Gauging news makes better Canadians

Pope Francis said, “the war in Ukraine is fueled by imperial interests, not just of the Russian empire, but empires from elsewhere.” A statement that requires some reading of history to understand.

On the other hand, NATO chief Jen Stoltenberg claimed “more weapons to Ukriane brings peace.”

This Orwellian comment requires the suspension of common sense and a good deal of finger pointing.

How do rational Canadians in the age of endless war-propaganda decipher this?

It truly stretches the imagination to encompass both with any confidence.

Critical thinking is self-directed and selfcorrective thinking. It behooves Canadians to take the time and trouble to learn how to identify and read war-propaganda, so that we are better able to glean more truth than lie from our reading – helping us make wiser decisions.

Bombarded 24/7 with both organic and manufactured information, the ability to know real from fake is not easy because it requires a good grasp of current events and surrounding geopolitical context and plenty of critical thinking. (A mouthful, but comes with practice.)

Plato taught virtues, like courage, justice, and intellect, and how they are central to living well.

We’re happiest when we are in conformity with these virtues, as citizens, being engaged and informed is an useful trait.

The simple habit of paying attention, good reading skills and inquisitive nature can be a shield against disinformation, and keep us centered and balanced, out of the emotional weeds in the fringes.

The simplest form of war propaganda is to accuse your enemy of doing to you, exactly what you are doing to them.

The military term is “projection.”

The first side to accuse the other side is (usually) the guilty party.

There are exceptions to this rule-of-thumb, but it is a good bet, most of the time.

Navigating the twists and turns of war propaganda, critical thinking and reading skills makes us better Canadian and a safer world.