Reply #52: We are facing the calculated, methodical removal of objectivity from the national debate.

[DirkGently]

Look at the narrative that's been pushed, and successfully.

- "The media" in general has a "liberal bias." Thus, ANY fact not in step with rightwing politics may freely dismissed without proof.

- Teachers and college professors similarly cannot be trusted. Anything the educated class has to say is by definition "elitist," and likewise subject to freewheeling dismissal without debate.

- Science, likewise, can be dismissed in favor of political or religious thoughts. After all, science is made up of "theories," while the Bible, for example, cannot be questioned.

- Flat-out crazy, objectively false statements are now made routinely by serious, establishment rightwing politicians. Grassley says he believes in healthcare "death panels." The very-nearly-elected Sharron Angle says we have Sharia law in Detroit. Mainstream news sources report that Obama is spending $200 million per day on a trip to India. Michele Bachmann suggests the U.S. Census just might be a secret plan to round up Republicans for internment camps.

In other words, truth has become irrelevant.

When called out these complete fabrications, rather than being ashamed, or embarrassed, or even issuing a correction, rightwingers simply say they "read it somewhere." The idea is that Fox and rightwing blogs are the equivalent of real factual information. Literally any lie is taken as true until disproven, and when disproven, are met with a shrug and sigh and readily dismissed.

Thus, ABC news very nearly elevates Andrew Breitbart to the status of a political "commentator," despite the fact he has declared his sole mission in life is "to destroy the institutional left," and his direct association with the ACORN and Sherrod smears.

Rachel was right. We are living in a fact-free era. What's worse is that we have traded a model of RELIGIOUS FANATICISM for political discourse. As long as that is the case, any possibility for social, political, or economic progress approaches zero.