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1) Something to add to this excellent @JamesFallows piece in @TheAtlantic ( https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/media-mistakes/616222/)">https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arc... on the point of how the Trump movement exploits propriety:
2) I think this is connected with right-wing media efforts to get professors and journalists fired, and to come at us with vile attacks meant to draw us into punishable impropriety.
3) When right-wing media were trying to get me fired for my constitutionally and institutionally protected speech in 2017, one of the frustrations I had was that when people invaded my privacy or said vile things to me, I couldn& #39;t return the action. That is...
4) Like journalists, officers of the court, etc., my job demands a degree of propriety from me (even if I could get away with acting like a Tucker Carlson fan in my mentions, it wouldn& #39;t serve me well in doing my job effectively). The Trump right knows that and exploits it.
5) When a guy calls you up and says & #39;I hope you and your family get stabbed by an & #39;illegal immigrant& #39; and you bleed out slowly before you die,& #39; what I want to say to that person goes beyond & #39;thanks for sharing your opinion.& #39;
6) Such provocations are designed to draw us into punishable or fireable territory. It& #39;s another way that such tactics are so effective: It& #39;s like playing tennis with someone who can hit the ball anywhere while you have to return within the lines. Impossible.
7) For that reason, among others, I value what Fallows is calling attention to here regarding journalism. The tactics apply across professions and institutions, yes, but also expressly target professions and institutions most bound by propriety. /end
