The British Broadcasting Network (BBC) reported on a rumor Thursday that billionaire Donald Trump is drumming up criticism of the media in preparation for launching his own news channel after the election.  This isn't the first I've heard of this rumor.  The story goes that Trump runs for president, not expecting to win, but cynically paving the way for creating a potentially lucrative broadcast business by using the campaign as priceless marketing ploy to discredit the existing news networks.

The article says, "Minutes before the third and final presidential debate, the Trump campaign launched an alternative debate broadcast, streamed on Facebook live via the candidate's page and complete with Trump-styled political commentators and analysis. The alternative broadcast, viewed by more than eight million people, could be the start of a new business venture for the New York tycoon: a Trump TV network."

Anti-Trump propaganda?  Conspiracy theory?  The Trump campaign reportedly denies that there are plans to start a news channel.  The Financial Times reported that Trump's son-in-law recently approached the head of firm known for facilitating media deals about a potential television start-up, fueling the rumor.

This is the stuff thriller novels are made of.  A well known billionaire attempts to subvert the political process to create a media empire.  A rookie reporter risks her life and reputation trying to get the story.  She and a young lawyer team up to find the truth.  They are chased by nameless thugs, while desperately scrambling to get the story and stay alive.  Of course they fall in love while all this is happening.  And what happens when the candidate unexpectedly wins, forcing him to work at severely reduced pay and killing the deal?  Nuances on nuances... will the candidate accept the election results?  If he wins?

John Grisham, are you paying attention to this?

This rumor shows how mixed up reality has become with fiction and so-called 'reality TV'.  Evidently people are eating this stuff up, and it is seriously weighing in the conversation about who we should vote for.

On the other side of the spectrum, I read an article this morning praising Chris Wallace for insisting that Wednesday night's final debate stick to the issues, rather than allowing the show-bizzy distractions to take it over, as they have on both sides throughout the campaign.  The author expressed some surprise that a Fox News host could be unbiased, but allowed that he had been.

So on the one hand we have outrageous stories that just may... be true?  And on the other hand we see surprise when issues of substance are actually addressed.  Is it possible that something is wrong with this picture?

I love suspense novels, especially ones about young journalists and lawyers getting in way over their heads, then digging their way out.  The problem is that reality and fiction have become so entangled that it is no longer possible for the collective 'we' to choose candidates who -- oh, here's an idea -- would actually be good, inspiring leaders that would confidently lead our country and make all of our lives better.  Or at least instill hope.

We've all heard a lot about Clinton lying and Trump sniffing, and Clinton thinking she is above the law, and Trump threatening to jail her if he wins, and the evil, biased media... there is some truth to that one -- take a look at just about any election reporting in the Washington Post.  Or the Huffington Post, which has taken to posting this at the end of every story on Trump: "Editor’s note: Donald Trump regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims — 1.6 billion members of an entire religion — from entering the U.S."  That's journalism for you!

Personally, I'm not taking sides.  I am revolted by both major party candidates.  I certainly blame my colleagues in the media for helping to create the environment in which an election like this can happen.  But I think the candidates and their advisors and  establishment politicians also share the blame on that score.

I find the whole thing depressing, and resent the fact that if I have to be so mercilessly exposed to this volume of vitriolic nonsense... arguably more entertainment than real life, yet disturbingly not entertaining... I should at least get to see jugglers, acrobats, dancing horses, and -- yes, I know it is not longer politically correct but I don't care because I love them -- elephants.

When an election turns into a circus, is it any wonder that the winner will be a clown?

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