There is a playbook used by certain people that is simply designed to avoid discussing real issues.
Generally the strategy is to dig up some weakly related point that diverts the conversation from the current issue to something else. The argument that what my guy did is OK because someone who we have decided is on your side did something worse (generally not actually worse).
Its an attempt to deflect the argument and in our current age we have media that will play up things like this either because they are primarily a propaganda outlet or because they don't want to be accused of bias.
Its been successful and in fact it seems like they have a list of talking points to roll out depending on the situation.
In a recent documentary it was pointed out that the headline is often the only thing much of the public remembers.
Similar to certain sports battles, the public serving as the referee often remembers the response more than the original issue.
A lot of this is orchestrated by sophisticated foreign cyber groups who spread the misinformation widely over social media.
The only strategy that seems to be effective is to return to the initial point and ignore the tactic.
If you engage with the false narrative you give it credence. We already know that in the upcoming election, there will be attempts to accuse Joe Biden of inappropriate behavior with an aide who worked for him. The accusation has almost no credibility or corroboration but that doesn't matter to the cyber people.
Did something happen? Doesn't seem likely based on the investigation that the Times did but it will be beat to death by the propagandists. Best to let them wear themselves out.
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