Fake News

Maria Reynolds, the latest Supreme Court nominee by  #45, the leader of the “free” world,  joined him for a secret dinner at the White House last night. Mrs. Reynolds known for her belief that Cuba and the United States should merge as one country, was joined by her husband, Reginald Reynolds, cousin to the Queen of England. Not uncommon, but noticeably absent, was Melania,  who had a rendezvous of her own with a gentleman only identified as having a full head of white hair that housed a huge horse fly.  Melania’s presence was not missed by #45 who steadied his stomach and feasted on:  

• 10 kegs of sea-salt caramel juice
• young pumpkin bowls with cheesy oat-and-honey snacks
• pen marlin toast on gnarled oak bark
• 6 breaded hare carcasses simmered in fig oil and pear cheese wedges, with a drizzle of salted tuber sauce
• an explosion of dried persimmons
• crushed fruits and veals
• entire crayfish patties accompanied by creamy potato bushels, and
• Lo-Pauvret-style mutant pig feet soaked in monster tongues juices and orange pies

Source: http://orteil.dashnet.org/ (Fake News Generator)

As you can see, it doesn’t take much to create FAKE NEWS.  I uncovered dozens of “fake news” generators  within seconds by just one search.  Generating untruths, rumors and gossip for the sake of furthering ones agenda, destroying someone’s credibility or increasing ones popularity has become an all too common practice by a growing mass of people – from our leaders to children seeking revenge.  It is believed that just because you speak something into the air, post it on the internet or put it on an outdoor bulletin board transforms the statement from fiction to fact, truth-worthiness and actual news.

Fact #1:

Just because you speak something into the atmosphere doesn’t make it “real,” “accurate,” or even news.   

First,  let’s like define “fake news.”  The terminology “fake news” has different meanings to different people. However, the definition is clear: Fake news is false information or stories created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers. It is often created to influence views or for political motives. Fake news is a lie created out of nothing – that takes the appearance of real news with the aim of deceiving people.  Let’s just call it what it is; it’s a LIE.

We must also determine it to be inaccurate or fake news.  Generators of “fake news” tend to provide statistics or generate facts to legitimize their fake news. For example, let’s look at this headline ripped out of this weekend’s news:

Trump welcomes hundreds of supporters at White House lawn days after hospital release

What’s wrong with this “news” story?  They look like Trump supporters.  After all, everyone is wearing red “Make America Great Again” caps and holding up signs of support. But are they really there to support Trump?  Could they be people who were paid money plus room and board at Trump Hotel while he billed the Government for their stay because they were White House Visitors?  Who knows the legitimacy or truth of the event.  This is why we must develop our Media Literacy.

What is “media literacy? ” According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education, media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act  using all forms of communication. It is also the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they are sending.   We are constantly being thrown huge amounts of information from different types of media.  We as readers/viewers/absorbers need to look at the information from the media or whoever is controlling the source, more objectively.  We should have a discerning eye, ask questions, analyze each bit of information and make determinations before we accept information at face value. 

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All media that distributes information does so with the knowledge that they are the “influencer.”   They have the ability to sway our thinking and consequently our actions; possibly  in an election. It is imperative that we analyze information, consider the source and evaluate the level of accuracy before we act.   Implementing these practices as we inhale all this “information” will enable us to establish legitimacy and make effective decisions and act appropriately based on fact and not information masquerading as “truthful” information.

Besides, if you think about it, how easy is it to acquire Lo-Pauvret-style mutant pig feet soaked in monster tongues juices and orange pies for dinner?

“Believe None of what you Hear, and only Half of what you See.”

Benjamin Franklin/Edgar Allan Poe