President Trump, during his campaign and post campaign, raged that the press is the enemy, that it expresses “false news” or fake news. He did so without proof, without reason, without factual evidence. He has expressed his dismay with mainstream news; read that as news that is not in his favor. The concept of “gas-lighting” means that if one repeats a lie long enough people, primarily people paying little attention to events, will believe it. Joseph Goebbels, German director of propaganda during Hitler’s dictatorship knew this and practiced it vigorously. Hitler referenced this practice in his book “Mein Kampf.”

An educated and aware population is essential to a free democracy. Listening to one source of news invites bias and misinformation. We have many sources and we all need to use them.

“Alternative facts” is a ridiculous and deceptive concept, created by Trump’s councilors. There are no alternative facts, only facts, and they do require verification.

Michael Dahlstrom

Everett