How the Mainstream Media’s Failure to Accurately Report the Truth Led to the January 6 Insurrection
Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart
Most of you know that on November 9, 2016, I promised myself
to never watch television news again, and to fact check every article I read. I
have kept that promise.
My reason for this decision was based on the 2016 campaign.
There were many lies about Hillary Clinton posted on social media and the
mainstream media. However, the most grievous crime against American voters was
posting headlines filled with ambiguity and half-truths.
As a political writer, I understand the importance of titles
to get the attention of readers. However, legitimate journalists continue their
refusal to do the right thing and use words which are definitive and their
meaning undeniable when writing about the worst president in history.
Not once in November or December 2020 did I read a headline
which told the absolute truth. Not a single legitimate publication had the
courage to say, “Trump Lies to the American People,” or “Trump was Badly Beaten
in the 2020 Election, and He Knows It,” or any variation of the whole truth.
Instead, here of some of the headlines related to his “big lie.”
First, “Officials condemn Trump's false claims and say
election 'most secure in US history’”
A little later, “Trump refuses to accept election results,
says it's 'far from over'”
“Trump stages corrosive attempt to undermine votes as Biden
builds transition”
“Trump forges ahead with frantic effort to overturn election”
“Trump remains bunkered in the White House”
Not being direct and totally truthful about the 2020 election
and offering headlines like the ones above, placed doubts in the minds of the
uninformed citizenry.
Headlines on January 7, 2021, the day after Trump’s failed
coup attempt.
“After Pro-Trump Mob Storms Capitol, Congress Confirms
Biden’s Win”
“A Mob and the Breach of Democracy: The Violent End of the
Trump Era”
“A Democratic Triumph in Georgia, Overshadowed by Right-Wing
Violence in Washington”
I had the misfortune to be home and watching television on
January 6, 2021. For three hours I watched the events of what I believe was the
darkest day in American history. I would have written a headline which defined
that day, leaving no doubt that no justification was possible.
“Sitting President Attempts to Overthrow America’s
Democratic Government in a Single Act of Treason”
This was the truth, but not a single member of the
mainstream media had the courage or loyalty to the American people to offer the
truth as it happened.
Trump was prevented from running for the presidency in 2024
by section three of the 14th Amendment.
[No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress,
or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or
military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously
taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United
States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive
or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United
States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or
given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of
two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.]
A corrupt Supreme Court claimed that this section of the 14th
Amendment did not apply to Trump because it never used the term “President of
the United States.” I adamantly disagree. One line included all elected
officials.
I believe that in any other democratic nation in the world,
Trump would have been dragged out of the White House on January 6, and taken to
a federal holding cell awaiting charges of sedition and treason. Records prove
that Trump planned the events of that day at the Willard Hotel. Most attendees
participated in video conferencing, including members of his administration,
several Republican Senators and Representatives, and leaders of America’s
Neo-Nazi movement.
Any other American citizen who planned, organized, and
executed an attempted coup might have been hung immediately on the White House lawn.
The media lacks the courage and fails its responsibility to the American people
and write headlines which are accurate and true today.
“Trump is a Fascist Dictator.”
“For the Last
Seven Months and Nine Days Trump Constantly Violates the Constitution”
“Trump is not an
American President”
For the last 10 years protecting Trump has been their
primary concern. “Sensationalism increases viewers and readers, and
sensationalism increases advertising revenue.”
Op-ed by James Turnage
Follow my blog and be informed
https://www.nytimes.com/issue/todaysheadlines/2021/01/07/todays-headlines
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/section-3/
.jpg)
Comments