Art of Allegation
Over the past week, I have listened as the national media have turned their hand of hatred momentarily from the president-elect, and towards some of his picks for cabinet positions in the incoming administration. Curious, I delved into the stories that are being peddled, to see if I could ascertain a morsel or atom of truth; and as usual, found only hatred and vitriol where fact or evidence should be applied. Whether or not the men in question are guilty of some form of sexual assault of which they have previously been accused seems little the point; in light of the bigger point for the press, that the allegation was made at all. Because in the media's twisted view, why would anyone lie about such a thing? If this person is so wonderful and above board, how could anyone say such a thing about them? To understand this, we have to understand both what an allegation is (in truth, and in media's view), as well as what it does, and does not do. ...