No, BuzzFeed, no one seriously compared anything to slavery

[DonViejo]

No, BuzzFeed, no one seriously compared anything to slavery

Ed Markey brought the case up, but he's not the one constantly "equating" stuff with Dred Scott

BY ALEX PAREENE

Nine times out of 10, when you see a headline use the format “[Political figure] compares [current issue] to [uniquely tragic or horrific historical event or figure]” you are about to read some idiotic trumped-up outrage fuel. The Internet is powered by trumped-up outrage fuel, and “dumbass says this is just like what the Nazis did” is can’t-miss click bait. So here’s BuzzFeed’s John Stanton with “Ed Markey Compares Campaign Finance Ruling to Decision Upholding Slavery.”

In traditional BuzzFeed fashion, the story is big shareable SHOCK headline in the front, boring and largely unread context that defuses most of the outrage in the back. (I think this common style of controversy-stoking story packaging is “TRASHY” and “EW.”)

Here’s the relevant bit:

“I want to go to the United States Senate in order to fight for a constitutional amendment to repeal Citizens United. The whole idea that the Koch brothers, that Karl Rove can say we’re coming to Massachusetts, to any state of the union with undisclosed amounts of money is a pollution, which must be changed,” Markey said to loud applause.

“The constitution must be amended. The Dred Scott decision had to be repealed, we have to repeal Citizens United,” he added.

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http://www.salon.com/2013/02/21/no_buzzfeed_no_one_seriously_compared_anything_to_slavery/