I’ve spent no small amount of time pondering this. How is it that people I respect, people of integrity, and people I presume to be intelligent, believe a lie.

In fact, one lie leads to another and trust is developed in the source of the lies, until it becomes very difficult for them to discern truth from untruth. In that process little by little there is an erosion of discernment.

This is my observation. I could be wrong. The fact that I believe I could be wrong, and acknowledge that I could be wrong, gives me some comfort and assurance that I am still seeking truth. However, if I see the same lies, half-truths, and distortions of truth coming from the same sources repeatedly and lie building upon lie to present a false narrative, I begin to look for an agenda for the deception.

I suspect a conspiracy. I do not look for conspiracies everywhere. Nor do I believe that all conspiracies are organized, rationalized, nor reduced to strategy. To conspire is to breathe together; it is to think together; it is to come together in a common agenda.

So, is there an agenda? If there is an agenda, what and who are behind it? Who benefits? How do they benefit? What is being protected or projected? What are the hidden assumptions? What are the goals?

That leads to the communication of the agenda. In that i introduce Question and the concept of the dog whistle. Specifically, I refer to the political dog whistle.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I did consult AI on this matter 2 simplify what is a political dog whistle. Here is what I received:

The political dog whistle

• Coded language: A political dog whistle is the use of coded language in public discourse to appeal to a specific group—often one with controversial or fringe beliefs—while remaining superficially innocuous to the general public.
• Plausible deniability: This strategy allows politicians to energize their base and signal shared beliefs while maintaining “plausible deniability” that they are appealing to prejudiced or divisive sentiments.

I think that says it well. The two components are code and plausible deniability.

By speaking in code, the initiates, the disciples, and the deceived, understand what is being said. Their confirmation bias is boosted; their enthusiasm is energized, and their resolve is strengthened.

At the same time, because of plausible deniability, one can say, “I never said that.”

While this is happening, there is ingeniously inserted in the words of the dog whistle, statements with which reasonable people may agree. These keywords, perhaps SEO words, resonate with beliefs and concerns that are held, and perhaps cherished, by large groups of reasonable people.

I say this gently, aware that it may seem that I am accusing my friends of being gullible. Yet, they are no more gullible than I am. I must be vigilant. I must work at being discerning period. I am also susceptible to dog whistles.

The conspiracy, the Co breathers, the agenda drivers are patient. Their work is cumulative. They are building upon time honored culture and values to create a new culture with new values on the assumption that they are protecting the old.

This takes time. This takes patience. This takes willing and unwilling participants. The willing participants are low hanging fruit. Unwilling participants are not necessarily gullible, but they are relaxed and they are hearing words from people they trust, who may or may not be aware that they are part of the conspiracy to dismantle truth.

So then, what is the answer? What can we do?

Undoing the damage and unravelling the webs of deception is a subject for subsequent exploration. But there are things we can do today with the whitling around us.

As listeners, readers, and consumers, we must dial in our skepticism, discernment, and vigilance for seeking unbiased, raw, unadulterated facts.

Send, remember that facts need context. Anecdotal stories can support various arguments. However, they may not indicate trends or prevailing winds of reality. Examine statistics, apply the principles of critical thinking, study and be aware of history, become acquainted with the scientific method, and insist upon reliable sources, verifiable documentation, and peer reviews in all academic matters.

As citizens, aware of the dog whistles, we also have a responsibility with regard to the dissemination and propagation of truths, lies, false narratives, and misleading information. Beyond our self-discernment, we must refute, expose, and discredit all that is not true.

There is nothing easy about this task. It is a calling. It will mean people misunderstanding you. It will put you at odds with natural allies. It may make you a part of the false narrative in their minds. You may become the subject of the dog whistles. Nevertheless, this is your task in the world.

Expose.

Resist.

Tell the truth.

Repeat the process.

Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Keep loving one another. Remember why you love truth. Seek the help, guidance, courage, peace, grace, and mercy of God. Truth is eternal and it is holy work.

Always remember that there are dog whistles tuned to your frequency, seeking to arouse something good in you for evil ends. Be aware. Be alert.

And God be with you.