Supreme Court…

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22, 2021 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

The Roberts Court mission is to undermine the rule of law. Precedent means nothing to the Elitist Six. What is the law without precedent? To take it further…

What is Science without evidence? What is a s’more without a marshmallow? What is a swimming pool without water?

Recent decisions indicate a radical sharp turn to the right. Citizens United (corporations are individuals), Dobbs (overturning of Roe v. Wade), the Harvard case on Affirmative Action.

And what’s with the SCOTUS ruling in favor of a web designer who didn’t want to do websites for gay weddings? One thing that is strange about this ruling is that it was based on an event that hasn’t yet happened. This ruling was based on a hypothetical action. Nothing had occurred in real life for which the plaintiff could have been so damaged as to have legal standing to sue in the first place. With this court, precedent means nothing. If the law doesn’t support what you want to accomplish, just change the law. Or better yet, make up the law and invent your own non-existent precedent.

The jury is still out on how big an impact the Harvard ruling will have on how the playing field of higher education can be leveled for people of color. Saying that race shouldn’t enter into societal efforts to counter the effects of past racial practices in the United States is simply failing to address our national problem with white supremacy culture. We as a people will find a way to do the right thing regardless of right wing elitist efforts to codify this white supremacy culture.

Failure to enact and enforce self imposed ethics standards to avoid justices from being bought off by wealthy political players.

Blocking President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program. How cynical and protective of elite right wing wealth. What are they thinking? If they are so bent on saving money for current and future billionaires maybe the six right leaning justices should go to Russia where the government is organized to make the rich richer. I guess maybe that’s what we’ve had in America all along… The real revolt is coming from the left to re-order the corporate gravy train and tip some of the wealth down to the 99%. Don’t be fooled by the right. Keep your eyes on the prize and what’s really at stake in the good old U.S. of A.

The highest court in the United States is making a mockery of the law. It seems consistent that the highest court is turning itself into a sham body not deserving of respect. I think the Federalist Society and the radical right are intentionally trying to foment public distrust in the judiciary just as other extremists are attempting to do with the Executive Branch and the Legislative branch.

What else is going on?

The American Economy is doing quite well, thank you very much.  If it really is "It's the economy stupid" as Bill Clinton famously called the most important issue in presidential elections, then all of the right wing smoke and mirrors is for naught for 2024.

Is anyone tired of Donald Trump yet?  I believe that I can answer and unwavering "Yes" from the Left. Reasonable Republicans, what think you?

Ted Lasso for President.  I know he is a made up television character, but if he were real I'd knock on doors for him.

What do Wisconsin Republican legislators have against the University of Wisconsin?

4.  "I believe that there is good and evil and I choose the side of good.  I acknowledge that there is evil in me, but it is my work to feed the side of goodness."  I'm on hold with writing about belief number four as I continue my reading on the topic of good and evil.

The ultra Conservative elites took an ideological symbolic blow with the Wagner Mercenary march on Moscow.  Their hero and role model Vlad Putin lost a chunk of his swagger.  What does he do in response?  Kill innocent Ukrainians at a pizza parlor.  The S.O.B. is self destructing.

Hope and optimism win over fear and disinformation.  The elaborate right wing effort to preserve rich white oilagarch privilege will collapse under the weight of it's own false premise.  The house of cards is starting to fail.

Away with the cynical , negative and racist . Awaken your hearts once again to goodness, righteousness and justice. Turn from the politics of fear and distrust.

The world is a beautiful place.  Remember that "Love Wins."