Note: I shoved this baby out fast, so please forgive the inevitable typos! A horrible thing has happened, and way too many grown-ass adults who should know better went completely ‘round the bend looney toons bonkers and god, I wish they’d stop! Reality
Well said, Carl. Needless to say, allowing everyone and anyone to be a broadcaster has its drawbacks. Rumors, consipiracy theories and innuendo (or outright smears) circulate at the speed of light now.
But so do good information and rational viewpoints. Thanks for the positive contribution.
I feel that there's something futile every time I see a social media post saying "DON'T DO THE ATTENTION-SEEKING THING!". It's kind of like preaching temperance at a keg party.
Note, a better conspiracy theory is that Trump's ear wound wasn't caused by a bullet, but rather he faked that specific wound (which, by the way, is a known move in professional wrestling, where Trump has plenty of associations). Not the shots, but that the shooter wasn't aiming to make a miracle shot only nicking Trump's ear, but rather off to the side of Trump. This is of course still crazy, but it's not quite as *physically* implausible as what you're talking about.
More seriously, while "most people's votes are already set in stone", there's perhaps 5% or so of the electorate which is the battleground. Strange as it may seem to us info-junkies, those people are not hardcore partisans. Thus it's reasonable to consider that the image of strength Trump projected here - in contrast to Biden's notable frailty on his bad days (unfair, I know, but it is what it is) - might really help with these voters. Plus it could further motivate turnout in the Republican base. If it moves only a percent or two of total voters - again, just 1 or 2 percent, a sliver of the total - that could make all the difference in the election.
"Note, a better conspiracy theory is that Trump's ear wound wasn't caused by a bullet, but rather he faked that specific wound (which, by the way, is a known move in professional wrestling, where Trump has plenty of associations). Not the shots, but that the shooter wasn't aiming to make a miracle shot only nicking Trump's ear, but rather off to the side of Trump. This is of course still crazy, but it's not quite as *physically* implausible as what you're talking about."
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It occurred to me that if the shooting were staged, that would be the way to do it. Also, one could promise the shooter that the Secret Service will let him get away and then renege on that. The shooter wouldn't have to be suicidal. Probably the most unrealistic thing about the staged shooting scenario would be Trump choosing to put himself in possible physical danger.
After a few minutes on Twitter last night, I was wishing that when something like this happens, we could shut down social media for a day or two, to cut down on the spread of misinformation and wild conclusory thinking that they foster. It was just an idle thought, but now I'm thinking maybe it's worth considering. We wouldn't shut them down permanently, just for 48 hours or so, until the facts were established. I know some (you) are big on free speech, so maybe we would not exactly suspend them, just get them to save up the comments and put them out three days later....
In my neck of the woods the conspiracy theories started immediately and still going strong on both sides. I'd share your sensible take on this with them, but sadly it wouldn't shake their belief in their theories. But I can offer one of my own....The shooter was Robert Dinero. First, no one has heard from him since the shooting, and second ..I mean come on you saw what a marksman he was in "The Deer Hunter" 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for some rare sanity at a time when everybody's acting a little cuckoo. I agree this event will have zero effect on voting. Turnout among Trump supporters was already going to be near 100%. And it's hard to imagine someone suddenly changing their mind just because Trump got shot.
Well said, Carl. Needless to say, allowing everyone and anyone to be a broadcaster has its drawbacks. Rumors, consipiracy theories and innuendo (or outright smears) circulate at the speed of light now.
But so do good information and rational viewpoints. Thanks for the positive contribution.
You're welcome! And thank you for the kind words!
I feel that there's something futile every time I see a social media post saying "DON'T DO THE ATTENTION-SEEKING THING!". It's kind of like preaching temperance at a keg party.
Note, a better conspiracy theory is that Trump's ear wound wasn't caused by a bullet, but rather he faked that specific wound (which, by the way, is a known move in professional wrestling, where Trump has plenty of associations). Not the shots, but that the shooter wasn't aiming to make a miracle shot only nicking Trump's ear, but rather off to the side of Trump. This is of course still crazy, but it's not quite as *physically* implausible as what you're talking about.
More seriously, while "most people's votes are already set in stone", there's perhaps 5% or so of the electorate which is the battleground. Strange as it may seem to us info-junkies, those people are not hardcore partisans. Thus it's reasonable to consider that the image of strength Trump projected here - in contrast to Biden's notable frailty on his bad days (unfair, I know, but it is what it is) - might really help with these voters. Plus it could further motivate turnout in the Republican base. If it moves only a percent or two of total voters - again, just 1 or 2 percent, a sliver of the total - that could make all the difference in the election.
"Note, a better conspiracy theory is that Trump's ear wound wasn't caused by a bullet, but rather he faked that specific wound (which, by the way, is a known move in professional wrestling, where Trump has plenty of associations). Not the shots, but that the shooter wasn't aiming to make a miracle shot only nicking Trump's ear, but rather off to the side of Trump. This is of course still crazy, but it's not quite as *physically* implausible as what you're talking about."
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It occurred to me that if the shooting were staged, that would be the way to do it. Also, one could promise the shooter that the Secret Service will let him get away and then renege on that. The shooter wouldn't have to be suicidal. Probably the most unrealistic thing about the staged shooting scenario would be Trump choosing to put himself in possible physical danger.
After a few minutes on Twitter last night, I was wishing that when something like this happens, we could shut down social media for a day or two, to cut down on the spread of misinformation and wild conclusory thinking that they foster. It was just an idle thought, but now I'm thinking maybe it's worth considering. We wouldn't shut them down permanently, just for 48 hours or so, until the facts were established. I know some (you) are big on free speech, so maybe we would not exactly suspend them, just get them to save up the comments and put them out three days later....
Put it all on a time-delay.
In my neck of the woods the conspiracy theories started immediately and still going strong on both sides. I'd share your sensible take on this with them, but sadly it wouldn't shake their belief in their theories. But I can offer one of my own....The shooter was Robert Dinero. First, no one has heard from him since the shooting, and second ..I mean come on you saw what a marksman he was in "The Deer Hunter" 🤣🤣🤣
This was a welcome relief from the histrionics and panic and bad takes I keep seeing in my social circles. Thanks for again being a voice for sanity.
Thanks a lot! Rest assured I'm quite insane in real life.
Thanks for some rare sanity at a time when everybody's acting a little cuckoo. I agree this event will have zero effect on voting. Turnout among Trump supporters was already going to be near 100%. And it's hard to imagine someone suddenly changing their mind just because Trump got shot.
Thanks! I can see it giving him a bit of a boost, but let's wait and see.
I said it elsewhere: THIS IS WHY WE HAVE ELECTIONS. An innocent bystander is dead, that is terrible, democracy exists to reduce violence. Period.
On that topic, Carl, you might like this stuff I wrote on Twitter: https://x.com/apokerplayer/status/1812304778266804275
I'll check it out!