DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Fact checking the fact checkers during the craziest US presidential debate of all time

First, I want to say Part 2 of my column, “The Corporation of the United States of America is not just a myth” will be next week. 

I could not go without mentioning some of the more disturbing mentionables from last week’s debate.

Since mainstream media is likely not reporting on this unless forced, remember that does not mean the circus is not in town.

The most poignant thing I have heard both Republicans and the lengthy line of Democrats from all walks of life flipping their vote is that the Democratic party has changed so much they do not recognize or identify with it. 

These are real people making real statements.

I worked for a Democrat we disagreed on some issues.

I have worked with Republicans and again, we disagreed on issues. 

I do not know what it means to be a lifelong Democrat. 

I do know my parents were Republican and my grandparents were Democrats and their line in the sand was they would vote for a dog over a Republican.

These days, from what I’m being told by my Democrat friends many will not be voting for the dog or anyone else on that side of the aisle. 

Do hardcore Republicans represent their party? 

Republicans (many military personnel who have also seen the worst) are fighting to keep this country free and they believe that is to be done by way of the Republican party.

I will say no matter how you flip and gaslight, it is not okay for media to ever be accused of election tampering such as what ABC is being accused due to last week’s debate. 

Apparently, an ABC whistle-blower filed an affidavit stating ABC worked closely with the Harris campaign sharing questions, avoiding certain topics, and committing to fact check Trump and not Harris.

There are media sources outside the US reporting this affidavit information, but I cannot find much from our US media.

David Muir, who is he again? 

I will say from my humble seat over here he was a bad actor in that he did not even try to cover up he was only fact checking Trump. 

He should have put on his acting cap and tried to look like he was being fair. 

Same goes for the female sidekick. It was not a fair show – I do not think the “Hunger Games” judges would have approved.

Fortunately, a large number of American people are paying attention from both sides of the aisle and are not going to be duped again. 

They did their own fact checking on what Muir and Lindsey Davis overlooked.

Truth, the media does set the narrative (the same shareholders for all news stations count on that – they own both sides of the aisle). 

They also count on Americans being lazy and uninformed and blindly watching the news and saying “factual.” 

Or watching the debate and never bothering to look behind the curtain and see the cracks crumbling while hoping no one can see the truth.

You will not hear this on mainstream media so if you are reading this column while drinking your government required Kool-Aid, you will likely say I am a “conspiracy theorist.”

Harris said there are no U.S. soldiers deployed in overseas conflict zones.

False! And what a way to raise the moral of the US service members. 

Sadly, these words came out of not only the mouth of the presidential candidate, but she is the VP of the US who should know this information. 

The NY Post reported (nypost.com/2024/09/14/world-news/vet-families-rip-kamala-harris-over-claim-no-troops-in-combat-zones) military families were outraged. 

“As many as 50,000 US service members are currently patrolling countries and oceans across the Middle East and Africa and are receiving either “hostile fire” or “imminent danger pay,” monthly payments of up to $225 for troops deployed in areas where they could easily be subjected to – or do come under – enemy attack,” said retired Army Col. and military analyst Jonathan Sweet.

So, NO, the delusion we are seeing a period of peace not seen in decades, is a lie. 

Look toward the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, and we aren’t particularly having sleepovers with the likes of China and North Korea these days either.

Read the USA Today article (www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/11/trump-harris-debate-us-troops-combat-zones/75171915007) for more facts.

Such as, “The U.S. maintains nearly 1,000 troops on bases in Syria and another 2,500 in Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.”

The gaslight from Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey was noteworthy when asked why Harris would make such a claim. 

Healey could not even answer, but instead went right into telling viewers what she thought was “really important” (i.e., avoiding the question and telling the American people what they need to understand). 

She said Harris demonstrated herself to be Commander in Chief – how was that answering the question? 

Furthermore, how does the VP, not knowing how many service personnel are putting their life at risk each day for the country qualify as exemplary leadership?

And I would say the same about Trump, did he know the answer? 

The moderator tried to get Healey back on track, but she kept the gaslight on and it was a pointless discussion. 

The eating of pets and such in Springfield, Ohio was another one. 

Muir and Davis tried to make Trump look bad on that one. 

I would have loved to have been his press secretary to tell him “these are politicians” sidestep this mess. 

The smirk on Kamala’s face must have been ripped off when again, the VP found out the truth after Trump.

Isn’t it a narcissist who listens to what you have to say, attempts to correct your truth, and turn it back on you like you are wrong and stupid?

I watched the Springfield, Ohio City Council meeting – there are pets being eaten.

I lost friends on this one because they told me I was crazy for believing it on debate night and I refused to argue.

When a person is carrying a dead Canadian goose down the city street dead and about to behead it and there is a photo... well? 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine acknowledged the mess in his state, and it’s more than just eating pets.

And there is the same tired conversation who really won in 2020, does it matter, the damage has been done.

A chart from July 2024 based on Federal Reserve, the Bureau of Statistics, the Energy Information Agency, and NASDAQ numbers reported under Trump inflation was 1.89% and under Biden/Harris 5.28% year over year. 

Cumulative it was 7.8% higher under Trump and 19.2% higher under Biden/Harris. 

The average gas price was down under Trump 5.4% at $2.40 average and up 46.6% under Biden/Harris at $3.50 average.

A 30-year mortgage rate was down under at 34.8% with a 3.8% average and 132% under Biden/Harris at a 5.45% average.

Grocery prices up 6.5% under Trump, but up 20.9% under Biden/Harris.

What we must do now is be sure there is never election tampering again as we look forward to positive change in the United States.

To be fair to both sides we could really use a few additional options turning left or right politically these days. 

Many people say Harris has been in office longer so would be better at the job. 

She has been a career politician, true. Does it matter who has been at the job longer or does not matter more who can do the job better? 

So far, as VP there has been nothing done by Harris at all. And you know, there has never been a better time for her to prove herself than right NOW. 

Rita Cook is a freelance writer for The Ellis County Press. She can be reached at rcook13@earthlink.net.