In two recent columns, Craig Wiener referenced reports that children were zip-tied during a Chicago apartment raid. After reviewing multiple news sources, I found that this claim appears to come from a single neighbor, Ebony Watson, who provided no photos, video or corroborating witnesses. Residents interviewed by Fox 32 Chicago and the Associated Press described detentions but did not mention children being restrained. A photo circulated online that was said to show a toddler zip-tied was later proven to be joke from 2024 and Homeland Security denied zip-tying children in Chicago.
Major outlets repeated the story based on the same unverified account, illustrating how rumors can gain legitimacy once echoed through national media. Readers deserve clarity about which parts of a story are confirmed facts and which remain allegations.
I appreciate the Daily Journal’s willingness to publish a range of viewpoints. My hope is that all contributors, whether staff or guest columnists, apply careful sourcing and distinguish clearly between verified information and unverified claims.
Thanks for your letter, Ms. Xuereb, but if staff or guest columnists (or authors of Letters to the Editor) afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome had to distinguish clearly between verified information and unverified claims, we’d likely see columns and LTEs with, “Orange man bad,” duplicated up to 266 times.
A common tactic for TDS-afflicted folks is to manufacture outrage by cherry picking an example (whether based on fake news or lies), attempt to amplify it as an everyday occurrence, and then attempt to demonize Trump. While of course, virtue signaling and telling you how you should feel. These folks don’t realize their unconvincing arguments, mental gymnastics, and hypocrisy are easily exposed. These folks succeed only in hurting their credibility – not just in the moment but into the future. We can only hope they can be cured of TDS. Although not a common occurrence we are seeing indications it is possible.
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(1) comment
Thanks for your letter, Ms. Xuereb, but if staff or guest columnists (or authors of Letters to the Editor) afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome had to distinguish clearly between verified information and unverified claims, we’d likely see columns and LTEs with, “Orange man bad,” duplicated up to 266 times.
A common tactic for TDS-afflicted folks is to manufacture outrage by cherry picking an example (whether based on fake news or lies), attempt to amplify it as an everyday occurrence, and then attempt to demonize Trump. While of course, virtue signaling and telling you how you should feel. These folks don’t realize their unconvincing arguments, mental gymnastics, and hypocrisy are easily exposed. These folks succeed only in hurting their credibility – not just in the moment but into the future. We can only hope they can be cured of TDS. Although not a common occurrence we are seeing indications it is possible.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.