“If the snow is falling, they will calmly tell you, the sun is shining.”
Today, Vladimir Putin, the current leader of Russia—which is credibly reported by all seventeen U.S. intelligence agencies and the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee to have interfered in our 2016 presidential election—seems to adhere to Khrushchev’s philosophy that ginning up conspiracy theories and smear campaigns of foreign leaders and their integrity will unravel rival societies.
Putin was well schooled in such tactics, having served as a KGB secret police officer for 15 years. Stationed in East Germany for six of those years, Putin worked with the infamous Stasi secret police to monitor the thoughts and movements of its citizens, arrest dissenters, and recruit informers to steal Western technology and NATO military secrets.
When Putin rose to power in 2000, Russian dissident writer Feliz Svetov said he was a typical KGB type. “If the snow is falling,” said Svetov, “they will calmly tell you, the sun is shining.”
Other tried-and-true disinformation tactics Putin seems to employ include perpetuating lies with denial, distraction, re-direct, and “what about”isms.
There are so many things I’d like readers to take away from this story—like enjoying what I hope is a fast-paced and compelling narrative! In this regard, though, I hope the narrative will inspire teens to resolve to think for themselves, to work for what educators call “media literacy.” To not swallow unsubstantiated accusations or catchy labels and slogans presented as fact without doing a little reading and thinking on their own.
To not stubbornly hold onto opinions promulgated by their community, parents, or peers if they do not stand up to the light of fact and thoughtful analysis (just as Drew’s cousin Matthias had to do).
To listen and open up their hearts and minds to others who differ from them (like Drew), and to accept our responsibility as a free people to not simply stand by when witnessing others fighting for their rights—whether in a foreign nation or marching peacefully on our own streets.
Our country is anything but perfect. But it is formed on the most magnificent of ideas and the promise to work toward betterment and equality for all. We have much work left to do to achieve that.
And that requires our voters to be informed and involved, respectful and empathetic, in whichever party they affiliate, remembering that e pluribus unum means: out of many, one.
I love writing YA novels because our youth tend to listen with instinctive compassion and curiosity—they fill me with hope.
If interested in learning more about disinformation and media literacy, please see the discussion guide.
The Cold War Rivers of Disinformation
I never thought I’d see fear spread so far and fast. Next year’s midterm elections are now crucial for the Democratic party – and for democrats everywhere
There’s no longer even a bare pretence of impartiality about the most basic procedure of democracy.
Americans have 400 days to save their democracy - Timothy Garton Ash
Trump’s administration may seem chaotic, but Americans should not take the integrity of next year’s elections for granted.
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Forbes: “The government shutdown has officially entered its 36th day, becoming the longest federal funding lapse in U.S. history—surpassing the 35-day shutdown that took place during President Donald Trump’s first term in office. Millions are feeling the impacts:
SNAP benefits used by roughly 42 million Americans will only be partially funded for November. Beyond the recipients themselves, even a short lapse in benefits could slow consumer spending—the Department of Agriculture estimates that every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 in economic activity. Meanwhile, the usual holiday travel anxiety looms even larger this year.
Nearly half of all major air traffic control facilities are facing staffing shortages, according to the FAA, while a shortage of TSA agents has led to increased security wait times at major airports. On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that U.S. air travel would see “mass chaos” if the government shutdown goes on another week…”