David Barton hurts my head.

And the reason I say that is because I grew up listening to people like him, and I have spent a lifetime trying to figure out what makes him, and others of his ilk – David Koresh, Jim Jones – so alluring to people. It’s not that he’s chock-full of facts or anything, but there is a certain amount of charisma over the soul. And there is something to be said for charisma, because it always seems to trump the facts.

This is nothing new, but in the 21st Century, it always amazes me that people fall for the bunk peddled by people like David Barton – on the one hand.

On the other hand, Barton is the slickest of snake oil salesmen. He has truly perfected his craft – it’s almost impressive – and he has it down to a science, to the point where he’s flustered the country’s greatest interviewer and critical thinker.

What is his strategy? Speak quickly, speak charmingly, and never – ever – give your audience a chance to question the bullshit you’ve just spewed.