Disinformation is Dangerous

Dear Editor,

Each one of us has a solemn obligation to not blindly accept disinformation on social and other media.  Disinformation has proven to be quite deadly for Americans.  Disinformation about the safe and effective corona virus vaccine has caused tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths and caused even more people terrible sickness and suffering.  The Big Lie about election fraud from Fox, the GOP and the disgraced and twice-impeached former President has created division, needless apathy and violence against government election officials.

An insurrection is defined as a violent uprising against authority or government.  On January 6, 2021 one of our political parties implemented their planned insurrection to overthrow the elected government.  A total of seven people died as a result of that violence, according to a bipartisan Senate panel.  A previous writer meant to say that Ashley Babbitt was the only violent insurrectionist who died on January 6.

Let’s make sure we all work to ensure that only facts are relied upon when it comes to events and news.  Truth matters!  A lot.  We should take and keep an oath to resist dangerous disinformation wherever we see or hear it.  Otherwise anything becomes believable, no matter how unscientific, disrespectful, false or misleading.  The future of our government and democracy for the people is literally in danger when citizens repeat and promulgate disinformation.  And when we allow it to stand.

Respectfully,

–David Siegel, Castro Valley