My recent discussion with filmmakers @a_rossi + @NotTheATVRider reminded me what a powerful test Jade Helm was. From the time the conspiracy appeared, fueled by Russia, until the moment the governor of Texas responded was about 6 weeks total. /2https://t.co/d7Ae3igg4f— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
The Jade Helm case so powerful because it was a tangible example, from point A to point B, of how disinformation changes government and governance.— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
We are seeing this again in the context of the “open” anti-lockdown protests and the anti-mask demonstrations. /4
This takes on new urgency as lawmakers echo dis/misinformation they are consuming about COVID-19, and as that disinfo merges with a broader conspiracy universe.— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
For example, Senator Joni Ernst saying she is “so skeptical” of the COVID death toll, echoing an online conspiracy /6
Ernst apparently lives in an information environment where “the news” is telling her that actually there is no crisis. She believes it enough to say it in public.— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
... we’re supposed to have faith in her to handle COVID relief bills in the Senate? No wonder it’s not done. /8
Conspiracists and promoters of misinformation cannot be at the helm as we make the decisions to get us out of parallel public health and economic crises and try to rebuild our nation. They simply don’t have the tools to cope.— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
So... /10
2- Call and write the offices of politicians who are engaging with malign and conspiracy narrative. Volume matters. Numbers matter. Challenge them. Present the facts. /12— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
3- Vote accordingly in November. We will only get out of this if the people in charge of us don’t inhabit an information domain where conspiracy seems plausible, even if it means ignoring dead Americans.— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) September 9, 2020
Enough of these people. Enough.
Read more: /13https://t.co/hoAe0XNBNA
