One of the main issues with trying to discern the Truth of things are the lies and half-truths being told on both sides. There are those who love to sensationalize and make everything seem to be more diabolical than it actually is.
Unfortunately, the diabolicalness going on in the world these days is off the chart. Because people are inherently trusting creatures, it is not hard for the villains to take advantage of every angle and make it very difficult for us to understand what is real.
Through-out the CovidHelp site, our constant refrain has been - Educate Yourself; Use Discernment; Realize the Lies; Consider the Facts Before Your Eyes; Witness the Results; Stay in Truth!
Conspiracies and Their Theorists
Conspiracies are contrived things, and have existed pretty much since humans began. To conspire simply means, "to act in harmony toward a common end". It's up to the conspirators as to whether the conspiracy is benign or malign. Conspiracies can be anything from planning a surprise birthday party, to planning an assassination. It's all about intent.
A conspiracy theory is speculation on something that might be, due to what appears to be. It's what thinking people do; they try to figure things out by looking at the facts. A good theorist does their best to look at ALL the facts, without an agenda, and truly wants to know the truth.
"Conspiracy Theorist" is what most people get labeled to dis-credit them when they are trying to figure out why bad things are happening and who might be the perpetrators. Many people use the term as an automatic insult when it comes to subjects that are just too uncomfortable to be considered true.
This Reuters.com article is a perfect example of information that is being put forth, claiming to be "Fact-Checking" the so-called Conspiracy Theories.
First of all - If they call those who are trying to point out the truth conspiracy theorists, they most likely are trying to keep you from seeing the actual truth.
Secondly - Counting on government standards to keep us safe has never proven to actually keep us safe - historically speaking.
Thirdly - These kind of articles are full of statements like, "Experts say..."; "Studies show..."; and our personal favorite, "Safe & Effective". Typically, these "Fact Checkers" show no science to back their claims, and the "experts" they do sight say things like, "...there’s likely hardly a trace of EO remaining." Did you actually test it, or are you just guessing?
While they are pointing out in the article and agreeing that ethylene oxide is indeed being used on the swabs, and that it is a known carcinogen, they are claiming emphatically there is no "evidence" that the swabs are dangerous. "The sterilisation process is tightly controlled to ensure any residue left over is negligible, making medical equipment safe to use." they say. This is what one might call "Rhetorical Regurgitation".
Check that, Fact-Checkers!
from Murphy’s technology laws -
"An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less, until he knows absolutely everything about nothing."
From a Journalist's point of view - WashingtonExaminer.com - Fact-checking the Fact Checkers - "It is time for the news business to admit that “fact-checking” is a tiresome, misleading, and dishonest blight on actual reporting."