I assume nothing and thereby I don't make an ass out of myself. A word to the wise is sufficient, charlie.
I judge by good old fashioned common sense and educated intellect, based on first hand knowledge and credible sources. I'm also a political conservative and don't place much credence in the likes of the "... NY TIMES, WASH POST, CNN, LA TIMES ETC. ETC. ETC.". And I place even less credibility in the foreign press.
A rule of thumb for me is, take half of what you hear/read and throw it out! Take half of the the half that's left and be highly skeptical of its pronouncements. That leaves about 25% for honest and fair minded folks to kick around and debate on political websites, like Free Republic.
Like I said, this article is pure monkeycrap and doesn't belong on FR. I think perhaps, you keep your head too often, where the sun don't shine.
Have read a wide diversity of materials from many arms of many extremes since working part time in the Jr High library.
Have also had an easy time drawing out a diversity of individuals on what they think and believe.
And, was taught by probably the best librarian, archivalist, rare pamphlet, ephemera etc. collector in the business . . . that it's often the fringe groups and publications that identify a trend first and most accurately.
Otherwise, my sifting and sorting in terms of percentages is probably not a great deal different from yours.
It still appears you have much to learn about foreign publications.
But if you've had your head in dark places avoiding them, I can understand your lack of experience with them.