Renewable Revolution

 


 
Continuing to demonstrate that while his skin looks thick and leathery, it’s actually as paper-thin as the resumes of many of his cabinet appointees and advisors, President Trump continues to pretend that negative press or outlets that expose Russian connections to his administration are fake, while giving actual fake news outlets like Breitbart prime real estate. The administration is making a habit of only calling on conservative outlets as a way to avoid critical questions, having done so exclusively for the past three press conferences. It’s gotten so bad that reporters have started trying to shouting real questions afterwards, only to be ignored. (But at least Acosta tried…)
 
Trump’s continued attempts at co-opting of the term “fake news” as a tool to delegitimize the press is a textbook use of propaganda. From Hitler to Stalin, some of history’s most infamous dictators routinely turned words upside down to strip them of their meaning and confuse the public. 

The latest example of this tactic will be on full view in the House today, when the Energy and Commerce committee holds a 10am hearing on “Modernizing Environmental Laws.” With speakers from the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, and Chairman Shimkus quoted in the press release as looking forward to “practical reforms to promote the expansion of domestic infrastructure and manufacturing”, it’s unlikely the witnesses there who actually care about environmental protection will drive the conversation.
 
But despite what Steve Bannon thinks, the press is smart, and it’s unlikely that this “modernizing” language will to pass unchallenged by the media. Ari Phillips has taken the charge with a great piece that pulls back the propaganda to explain “What GOP lawmakers mean when they talk about modernizing the Endangered Species Act.”
 

For those wondering, it appears “modernizing” something means destroying it to benefit industry. 

 
While it may seem silly and obvious to smart folks like Phillips that “modernization” is just an empty euphemism meant to conceal unpopular policy positions, this election proved the power of propaganda. We should all do everything we can to hold those in power accountable and keep the public apprised of the truth.

 Otherwise, Trump might succeed in “modernizing” America.