The actual shooting at Osteen's service is less disturbing than the spin immediately started on social media.
The anti-trans people just RAN with the idea the shooter was transgender. Turned out to be wrong, but who cares? The mental issues were the driver.
Then they try to make sense out of the motivations of someone who clearly wasn't thinking clearly. "Free Palestine" at a mega-church?
Then there is the crowd claiming "false flag" and it is a Dem operation to justify more gun control.
"News" accounts on IG just repeat the hottest rumor with zero vetting. People say "I read it from three sources" without considering they just copied each other and a leap of logic from legit reporting of her using a male alias at times.
Her mental problems have been reported amd evident as a danger FOR A LONG TIME. Yet, no help, for her or the people she threatened. And no problem buying lots of guns either. (Thank Abbott for that one.)
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Swift? (I know it wasn't Mark Twain.)
@cmtinkerton Thanks, whoa!
It is like pulling a loose thread. While the gist of the idea may go back to some Neanderthal philosopher for all I know, I think the pithy exact quote needs credit to someone.
Some of those examples are hard to follow and not nearly as catchy. TBF, maybe in the original languages others are just as catchy.
@S_r_stone I see your point - I was hoping for a simple answer! 🙂
I liked what the author said about Swift -
"As so often with these things, Swift put it wisely and wittily even if his version isn’t as snappy and memorable as that later version..."
@S_r_stone I had to look it up! Hate it when this happens, lol! 😅
https://interestingliterature.com/2021/06/lie-halfway-round-world-before-truth-boots-on-quote-origin-meaning/