Historical Red Herrings

In literature circles, 
a red herring is a narrative element 
that is meant to mislead readers 
by providing irrelevant information. 

For example, an author might introduce 
some plot point to distract the reader 
and mislead them 
so the ending is more surprising.

From the term "socialism" 
to the abortion issue, 
it's all red herrings
for racist old white dudes
to keep their money and control. 

It's been happening throughout history:
making the folks focus 
on one thing, while the monsters in power
do their bidding 

Now, I am not a smart man,
but I know when I am being lied to,
and if you think this is about
religion and life-loving you are wrong.

Politicians –mostly white, mostly male–
have an ulterior motive
and it starts with divide and rule,
distracting the people and letting them battle
before swooping in and fixing things to their liking. 

A red herring is a logical fallacy
in which the arguments presented are actually intended to distract
the audience from the more pressing matter in the debate;
the term likely came from the early 1800’s 
when hunting saboteurs would drag a red herring (a strong smelling fish) 
along a trail to lead the hounds away from the target of their hunt.

Luckily, Roe v Wade hasn’t officially been overturned,
but someone leaked it ahead of midterms 
to get everyone in a craze, to distract...
and it is working.