Dem
47
GOP
53
We presume that so many tears are what Alex Jones is producing these days, as his onetime empire is torn asunder before his very eyes. There are few better candidates for some schadenfreude, as he has utilized the suffering of families who lost their children to gun violence, not to mention the gullibility of the sort of Americans who think RFK Jr. is a healthcare "expert," to enrich himself.
It would seem that we are not the only ones who feel this way. Yesterday, the first thing (Z) did was check his phone, to see a breaking news alert about Jones (and his website, InfoWars). The immediate response: "Well, guess I won't have to spend any time today looking for a schadenfreude item." About 10 minutes later, (Z) sat down at the computer, and took a look at the various e-mail accounts. There were already at least 50 messages from readers suggesting that the Jones news should be the subject of this week's "Schadenfreude" item.
So, what was the story? Well, for those who have not already heard, with the backing of the Sandy Hook families who have a billon-dollar judgment against Jones, the rights to the InfoWars website, name and intellectual property have been sold to... the satirical newspaper/website The Onion. It's rather hard to imagine a better owner.
What, exactly, does The Onion plan to do with their new purchase? It had a sister site called Clickhole, now owned by the folks behind the popular game Cards Against Humanity, which satirizes the sites that produce clickbait, with ridiculous "meme-worthy" items like "Heartbreaking: Joe Rogan Just Died During A Test Of His Own Design To See If Men Are Stronger Than Ghosts," "Preventing The Worst: Democrats Just Trump-Proofed The Nation By Passing Legislation Ensuring Syrup Can Never Be Named 'Aunt Jemima' Again," and "Know What You're Getting Into: 6 Consequences You'll Probably Face For Intentionally Urinating Yourself At The Barbershop." The new and improved InfoWars will be similar, but with a particular focus on mocking the sort of "health" products that Jones sells (and that are favored by the incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services).
And it gets better, still. For the next several years, the relaunched InfoWars will have just one advertiser: the anti-violence organization Everytown for Gun Safety. So, the new site will specifically be designed to give a poke in the eye to anyone who has profited from phony health products and/or gun violence. Sound like anyone you might have heard of? Say, four paragraphs ago?
As reader A.R. in Los Angeles, CA, observes: "If this isn't schadenfreude, I don't know what is!" Reader A.J.J. in San Francisco, CA, adds: "I hope Electoral-Vote.com sends a thank you note to The Onion for giving you the easiest Schadenfreude of the Week entry ever. The news that the rulers of online satire bought InfoWars was the happiest news I've seen this week. And all in time for your Friday edition, too. That's respect." And T.W. in Norfolk, England, UK, says: "The Onion! I mean... THE ONION!"
We agree entirely. If we didn't choose this story, then we might as well shut this feature down, because what are we doing here? But we did choose it. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. (Z)