opposite-world

I often reference “Opposite World” on my show. This morning, I got proof that it exists and is eating away our fourth estate.

This morning I happened to have MSNBC on. Ayman Mohyeldin was anchoring, with former presidential debate moderator Carole Simpson and former primary debate panelist (and radio hate talker) Hugh Hewitt on. One of his questions was whether or not the debate moderator should also fact check the candidates answers.

Simpson said absolutely they should. Hewitt thought not so much. His rationale made me spit coffee. I had to go back and pull the audio because I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t heard it myself.  Take it away Hugh Hewitt.

“Ron

[Fournier] and I have been debating this on Twitter. Ron believes in fact checking and I don’t because I believe that facts are very subjective things and that you’ve got to be very careful when you intervene and suggest that a fact is not a fact or a statement is incorrect..”

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.

A quick review for Hugh Hewitt and all who listen to his drivel…

Objective: (of a person or their judgment) not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.

Subjective: based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

Since it seems to be necessary…

Fact: a thing that is indisputably the case.

And because the question being asked was about fact checking during debates, perhaps I should also include the definition of irony: a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.

Indeed.