The Four Stages of Republican Misinformation
Wajahat Ali
If a 10-year-old girl cannot escape the cruel machinery of the right-wing disinformation network, then theres little hope for the rest of us trying to protect our freedom, dignity, and fragile democracy.
Conservatives attempts to minimize, and then weaponize, the horrific story of a 10-year-old rape victim highlights their tried-and-tested four-part strategy to manufacture lies and outrage to fuel their march toward fascism.
Ohio was one of 13 states with automatic trigger bans that went into effect immediately after the Supreme Court overturned Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. As a result, Ohio now has zero exceptions for rape and incest. A 10-year-old rape victim who missed the states new six-week deadline by three days was forced to travel to Indiana for her abortion. Earlier this month, the girls alleged rapist, Gershon Fuentes, was arrested and charged with felony first-degree rape.
One would assume this sordid story would force most Republicans to pause in horror and reflect on the brutal consequences unleashed by the Court taking away the constitutionally protected right to abortion.
How would they feel if this was their daughter or loved one? Would they want to force an innocent girl to endure unnecessary trauma by carrying her abusers child? Could they at least create exceptions for rape and incest, which are supported by 69 percent of Americans, including 56 percent of Republicans?
At the very least, this story should open them up to empathize with this young girls dilemma, right?
Wrong.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-four-stages-of-republican-misinformation?ref=home