“…or it might not be true, but if it is true…”
Beware such words, for they are the mark of a propagandist – even when the information is apparently suspect, they still push the disinformation forward, nurture the fear. Tried and true.
This time, it’s a report that the Iranian Parliment had passed a law that would decree that Iranian non-Muslims- Jews, Christians et al- would soon be required to wear colored badges to identify them as such. Not entirely surprising actually to see the right-wing jump on the story, to hell with the facts, considering the overt fear mongering it generated. Repetition, fear, repetition, fear. And, Nazi comparisons to boot! (Confederate Yankee gets special accomodation for invoking the spectre of nuclear Holocuast. Good doggy!)
From the start the story smacked of disinformation, at least to anyone who was willing to just stop and think. Just. For. A. Moment. Think. And, perhaps do a little research. Google works.
The overzealousness with which so many on the right jumped upon it was a good tip off, of course. The statistical accuracy of their being wrong is pretty darn reliable.
The fact that the New York Post put it right on the front page within a day was also a pretty good hint as well.
Of course, none of what they reported is actually true.
Thankfully, Another Day in the Empire gets it right, factually. And, Juan Cole fills in all the rest of the little details that right-wing propagandists find so easy to disregard. (And, then find themselves adding updates after it’s too late and they have once again helped disinformation to reach the ears of millions worldwide. Good doggies.)
It’s just embarrassing that some people have such sway and power to repeat lies. Amazing. Truly.
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