A Crisis of Disinformation

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   PrettyPantherposted 4 years ago

   Yesyerday, I heard someone say that on top of the pandemic, econimic, climate, and racial injustice crises that are facing the Biden-Harris administration, there is a "crisis of disinformation."
   
   Personally, I believe that widespread disinformation could ultimately lead to the demise of this nation as we know it.
   
   I have no answers to this. It's far above my expertise. But, as I read this, I thought maybe it will at least slow the spread of people who take the word of dubious internet websites over trained, educated, knowledgeable experts.
   
   "White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 20, i, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon/AP
   White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration plans to resume regular coronavirus briefings with health officials in addition to the daily White House press briefings.
   
   “We want to do those regularly, in a dependable day, with data, shared with you and the public so they can track progress we’re making on getting the pandemic under control," Psaki said in her first press briefing as Biden's press secretary.
   Psaki said that the administration plans to combat misinformation with “accurate information.”
   
   “There are a number of ways to combat misinformation,” Psaki said. “One of them is accurate information and truth and data and sharing information even when it’s hard to hear. And even when it is not meeting the expectations of people at home who are desperate for this crisis to be over.”
   
   The newly sworn-in press secretary's comments came as a response to a question about dealing with misinformation campaigns, like the false claim that President Trump won the 2020 election.
   White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 20, i, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon/AP
   White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration plans to resume regular coronavirus briefings with health officials in addition to the daily White House press briefings.
   
   “We want to do those regularly, in a dependable day, with data, shared with you and the public so they can track progress we’re making on getting the pandemic under control," Psaki said in her first press briefing as Biden's press secretary.
   Psaki said that the administration plans to combat misinformation with “accurate information.”
   
   “There are a number of ways to combat misinformation,” Psaki said. “One of them is accurate information and truth and data and sharing information even when it’s hard to hear. And even when it is not meeting the expectations of people at home who are desperate for this crisis to be over.”
   
   The newly sworn-in press secretary's comments came as a response to a question about dealing with misinformation campaigns, like the false claim that President Trump won the 2020 election."
   
   -----
   Do you have other ideas? Or have you heard of read about ideas for combating widespread misinformation/disinformation?

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      Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      My problem is that people can look at the same facts and draw different conclusions. In the current atmosphere it appears some are advocating that drawing different conclusions and discussing it constitutes spreading misinformation. I don't agree and see many conversations concerning how to control it dangerously skirting freedom of expression guarantees.

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         PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Could you provide an example of where people agree on the facts but draw different conclusions AND one of those conclusions is labeled as misinformation?
         
         I want to be sure I correctly understand your point.

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            Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Seriously? Any person who had any questions on theway the election was handled, anywhere, is being called treasonous. If you don't agree with a leftist view you're called a Nazi. If you have an opinion that deviates from the one the left expects to be regurgitated on demand you're racist.
            
            Give me a break. Examples? If you can't see them on your own that proves my reservations are valid.

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               PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I'm sorry. I was attempting to have a conversation but I see that was not your intent.

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                  Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  For someone attempting to justify stamping out any alternative views by calling it 'disinformation' I'd say you decided you weren't interested in conversation prior to writing the OP, not after.

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                     PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                     I'm truly sorry youve gone so far off the deep end you've become incapable of normal conversation.

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         Marco Santanaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         More and more, people are enclosing themselves in bubbles, just to reinforce their convictions, even if they do not correspond to reality. This interesting article provides tips on how to identify fake news:
         World of lies

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      GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Note! I am not offering a criticism of your OP, but a tangent opportunity for discussion.
      
      You say: "Personally, I believe that widespread disinformation could ultimately lead to the demise of this nation as we know it.", and then follow with a quote; "“We want to do those regularly, in a dependable day, with data, shared with you and the public so they can track progress we’re making on getting the pandemic under control," Psaki said in her first press briefing as Biden's press secretary. Psaki said that the administration plans to combat misinformation with “accurate information.” (summarized to "we will present to you the official government facts"), aka "The official" position.
      
      Hold on now, I know that I took a lot of liberty with your OP thought, but . . .  doesn't it sound like the government will present the real facts and anything else is fake? Doesn't it sorta, kinda, feel like the Chinese and their internet censorship effort—"Here is the truth . . .  as approved."
      
      I will save you the effort of guessing what I mean. I am not yet at the point of distrusting Pres. Biden, but with statements like these I am distrustful of the government's presentation of facts. (if you recall, that is not a new thought. I didn't trust Pres. Trump's presentation of "facts" either)
      
      GA
      
      GA

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         Ken Burgessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         This is the type of thought process we need to eliminate, it is just as bad as those who are deliberately trying to misinform.
         
         This is why, when they usher in the Digital Wallet, it will be in conjunction with a Social Credit system, so that those who work to spread confusion, or worse, unrest, can be isolated, silenced, and restricted.
         
         While those who have the right perspective and mindset, those who support their government, can be rewarded and enjoy the freedoms their actions have earned.
         
         There is no place in the coming decades of the 21st century for "free thinkers" or "revolutionaries" or "rebel rousers" the dangers of such were on clear display in our Capitol just days ago... such anarchy and unrest must be stopped before it can ever start.
         
         China's system has had great success, it is time that the Biden Administration bring it into existence in America, so that we never have the riots and anarchy we saw in 2020 ever again.

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         PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         "(summarized to "we will present to you the official government facts"), aka "The official" position."
         
         Obviously, I did not interpret their statement to mean this at all. Rather, this statement, combined with Anthony Fauci's appearance yesterday, was a recognition that "the government's position" would be based on advice from experts and that the American people would hear directly from these experts. who are free to share their knowledge, no matter how harsh the truth might be
         
         Did you see Dr. Fauci yesterday? He expressed relief that he didn't have to watch what he said or worry that he was contradicting the president. He  was free to deal in facts without fear of retribution.
         
         That, in my opinion, was the essence of the statement I shared. "The government" is merely a collection of people, you know, and is only as transparent as we insist it be.

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         Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         "I will save you the effort of guessing what I mean. I am not yet at the point of distrusting Pres. Biden, but with statements like these I am distrustful of the government's presentation of facts. (if you recall, that is not a new thought. I didn't trust Pres. Trump's presentation of "facts" either)"
         
         Alright, GA, then whose presentation of the fact would you believe? I am going to defer to the experts in their fields over someone that has neither knowledge nor experience. If Biden is leading taking this into account then we are light years ahead of Trump and his administration's handling of the crisis.

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            GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            "Alright, GA, then whose presentation of the fact would you believe? I am going to defer to the experts in their fields over someone that has neither knowledge nor experience."
            
            Yep, me too. I wasn't speaking to the topic of the OP specifically but to the concept of the government being seen as the single source of authoritative information.
            
            My proposed "tangent" is prompted by a thought that is building in the darkest recesses of my thinking. A snowball building from my thoughts on the dangers of the 'Cancel Culture', the demonstrated power of 'Big tech' to stifle contrary dialogue, and this most recent thought of all information sources becoming secondary to the government's 'official' presentation.
            
            Ken's thoughts on China's Social Credit and Digital Wallet systems may seem to be a 'step too far' for us here in the U.S.—now, but that building snowball in my thoughts is finding some credibility in the idea of it coming here.
            
            GA

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               PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I want to make it clear that I was not suggesting, nor would I ever suggest, that  the government be seen as the single source of authoritative information.
               
               You have taken my OP and started a different thread of thought, which is fine, but I don't want others to misconstrue my original point.

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                  GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  I know what you are saying. I didn't suggest you were suggesting . . . I clearly noted your thought prompted a tangent thought.
                  
                  Yep, I hijacked your thread.
                  
                  GA

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            Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            The previous administration got the vaccine with great speed. How about we wait a bit to see how Biden gets it to the people.

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               Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               by not allowing the Staes to distribute it. He/Fed wants the control.

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                  Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  Here in Michigan the state just does not have a good handle on getting the vaccine out as of yet. It's a pretty big mess that has ended in some vaccine being tossed.  Hopefully, our Governor gets a better plan. And at this point, if the Fed Government thinks they can develop a better way of getting that vaccine into arms, I am all for it.

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                     MizBejabbersposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                     Me, too, Sharlee, Arkansas doesn't either. It seems that the governors are damned if they do and damned if they don't. I think our state's Governor Hutchison is doing the best he can, but most of the people who want the vaccine are not being served. I would like to see a good federal plan to make the vaccine available, and then the state could take over the dissemination of the available vaccine.
                     
                     My husband is very high risk (COPD and pacemaker), but he hasn't been able to get an appointment to get the vaccine. I'm high risk, too, but I haven't decided that I want to take it because of certain problems. We keep calling around to places for him an appointment, but we keep being told that the appointments are filled so "call back next Monday." Next Monday, same thing occurs, and there is no waiting list to get on. I would like to know why whomever, governor, city mayor, feds, somebody...can't keep one waiting list of people and call them when an appointment is available in the particular area. It is a madhouse with selected drugstores disseminating the shots. WalMart and Sams Club say they will be joining as soon as they can get the vaccine into their stores. They should start setting up lists right now.
                     
                     I see that healthy celebrities like Tyler Perry are being solicited to get their shots so they can go on TV and urge "their people" to join the madhouse. Even the regional VA in Little Rock has not been able to make the vaccine available to veterans or else my husband could get his with no problems.

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                        Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                        I really can't place blame on anyone at this point. I think all are doing the best they can in a very bad situation.  I hope in the next weeks plans will make it easier to get the vaccine. I have one place in my county (one of the larger counties in Michigan)  We are told to call our health department weekly on Tue morning to make appointments for the week. Within 4 minutes one gets the recording all appointments are filled for the week call back next Tue... We have no Vet programs either at this point.
                        
                        I have registered with My health provider and registered my husband. Some of our large hospitals get vaccines and make appointments. But they are not getting many vaccines.
                        
                        I still pray this dam the virus will fizzle out. But that is unlikely. Just keep keeping on... stay safe.

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      MizBejabbersposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Well, there has always been a "kill the messenger" mentality among the population. Remember how Gov. Cuomo was crucified among the masses when he tried to keep the people updated about the virus in New York. Many of his truths were disparate to those "truths" coming from the White House, and a certain segment of our population didn't want to hear it. Likewise with Dr. Fauci. But his integrity served him well in the end. President Biden has asked him to stay on in his position in the NIH.

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         PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, The Fauci has been set free! ; -)

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            MizBejabbersposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Wasn't it wonderful. Today even Dr. Birx spoke freely on Face the Nation.

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               PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Yes, I saw that. You could see the relief on her face, too.
               
               This is unrelated, but do I remember correctly that you are in Arkansas? If so, how do you feel about Sarah Huckabee running for governor?

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   I think its very stellar that Biden's administration wants to continue televising daily Corona virus/White House press briefings. It's really a great idea to share truthful, accurate information about the pandemic with reporters and the public.
   
   Here's the catch, though:
   
   No one wants to hear information, (especially if it's known and believed to be true,) when it's not pleasant or if it's too hard to accept.
   
   The one who must present unwanted or unexpected "accurate information" to reporters and cameras will have to put up with the consequences of delivering it! Who wants to cause reporters or the people at home to cringe, gasp in horror or burst out weeping in tears? I mean, yeah, we are all absolutely dying for the shut-down and sickness/misery to end! We are all suffering both physically and psychologically, (even our children could become inflicted with arrested development.) Who wants to hear that no one is recovering, that the virus is raging even stronger, mutating with increasingly dire symptoms, such as permanent destruction of the senses of taste/smell, (Horrors!) etc. Who wants to know the truth in the event of Tier 5, meaning not being able to leave the house at all for weeks to months at a time ... or maybe even longer?
   
   Oh no, whoever it is (Biden?) who must deliver the factual facts regarding this pandemic and its progress or non-progress, day after day, will have to be very brave. Understatement.

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      It's called being an adult and facing the truth and assuming the responsibilities that come with it. I think you have little faith in people to believe that most people cannot handle the truth and the responsibilities that come with it. This is how any crisis should be faced, in my opinion.

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      Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      "No one wants to hear information, (especially if it's known and believed to be true,) when it's not pleasant or if it's too hard to accept."
      
      I want to hear the information even if it is unpleasant and hard to accept. That is a fundamental component of "the truth".

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         and you are fine with disseminating such truths if it's ever up to you?

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            Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, as the truth is always preferable to the lie. I am a grown up, I can take it.

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            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            So, you prefer the tactic of reassuring the masses with soothing lies rather than telling them the truth?

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               Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I'm asking you if  y o u  would like to be the one to deliver the real but sad truths.

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                  PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  If it were my job, sure. No one enjoys sharing bad news but grown ups do it all the time. It's rather childish to avoid responsibility just because it's hard, isn't it?

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                     Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                     Do you have a feeling of what this bad/horrible news could be?

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                        PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                        The example used in this thread is COVID-19 so that is what I have had in mind in my comments.
                        
                        However, as a general rule, I believe people should be told the truth no matter how difficult it might he be to hear. Adults should be able to make decisions based on the best knowledge avaiable, not lies or disinformation.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   "While those who have the right perspective and mindset, those who support their government, can be rewarded and enjoy the freedoms their actions have earned."
   
   Well, I certainly do not see anything wrong with that setup. We will know exactly how to be/think and therefore we will feel secure, knowing exactly how to get (earn) the best out of life. The federal government will see to it that we receive all the good things because the government knows best regarding what we need and how to live.
   
   I mean, what else could we want but a warm bed and a roof over our head and maybe a Roku TV, cable and utilities paid for and tons of interesting video games.

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You see what you want to see, obviously.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   "There is no place in the coming decades of the 21st century for "free thinkers" or "revolutionaries" or "rebel rousers" the dangers of such were on clear display in our Capitol just days ago... such anarchy and unrest must be stopped before it can ever start.
   
   Yet during the inauguration, violence occurred in Portland involving the misbehavior of Antifa once again. Was it addressed and dealt with appropriately
   ... or at all?

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      tsmogposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Antifa????

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         its in the news

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   Kenna McHughposted 4 years ago

   So now you'll admit that there is disinformation? Dah!

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You must not read my posts much, Miss "Biden hasn't won and will not!" lol

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   As a general rule so many people resist Donald Trump, yet his goal was really very simple and basic: Prosperity for All.
   He did not want to crush in any way the very thing which makes people happy: surviving and if possible, surviving well.
   
   Is there something so wrong with enabling others to survive on this physical plane called Earth?
   
   Life vs Death
   
   Think about it.
   
   And I agree, we all need to acknowledge and bravely embrace what it true and factual.

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You do like to go off on strange tangents. I'll only address your last paragraph.
      
      Freeing Dr. Fauci and other scientists to freely share their knowledge directly to the people without fear of contradicting the president and without fear of retribution is what appears to have happened under President Biden
      
      The truth was definitely not front and center under the previous president. He said so himself in an interview with the reporter Bob Woodward.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         - yes, but it was to keep the nation on track toward prosperity and positive thinking.

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            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            So you do approve of telling soothing lies to the masses. Fascinating.

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               Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Its a matter of life or death.
               How many people are now loosing everything huddled in their homes.

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                  Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  in  F E A R
                  
                  Fear is crippling

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   Why do people ignore the good intentions of Donald Trump?
   
   LIFE

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   The tangent is not an off-tangent.
   It is an on-tangent.
   And we all need to get on it.
   Do you not agree?

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      No.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         ... you do not believe in prosperity?
         well, why not?

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            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            That is not what I said and I have lost interest in your bizarre musings.

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               Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               because some cannot handle the actual facts of the matter or
                
               the truth.

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                  PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  Lol
                  
                  Yeah, you nailed it.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   so is blind obedience

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    manatita44posted 4 years ago

    Six weeks ago, I suggested to my friend, that he should be balanced with his readings and views on the internet. He didn't listen and continued to take in negative things. Six weeks later, he is agreeing with me that his life was slipping away and became much better after he gave up these forums.
    
    The way of Love is the way of Light. That does not mean that we will always do good things, but that we would be guided by prayer, self-giving, gratitude and loving thoughts.
    
    If you look at the life of the successful activists, you will see that their Hearts were full of Love: Martin Luther King Jnr, Hariett Tubman, Frederick Douglas, John Lewis, Amanda Gorman, Lincoln, Gorbachev, Mother Theresa, Jefferson ... need I name more.
    
    Doomsayers hurt us, they do not help us or the Earth Consciousness. Only Love does. Finally, spin-doctors are not new. They were there in the Chinese Dynasty, in Roman times as well as in human hearts everywhere in modern Governments. One's soul, must know what it needs and act accordingly. Peace.

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       Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

       Your sentiment is lovely, uplifting, and rings so very true.

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       MizBejabbersposted 4 years agoin reply to this

       Those are beautiful sentiments, Manatita, and we all need to hold the earth in our highest thoughts and meditations. I have not given into worry, but I do have a concern. Some highly spiritual people I have followed and respected are beginning to post some of these negative comments and videos from very dubious sources. We need to hold them in the very highest light and love and hope that they don't succumb to the lower frequencies.

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    Valeantposted 4 years ago

    

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