Who exposed the Uyghur genocide for what it was and, without missing a beat, exposed the credulous source of that propaganda? Who exposed the ins and outs of the Russian Conspiracy while everyone bought the into it or shut up out of fear of reprisal?

Whoever these people are who’ve been around fighting the same tired fight, even while doing it alone, for longer than most of you have been “socialist”: I think I’d follow them and whatever movement they were joining before I followed some nameless nothing who hasn’t earned an ounce of reputation who was denouncing them.

Some of you don’t know who Chris Hedges is, and that’s a shame. I’ve been following him for about my entire adult life. He was the first person to accurately declare the end of empire, well before anyone that it was possible. He was the first person to accurately define American Fascism. He’s a master theologian, a war corespondent (when that meant something), a decorated professor, and a prisoners advocate, in ways that exceed anybody else in the country. His presence at an anti-war rally would give that movement unimpeachable credibility.

Even Jimmy who’s done more by exposing the liberals for what they are and attempting to force a vote for medicare for all has done more for the American Left than anybody has anything to say against him, excusing whatever child idiots he sometimes lets talk beside him.

And some nobody nothing without an ounce of reputation is going to try to throw mud. That person isn’t anything but an arrogant fool.

Just have a little bit of history and a little bit of memory. It will go a long way. Not everybody who has something to say is worth listening to. Nobody is credible who hasn’t earned their credibility. Learning who to listen to and who to ignore will save you a world of confusion.