Ben Carson: Bungling Surgeon

That's fair. And Hillary, as well.

As I've pointed out, the most egregious journalistic sin was the interpretation of Carson's campaign clarification as an "admission" that he "lied" or "fabricated" the story.

Journalists wonder why sources are reluctant to speak with them. Let this serve as Exhibit A.

 

For what it's worth, I talked to Mrs. Whitman about this yesterday, and I'm considering not voting in 2016. It just makes it much easier to engage in conversations about stuff like this without having to explain away a loyalty.

 

You've certainly captured that talking point well.

 

Maybe, alternately, you could vote but decide not to engage in conversations about this stuff.

 

No. I'd rather be able to talk about current events.

 

Do you feel like having message board conversations is a greater civic calling than voting? That's fascinating.

Every person I've ever voted for is a flawed human being, and I don't see that streak ending next year.

 

Not just message board conversations. Real life, as well. And other social media. I don't know that I want to have a dog in the fight. It's kind of liberating. Plus, I just kind of feel like checking out of the intellectually dishonest, partisan bickering that American politics have become, from the floor of Congress all the way to the corner tavern.

 

You could do what I've done of late: Vote for the least-recognizable (and/or most off-brand) candidate in front of you.

 

I barely understand this line of reasoning when a political reporter does it. For someone outside of journalism altogether, it makes no sense to me. When you vote for a candidate you aren't signing a blood oath to protect their honor against every real and perceived slight for all eternity. You're making a choice based on the information at hand. Sometimes it works out the way you like and sometimes not. But your ego isn't wrapped up in it, or at least shouldn't be.

 

No, but that's certainly how people act. And it's definitely what they assume is driving the opinion of others.

 

"Based on the information at hand." Sure.

 

This probably come across harsher than intended, but so the hell what? The approval of others is nice but it isn't vital. I vote very differently now than the overwhelming majority of my friends and family, but we still respect/love each other. Or in a very few cases we don't, and a relationship dies, but life goes on.