To the editor:

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

― George Orwell

Power. It is all about power and control, no matter what. One of the most effective tools used to gain and retain power is to control the flow of information. By limiting and controlling information, one is essentially determining what knowledge people will acquire and the level of ignorance that will exist. As we know, controlling an ignorant population is far easier than controlling one with knowledge, for an ignorant population doesn’t know what is going on, they will listen, and do as they are told. They will listen to the lies and half-truths told by the media, our elected leaders, et al., they will trust such purveyors of information and take what they say as the whole story. Fear is often used, keep them scared, say the words over and over, and they will obey. This may be unpleasant to hear, but it is true. Keep them ignorant, propaganda, smear, slander, hypocrisy is accepted, truth is hatred, truth is mean - ignorance at all costs. Lies are told, over and over again, but that is ok, nobody will know, and eventually, the ignorant people will believe them, hide the truth since knowledge is power.

Ignorance is perpetuated by both external and internal forces. External forces are the nefarious people who aim to keep people ignorant through deception and lies. Internal forces are our complacency and reluctance to pursue truth and knowledge. It might be counterintuitive, but many don’t want knowledge, they don’t want the truth, they avoid it, for it can be brutal, hard, and unforgiving, hence the expression: “Ignorance is bliss.” This might sound ridiculous, but it is all too often true.

So days pass and we remain comfortable in our bubbles, content in our safe-space echo chambers. Counter perspectives? No, this is not allowed, and so such perspectives are silenced, which preserves the ignorance, and therefore the power of the selected. How is the silencing done? Declare opposing views as intolerant, offensive, hateful, bigoted, racist, etc. Do not engage in thoughtful, respectful conversation. Shut down the opposition, if need be, simply tell more lies. It is dangerous and must be stopped. Lest you think this is not the case, just open your eyes and look around.

Sooner or later ignorance begets intolerance, and intolerance, hate. As people remain in the cave they eventually submit and then become vindictive, zealous attackers whose aim is to persecute those who oppose the narrative. Such behaviors are not indicative of a free and tolerant society, but rather they are steps towards totalitarianism. Speak or act out against the narrative? Not permitted. You will be punished. We will punish representatives who stood up for election integrity. We will try to destroy your company Mike Lindell, Parler, et al. We will impeach a president who is no longer in office. We will blacklist, disbar, and censor. We will ostracize, harass, and threaten. No tolerance for the opposition, truth means nothing. Submit now. And hey, so we look good, we preach “Unity”. The hypocrisy is nauseating and is so evident to those who are paying attention.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke.

It is time for freedom-loving Americans to wake up and take a stand. A stand for freedom and truth, for free speech, and tolerance. We must be willing to ask the tough questions. Is this true? Are they leaving out context? What is the other side of the story? We must challenge our ideas and question things we are told. Seek the truth. Watch and listen to supporters on both sides: CNN and NewsMax, Anderson Cooper and Tucker Carlson, Jack Reed and Ted Cruz, TYT and PragerU... If you do this, there is a good chance you will find yourself rather appalled, as you ponder “Why was I so deceived?”

Matthew Fletcher

Barrington

Mr. Fletcher can be emailed at mmnafletcher7@gmail.com