Such a conundrum. Listening to NPR's 1A - Hans von Spakovsky on. Should he be?

[NRaleighLiberal]

In this world of polarized everything - and in a world with shameless spewers of lies - is it good to shine a light on slime line Spakovsy and let him lie away - or is best to never give these shitstains a platform? (he, by the way, is on Kobach's voting data committee - and is a name that leaves a bad taste from the Dubya days)

There are two others on the panel, and I only heard one (rep from Let America Vote, I think) who called out the lies - but then we get into the mediated discussion (I imagine - had to turn it off), where the ultraaggressiveness of the right wing in debate (aka Conjob) always seems to steamroll the other side (the truth).

I can still remember watching the Stewart episode that essentially made the CNN Crossfire show toast. It raises a good question - in a perfect world, the two sides should be able to present and have a well moderated, fair debate.

But my feeling is that today's media is so far out of its depths in knowing how to deal with the right wing noise machine and its practitioners.

Thoughts? The question is....don't have these slimy liars on - ignore them (bye bye Conjob) - have them on but train up the facilitators in the tactics - or just let it roll? the bullshit just seems too thick these days

[PSPS]

1. 1A is just a re-packaged Diane Rehm show which engaged in the same nonsense

These shows are just part of the "outrage industry" with an hour to fill every day.

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. Sadly I think you are right - each time I listened to Rehm, I pulled

over in somewhat of a range about the false equivalence and tried (unsuccessfully) to call in (though I did make it in a few times).

[PSPS]

5. That's a bad sign. Don't get sucked in

Do what I do and just change the station/channel. These shows are a dime a dozen and are all just part of the "outrage industry." Don't let yourself get sucked in to the shtick. Don't become part of the circus.

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. no worries - I don't watch TV, get a newspaper or listen to the radio much at all

only when I have to run an errand. I am staying as well balanced as possible in these infuriating times.

music, books, movies, the garden, kayaking, my pets, my wife are my joys - I am very fortunate

[Bluepinky]

2. My opinion: the right wing brings a machete to the debate, the left brings a butter knife

Even my attempts to discuss politics with Republican family members are not successful. As I'm speaking, I will be repeatedly interrupted by the Trump supporter(s), who will loudly state "facts" from Fox News. I think the entire set-up is unfair. It takes longer and is less dramatic to state why something is or isn't true than it does to state a lie. The Republicans seem to be more bossy, with louder voices and aggressive demeanors than Democrats, who seem more thoughtful, introspective and polite.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. this is how it has certainly become...and perhaps always has been - fact free authoritarian bullshit

vs a more thoughtful fact and logic driven approach.

The mass public will certainly gravitate to the terse bullet - or bully - points.