1. ProPublica reporters have spent many hours wading through the fever-swamp of Parler to put together this collection of videos posted to the social media site by participants in the January 6 storming of the Capitol. It divides the collection by timeline: videos shot while Trump and other speakers were getting the mob revved up; videos shot outside the Capitol when the assault was underway; videos shot inside the Capitol. I haven't watched all the footage (it is voluminous), but have sampled it. The bits I've sampled are riveting.
January 6 was a work day, so I wasn't able to consume media reports of the attack while it was happening. I knew, from my wife and kids, that protesters had entered the Capitol, but that was all. By the time I was able to disengage from my computer and turned on television, late in the afternoon Central Time, much of the action inside apparently was over - or, if it was still ongoing, was not being captured by the reporters and videographers of ABC News. It's only after the event that the enormity of the attack has become clear - and more so because of these cell phone videos by participants, than because of original, on-the-spot reporting by mainstream news organizations. Am I the only one who missed the fullness of the story, or has your experience been similar?
2. At National Review, in a piece entitled "The Right Wing Outlets That Told Trump Fans What They Wanted to Hear", Ryan Mills dives into the Internet archive to illustrate how Newsmax and One America News Network (OANN), two very-right-wing cable news networks which cater to Trump true believers, have propagated the untruths that the election was stolen. I don't believe the Capitol attack would have happened if these right wing outlets hadn't been churning out propaganda for the previous two months.
We were watching it happen in real time on C-Span. It was pretty horrifying. First I was angry, and then sad. Because the whole thing was so unnecessary. Thanks for posting the links, I will check them out. I think you are right that the wing-nut news outlets bear much responsibility. Will say more later.
ReplyDeleteThe WaPo also had an opinion piece blaming FOX for promulgating lies and misinformation. George Conway has another "I believe" essay in the Washington Post in which he addresses Trump's lies.
ReplyDeleteRepublicans seem to be making more distinctions between policies they liked in Trump's administration and the man's unfitness for office. I don't like any of the policies that they do (immigration, China, tax cuts, environment), but at least we're moving back to the realm of factual analysis and not paranoid rants. Unfortunately, your average Trump supporter isn't likely to read the National Review.
I think it will be really important for Democrats and progressives not to backlash into some kind of screaming freakout, and for news outlets to try to bring some kind of dispassionate reportage to these stories in particular:
--AOC is making videos saying she believes unnamed congressional representatives and their staffs were capable of throwing her to the mob and made her flee to another location. I am sick and tired of people operating on fears and feelings. Reporters should press her to give details.
--Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) is being accused of giving a tour of the Capitol to a "large group," and Rep. Mikie Sherrill made allegations that unnamed reps had people in the Capitol. The implication is that these reps were helping rioters with recon. The press has been covering Boebert's screechy responses to accusers. But context in every story about what security measures were in place on the day of these tours needs to be given.
--The FBI is making a lot of arrests partly because rioters were stupid and bragged about what they were doing all over their social media pages. What I do find a bit alarming is the way the FBI has been able to track people with cell phone technology. A larger question reporters should look at is the extent to which the feds can track movements and round up people.
--There is entirely too much coverage of Jake (QAnon Shaman) Angeli Chansley and his organic diet in jail. While I would personally like to slap the crap out of this dumb ass, this type of thing can distract people from more substantive justice issues and law-enforcement problems.
--The impeachment trial in the Senate could be an opportunity for senators to reaffirm the values they hold in common. But my guess is that it will just deepen divides, with Democrats blaming Republicans for caving in to Trump and Republicans tsking over the Democrats' inability to "get over" Trump. Holding gavel-to-gavel coverage of the trial is probably inevitable, but commentators need to help viewers separate the charges and evidence from the posturing.
About AOC, I believe her when she said she was in fear for her life during the riot. I'm sure there were people in that crowd who wished to harm her. But I think she needs to be specific, and is hopefully sharing the details with law enforcement.
DeleteAbout the FBI making arrests because of all the social media sharing, it gives a new meaning to MAGA: "My Ass Got Arrested".
What I hope about the impeachment trial is that it will be short and sweet, just present the charges and poll the Senate " Yes" or "No", and get it done. Everyone knows how they're going to vote by now, there are either enough votes to convict, or there aren't.
Oh, I don't doubt there are horrid people in Congress who would do terrible things.
DeleteHee, MAGA.
DeleteAccording to Pelosi, her young staff got in a room,, closed the doors, turned out the lights, and got under a table. Active shooter training from when they were in school.
DeleteAnybody who voted to overturn the election and annihilate democracy could be capable of anything including directing cretins toward progressives.
What the Democrats and Republicans need to agree upon is that presidential elections need to be settled by the Safe Harbor date in December, that the president transition needs to begin by then, and that incumbent presidents who are running for a second term who do not agree with the results should either accept the results or resign.
ReplyDeleteWe should not be continuing the contest for the presidency beyond the safe harbor date in December. It is just too risky both with regard to domestic and foreign agents.