Tiffany Bond Profile picture
Aug 5, 2018 20 tweets 9 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
It is incredibly rare you will see me comment on a presidential tweet. I don't think it's a productive way to govern. However, messages like this are dangerous and do actual harm.

Which brings me to this #SundaySoapbox, the press.

#mepolitics
It is absolutely acceptable to criticize the press for specific actions on a specific story (excluding information, using bad optics, bias, etc).

I do this all the time.

#SundaySoapbox
It's also very important to be aware that different publications have different focus. You aren't going to get the same story from @HuffPostPol that will from @FoxNews.

Absorb this information accordingly, including adjusting your expectations on quality.

#SundaySoapbox
You don't expect the same experience or quality from a @McDonalds as a @RuthsChris, nor should you.

It's fine to have both, but maybe not daily McD's for your health and expect to pay a bit more for the steakhouse so they have the resources for a quality cut.

#SundaySoapbox
If you know you are consuming junk food, don't pretend it's steak.

Leave the nutty stories for Hollywood.

#SundaySoapbox
Journalism plays a vital role in democracy. Good journalism helps us know when people are honest and when people are doing their job (or not).

#SundaySoapbox
Unpleasant facts are not the same thing as fake news. Fake news is a term we just shouldn't use.

Either a story is true and accurate, or not true. There is certainly with some room for perspective if it's an opinion piece, but basic facts should be constant.

#SundaySoapbox
If the story is accurate and complete, but still unfavorable to you, consider that the issue *might* not be the journalism.

#SundaySoapbox

The above isn't new.

What I would like to focus on is solutions out of this gross place we've let journalism and criticism thereof go to.

If someone uses the term "fake news", consider why they are using it, and whether they have an interest in the story.

#SundaySoapbox
Here is the thing about fake news...

It's on us.

If we don't reject the term, it will become a permanent part of our daily lives blurring the line between unpleasant facts and untrue statements.

#SundaySoapbox
If a "journalist" calls something "fake news" because they don't like it, say something to the station/publication that you cannot take them seriously while they use that term, then STOP WATCHING that show or subscribing to that source.

#SundaySoapbox
If you see someone on twitter, facebook, insta, proclaiming "fake news" for a seemingly true story they don't like the facts of, point that out and then unfollow. Decrease the audience.

#SundaySoapbox
If you know someone personally who uses the term "fake news", politely ask them why and what part of a story they think is fake. Engage in a respectful conversation that challenges the use of the term "fake news".

If it's untrue, agree it's untrue not fake news.

#SundaySoapbox
If the "fake news" is really true with a bias, call it true with a bias.

If it's just true, but unpleasant, correct the terminology. You don't have to be fancy about it, say "yeah, it's true but it sucks".

#SundaySoapbox
If you catch yourself using the term "fake news", consider why you do it.

Do you not believe it? If so, how do you fact check it? Do that, and instead use terms like true, false, or part true.

Do you not like the information but it's true? Think deep about that.

#SundaySoapbox
Don't contribute to a world being needlessly dangerous for people doing their jobs.

Would you recommend murdering coal miners because it's a polluting source?

No, that would be insane.

Using the term "fake news" puts journalists in harms way.

#SundaySoapbox
Journalists cover stories that are newsworthy.

If you don't like their mix, think they are too hard on a group, think they are omitting a group, etc., help make our news better by providing that feedback.

#SundaySoapbox
Instead of treating journalists as the enemy, which they most certainly are not, treat them like a partner in how information is shared.

Give basic respect, push back/mute appropriately, communicate, clarify, and consume unpleasant facts with grace.

#SundaySoapbox
If you haven't done so...

✔ Drop a note to a journalist you think is doing a good job

✔ Pay for a subscription to a reputable news source so there are the resources to fact check

✔ Stop using the term "fake news"

###

#SundaySoapbox

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More from @TiffanyBond

Oct 7, 2018
Hey twitter -

I'd like to take my regularly scheduled #SundaySoapbox and do a last minute swap to focus on Susan Collins.

Let me preface by reminding you I am not running against Susan at this time, but I do have an election in a month that I could use support for.

#mepolitics
I am a constituent of Susan's. Ever since I have moved here I am astonished at how incredibly effective she is at harnessing people's hope and her words like a damn magician.

Though she is a consistent conservative vote, she is able to focus all eyes on her.

#SundaySoapbox
Let's be clear, Susan is a troll.

Susan is truly brilliant. Absolutely amazing. She captures the hearts and minds of moderates repeatedly despite pulling the football every time.

It's horrific for most constituents, and a blasphemy to representative government.

#SundaySoapbox
Read 14 tweets
Sep 21, 2018
It's not very frequent that I comment on a presidential tweet, but this is not ok.

Sexual assault is traumatic. For many the thought of even admitting it has happened to them keeps them from reporting.

Then the worry about having to beg to be believed.

#mepolitics
Then your family and community will look at you different.

Your behavior will be questioned, and even if you has zero responsibility, many will blame you for being a tease, wanting it, being irresponsible for choosing what should be a totally innocuous setting.

#mepolitics
Since folks have posting yearbook photos, here is one of mine.

Take a moment to contemplate how many unwanted sexual advances and sexual assaults I had to fend off in the school-sanctioned athletic uniform.

#mepolitics
Read 9 tweets
Sep 5, 2018
Hey #mepolitcs...Since I'm stuck for a bit, want to go with me on a journey?

Let's picture what the job and future elections looks like if I win.

Aka, what can you expect from a rep who does not perma-campaign.

#TWPSB
In this hypo traditional campaigning requires around $1+ million per year to get and/or keep a house seat (plus all the other energy you have to expend to keep the peanut gallery PACs happy).

Let's assume they're at it 5 days/week and take a couple weeks off per year.

#TWPSB
$1,000,000/50/5 = $4,000/day

Whew, that's a fundraising nut!

How much energy do you think it takes to rake in an extra $500 each work hour while doing important stuff like making laws?

That's more per hour than you make for the actual job. How would you prioritize?

#TWPSB
Read 12 tweets
Sep 3, 2018
Hey #mepolitics, I found my inspiration for a #SundaySoapbox a day late. It's a holiday, right?

I had someone compare me to @BarackObama last week and minutes ago I had someone reference hope and change.

Let's talk about hope and change.
Change I'm all for, we'll get back to that.

Let's start with hope.

I have to confess, I don't love hope.

Hope...can be kind of a dick.

It teases you.

You *think* something maybe, kind of can happen.

If you just hope enough it'll be right?

MUST. HOPE.

#SundaySoapbox
It's probably my family law background.

Too many really lovely people hoping for their partner, child, parent, etc to be the person they could be if that partner, child, parent, etc if they only changed, which of course they have no desire and/or resources to do.

#SundaySoapbox
Read 11 tweets
Sep 1, 2018
Hey #mepolitics - Ready for another round of #SeeMaineWithTiffany?

Who wants to guess where I was today?
There were many apples, a wagon ride and delighted bees.

#SeeMaineWithTiffany
The views were amazing!

#SeeMaineWithTiffany
Read 8 tweets
Aug 28, 2018
I've been asked this a lot - what is the benefit of ranked choice voting?

If you feel like politics keeps pushing far left or far right as candidates differentiate, RCV lets you pick the moderate with the back-up of "not the other one".

I made you a chart.

#mepolitics
Maybe you think of yourself as an independent, moderate, etc, and really don't love either party (but probably like one party less) - you can select me as your first choice, and still have the back up of another candidate if not enough people agree with you.
#mepolitics
In this race, folks who like Bruce probably don't like Jared, folks who prefer Jared probably aren't keen on Bruce.

A lot of folks would like (or find less annoying) someone who really isn't a party. With RCV, you can do that! It removes the risk of vote-splitting.

#mepolitics
Read 5 tweets

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