"Enough is Enough": America's toxic mix of mass shootings, disinformation and Donald Trump

“Enough is Enough”: America’s toxic mix of mass shootings, disinformation and Donald Trump
An exasperated White House press secretary speaks for a beleaguered nation

By Brian Karem
Columnist
Published September 5, 2024 9:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) Welcome back to the new school year kids. Seeing friends. Sharing stories about your summer. Fall football. Dodging bullets.

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Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday became the latest school to suffer through a mass shooting. It was the 45th school shooting in America in 2024 and the deadliest school shooting in Georgia’s history. It is such a common occurrence in this country that while the White House daily press briefing began with the news, the tragedy was soon drowned out by the continued divisive politics that has consumed us to the point that life-taking tragedies take a back seat to a former President whining about his potential criminal sentencing a mere two weeks from now.

“I can’t say it enough. Enough is enough. Enough,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre summed it up succinctly Wednesday afternoon.

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The press, we are often told, simply are failing to accurately inform American news consumers. That is reinforced when we watch reporters embarrass themselves in the White House briefing room; whether it’s asking about the vice president’s situational affectation of a Southern accent, or a “gotcha” question about free speech and satire riddled with racist comments. Often the questions have nothing to do with the president, White House policy or Joe Biden’s personal life – all questions often and appropriately asked in that environment. And when we do ask policy questions about the economy or international events, with the exception of a few solid professionals in the room, we sound like romper room kids soiling our shorts.

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But think about the other thing that was stated bluntly and obliquely. News consumers need to take more responsibility to check the facts. Don’t just listen. Don’t just read. Verify. Kirby spoke not only for the administration but on Wednesday gave a plea for all of us still trying to present vetted facts to a populace numb to them and increasingly only interested in screaming opinions at the top of our lungs; “Please take the time to figure out how you get your news and information.” ................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2024/09/05/enough-is-enough-americas-mix-of-mass-shootings-disinformation-and-donald/