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Thursday, October 31, 2024

LIARS ARE GOING TO LIE - FACT CHECK ELECTION CLAIMS


 LIARS ARE GOING TO LIE 

FACT CHECK ELECTION CLAIMS

Ah, the delightful swamp of election lies. It's a place where truth goes to die and misinformation thrives like algae in a stagnant pond. But fear not, dear reader, for I am here to guide you through this treacherous terrain with a healthy dose of wit and a sharp eye for fact-checking.

Let's start with the Republican party, led by the one and only Trump and his merry band of allies. They've been peddling the idea that non-citizens are running amok in US elections, casting votes left, right, and center. The only problem? There's about as much evidence for this claim as there is for the existence of unicorns. In other words, none at all.

And then there's the whole saga of attacks on voting machines and the clamor for hand-counting ballots. It's like a never-ending soap opera, with a plot that gets more far-fetched by the day. Despite the lack of evidence to support these claims, the drama continues to unfold. It's like a bad reality TV show that just won't get canceled.

But wait, there's more! Election deniers are out in full force, trying to overturn results through the certification process. They're like sore losers at a game of Monopoly, refusing to accept that they've landed on Park Place with a hotel on it. The courts, however, have been playing the role of the strict referee, forcing certification in instances where it was refused or delayed. Game over, folks.

And let's not forget the accusations flying around about Democrats trying to cheat by getting overseas US citizens to vote. Shocking, I know. Except, it's actually a legal practice. So much for that plot twist.

Now, onto the uphill battle that voting officials are facing against the proliferation of fake and misleading information. It's like trying to hold back a tidal wave with a paper umbrella. There's even been a recent video falsely depicting the destruction of ballots, adding fuel to the fire of misinformation. It's enough to make you want to throw your hands up in despair.

And then there are the foreign adversaries like Russia, Iran, and China, just waiting in the wings to seize on election fraud claims and generate material to undermine the integrity of the results. It's like a geopolitical game of cat and mouse, with truth and democracy caught in the middle.

But fear not, for the federal government is taking a more aggressive approach in calling out foreign meddling. Local election officials are also stepping up their game, making greater efforts to educate the public and be proactive. It's like watching a team of underdogs rallying together for one last epic showdown.

Of course, no article on election lies would be complete without a mention of the issue of "disinformation" itself becoming a partisan fight. It's like watching two kids squabbling over who gets the last cookie. There's even been a coordinated Republican campaign to cast efforts to mitigate it as "censorship." It's enough to make you roll your eyes so hard they might just get stuck.

And then there's Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), who has become a major vector for baseless election fraud claims. It's like watching a superhero turn to the dark side, further undermining the work of election officials. Who knew that even billionaires could fall victim to spreading misinformation?

As if all that weren't enough, social media platforms have generally stepped back from their more aggressive stance in 2020 to combat misinformation. It's like they've decided to take a nap while the house is on fire, leaving election officials to navigate a challenging landscape on their own.

But fear not, dear reader, for there is hope on the horizon. The articles (see below) suggests creating a credibility score for politicians, managed by an independent board of fact-checkers. It would serve as a warning to voters about a politician's trustworthiness, like a bright neon sign flashing "proceed with caution."

The articles (see below) argues that such a system would provide a quantifiable consequence for lying and incentivize politicians to be more truthful. It's like slapping a big red "Liar Liar Pants on Fire" sticker on their campaign posters.

Of course, there are challenges in implementing a credibility scoring system, such as accounting for sarcasm, hyperbole, and misstatements. But hey, nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, right?

So there you have it, dear reader. A witty romp through the swamp of election lies, complete with twists, turns, and a glimmer of hope for a more truthful future. Remember to fact-check those stories and protect yourself from the deluge of misinformation. And may the truth prevail in the end!

DIY FACT CHECKING ELECTION LIES 

This Research Guide is loosely adapted from a guide developed by the Research Center at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Web Sites for Fact Checking - Misinformation and Disinformation: Thinking Critically about Information Sources - CSI Library at CUNY College of Staten Island Library https://library.csi.cuny.edu/misinformation/fact-checking-websites 

Factchecking the most pervasive myths and lies about US elections | US elections 2024 | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/oct/30/election-harris-trump-myths-lies-fact-checkfalse-claims-include-that-noncitizens-are-voting-in-broad-numbers-and-attacks-on-the-voting-and-counting-process 

Voting officials struggle with tide of election lies : NPR https://www.npr.org/2024/10/29/nx-s1-5133476/election-lies-trump-conspiracy-theories-russia 

If only Trump’s pants really did catch fire https://wapo.st/48vAUB9 


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