulls reporters and rotates others for their own protection from rally supports

NONE of these are “fake” stories but each is an example of how the 1st Amendment of the US constitution is being eroded little by little until it will be gone! Forward this email to your Representative and Senators. Speak up! We can all, each, make a difference!

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" - Fred Rogers

President-elect's Education Secretary Pick Wants To Make Christianity A Bigger Part Of Schooling

Hmm, the 1st Amendment, enough said!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-religion-in-schools_us_583f04d1e4b04fcaa4d61c88

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Armed Man Targets D.C. Restaurant That Faced Violent Threats Because Of Fake News

This is what FAKE NEWS leads to . . .

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" - Fred Rogers

Of 8 Tech Companies, Only Twitter Says It Would Refuse to Help Build Muslim Registry

I was surprised by the 1 that responded and how it responded! Good for Twitter!!!! Microsoft, on the other hand, gobbily gook, cover all the basis - yuk!

https://theintercept.com/2016/12/02/of-8-tech-companies-only-twitter-says-it-would-refuse-to-help-build-muslim-registry-for-trump/

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy