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[Zzzptm]

Fair enough.

My "say no more" comment would be that much of the modern conservative opinion of journalism is presented as an article of faith for the movement, and has been since the 1960s. It's something that the movement does not consider rationally, as much of the mythology that drives the movement forward uses that belief as a cornerstone. But, at the end of the day, it's a belief on the level of creationism or flat-earthism, and protected by its believers as fiercely as those who are passionate about other science-denying systems of belief. By insisting that the field of experts is limited only to those who present a view in harmony with the key belief and disparaging completely critics of the view with an argument that, by being critics, they are part of the conspiracy or are a "them" to the faithful "us", the view itself becomes insulated from rational challenge and takes on elements of an informally-organized religion.

I think it's fair enough also to say that in the past I've let politics become my religion and I grew to be uncomfortable with the results to the point where I wanted to change my life and make political views take a back seat. Even if the political views arose from a set of facts that I had before me, I couldn't allow the views others were stoking to become my guiding force, as they were ultimately using those views for their own ends. Even if many of those ends I found agreeable, I was not well-served by building emotional responses out of political rhetoric. The change I chose to make was to start on the path of nonviolence, specifically Gandhi's satyagraha method, and that required both full honesty in myself and setting aside quick thoughts and passions so that I could find peaceful responses. Now, I still have a belief in God and I don't see religion itself as a bad thing - but I do see when men take an existing religion and pervert it to their benefit as a bad thing. I consider it just as bad when movements borrow religious elements and co-opt them as part of their ideology, making a religion of their politics or agenda.

That's my bit, and I want you to know, Typhon, that I truly do want to hear you out. I don't want to ask you a question about what you think as a kind of trap. I'm not looking to catch you - or anyone - in your words. That's a form of violence to me, and it only results in a cycle of further violence that nobody will "win". But if we continue to have a conversation, even if we disagree on things, we can have an ultimate victory in friendly, civil discourse.

[Vyn]

...they were ultimately using those views for their own ends..

Yes indeedy.

[Vyn]

So, the Feds have "paused" the new Disinformation Governance Board and the person who was chosen to lead it has resigned. Let's hope it is a permanent pause.

[Zzzptm]

So, the Feds have "paused" the new Disinformation Governance Board and the person who was chosen to lead it has resigned. Let's hope it is a permanent pause.

This may well wind up as a money pit and not an actual bureau with teeth.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It surprised me that the yankies have an actual disinformation department, in the UK it's built into normal government!

[Typhon]

It surprised me that the yankies have an actual disinformation department, in the UK it's built into normal government!