Pat Smart letter: Conspiracy theories damage democracy

Normally, I would not respond to misinformation as was in Candace Samuelson’s letter (Reporter-News, Nov. 21), but I feel it critically important to our democratic institutions that such blatant political “alternative facts” be addressed.

I am sure Ms. Samuelson’s “sources” regarding Old Dominion voting machines as to what would amount to criminal behavior, if true, came from various unreliable social media venues. Undoubtedly, these “sources” were not fact-checked at reliable sources, such as Politifact.com or Snopes.com.

If this misinformation had been examined, she would have found it to be bogus and untrue.

If anyone wants to believe stories, claims and fantasies projected by what I would call “conspiracy or junk” websites, that’s OK with me. One must lay question the motives of the authors.

However, to repeat so-called “information” that affects our democratic institutions is not OK because such false claims and “alternative facts” do damage us by calling into question the very nature of our democracy. Without faith in the basis of our governmental being, we are destined to lose our democracy … which is exactly what anarchists, foreign enemies and autocrats want to happen.

You will notice that the votes only from precincts in the several states being questioned are of predominately non-white precincts. No others are being challenged. Also, if in fact there was a conspiracy by Democrats or others to change votes, do you not think that races other than the presidential race would also be “rigged” in favor of Democratic candidates?

If any ballots are disqualified, all races on the ballot would be void as well.

— Pat Smart, Abilene

*** This article has been archived for your research. The original version from Abilene Reporter-News can be found here ***