In the wonderful world of the internet, a Troll is someone who intentionally interrupts an online conversation with a post so controversial that others feel compelled to respond. The atheist comment posted to a Christian blog. The inappropriate racist photo posted on a chan site. The political comment posted just about anywhere. Online hell breaks out, and the Troll sits back and enjoys the mayhem he or she has initiated.
The current flap over President Obama's inclusion of Sitting Bull in his new book proves once again that FOX News is a Troll in the world of journalism. Make the on-air statement that is so absurd that people have to take the bait, and sit back and enjoy the ratings.
"Of Thee I Sing, A Letter to My Daughters" is the title in question. President Obama praises a number of famous Americans, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Georgia O'Keeffe, Billie Holiday and Albert Einstein. But when he includes Lakota Chief Sitting Bull, FOX headlines read "Obama Praises Indian Chief Who Killed U.S. General." And in hot response, the salivating Obama-haters come out from under their respective rocks to accuse the President of delivering his "newest attack on America."
First, this statement overlooks the facts that not only was Sitting Bull too old to participate in the battle at the Little Big Horn (Crazy Horse lead the warriors), had Custer survived, he most certainly would have been court marshaled for disobeying a direct order not to engage the tribes camped in the Greasy Grass Valley.
Second, it implies that Sitting Bull was not an American. That is like saying the Robert E. Lee was not an American because he fought against General Grant.
And finally, if we are looking for faults in this list of famous Americans, we don't have to look far. Billie Holiday was a heroin addict who died as a result of her addiction. And why do so many of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings look like female genitalia?
So the Trolls at FOX strike again. And we (this writer included) take the bait. And the Trolls feed and grow. Yes, the extreme viewpoints must be called out and debated. Otherwise too many gullible people will believe nonsense. But there are times when we should just call it for what it really is. A Troll looking to use the bait of the absurd to lure unsuspecting victims into an unnecessary dialogue.
The Trolls are fat enough already. Let's just walk away.
I think it is important to point out that the media does troll. Recently I saw a story documenting how former soldiers in the LRA (lord's resistance army) had been getting rehabilitations at a world vision center. These LRA former child soldiers have some serious issues (they have been raped, killed, some even have killed their own families). These issues stem from a crazy Ugandan who has preyed upon children and turned them into killers. The story focused on the fact that Uganda has few Psychiatrists.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with the story is that this conflict has been going on for many years and the story has no ability for a commoner to have a response. The story didn't even mention how to help world vision or their involvement in the conflict.
While we pick on a infamous Troll like fox news it is important to note that the whole of media Trolls and spins stories to make a stir. People are steered a direction like sheep and not encouraged to make reasoned judgments for themselves. The Church has been guilty of trolling and many governments too.
Lets be glad that we serve a God that lets us make up our own mind. One who doesn't Troll but who is patient with those who do.
I would like to agree to disagree with you in this quarter. Saying that Fox News is the only troll out there is like saying there is only one McDonalds' restaurant. All the news media have their agendas, and all know how to push buttons. I, too fall victim to the troll response, then slap my hands in frustration. The indian story is so ludicrous as to be unbelievable. If we scratch hard enough we can find mindless troll factors in everybody's life [well, maybe not Mother Teresa...]
ReplyDeleteWe are a world that does NOT understand love thy neighbor, we would rather have the dirt. That is because the dirt has become so much more sizzlingly seductive. What fun it is to sit back and talk about how wonderful or beautiful someone is? Naw... let's get down and dirty.
As for me, I will put the trolling of how to spell potato right along with the indian story into the trash heap. The willfull killing of someone with a rifle [oops - Cheney is a blood thirsty killer] and the roasted turkey with the head of George W. Bush superimposed on. All of this is hateful.
As Christians, we have the job to show the way. And we had better get hard on it.
Now, about Georgia O'Keefe. I never saw the painting that way, and I loved her color pallet and pictures. But rest assured, I will probably never look at them again. Yuk!
So dearest Tim... I profoundly miss you and wish I could be there for the holiday season with you all. I will never forget my last Christmas with you.
From the other end of the swamp, with love, prayers and hugs..
Sunny Linda ♥