This thread about the casual dishonesty of politicians and the media’s failure to call them out is a fascinating read
There was now no question that Daniel Kawczynski now knew the truth of the matter.
But when asked if he stood by what he said: “of course, I do”.
A falsehood then became a lie.
He knew it was untrue, but maintained it.
13.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
But why should Daniel Kawczynski care about being exposed as a dishonest man?
People will lose soon lose interest. Who cares? So what? Those bothered should just get out more.
The political caravan moves on.
14.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
You can perhaps say this is post-fact politics, but for Daniel Kawczynski accuracy does matter.
Guess when it matters?
From this morning, this is when factual accuracy matters to Daniel Kawczynski:https://t.co/e7bytME9Tv
15.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
The great @jonronson wrote a book a few years ago on how the internet facilitated public shaming – buy it, read it https://t.co/eUTm0NToDO
But that was only temporary. Trump and Brexit have shown greater impact of the internet/social media is not shame but shamelessness.
16.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
And for Daniel Kawczynski, the shameless dishonesty has worked, where it matters for him
His local paper, the @ShropshireStar obligingly dismisses the story with a diversionary quote from their MP as their headline:https://t.co/YOAKy2itho
17.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
This is why we get the politicians we deserve.
Even as I type this thread, Daniel Kawczynski is still far more concerned about the correct spelling of his name than about the accuracy of his vile inflammatory tweet: https://t.co/AL9i0d7xI3
Buffoon.
18.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
You may read this thread and shrug.
You may like it or RT it (thanks if you do).
And nothing may change. Perhaps.
The shameless lies of Kawczynski and others will no doubt continue.
But it still matters for lies to be called out.
The truth should get out more.
19 & ends.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
ps
The media’s use of nursery rhyme terms like “pants on fire” “porkie pies” “Pinocchios” and so on, are part of the problem.
Such cheery infantile terms normalise the dishonesty.
A falsehood is a falsehood, and a lie is a lie.
Just say so.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
pps
My thread did not spell out why Daniel Kawczynsk’s dishonesty matters.
Three reasons.
>
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019
1. The lie was the basis of Kawczynski’s vile inflammatory tweet.
2. The lie covered over the truth of UK’s post war dependency on other countries, contrary to the plucky national character myth.
3. The lie was caught only because it was specific, and so many more get away.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) February 4, 2019