Last week, while trying to come up with some things we can do in the face of our current fascist regime, I advocated talking to people with opposing viewpoints as a way to maybe change some minds. Since writing that post, I have changed my mind. I don't believe that will help.
Those who are in the cult won't have their minds changed by us. I don't think they will ever realize how skewed their views are.
After I wrote last week's post, I got into a conversation with a MAGAt. I was lamenting the kidnapping of legal residents for having dissenting viewpoints. The response? How dare they speak out against the country. They are guests here, and they have no right. Would someone go to China and speak out about that regime?
I rather thought that last argument made my point, but nope. And my argument that they were sending innocent people to concentration camps was met with, "they must deserve it".
The whole conversation began with a news report about the Signal messaging thing. The comment? This couldn't possibly be true. It had to be fake news. Why? Because messaging war plans is illegal. They're only supposed to discuss these things in a secure setting. They're not even allowed to take their phones into secure locations.
So, therefore, the reports were false. Instead of realizing how incompetent these people are.
My argument about the people in charge being incompetent was met with the response that I only watched the fake news. Therefore I was getting it all wrong.
I give up.
Maybe if there's someone you can reach, great. But life is too short for me to try to convince the gullible.
Then, while I was mulling this over on my own, I ran across this comic called "Believe". It's about why people continue to believe things that are not true. It's something that I'll need to sit with as well. It has a good lesson for all of us.
So, in my Tuesday scream into the void, I again don't have much we can actually do right now. I mean, continue to throw sand into the fascist gears whenever possible. And continue to call your reps for either praise or complaint. And stay safe. They're coming for us.
Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter
Jamie here:
ReplyDeleteSome people are easy to fool.
Sadly, most.
DeleteThey will rationalize and try to justify what he’s doing.
ReplyDeleteIn one debate I was having on social media, one poster said “Trump is acting like a king”. The MAGAt resounded “And I’m fine with that.” That’s the problem in a nutshell.
If he is, that is not fine. I didn't vote for him, because I was afraid of that.
DeleteThat is an amazing comic! My oldest brother is one of the gullible ones. He doesn't pay much attention to what goes on in the news, so before the election he mentioned not liking the idea of Harris ("laughing") talking to Putin. I pointed out how in Trump's first term he met with Putin, with only a translator (which Putin does not need in any way), and afterward Trump took her notes. My brother hadn't heard that. It's one thing that I absolutely couldn't believe was allowed. He's a member of a religion that votes red, no matter what. So, he has no need to look things up for himself. The other brother? Gullible in the other direction, so far that he might run into our brother coming round from the right! I'm not close to either, but that's due to them being 10 and 15 years older than I am.
ReplyDelete"...so far that he might run into our brother coming round from the right!" That is funny! I plan on using that.
DeleteSome people can be convinced and swayed by reasoned, rational points of view. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. For example, I've changed my mind on some things (i.e., "Huh. Never thought of it that way."). Sadly, most people will stubbornly persist in their point of view. I think it's exacerbated by the anonymity of a computer keyboard. Face-to-face is generally better. It gives me hope for the human race.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, that Signal thing? Yeahhhhhhhhh........that wasn't good. At all.
I've indeed seen a lot of people who still support your country's fascist regime and they will probably continue to do so until they are the ones being targeted. If it weren't meant seriously, your opponent's comment about China would almost have been funny.
ReplyDeleteI think you're mostly right. I think the only thing we can do for the gullible is welcome them if they ever come around. As someone who has been in a cult, trying to argue with someone who believes just makes them double down.
ReplyDeleteI love The Oatmeal, and that's one of their best comics. Thanks for reminding me of it. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
This is Birgit…these people that blindly follow are …stupid. They are not open to what is blatantly in front of them and believe in racist rhetoric, and think he is for the bible…I can’t believe they think this cheesy in a suit is religious. The behaviour of people, on own and in a mob mentality is something to be studied especially now and during Hitler’s rise to power.
ReplyDeleteDon't waste good time.
ReplyDeleteAt what point will "he is tariffing penguins" sink in and make people think...
ReplyDeleteYou call yours a fascist govt. I call mine too. I think there are too many of them around the world now. Is fascism the new trend? A lot of citizens seem to like it.
ReplyDeleteI like the Reddington GIF. Yeah, we can't reach fanatics because they only believe their own rhetoric.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for A-Z Challenge Goddess of Love: Aphrodite & My Languishing TBR: G #AtoZChallenge2025 #Books #Bookreview
I gave up a long time ago. Some may come to their senses but by then, it may be too late for all of us.
ReplyDelete