Prime Only Members-Only Article
Editor's Brief

Both Sides, Say Many People

EL PASO, TEXAS - AUGUST 06: A hotel billboard reads, 'Praying For El Paso' not far from the scene of a mass shooting which left at least 22 people dead on August 6, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. A 21-year-old white male s... EL PASO, TEXAS - AUGUST 06: A hotel billboard reads, 'Praying For El Paso' not far from the scene of a mass shooting which left at least 22 people dead on August 6, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. A 21-year-old white male suspect remains in custody in El Paso which sits along the U.S.-Mexico border. President Donald Trump plans to visit the city August 7. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) MORE LESS
|
August 7, 2019 12:45 p.m.
THE BACKCHANNEL
FREE EDITION
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
NEW!
A FREE email newsletter from Josh Marshall An email newsletter from Josh Marshall

On Monday I heard from a friend who told me that many Trump critics were missing the boat on the Dayton mass shooting. The shooter, rather than being a white supremacist or Trump supporter, actually seemed to be on the left. It discredits the media if they only focus on evidence of rightist extremism and violence, he told me, even if that’s the majority of the cases. This person was definitely operating in good faith when he told me this. I think his information was incomplete. And you’ve probably seen some mention of this because it’s now been picked up by right wing media and even the President. It’s worth taking a moment to dissect just why this is wrong because it is being used to blur the picture of the crisis affecting the country.

This is a members-only article
Small Team. Big Results.
We’re proud of what our small newsroom has accomplished and it’s not hyperbole when we say that without our members, none of this would be possible.
Free memberships available for students and those experiencing financial hardship.
Already a member? SIGN IN
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: