Are Folks Making America Hate Again?

[FenderTL5]

I saw it all over the web. Mostly on YouTube..

Heaven knows if it's on the internet or in a Youtube video it must be true.

 

[doubtingmerle]

Isn't it against forum rules to feed a troll? It should be.

 

[The_Mantis]

Heaven knows if it's on the internet or in a Youtube video it must be true.

Well it wasn’t AI! I’m just telling you what I saw. You can ignore evidence to fit your narrative if you want.

 

[A2SG]

I often hear arguments from the right accusing the media of bias.

Yes, every person has a bias. We all have to work to overcome that bias.

But I would argue that one can also have a bias for the truth. That happens all the time in science, for instance. Scientists may hold certain views, but the whole purpose of experimental design is to structure tests so that the truth can emerge, regardless of the experimenter's preferences. The methods aren’t perfect, but over time, a field driven by a shared commitment to accuracy tends to converge on the truth.

I see something similar in journalism. Mainstream media, by and large, has a bias toward being seen as the most reliable and accurate. There’s pressure to correct errors and report developments truthfully—not just to preserve integrity, but to maintain audience trust. With so many people involved, each motivated to uphold standards or to fact-check others, the result is a picture of the world that is imperfect but broadly grounded in reality.

I often hear the argument that, because both mainstream media and right-wing blogs have biases, the truth must lie somewhere in between. But to me, that assumes both sides are equally committed to truth-seeking, which they are not. I believe the mainstream media, overall, has stronger guardrails—like editorial review, corrections policies, and reputational consequences—that help bring it closer to the truth than partisan opinion sites.

With your experience in journalism, how do you respond to this line of reasoning?

I'd say media outlets, at the end of the day, are businesses. They're driven by profit first. So the ones in charge of the media outlet will do what they need to do to keep their business running.

This is why certain media outlets will feature sensationalistic or controversial content. That brings in ratings, and, therefore, money. This is especially true in broadcast outlets, though not exclusive to it.

Those of us who pursue a career in journalism, on the other hand, do try to report the facts. There is a genuine commitment to the truth with those of us who pursue this as a career. I've seen it often, especially when we first enter the field.

Still, humans are also driven by ego, and fame feeds off that. This is why you see some figures, again particularly in broadcast outlets, trying to create controversy and attention. This, I think, is where a large part of the negative view of the media comes from.

So, what I try to do is ignore the commentators, and focus on actual news reporting. It's easy to tell the difference if you pay attention.

-- A2SG, the less ego in the reporting, the more reliable it often can be....

 

[A2SG]

Well it wasn’t AI! I’m just telling you what I saw. You can ignore evidence to fit your narrative if you want.

Or find ways to interpret that evidence to support your own bias.

-- A2SG, to-may-to, to-mah-to....

 

[The_Mantis]

Or find ways to interpret that evidence to support your own bias.

-- A2SG, to-may-to, to-

Sure whatever

 

[A2SG]

Sure whatever

Recognizing when you're doing that is the tricky part.

-- A2SG, harder for some than others....

 

[The_Mantis]

Recognizing when you're doing that is the tricky part.

-- A2SG, harder for some than others....

Ugh dude I said that to end the discussion with you but it just keeps going. I saw evidence because I watch things other than the news. I can’t ignore that evidence. I assume you didn’t see any evidence right? Because you took their word for it. I fully think this was spun to make Trump look like he lied.

 

[A2SG]

Ugh dude I said that to end the discussion with you but it just keeps going. I saw evidence because I watch things other than the news. I can’t ignore that evidence. I assume you didn’t see any evidence right? Because you took their word for it. I fully think this was spun to make Trump look like he lied.

Personally, I try not to simply watch random YouTube videos and draw conclusions from them to fit what I've been told by other people. Maybe it's the journalist in me, but I tend to investigate and check for facts myself.

-- A2SG, but hey, you do you, dude....

 

[The_Mantis]

Personally, I try not to simply watch random YouTube videos and draw conclusions from them to fit what I've been told by other people. Maybe it's the journalist in me, but I tend to investigate and check for facts myself.

-- A2SG, but hey, you do you, dude..

I try not to watch CNN and take what they say as truth! Seems like journalism would look at evidence, like people who live there and what they say. But hey, you do you dude

 

[rjs330]

However, I stand by the opening argument that there are many people facing hard times that are attempting to unfairly take it out on other people. In particular, people often take things out on these groups of people:

1. Immigrants
2. DEI beneficiaries
3. LGBTQ+ community
4. Other religions
5. Foreigners
6. Government workers

We really aren't facing hard times. In today's world we have little idea what hard times are. And hardly any one is "unfairly" taking things out on those groups. There are a lot of very valid reasons for disagreeing with the political and societal impacts of leftist policies concerning the above groups. I dont have time in this post to do a deep dive into every one of those.

1. There needs to be a serious correction to your assertion. Its not immigrants that people are concerned about. Its. ILLEGAL immigrants. My family is an immigrant family. My uncle and his family are all immigrants. We all have valid societal concerns over illegal immigration and the impact it has over society as a whole.

2. DEI is is just another leftist idea to divide us into groups and pit us against each other. I believe you spoke of tribalism in one of your posts. DEI actually promotes and fosters tribalism. I think many DEI supporters are well intentioned. However DEI has serious problems that have societal and political negative impacts and consequences. DEI does not actually bring about fair and equitable treatment of those purported to need it. What it does is seek to increase representation of certain groups (see dividing again) by discriminating against others.

3. Society has pretty much a 180 on the lgb community. Nobody really cares anymore if you are lgb. Gay marriage us pretty much accepted by the vast majority of people. But there are very serious societal problems with the add ons. Particularly to children. This been proven over and over again.

4. America is very diverse with its religions. We all have and believe in the freedom of religion. However we see from the left a deep distain for Christian religions. Even leftist Christians show deep animosity toward their fellow believers regarding these leftist causes, blaming them because they dont adhere to the sovialustic type of government they prefer. The other concern is the violence and subducation of a certain sect in the Muslim religion. In today's world much violence and slavery and subducation of women are practiced by only one religion. We know good a well the problems that have been caused in Europe by these folks. No not all Muslims are like that, but enough of them are that it's problematic. To deny that is completely intellectual dishonesty.

5. Foreigners are very welcome here as long as they come here legally and dont cause problems. We welcome people who come legally and wish to integrate themselves into American society and become productive law abiding members of our great nation.

6. Government workers are necessary to fulfill the roles of running a government. Government workers who abuse this role are not looked upon kindly and shouldn't be. Government workers should be looking out for Americans and American interests and the American taxpayer because tgey work for us and its our money they are spending.

All of these things gave been used by the left to create divisions among us all in order to accuse your fellow man of hatred simply because they disagree and are concerned with the political and societal problems much of this creates.

 

[A2SG]

I try not to watch CNN and take what they say as truth! Seems like journalism would look at evidence, like people who live there and what they say. But hey, you do you dude

I can't even remember the last time I saw even a second of CNN, to be honest. I have no idea what anyone there is saying.

-- A2SG, and even less interest in finding out....

 

[BNR32FAN]

This^^^The media is driving the hate. It should be illegal to lie like they do but I guess it’s not? You’ll find that all the haters are driven by the medias lies and propaganda. If I was president I would be making slandering and lying on the news illegal(although it probably already is just not enforced).

Yeah unfortunately our presidents can’t actually enforce such a law without shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[FenderTL5]

Well it wasn’t AI! I’m just telling you what I saw. You can ignore evidence to fit your narrative if you want.

I'm not ignoring evidence, actually it's the opposite.
First of all; you have not presented any evidence whatsoever.
Secondly, the Springfield and county law enforcement said that no credible reports or evidence support the claims (linkage), and the city's mayor Rob Rue and Ohio governor Mike DeWine, who are both Republicans, have denounced them. [linkage]

Further, when he was challenged on the factual basis of the claims, JD Vance told interviewer Dana Bash, "If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that's what I'm going to do." [again, linkage to the evidence of my claim]. He said it was based on "cat memes."
Did you catch that? It was made up, phony, just an attempt to get coverage, what we used to call a publicity stunt.

 

[doubtingmerle]

We really aren't facing hard times. In today's world we have little idea what hard times are. And hardly anyone is "unfairly" taking things out on those groups.

Yes, I agree — we have it quite good in America. But for a lot of young people, the old idea that each generation does a little better than the last no longer seems to apply. In particular, young men in bro culture feel left out and direct their anger at those they believe are responsible.

1. There needs to be a serious correction to your assertion. It's not immigrants that people are concerned about. It's ILLEGAL immigrants. My family is an immigrant family. My uncle and his family are all immigrants. We all have valid societal concerns over illegal immigration and the impact it has on society as a whole.

Please read this thread. There are countless complaints about temporary workers — such as Haitians — who are here legally. When you enter a discussion where people are repeatedly complaining about those who are here legally and then claim that nobody is, it appears as though you haven’t done your homework.

Also, we’ve discussed at length why the fact that many are here illegally does not automatically mean they should be deported without compassion. What are your thoughts on all the arguments we've raised about that?

2. DEI is just another leftist idea to divide us into groups and pit us against each other.

Sorry, no — DEI is not about division. It’s about giving people equal opportunity.

Do you, or do you not, agree with giving people equal opportunity? If you support that, then you support the core goal of DEI.

If, due to in-group bias, women and minorities are consistently denied equal opportunities, what could be wrong with programs that aim — as fairly as possible — to correct that?

DEI is not about dividing. By its very nature, it is about inclusion. Perhaps you should take time to learn what it’s really about.

3. Society has pretty much done a 180 on the LGB community. Nobody really cares anymore if you are LGB. Gay marriage is pretty much accepted by the vast majority of people. But there are very serious societal problems with the add-ons, particularly regarding children. This has been proven over and over again.

LOL. I hear endless complaints about the transgender community. Are you saying nobody in your circles says such things? You’ve honestly never heard that?

Perhaps you should get out more.

4. America is very diverse with its religions. We all have and believe in the freedom of religion. However, we see from the left a deep disdain for Christian religions. Even leftist Christians show deep animosity toward their fellow believers regarding these leftist causes, blaming them because they don’t adhere to the socialistic type of government they prefer.

LOL — no, we do not have disdain for the Christian religion. We’re here talking to you, aren’t we? Did you not notice? And we treat you respectfully, as fellow human beings.

What we object to is Christians trying to impose their religious practices on others. When Christians demand that everyone follow their religious rules — such as those on sex and abortion — they can hardly claim discrimination when others push back.

5. Foreigners are very welcome here as long as they come here legally and don’t cause problems. We welcome people who come legally and wish to integrate themselves into American society and become productive, law-abiding members of our great nation.

Then why is there so much outright hatred for Haitians who are here legally?

When I speak of disdain for foreigners, I also mean things like blaming foreign countries for our own problems.

6. Government workers are necessary to fulfill the roles of running a government. Government workers who abuse this role are not looked upon kindly and shouldn't be. Government workers should be looking out for Americans and American interests and the American taxpayer because they work for us and it’s our money they are spending.

By and large, that’s exactly what government workers do: they look out for the interests of everyone.

But there’s been an enormous outpouring of wrath against government workers (e.g., through DOGE) — directed at people who are simply doing their jobs.

 

[Pommer]

Ugh dude I said that to end the discussion with you but it just keeps going. I saw evidence because I watch things other than the news. I can’t ignore that evidence. I assume you didn’t see any evidence right? Because you took their word for it. I fully think this was spun to make Trump look like he lied.

Way back before the internet, people had to come by rumor the old-fashioned way.
It’s a blessing, it’s a curse, to have the interwebs providing all with a rich assortment of various and sundry, vying to seduce minds to the memes of the day.
Mind the cow plats.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Perhaps we should back up a minute to address this claim of yours in more detail. I have heard it a few times, but it makes no sense to me. Who is telling white people that every single white person is racist?

Pick a card, any card.

all white people are racist at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[doubtingmerle]

Pick a card, any card.

all white people are racist at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

So, you found a site that says all white people are racist?

I found a site that says the government is run by lizards-- https://chatgpt.com/c/6829114f-fb4c-8007-b3c7-4992149294b1.

That's odd. If all white people are racist, why do they always vote for lizards?

(Some things on the Internet are false.)

 

[Oompa Loompa]

So, you found a site that says all white people are racist?

I found a site that says the government is run by lizards-- https://chatgpt.com/c/6829114f-fb4c-8007-b3c7-4992149294b1.

That's odd. If all white people are racist, why do they always vote for lizards?

(Some things on the Internet are false.)

I found a whole list of sites that are saying all white people are racist. However, many of them disguise it as "implicit bias."

 

[Bradskii]

I found a whole list of sites that are saying all white people are racist. However, many of them disguise it as "implicit bias."

If they just limit it to whites then they're not telling the whole story. We all have implicit bias. And there's no need to disguise it as such. If the bias is based on 'race' then by definition it's racial.