Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.

There is no excuse for what this man did. But the story to be told here is not one that has anything to do with Afghans, let alone non-white immigration to the U.S. generally. It has to do with the evil shit that happens in war, and that the U.S. often gets others to do, and how it destroys psyches.

The US federal government is openly warring against its own nonwhite population in a way no one alive has ever experienced. It’s not even getting to hide it. The overt bigotry is comparable to Jim Crow. And our pathetic, cowed, putrid political class just keeps pretending it isn’t even happening.

Maybe neutering him through Congress will be enough to save this country but I’m still going to hope you’re wrong.