Republican senator floats using violence against journalists who report 'fake news'

www.nbcnews.com Republican senator floats using violence against journalists who report 'fake news'

Markwayne Mullin recounted that a reporter fatally shot a former congressman in 1890, adding there might be less "fake news ... if we could still handle our differences that way."

Summary

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) posted a video suggesting journalists would report "less false stories" if violence were still used to resolve disputes.

He referenced the 1890 Capitol shooting of Rep. William Taulbee by reporter Charles Kincaid, who was acquitted.

After backlash, Mullin claimed he was joking and criticized The Oklahoman for covering the story.

A former MMA fighter, Mullin had previously threatened a union leader in a Senate hearing. Critics say his remarks echo Trump’s escalating “fake news” rhetoric and hostility toward the press.

31 comments

There's no "I was joking" excuse for inciting violence. Being a politician means you are responsible for the consequences of your words. Or at least, it would if we had a functioning justice system.
- Its called Stochastic Terrorism, and now that he's done it, he can be locked up without due process, and shipped to El Salvador.
- With enough fealty, he can bank on a pardon for any crimes he may commit in the process.

So I guess it’s totally fine to joke about guillotining this guy. Have at it, boys.
- Someone should nail a luigi hat on is front door you know as a joke

He referenced the 1890 Capitol shooting of Rep. William Taulbee by reporter Charles Kincaid, who was acquitted.
So...
His example is elected politicians getting shot for lying about some bullshit to a reporter?
That's some change American voters may be ok with...
But also the complete opposite of what he wants to do.
- No no, some people have to learn from their own mistakes.
  You tell a toddler to not reach up and touch the stove because a burner might be hot. You don't tell a 25 year old man not to touch a burner - by that age they should have either learned from extrapolating data about the world, from their childhood experience, or someone else's experience. Regardless, at a certain point, you just let morons burn their fingers.

Senators would say less stupid things if violence were used to resolve disputes.
- That reminds me, I have to sharpen my guillotine.

GUYS! It was a JOKE! Calm DOWN! But also STOP Flipping Off TESLA OWNERS because that is TERRORISM!

This is standard procedure.
Claim it was a "joke". That way, others can say the same thing and use the same excuse. This normalizes it. Then, when some lone wolf actors take it seriously and act on it, people like this can say "We had nothing to do with it! He acted on his own!" and disavow themselves of all responsibility.
This guy would love it if MAGA morons started taking it seriously and attacking reporters.
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stochastic_terrorism

Isn’t this the guy that wanted to fight the Teamsters president
- In retrospect, I would have liked to have seen that. Since the Teamsters president spoke at the RNC and called the demented rapist a "tough son of a bitch".
  Not that it wasn't a humiliating spectacle all by itself.

“Stories I disagree with.”
- Approved facts straight from the ministry of truth.

Would be a decent enough idea if "fake news" actually meant outlets/personalities that just blatantly make shit up, but we all know what he actually means is "anyone I disagree with."

Am I misreading this? He thinks there would be less "false" journalism coverage if reporters shot more senators?
I mean, I guess? By shooting senators you'd shut off a valve of significant disinformation...
- yes it would, especially if its been piped straight from russia to the senators mouth.

Nothing in his tone suggests it’s a joke. He appears to be creating this video to tell a historic story relevant to that place. He nor annyone else nearby laughs. Posted to his senate account used for official communication. He can fuck all the way off with that lame ass attempt at an excuse.

I bet this guy would grind into a nice paste
- That came out of left field, but I truly LOL'd.

I love the line "Mullin ... criticized The Oklahoman for covering the story."

If people were still allowed to use violence for disputes then somebody would have already slapped this chuckle fuck in the mouth enough times that he would keep his stupid to himself.

Ah so all of FOX news then, I’m down with that.

I do not expect anything good from the Oklahoma Oblast.

Judging by the R next to his name, I'd bet he shares a lot of fake news. I don't think he wants to live in this fantasy world.

Markwayne "Hillbilly is in my name" Mullins

Lemmy user floats use of violence against reds and oranges.

What about politicians willfully lying, How does he think we should handle that?

Of, it's that asshole who said it. Yeah, not at all surprised.

31 comments