Friday, September 12, 2008

I'm a fact-checkin' mama!

A quiet, rainy day. We were in a moderate drought for a while, but we should be getting back to where we're supposed to be. I would imagine that we'll be getting more rain next week, when we experience the after-effects of Ike. This looks like a nasty one, and I hope that everyone is either out of harm's way, or hunkered down like Miss Ginger! Looks to me like she knows how to ride out the storm in style!
 
I hadn't talked to my folks for over a week, so we got caught up today. Talk didn't turn to politics until Dad asked me, "I have to ask...what do you think of Palin?" I paused. I said, "Do you REALLY want to know?" He laughed, and I think MY question probably answered HIS question! We did get into a bit of a discussion, and one exchange went like this:
 
Dad: They call her a gun-totin' mama. A lot of this, for me, is about the Second Amendment.
 
Me: Personally, I'm pretty fond of the FIRST Amendment.
 
Dad: [laughs] Yeah, that's true...that's one of the reasons we can have this conversation!
 
As I've said in the past, we've always had discussions like this, and Dad knows how riled up I can get! Ha ha! It's obvious that we're not going to change each other's minds, but one thing he mentioned made me say something very adamantly. He talked about something that he'd gotten in a forwarded email. I told him that he shouldn't trust any of those forwards, and to PLEASE check the veracity of the claims contained therein.
 
It's been my experience that most of these forwards are either outright lies or so  distorted that they become lies. And that goes for both sides, although I think it's obvious that the ones about Obama have been more numerous this time around. (How many times do we have to say it? The man is not of the Muslim faith.) I made Mom and Dad's late lunch a little later while I asked him to write down the address of the FactCheck site. It is a nonpartisan site that investigates claims and ads by both sides. (If you see a few more McCain ads debunked than Obama ads, it's only logical...the McCain ads have been much more dubious and misleading in the past couple of weeks.) Another good resource is Snopes. I asked Dad that if he gets these forwards, to please check on the truth--or lies--behind them, and I hope everyone will do the same.
 
I'm also confused by things I read that decry the "American Media." Where are these people getting their information? The Pravda web site? Der Spiegel? While there may be some fine reporting going on there, and I realize that the world is very interested in this election, I don't understand the disdain for the American media. It's obvious that certain channels, printed media, and news-people have their biases, but you have to take that into account. Sometimes you have to do a little digging to find it, but...the truth is out there.
 
Dan over at Slapinions put up a widget on his sidebar about the electoral votes. I'd been looking for one, and while I chose a different one (you'll see why, Dan <grin>), I appreciate his help in finding it!
 
 
 
 
 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is so interesting for me sitting here on the side lines watching things develope with your election...Looking at Dan's journal and looking in on yours..I shouldn't mkae comments of a political nature BUT as usual I walk where others fear to tread...I'm with you in this one Beth !!  Thanks for pointing out the fact check site. I will have to pop along and have a wee look...Glad you have had some rain, we have had an almost dry day...yipee...  Love Sybil xx

Anonymous said...

Im with you on the fact checking.  I wish everyone would take a few minutes to verify emails before forwarding them on.   :)  Estela

Anonymous said...

LOL, your dad sounds like my dad-in-law :)
I remember the first internet lie I recieved about 9-11 being found in the Koran. Well, I just "happen" have a copy of the Koran in my apartment and checked out the verse this letter quoted. There was no such verse! I told a friend and they led me to Snopes and I have been checking that site ever since.
Laini

Anonymous said...

I guess we're getting everybody's sunshine.  It's another beautiful sunny day here. No rain predicted in the near future & they say it rains all the time in the Seattle area~no way!  Linda in WA  

Anonymous said...

I don't blame you ~ I'd want to get the facts straight too.  I wish we could get some of that rain!!!!  Have a good weekend!

Hugs,
Hollie

Anonymous said...

great links thanks for sharing
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

The Snopes site has been useful to me!
Hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Palin SUCKS.
I get dozens each day from my mom and various other older, boneheaded relatives. I just hit delete. XO

Anonymous said...

As always, you are so practical. You go, fact-checking' mama!--Sheria

Anonymous said...

I don't bother reading any of the forwards some of my relatives send me regarding politics.  Some of them are so absurd it is laughable.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

I get so irritated by some of those forwarded emails!
Lori