Countdown 96 days

DUMBING DOWN AMERICA

Social media platforms appears to be the primary tool for the Republican Party. The party of stupid (POS) embraces conspiracy theories and discounts both science and medicine.  Social media is the source of talking points, propaganda and fake news and fake science and medicine. 

The second source of dis-information for the Republican Party is the right wing radio and Fox noise, propaganda and conspiracy theory channel. This is where Trump shines at the disinformation and division. These channels offer him talking points and other skills he has honed during his term. This is most evident with a Trump re-tweet of a group of doctors on the steps of the Supreme Court, filming a disinformation video funded by the Tea Party Patriots, a group of Republicans.

The video featured a group of doctors, one hawking the drug hydroxychloroquine saying it is a “cure” for the virus and said wearing a mask was not necessary. This same doctor in the past had said that the government is using alien DNA for experiments, and devil sperm during dreams causes STD ailments.  She offered no evidence only antidotal evidence.

These doctors formed a group to provide this disinformation and provided talking points for the party of stupid (POS), reinforcing Trump’s preconceived notions about masks and the effects of the drug hydroxychloroquine. 

Double blind studies have all found the use of the drug has no beneficial effects and has serious side effects. This is science not fake medicine. Yet because the video was on line and was presented as “official” with a group of white robed doctors, Trump wanting to believe therefore his dominating confirmation bias kicks in. 

Wanting to believe the misinformation from a witch doctor, with a questionable license to practice medicine can sway the president. Trump re-tweets the disinformation. The same disinformation that will set back the ability to control the virus and delay any economic recovery.

Take representative Louie Gohmert (R) the Donald Trump of the house. He is also the poster boy for the Republican Party of stupid (POS). Louie has resisted wearing a mask from the beginning and has ridiculed his staff for wearing them. He has now tested positive for the virus.  He has, by his actions, exposed all of his staff to the virus. Herman Kane, a tea party activist and former presidential candidate, has died of the virus (may he rest in peace).  He was he also a mask denier?

I think Trump has developed a learning disability. His preconceived notions create some kind of an information bubble, which only his opinions are facts and science and medicine be damned.

Disinformation abounds on the Internet, with thousands of Russian bots sowing the theories counter to medical experts and actual science. They flood the zone and present information that some people want to hear and those people who are targeted believe that propaganda. This is meant to divide and anger those of us who know facts and science (on either side of the issue).

Trump repeating talking points of Russian propaganda discounted all the intelligence associated with the arming of the Taliban, which are killing our soldiers.  For years there have been reports of Russia is supplying arms to the Taliban and Trump counters “with we did the same a long time ago” (arming the Taliban).  That’s right Donald. That’s when they were fighting the Russians not fighting our troops, where did you get this talking point directly from Putin? 

The military commanders in Afghanistan had seen actual arms sent to them by the locals that were from Russia, yet the President believes Putin over his troops and our own intelligence on this subject.

When you mate politics with science and medicine you get only politics. Confusion reigns and progress to control the virus is stymied. Trump continues to tout hydroxychloroquine. Trump’s self-pity that Dr. Fauci has a better rating than himself, shows that Trump is not aware that his response, disinformation and lies he repeats do not give the public any confidence and thus the ratings.

What’s needed is a singular message on the virus from a unifying leader. With Trump is this possible? What is not needed is some tribal kook that ignores science and medicine. We also need not follow anyone that uses confirmation bias of his own thoughts for problem solutions. Trump’s virus response has systematically put the economy over health of the public. Trump has been slow realizing that without solving the health crisis there is no rebound for the economy. Trump is the true leader of the party of stupid (POS).

The initial problem that has plagued the response from the beginning is the politicization of the virus. Making safety measures us vs them and misrepresenting the First Amendment, the anti-maskers think that their rights extend beyond their own personal space. They do not. You do not have the right to sneeze or cough or even breath on someone else.  There are no first amendment rights for this action, and therefore wear a mask. 

Trump’s politicization of the pandemic has made everyone a victim of his incompetence.  The trending #hashtag should not be #chinavirus but it should be #Trumpvirus trending.

The problems may be just beginning for the pandemic. When Trump announces a vaccine is available, with all the other quack cures he has hawked will anyone believe this snake oil salesman?  How many times can he cry wolf before his backers put out conspiracy theories, anti-vaxers come out of the woodwork and Q-Anon puts out disinformation on the internet. I only hope the FDA has not been compromised like all other departments, with political appointments pushing a vaccine that is ineffective in either reducing effects or elimination the virus. FDA certification once was the gold standard. Let’s hope Trump has not found a way to tarnish our gold.