First and foremost it needs to be pointed out (although the readers here on RMN should already know this) that censorship of any kind is ALWAYS a means of reducing the availability of information. Second, information must ALWAYS be viewed with decrement – all information, regardless of its source!
All information must be evaluated based upon what is presented, and while the source of that information can, and should, be considered in the end it is the information that has to stand or fall on its own merits.
It has been some what distressing of late to see this rather vicious attack on RRN, and especially on its presenter Michael Baxter, and it is worth taking a minute or two and discussing some of this. For the record, I don’t know who Baxter is, or what his background is, or his motivation for doing what he is doing . . . and frankly I don’t much care. But I do think that the fellow has the right to present his “information” and I also think he has the right to have his information properly presented.
For example, in the hit piece written by Jim Stone he implies that Baxter’s site has had Hillary hung 5 times, and Obama hung 3 times, etc. While that might be the case with the wider Internet, to my knowledge Michael Baxter NEVER said that, or anything like it. One of the most interesting things about Real Raw News is the quality of writing, and the consistency with which it is presented. It might very well be a bunch of “made up B.S.” but it is damn good B.S., and written in a way that it is at least plausible if not probable.
As for the Hillary issue, I have to ask, “Which Hillary are we talking about?” The older one who was so sick that she nearly passed out all the time and had the shakes, or the newer version that is several inches shorter? And it seems there are a few others that pop up from time to time as well.
But, I digress. Getting back to the subject – it is not my intent to convince anyone of anything, or take a firm position on this issue, but it is my intent to say boldly, “back off!”. If you find Baxter’s data ridiculous – and that is your conclusion based upon your own discernment – then ignore it. I would suggest, however, that you go watch the video presented by Spacecomando, “Bonhoeffer’s Theory Of Stupidity”, it is very worthwhile and appropriate to this discussion. But to suggest that such information be censored, or even sidelined, is way out bounds – especially here on RMN.
I also want to suggest reading Lymerick’s posting about disclaimers, and Mr. Ed’s added response – both are worth the time to read.
But while taking about disclaimers, and the one that Baxter posts on his site, it is worth pointing out that from a legal standpoint it would be hard to justify his postings using that defense. In other words, he is risking serious liable lawsuits and that disclaimer would probably NOT protect him against them. If, however, he can show that what he is posting is the truth then, well, that would protect him. And it seems to me that by now someone would have gone after him if they could do so. I mean, he has exposed some seriously powerful people – people who have unlimited resources and the finest lawyers in the whole world. But then, if they go after him the whole thing becomes public now doesn’t it?
In conclusion, it is my assessment that Baxter’s data (which by the way he claims to be part of a larger group, not just himself) is worth considering, and while a thinking person has to consider it unlikely, it might not be false. Only time will tell. But under no circumstances should we, as adults, encourage ANY FORM of censorship!
Lets be adult about this – evaluate the information, and move on.
