Though that baseless narrative is still embraced by opportunistic activists, pandering politicians, lazy journalists and those they've misled, it's been well-established since 2018 that self-described "Islamic soldier" Omar Mateen chose the club at random and that he viewed his attack purely as retaliation for civilian casualties caused by US military interventions in the Middle East.

Coming a day after the chilling announcement that the Department of Homeland Security has established a "Disinformation Governance Board," the judge's use of coerced false speech as a form of rehabilitation added a bizarre twist to what had already been an Orwellian week in America.

It's safe to say Florida circuit judge Scott Suskauer has no idea he's compelling false speech by 20-year-old Alexander Jerich, who pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and reckless driving after using his truck to do a burnout on a Pride flag-themed mural spanning an intersection in Delray Beach.