Expose or Ignore

Long on bombast, short on evidence.

   If not for Twitter, egregiously outrageous comments that are clearly false could be ignored. But when such things are posted by the man who has made himself chief twit and is now President-elect of the United States, whose rantings are followed by millions -- and believed by many -- the messages travel farther and faster than traditional news media can match, so it's journalism's responsibility to expose the postings for what they are: Either flat-out lies or proposals born of monumental ignorance.
   The latest in the long series of Tweets posted by Donald Trump calls for jail time and withdrawal of citizenship for those who use flag-burning as a method of protest.
   There is, of course, the issue of respect for the national emblem. But it's also true that the proper way to dispose of a flag that is old, threadbare, worn out and generally no longer able to be displayed with honor is this: Burn it. With respect, certainly, and do not just throw it in the trash bin.
   The Supreme Court has ruled more than once that flag-burning by protestors, while distasteful to many, is at root related to free speech, and is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
   At the same time, those who oppose this act of free speech also are prone to saying vile and vicious things about their political opponents, and demand the same right of free speech in defense of their actions.
   You can't have it both ways. Free speech is a right for everyone, not just for those who agree with you.
   As for cancelling someone's citizenship, the Supreme Court has ruled that simply cannot be done. Period. End of story. Anyway, how would you cancel citizenship for someone who was born in the U.S. to American parents, raised here, spent a lifetime here and believes in the right of free expression when disagreeing with a political twit?
   Moreover, the Supreme Court has ruled on this issue also, in two cases where the State Department tried to withdraw citizenship from a naturalized American. Can't do it, says SCOTUS.
   Maybe it's time loyal Americans sent Trump copies of the Constitution. He may even read it. Then again, he may not, since it would interfere with his activities as Twitter in Chief. Or is it chief twit?
   Meanwhile, an independent news media has a responsibility to expose the untruths, the misleading fabrications and insinuations if not downright lies perpetrated by this master of media manipulation.
   As for having to choose between exposing lies and documenting ignorance or devoting space and time to important policy and economic issue, a responsible press can and should do both, and not fall into the trap of lapping up juicy rantings at the expense of leaving solid news behind.
   It can and must be done, or America stands to lose a free and independent press. Not to mention abandoning First Amendment rights for all.