When Poor Media Behavior Has Consequences

I can accept someone picking Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in a primary. Both hold solidly left-of-center positions. Both would be better Presidents than the people who ran as Republicans. I can totally accept that people on both sides will try to draw contrasts, even ones I hate- so immigration votes, votes on the Iraq War, votes on reigning in gun manufacturers, and votes on trade deals are all fair game. It's an election- we all need thick enough skin to take some hits. In the end, the person who won more delegates should be our nominee. That's how things go. That person is the stronger candidate for November, because that person has shown they can get votes.

What I can't take is lying to your supporters. I can take embellishing facts. I can't take using right-wing talking points to try and score political points by pushing lies. I'm not for any of that. I won't start being for it either, regardless who wins. I've watched H.A. Goodman try and argue that Hillary will go to jail, handing the nomination to Bernie Sanders in July. I've watched Seth Abramson argue that Bernie is actually winning, when he is actually losing at the ballot box. Worst of all, i've watched Shaun King shamelessly say people should quit the party because he's not getting his way.

There are consequences to the outright lies of these people. Supporters of Bernie Sanders believe them. They believe they are being robbed. They believe they are being lied to. They are being lied to of course, but only by the people who are telling them what they want to hear. We have a process- he didn't get as many votes. She will win the nomination therefore, and they are better off if she wins. Responsible people tell their readers the truth and deal with the consequences. Irresponsible yahoos that shouldn't get printed lie to their readers for some clickbait, and look to advance their careers at the expense of America. These guys are embarrassments to their candidate, and our political process. Their behavior has the potential to alter the behavior of a portion of the public, which could hurt a lot of people. It's despicable.