Daniel Dale and Donald Trump

Many Canadians speak out

Many of us are wondering why and how someone like Trump could have been elected. I hope the backlash has begun, that complacency has been set aside when the Republicans lost Alabama. It's a curiosity for many who have dignity, values, and respect for humanity. Thing is, racism is a deep and prevailing issue on this continent.

I listen to podcasts, when I cannot sleep. This one was interesting. In a nutshell, some who voted for Trump, who believe in the right to bear arms, who want jobs (who think Trump will reverse the outsourcing overseas of work), believe everything supporters write and post. They are happy to similarly post and retweet lies and misinformation to prove their case. Not only that, but they are happy to post lies, as it makes the other side angry. Seriously!

This video was old, and did not represent
what it was purported to represent.

The podcast

Ep. 204 - Daniel Dale by CANADALAND

An excellent journalist, Toronto Star's Daniel Dale was interviewed about his coverage of Washington. (He previously covered Rob and Doug Ford in Toronto. He has cred!) He's been talking to people in Washington, including Trump supporters. It's true that one's social media contacts are usually people with whom one agrees. I've been deliberately following a Trump supporter on Twitter, who is a pet lover. I am amazed at the crazy pieces she retweets. It's been fascinating what people will post. I told her about Snopes, and she has been checking it.

social media contacts are usually
people with whom one agrees

Dale was blocked by Trump,
this, he thinks, is why!

According to Dale, one Trump supporter said, "CNN doesn't cover Trump. They failed to report on the Trump assassination attempt about a month before the election." 

Says Dale, there was no assassination attempt. The supporter was dubious. "OH, OK."
People believe what they want to believe.

How do we collectively establish a level of trust between Trump supporters and THE MEDIA?

Interviewer, Jesse Wente at CANADALAND, suggests Trump is like the Uncle at the family dinner who is blustery, and not to be believed. He is "blustery, evocative, exaggerates, compelling and natural." This is Trump. I like this imagery. 

All politicians lie, many believe. When Trump lied about Obama tapping Trump Tower, did people believe it? Many did. When Trump questioned Obama's birthright, many believed him. Outright lies.

Dale went to Ohio. Trump supporters know they are reposting lies. They love the lies because "it makes Liberals' heads explode." It's getting to the elites and freaking The Media out, as well as Washington and bureaucrats. It angers the people who anger them. Fair game, they say.

Trump and his crew are "making assaults on science, truth, and enacting a political nihilism," Dale tells us.

Some of the tweets...

People are fighting for jobs,
factory work no longer pays these wages.

Not a good businessman

Result of the exit polls of the Alabama election,
Dec. 13th.

Then there *is* Fake News