My parents are lifelong Democrats - they are pretty smart people and my pops' knowledge is extensive - he can tell you who the secretary of labor under Nixon was off the top of his head, sort of thing.
And they are good people and aren't wack-a-doo, however they are far too trusting of the media.
I finally lost it watching the PBS Newhour with them tonight, which used to be a decent program. It used to do straight reporting, but has now fallen into the black hole of biased shit journalism like everything else. They haven't done a single report on election irregularities, except to check in every once in a while and talk about how 'questioning the validity of the election is a threat to our Democracy' and all this cryptofascist stuff.
Which is what they did tonight on a political panel. After saying the audit confirmed Biden won, the "political experts" on the panel (one of whom now sidelines on CNN and it shows) spun all this bullshit about how it was a threat to our democracy etc and the head anchor closed the segment by saying how the "misinformation" was frightening, after they just spun it. The Newshour has been this way for years now, but I still cannot believe how willfully dishonest they are being - I used to admire the reporters they had on and now they make me sick!
I ALWAYS just hold my tongue b/c I think for the most part just not talking about politics is maybe the best way to have peace, but I lost it tonight.
This was after an episode where my ma, who just avoids every controversial topic across the board, just refused to engage in any conversation about the repressive and draconian vax measures in our area. I am so tired of just keeping it all to myself.
It is so unbelievably hard to be in a reality that you know others see as fake or crazy. My pops has adopted the language of the pundits he sees on MSNBC - he is a smart guy but has become addicted to Maddow, etc, after not having cable for 70 years. In discussing the audit he'll say shit like 'well then why did this REPUBLICAN (as if that's meaningful) say the election was fine or 'but _some bozo contributed $ to the audit effort' - he won't engage with the actual data, he just attacks it sideways by bringing up peripheral facts about it. He wouldn't watch the hearings back earlier this year because 'anything led by Giuliani can't be serious.' He thinks he is having a fun spar but I am talking about something that is the biggest political story of our lifetime and no one even knows it's happening. Then he'll get pissy when I talk over his points because they are such stupid points and I know where he's going the second he opens his mouth.
It is just so creepy and unnerving to exist in a context where everyone is being played like a fiddle, and yet they think you are the one who is taken. I have to throw my hands up, I don't know!
I hear you. In writing this it occurred to me that the people I am describing do not sound smart. And I am willing to say they aren't smart in this realm. They are educated people but the behavior I am describing is unfortunately quite stupid.
There are a lot of really smart people who have been brainwashed. It's not more complicated than that. I have worked over the years with so many brilliant people who shut down completely when you discuss logically why some of the things they are saying don't make sense. When you point out what seems to be an obvious logical flaw, they will usually say "We are never going to agree on this so we should just stop talking about it." Every. Single. Time.
Once you recognize that it's just cognitive dissonance it's easier to handle. You're not dealing with an intellectual problem, but a psychological/emotional problem. IMObservation some people are just frightened to death to think that the powers that be not only don't care about them, but would actively seek to do them harm. I wouldn't have believed it ten, maybe even five years ago. But once you see what you see, you can't unsee it.
That's exactly what it's like. It's just we're going on 5 years now of not talking about anything controversial 'because we won't agree' - what's so wrong with disagreeing? Idk.
If there's no common ground, it is simply difficult to discuss respectfully while disagreeing. If you can't even agree on what are reliable sources to back your opinions on, there is not much to discuss.
We need to turn everyone off, then back on. Do a quick reboot and then install some new security software on everyone. Delete some old files, defrag the hard drives, then scan the disks for cookies and malware.
Maybe this would help. :-/
There is a difference between intelligence and education or "smartness." Intelligence is raw horsepower. The other is just volume of information, correct or not.
They are brainwashed. Hopefully their eyes will open one day. Pray they are not the 4-6% who are lost forever
I realized I have to start speaking up more, because they do come around to things sometimes, it just takes them a long time.
Hey keep planting seeds and watering, and don’t lose heart. “Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we will reap if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9
Thank you.
I’m so sorry, this sounds incredibly frustrating for you. I know a lot of us are in the same boat. I keep forgetting that MSM watchers are bombarded 24/7 with gaslighting propaganda. It’s really hard for them to start looking at alternate information when they are comfortable in their beliefs.
You are NOT ALONE. We are with you.
Q got me curious and much of it I did not want to believe... the truth is horrific. If people are to know the bigger picture stuff, they have to do a lot of research and see the dark stuff, otherwise nothing else makes sense. Most don’t have the desire or strength or time to do so, and it’s okay. You are the one in your family who stands at the top of the hill seeing the truth, making the connections, communicating with the other truth seekers. You are called to be the one who is aware. The one willing to look and see. They are not called to be that. Think of them as those who need to remain in their naive innocence. They have their part to play, you have yours, and not many have your abilities. You don’t have to get them to wake up, it’s enough that you are awake.
The path of the enlightened warrior is a hard and sometimes lonely one. There will be difficult times to get through. Try to be tolerant, and keep those family relationships. They may never understand. And it’s okay to love them anyway. That’s maturity.
This forum of connection helps us know we are not alone in this, and I for one can appreciate your story and relate.
There is a great meme tonight showing a lighthouse on a hill. It feels relevant.
I think the “clot shot” is making people lose any reason that they used to possess. I’m serious 🧐
Well it was happening before that, I'd have to say.
Yes, the constant gaslighting from the media (and everyday citizens, who repeat the media propaganda) is so tiring and frustrating.
I had a liberal today tell me that Trump supporters are the ones who actually support socialism/communism, not liberals like him who know the “true” meaning of those words (WTF???)
We are living in a clown world.
Yeah I had pretty offbeat beliefs when I was a teenager/younger adult and it worked out ok, but as the social situation has solidified, and relies so much on acceptance of these myths - I feel like I am still Holden Caulfield and all my former friends have just become predictable conformist retards.
Yeah I always remind myself that I listen to and watch fairly stupid media to blow off steam. It's just that you need to recognize it as that - I really regret that they don't know these huge stories are happening, because we are living through such historic times. It would be amazing to actually discuss this stuff with them!
My folks are actually more moderate when it comes to the cultural stuff like BLM, so I will give them that.
I know what you mean. I have someone in my family like that. Have not spoken in a couple of months. I think about what I should say to jar them loose next time I talk to them.
Thinking about --
"Why won't you have a serious, adult converstation about one of the most important topics of our lifetime?" And then STFU until I get an answer.
I think some people have to be confronted and jarred out of their stupor to get them to become aware that this is a serious conversation. They just keep dismissing like it is a political game, or that "politics doesn't matter." Maybe telling them they are not being adult would do the trick. I don't know.
Yeah, maybe you have to at least try? I have been holding my tongue for so long they probably don't even realize how closely I follow this stuff. My pops said something like 'how come none of the 60 lawsuits went anywhere, which is how the pundits talk, and I said 'like Sidney Powell's, which is still ongoing - did you not think it was significant that she is now deposing Eric Coomer, the executive from Dominion?' - which left him flustered since he doesn't even know this story exists!
Because what they expect is probably far from what you think. You are trying to tell them to consider the idea that the election was stolen. They expect you to tell how democrats eat children in their underground bases.
Even though fringe conspiracy is against rules here, that's how many see "QAnon".
Don't try too hard, they're not ready. Subtle, consistent reminders to "look at the reality behind the headline," and one day when they look they'll be better prepared. It's draining.
I’m so sorry. I’m blessed with family around me that see things the same way I do. My brother is the complete opposite but he is waking up slowly. He will NOT get this vaccine and he is starting to actually talk to me about the corrupt media now, (he used to yell, it used to get very ugly). But he is and I’m ecstatic about it. Even my grandma and parents know about all this corrupt crap and even know about the adrenochrome production.
You are taking this personally. Get general. Mom and Dad, the world needs positive input, positive vibes. It makes me unhappy to see how negative you get after watching the news. I only want what's best for you. Could we pray together? ;)
Hat's off to the respect you show your parents. Under whatever circumstance, God is adamant about this. Pray always and stay strong fren.
Did they get vaxed?
Maybe not the best example. He is an Ivy League-educated MD if it furthers my case - I just mean he is above average intelligence no matter which way you cut it (though I know some will still disagree) - he is bright and is willing to look at all sides of an issue when it's something that isn't politically charged, but would rather 'win' and argument on stupid points than look at something soberly.