Anyone noticing that their Facebook feed is being incrediblyslow and glitchy lately? I have, and I have a theory, or as somelike to call “alternative facts” of what's going on: Facebook Livevideo is clogging the platform.

I have no proof of this yet, but I'm doing my best to findalternative facts to support my theory. Forget science or math orwhether the data shows that the platform has not slowed down due tousers live streaming their kid's volleyball game or how to make atasty veggie lasagna – I need to prove my point that Facebook isslower due to an overload of Facebook Live posts.

To give you some perspective, I started writing out ideas forthis column on a dreary Wisconsin winter morning using my laptopwith my coffee and dog nearby. Then I heard these words come fromKellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, during an interviewwith NBC's host of “Meet the Press,” Chuck Todd, after a questionto clarify factually incorrect statements made about the size ofthe crowd at the inauguration by President Trump's press secretary,Sean Spicer. Spicer said that this was “the largest audience toever witness an inauguration – period – both in person and aroundthe globe.”

Conway's response to Todd saying this was a false statement was,“You're saying it's a falsehood and Sean Spicer, our presssecretary, gave alternative facts to that.”

I point this out not to pick sides or nitpick about politiciansand the exhaustive nature of covering political figures. In fact, Ithink Conway's gutsy (or accidental) use of the phrase “alternativefacts” was quite brilliant.

For one, it was a full admission of what we've all known for allof our lives about political posturing. For two, it laid the cardsout on the table as far as what to expect from press conferences.For three, the relationship between a presidential administrationand the press shouldn't be a cozy one. And both sides should holdthe other accountable for what is said, printed or broadcasted –and they should respect that relationship.

I think what we're watching is like when a foreign exchangestudent shows up at your high school and no one understands him orhow to communicate with him. If this relationship is going to work,both sides cannot be so stubborn to think that the other side needsto adapt without any effort from themselves. To continue theanalogy, it's like watching your kids not agreeing on the rules of“kick the can.” If you can't agree on the basis of the rules, thegame won't work for anyone.

The journalism motherships of the Wall Street Journal,New York Times, Associated Press, NBC, CBS andwhomever else you read or watch for news, are all at a crossroads.Do they maintain journalistic platforms they've stood on forgenerations? Yes. Do they adjust expectations from sources and eventhemselves? Maybe a tiny bit. Do they start using alternative factsfor their stories? No. They should stick to the bedrock of what afree press is all about.

Dan Rather put it best, with a simple question and advice forreporters to use when they know White House officials are lying.'“What will you do to combat the lying from the White House? Ifthey dodge and weave, keep with the follow ups. And if they refuseto give a satisfactory answer, end the interview.”

I get your point, but easier said than done Mr. Rather.

Now we're venturing into the “journalism as a business”territory of advertising revenue, subscription, readership declinesand TV ratings. Let's face it – chasing lies makes for greatTV.

All of this leads me here: Let's agree to try and create, andstay focused on, a clear vision for the credit union industry.What's happening in politics and in the White House is going to bekind of nuts for a while and it's becoming a true distraction forour members and our lives. And that's our democracy.

Don't let the alternative facts that are being created distractyou from your cooperative mission and goals for your membership.It's your job to filter out the regulatory madness happening inWashington to create true benefits of your credit union's productsand services for your members. Check in with your league, or NAFCUor CUNA, or your mom (she's always right) to see what you can do tohelp bring some lucidity to this world.

Changes are already happening within the Trump administrationimpacting the mortgage and CFPB spaces of our credit unionuniverse. That's pretty exciting and, for some, unnerving. Whateverthe case, if I'm excited or worried about something, I like to turnto one of my favorite people of all time for help – Fred Rogers.Growing up, Mister Rogers calmed me and helped me focus with hisquiet manner and very clear words that even I understood as a boy.Today, his words stay with me in all points of my life. Words likethese: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in thenews, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You willalways find people who are helping.'”

You have a massive industry support group to help you focus. Fornow, focus on that fact (it's not an alternative fact) and maybethink about ignoring Sunday morning political talk shows for awhile.

Michael Ogden is executive editor for CU times. He can bereached at [email protected].