Russian Boogieman

Our elective process and thus our liberties are under attack from far more formidable opponents than just Putin’s Russia. 

Russia meddling scares us  
Media misinformation and manipulation not a concern 

Comedian Flip Wilson made a fortune by creating a character he called Geraldine.  She refused to take any responsibility for her bad behavior by simply saying; “The devil made me do it.”  We have now become content with the notion that the Russians – The EVIL Empire - made us do it when our election process is placed in jeopardy.  Are we sure about that? 

Tribalism and partisanship – closed minds that ignore the facts – is a far greater EVIL than Russian attempts to undermine our elections.  Millions of Americans are Only interested in news sources that support ONLY what they WANT to believe - sources that ONLY validate and support their anger and hatreds, greed or other personal passions, irrespective of any facts or basis in truth – irrespective of the common good or general welfare of the nation.  A 17-year war is okay as long as my son doesn’t have to fight it.  Fattening the wallets of the wealthy while stripping millions of their healthcare coverage and benefits is okay, if I can get a tax break. 

Next on the list of EVILS that far exceeds Russian meddling is money in politics.  Huge sums of money that feed political marketing and create image have been swaying our votes for decades.  

Long before Russian meddling, political commercials full of lies, deceit and manipulate spin influenced our thinking.   Millions of Americans voted based only upon what they saw in those commercials.  They never took the time or had any inclination or initiative to research the information.  They gravitated toward a candidate if he appeared to be sympathetic to their desires and based upon the pictures or music that had a strong emotional impact.  The difference between this and the Russians attempt to brainwash through social media and other public venues is analogous and negligible. 

That brings us to OUR CHOICES for news and information.  As we SHOULD all know by now, certain outlets for news are poisonous – TRUE EVIL.  They have agendas that have very, very, very little to do with informing and educating.  Millions form their opinions based upon what they hear and see from totally unreliable sources like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Fox News, MSNBC, and a host of other agenda driven organizations on both sides of the political spectrum.  

While legitimate sources, such as National Public Radio (NPR), NPR Documentaries, PBS News Hour, 60 Minutes, and Global Public Square (GPS) still exist, far fewer Americans avail themselves of these precious resources.  We have rather chosen to be entertained by yellow journalism and sensationalism – titillation – instead of intellectual or educational pursuits.  And that is exactly the why and how these EVILS are able to reach us and become ingrained. 

In the final analysis the issue is due diligence.  A Russian boogieman is no more of a threat to American elections than the billionaires who buy those elections or the media which has lost sight of its major responsibility toward the common good of the nation.  They all have the same dangerous aspect in common; a lack of interest and effort by    “We The People” to ferret out the truth.  If we no longer wish to engage in that arduous task, we will be accomplishing the major objective of the Vladimir Putin’s who hate and fear America.  We will be voluntarily surrendering our precious liberties.  

Russian hacking to influence election outcomes MUST STOP
Billionaire influence is encouraged through “Citizens United”