The 2016 United States Presidential Election

I heard a story the other day on NPR about fake news sites. They interviewed a major player in that industry and here is some of the things he said

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During the run-up to the presidential election, fake news really took off. "It was just anybody with a blog can get on there and find a big, huge Facebook group of kind of rabid Trump supporters just waiting to eat up this red meat that they're about to get served," Coler says. "It caused an explosion in the number of sites. I mean, my gosh, the number of just fake accounts on Facebook exploded during the Trump election.

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... wrote the story in the "Denver Guardian" that an FBI agent who leaked Clinton emails was killed. Coler says that over 10 days the site got 1.6 million views. He says stories like this work because they fit into existing right-wing conspiracy theories.

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"The people wanted to hear this," he says. "So all it took was to write that story. Everything about it was fictional: the town, the people, the sheriff, the FBI guy. And then ... our social media guys kind of go out and do a little dropping it throughout Trump groups and Trump forums and boy it spread like wildfire."

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SourceA couple months ago, my mom was incensed at a story she saw on Facebook where Barak and Michelle were saluting the flag with their left hand. I was like "Mom, that's fake." and she just couldn't see how something like that could be faked. I went in the bathroom and took a picture of myself in the mirror saluting with my right hand... that convinced her the article was fake.I have seen a lot of that kind of crap lately, but didn't realize how big it wasHere is a list of fake news sites to watch out for: http://www.fakenewswatch.com/Not sure if any of these are on Faith's list of sources, but it is clear that the right eats these up. It is big business.It's like my signature quote

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"Nothing is easier than to persuade people who want to be persuaded and already believe."

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The funny thing the guy on the NPR story said was

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Coler says his writers have tried to write fake news for liberals but they just never take the bait.

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HBD

Is this your source for this sad story?? Islamiphobia.comShake My Head HBD

The way I understand it is if there are discrepancies between the books and the voting machine there is no way to be sure where or when the inconsistencies were introduced and the default is the original count. For example, if ballots were removed AFTER the original results were calculated, then a discrepancy would be found but a recount would record the erroneous results.The big problem, as I understand it, in Michigan is that there are 75,000 ballots that appear to have no selection for president. It really doesn't surprise me though. I almost left it blank... (which in reality by voting third party I pretty much did leave it blank). Apparently that is what made Stein call for a recount in MI. That and the troubles they have had in Detroit. Of the three states petitioned for a recount, I think MI is the only one that could potentially flip, although very unlikely.HBD

Do you really think Jesus would advocate building a wall to keep out undesirables? or approve of vilifying an entire group of people? or living in a spirit of fear and worry? or putting safety and security over the needs of people? Don't think for a second that Trump's plans include love and help for the Muslim people - they are exclusionary. They are based in fear and nationalism - not love!!I don't see how you can claim to be a follower of Christ and write the things you wrote in this post. "take them Bibles..." really? People that are fleeing for their lives from a terrible war between a brutal dictator, a rebel army and a radical terrorist organization should be given Bibles????I will agree with one sentiment you expressed. I wonder why other Muslim nations are not willing to help their own people. Islam is supposed to be about uniting the Muslim people, instead they are oppressive and violent to each other. However, I don't blame this on the Muslim religion, but on human nature. Just like "Christian" nations have hardly been peace-loving and generous to other nations; it's not fair to blame that on the Christian religion, instead it comes from people's own evil desires and their use of religion as an excuse or a cover for their own evil desires. Same goes for Muslims. (I am not saying that Islamic ideology is good or equal to Christian ideology, I am simply putting the blame where it belongs - on human selfishness and ambition)I would also agree that the government should not have the right to force someone to give up their personal property. But I would also ask the question, would Jesus regard personal property as an absolute right of the individual? I don't see that... in fact, to me Jesus' message is that love for God and people trumps everything else, even our personal property, our security, our freedom, our individual rights, everything. That is NOT the message Trump and yourself are pushing - instead it is a message of fear, intolerance, self preservation, nationalism and judgement - not LOVE.HBDEdited by herebedragons, : No reason given.Edited by herebedragons, : typoEdited by herebedragons, : typo

Yea, I'm sure that would be the case.But it seems to me as if this type of bias comes from both sides of the isle. It always reminds me of this cartoon: It's why I try and take a moderate, middle of the road approach to politics and not go to far to support the left or the right. I recognize that both side are politicians.If there is anything a person like Trump (that is some one with his background and position) could/should accomplish as President it is to bring some sanity to Washington and make people realize that ultimately we are all working towards the same goal and by compromising and working together we could make some great changes in this country. But it seems pretty obvious that Trump doesn't have the mentality or personality to accomplish that. Instead his presidency is going to drive an even larger wedge between the left and the right. What we need in this country is to break from the partisan politics that are tearing us apart and start working on what is right, not just support it because our party supports it or oppose it because our 'enemies' (the opposite party) supports it (eg. Obamacare - someone suggested just leaving it exactly like it is and renaming it Trumpcare - then the Republicans would all be happy with the plan). [/rant]HBD