Use your reason to question wild claims
A Nov. 21 column by Bob Oswald and Nov. 22 letter from Bob Janz both make a key point. Oswald points out social media posts that he debunks as false news, even citing one that dubs over VP Harris's voice to project the opposite message she was giving about the effectiveness of the covid vaccine.
Janz's letter "Dangerous delusions" notes wild and false speculation about President Obama and the Jan. 6 riot, vaccine misinformation, unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and reports that foment racial hatred.
If you go into a car dealership and the salesman says this car will run for 10 years guaranteed without any mechanical breakdown will you believe him? If you get an email or text guaranteeing you, say, $50 million dollars and all you have to do is supply your bank account number, will you do so?
Of course not, so why would you believe political claims without first checking out their credence? Yet many do, even some you would think should know better but to one degree or another no matter what degrees you may have earned have fallen prey to misinformation.
A former friend posted a link claiming COVID was caused by graphene oxide being added to influenza vaccines. This of course has been debunked. I also saw a link to an MD who looked 45 years old and claimed he has seen 700,000 patients. It's quite easy to do the math and realize this claim is impossible.
The point is fact check. Think first and be reasonable. Do not let your personal and political leanings cloud your judgement especially in our current climate. If you read something that say inflames you remember thats the intention. Don't fall for it.
Lawrence R Kopp
Schaumburg