When you post unverified, unsourced speculation here at DU...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

46. Here's the problem with that thinking. I call it the "Hitler was a cannibal" theory.

Say someone makes a claim, without any factual support, alleging that Adolph Hitler was a cannibal; that he not only killed millions of Jews and other groups, but he actually ate their meat. Personally.

Now, there's no evidence to support this theory at all. None whatsoever.

On the other hand, it's Hitler, so we're not talking about defamation of character here.

Still, if I were to point out that there was no factual basis to support the theory that Hitler was a cannibal, does that mean that I am defending Hitler and somehow giving support to everything horrible that he did?

Of course not. It only means I'm supporting objective truth, and the objective truth is that Hitler--as horrific a man that he was--was many things, but not a cannibal.

And we should never be afraid to advocate for objective truth.

The further problem with advocating spreading lies and unsubstantiated information about undesirable people is that it opens a door.

So if one side says, I'm okay with calling Hitler a cannibal even though I don't believe it, the other side will see that and realize that truth no longer matters. And they'll use it for justification of their own crazy theories. Like claiming the Holocaust never happened.

Truth matters. Truth always, always matters, no matter what situation you are in.