The very nature of the personality that likes Trump won't change. They will find another conspiracy leader to follow. I know people who won't get a vaccine that has been vetted by science and the scientific method, but will buy magic pills and solutions over the internet.
I agree with that. But David's opinion also matters. To outcast those who are truly sorry for being misguided is making matters worse. After all, to err is human. But there must be reckoning the truth and keep what happened in memory, so to prevent worse scenarios in the future. Therefore is of utmost importance to investigate in education. Because it's remarkable those less educated and at the bottom of the ladder chose and voted for Donald Trump.
Trumpism has been around for a long time. It’s called Nazi and fascism. It can be eradicated the way it was in Germany. After Nuremberg and after World War II there was a reduction in the Nazi gene 🧬 pool.
We have to stop bullshitting ourselves into thinking that evil people are evil because they had a bad mommy and daddy. People might be damaged and dysfunctional because of a bad mommy and daddy but they don’t become evil.
If you consider the population of America and you know the history of the people who settled here you will know that the people from industrial parts of Europe and enlightened parts of Europe settled in the northeast. The trash settled in a place known as the Bible belt. Look at the behavior of those people.
The Bible belt is: the poverty belt, the gluttony belt, the obesity belt, the low IQ belt, the teen pregnancy belt, the divorce belt, the homicide belt, belt, hate group belt, the ignorance belt, the cancer belt, the life expectancy belt, the KKK belt …..
People need to wake up and stop believing the bullshit they’ve been led to believe. There is not good and everyone. There is no come to Jesus moment for a lot of people. They are beyond redemption. Referring to them as therapy resistant is a kind way of saying that they are FUBAR Fucked Up Beyond All Repair.
The mental health industry has labels for them such as, sociopath, narcissist, histrionic, pathological liar etc. In truth they enemies of humanity and they prove it time and time again.
I don’t know what the death polls gonna be because of the anti-VAXXers but most of it will happen in the part of the country known as Trumpistan. So take heart in knowing that there won’t be any humans dying from it. The only death will be those of Trumpanzees.
Good riddance!! I have no sympathy!! The more those ignorant morons die off, the better for America & the sane,intelligent people who want a fair,rational,democratic America according to the constitution!!
Yes, there will always be those who hate. The sociopaths, the mentally bent... But I happen to think that even many of these are the product of bad training in how to think. We will always have the wannabe Nazis who want to feel special and entiteled to be on top, without even trying... The Royalists, because it is so much easier to just have someone else do all your thinking. The Theocrats, for the same reason as the Royalists...
But perhaps, just perhaps, if we gave them some basic tools for thinking with, and did not drown them in a sea of propaganda from the ultra rich owning the media companies and funding the PACs, enabling outright lies by our politicians and others on the very serious subject of our politics, just maybe they would have a better chance of making better choices.
I do not blame a dog for not understanding politics, and our students get about as much training for dealing with it as your average dog. And yes, some people are just not very bright, or maybe they are just lazier or more distracted by what is going on in their life, but maybe we can help them a bit when they have time to make an effort.
Unfortunately allowing grievous wrongs like djt is part of being a Democracy. Thankfully, millions of people were not deluded by this Orwellian nightmare and millions that were are slowly seeing the light. Never bury the past. Teach it. Shout it from the rooftop. Look at how nations like Germany recovered. Education is our greatest asset to change what is and prevent it from happening again. Are you aware that in Germany, the Nazi salute is often outlawed?
I have both “friends” and family members who supported Trump and still defend their decision. They condemn the clown show and deny that they knew what they were voting for when it was clearly presented during the campaign. They say that they voted for the lesser of two evils, claiming that Biden, and then Harris were proven to be corrupt, and refuse to acknowledge the documented truth about Trump’s corruption even though it was presented to them in plain English over and over again. The most common excuse they would spew was: what was I supposed to do, vote for “that other one”? They couldn’t even bring themselves to say “Harris”. I’ve had numerous heated conversations with them and many of them are no longer my friends.
Sadly, far too many people really resent it when they are made to actually think.
Thinking is hard work, and it is painful for most to admit they made a mistake. In politics, for them it is like changing their fundamental identity, changing their religion, and here you go, telling them to apply logic and facts to their decision process, well of course they will hate you for inflicting that pain on them...
I haven't figured out how to deal with the people who I really care about that persists in remaining in the cult. The biggest issue for me is that I have lost respect for some people who I really valued their ideas. How can I remain close to someone whose judgements I don't trust anymore?
Dump them! You will Never convince them they were wrong ! They're a drain on your consciousness...don't even bother about them in your life..you're better off without them !
No. I refuse to dump them because djt has so much control over all aspects of American lives that I refuse to allow him to pick my friends. It may have affected the quality and depth of those relationships but my life is about so much more than politics.
I’m only a very interested and in many senses affected observer, from a country once thought to be a reliable and dependable ally of the USA. It is not for me to espouse my opinions in this matter. I only ask if the USA will consider changing the established political and legal infrastructure to prevent the possibility of a future repeat of the current situation? Germany did so after WW2 and continues to clamp down on attempts to resurrect the extremism that enabled their pre-war political situation to arise.
David - I have been thinking about this for a long time. It’s a very important conversation to be having at this time so we have plans. Three things I think of are:
1. There needs to be accountability. For citizens and elected officials alike. Something akin to the Nuremberg Trials. National and international laws have been broken (trampled) and people need to be held to account for this.
2. Democracy is great! But we can’t cooperate with criminals about the results of their actions. Post Civil War there was so many confederates in Congress, that any meaningful change was obliterated by concessions and cooperation. We can’t cooperate not make that mistake again. There has to be a total eradication of any and all associated with this time and the criminality of the actions.
3. The name Trump must be removed from everything and history must be written to reflect the criminality and damage done by this regime.
Education needs to be revisited, our government structure needs to reinforced to ONLY respect the constitution and its ideals.
You have pointed out a MAJOR flaw in our democracy, and as such, it will require bold changes, or we will end up here again and again. In a Democracy, if you do not teach your voters how to THINK, inevitably they will let someone else do their thinking for them
Sure, people make mistakes, but most people are not trained in the skills of thinking, or of resisting persuasion techniques such as Advertisers, salesmen and cult leaders use. Most people don't even have the skills to spot liars, and if you look at your average school yard, most of them tend to go along with the bully, laughing when the bully humiliates the 'odd' kid.
We have people who are not trained in thinking independently and evaluating if an 'authority' is wrong, or even lying to them. Most are not trained in how to spot a false argument. Most of our young are not trained in how to avoid being 'recruited' by a cult, spotting their techniques and resisting them. This lack in our education is not a mistake, it was deliberate. Businesses do not want employees thinking for themselves and our schools are set up to train employees, not leaders, not citizens. The one class on 'Civics' they get is not enough to get most to learn even the basic concepts of how our government is organized, let alone why it was organized this way. they need to learn all this AND how our courts work (most people do not watch the 'lawyer' shows)... In most states students are not even given the same tests as those who become citizens.
Voters are constantly lied to (by at least one side) and it is called "freedom of speech" and given not just equal air time, but because it is so 'exciting' it is given MORE air time. Most media is slanted, because they are owned by a very rich person, who typically has motivations beyond the function of their company.
And of course, most people (unlike us ;) have a life and do not spend 'far too much' time studying politics every day, and at least one side is trying to make it far more complicated than it needs to be, so people give up and tune out.
Solutions:
* More than just one class on 'civics' might be a start, adding to it basic thinking skills, Spotting false arguments and persuasion techniques, how our courts work...
* Get all Money out of Politics, including PACS, and rich people out of owning media companies, and I do mean ALL money, including 'self funding', and we need to pay them more, so they are able to do their jobs without outside funding.
* Make lying by politicians both on the job, and campaigning, a crime, including by others who make their living off of politics (including 'influencers'). Sure opinions are fine, make promises 'to try' etc, but stop the outright lies. Make it enforceable with actual, scaled penalties. We already make lying a crime in situations where it can cause real harm. Lies in our politics cause real harm.
In order to make these doable by law, we will need to get Politics out of our courts. This will have to include changing how judges get hired / nominated to their positions (I suggest having the appellate courts manage the hiring and promotion process). Enforce (with regular investigations) our ethics rules on ALL the judges, especially the SCOTUS Justices, and of course cleaning out, reforming SCOTUS with the new process (I suggest having SCOTUS justices being selected by and from each appellate court, and they are rotated every few years). Hopefully also end the process of 'Judge shopping', or enable appellate courts to discipline or remove judges who are 'too biased'.
Our current SCOTUS would insist that their positions not be challenged in any way, and that money = speech, so that the wealthy can drown out the poor, and that lies are essential to our politics...
If it requires an amendment, then we push HARD for an amendment. I have noticed that MOST of the judges we have in the country are reasonable about the law and the constitution.
Those who are legitimately sorry and realize what (who) they supported should be accepted. Those who still believe in their Hitler-President should be sent to El Salvador (or the equivalent to the place where Dimwit sent OUR people to) for life. They need to learn what it's like under a REAL dictatorship. Maybe that's the only way they'll wake up to who/what they voted for.
Interesting and important points. I actually have two relatives who are convinced Trump was the answer. They thought immigration had gotten lax, he as a businessman could really change the slow moving government agencies, look closer at budget matter with a business/practically etc. I could not believe how they justified so much of his behavior! We do not discuss politics now because they get so upset. Recently the oldest one said "Trump is getting harder to defend" I was stunned. Up to know he was 100% golden ( no pun intended) we know he loves the gold look everywhere. So yes, as the ongoing daily outrageous rants, and threats to bomb, not bomb, or pivot to the Ballroom, then to how great he is ( a daily favorite of his) I think they see he is unwell, never was going to deliver the great economy etc. So after Trump is gone and hopefully the devotees calm down in my case I cannot "hold" my relatives at a distance due to their beliefs. ( I will wonder what they will do after Trump) hopefully no more ranting. David's point about collaborating as a nation is important. How thst will look over time is anyones guess. What happened after Nixon, Reagan etc people moved on - this President is far and above more toxic, so that I would guess will take time, work and leadership that can conduct conversations domestically and internationally.
I keep thinking of more changes. We need a social change. We need to stop teaching children what to think and start teaching them HOW to think.
Most Trump voters I know lack critical thinking skills or are lazy media consumers.
Addressing the media is one thing but we need to teach children and adults how to look beyond the surface and ask questions .
Critical thinking needs a HUGE promotion on a social level.
The former MAGA if they don't want to learn new thinking skills I see them as basically hopeless. I am not mean to them as I see them as having a handicap of sorts.
We can't fix the past only the future based on our decisions in the present.
Agreed. Critical thinking, in my not so humble opinion, is as important as math skills, and in fact could be included in math classes, since both rely on logic and rules for how to approach problems.
If we don’t solve the problem of the perpetually-angry, far-right, greedy propaganda machine on Fox News, Trumpism will never die. Even if we accept the 30% back into our communities, they will always be tempted by the subsequent cults promoted by Fox News.
I’m still befuddled by the fact that 30% of our country perceived Trump as charismatic. To me, he always presented the vile visage of a human blobfish and inflicted us with a voice that sounded like the loudest, never-ending scraping of nails on a chalkboard. His yelled, absurd, racist, crass and offensive lies, combined with his schoolyard bullying and obvious sadism, resulted in the worst symptoms of physical repulsion that I have ever experienced. Every time he opened his mouth or spread hatred on social media, my skin crawled, my muscles roiled in disgust, and I felt nauseated. Then, add on both the admitted sexual abuse, as well as the thinly denied sexual abuse of women, and we end up with the most extremely disgusting abomination of a demon in a flesh suit, before we ever consider his narcissism, selfish grifting, and pedophilia.
I may weaken towards those who apologize for believing his non-stop lies, but I will never understand their complete and utter stupidity for falling for those lies. I will never understand their betrayal of what have always been our aspirational American values. I may try to find a way to accept these people as part of our nation, but I will never trust them. I will certainly never love them as my brethren as I did before 2015.
I’d choose to walk toward an entire sleuth of bears in the forest before I’d ever risk my safety by retreating towards former MAGA men and women on a forest path. If the reformed MAGA members raised guns to kill the sleuth of bears in a supposed effort to save me, I’d throw my body in front of the bears to keep them from becoming MAGA victims, too.
Trump’s eventual passing from whatever physical malady that FINALLY succeeds in ridding us of his malignant presence may result in millions of us ending our reliance on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. I will literally dance in the street when he expires from natural consequences, unless I am finally too old to walk, crawl or roll into the street to wiggle to the music in unbridled joy.
What do you think of David Packman's opinion here?
Do you think what he proposes would have worked or been right after Hitler?
I don't know how to think about this because we STILL have concentration camps here - right here - being BUILT in Texas.
When there are concentration camps is that just "harm" or something beyond harm that we can't ever say, "OK, you're my friend again" or "I'll accept you as a client" even though that person was ready and willing to have people tortured and won't fight now how people are being tortured - just a: Well, I'm still conservative but Trump ruined the economy and started a war. He lied.
Do they still want to take away women's and non-binary rights?
People knew he raped and had been convicted and talked hate. They just don't think they should pay over $4 for a gallon of gas or have their grocery prices more and their "whatever" taken away from them.
I keep coming back to, I can't help it, WE HAVE CONCENTRATION CAMPS.
It’s so SICK!! Why does it get reported that tons of what “they “ do are illegal but?? So what I guess- without a huge monetary fine or ROADBLOCKS they just continue the illegal stuff!!! We normal people are fined or incarcerated so we STOP illegal behaviors!! They maybe get a side-eye- or more likely, kudos from their sycophants
A child typically needs to be taught the lessons of honesty and compassion, fair play and to follow the rules. Obviously a lot of people never learned those lessons well, or maybe they just think there are 'special people' who don't need to obey them. Perhaps they learned the lessons but always resented the restrictions it placed on them.
Then there are those who just outright break laws.
While I think individual accountability is a good start what needs reform is our system. Trump found too many holes in our democracy that need to be renforced with consequences that actually have teeth.
Supreme court justices limited terms and ethical codes of conduct attached to criminal charges.
Removing the ability for one man to start a war.
Have the ability to have a vote of no confidence so we don't have to put up with an insane person for an entire term.
Getting money and billionaires out of elections.
Actual criminal charges for politicians that knowingly lie
Rank choice voting
Elimination to the electoral.
Inability for the president to fire or interfere with independent agencies like the Inspector Generals
Criminal charges for any one in public office who commits a crime.
Independent enforcement of judicial orders / contempt charges.
We have to change the system to make it more authoritarian proof because we know it will happen again.
I'm looking forward to your new book after reading your last one. Your explanations and commentary on the unholy anti democracy gaggle is first-rate. Thank you.
Personally and professionally I believe that it's going to take time and some real deep thinking what to do to never allow this to happen again. We need to listen to each other's voice and learn to respond and try to understand each other.
The very nature of the personality that likes Trump won't change. They will find another conspiracy leader to follow. I know people who won't get a vaccine that has been vetted by science and the scientific method, but will buy magic pills and solutions over the internet.
I agree with that. But David's opinion also matters. To outcast those who are truly sorry for being misguided is making matters worse. After all, to err is human. But there must be reckoning the truth and keep what happened in memory, so to prevent worse scenarios in the future. Therefore is of utmost importance to investigate in education. Because it's remarkable those less educated and at the bottom of the ladder chose and voted for Donald Trump.
Trumpism has been around for a long time. It’s called Nazi and fascism. It can be eradicated the way it was in Germany. After Nuremberg and after World War II there was a reduction in the Nazi gene 🧬 pool.
We have to stop bullshitting ourselves into thinking that evil people are evil because they had a bad mommy and daddy. People might be damaged and dysfunctional because of a bad mommy and daddy but they don’t become evil.
If you consider the population of America and you know the history of the people who settled here you will know that the people from industrial parts of Europe and enlightened parts of Europe settled in the northeast. The trash settled in a place known as the Bible belt. Look at the behavior of those people.
The Bible belt is: the poverty belt, the gluttony belt, the obesity belt, the low IQ belt, the teen pregnancy belt, the divorce belt, the homicide belt, belt, hate group belt, the ignorance belt, the cancer belt, the life expectancy belt, the KKK belt …..
People need to wake up and stop believing the bullshit they’ve been led to believe. There is not good and everyone. There is no come to Jesus moment for a lot of people. They are beyond redemption. Referring to them as therapy resistant is a kind way of saying that they are FUBAR Fucked Up Beyond All Repair.
The mental health industry has labels for them such as, sociopath, narcissist, histrionic, pathological liar etc. In truth they enemies of humanity and they prove it time and time again.
WAKE UP SHEEPLE LEMMINGS!
That was d sooo funny it took me by surprise. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you. You made my day
The Texas family who lost a siv yr old girl to MEASLES (!) said it was ok, he still just doesn't trust those vaccines...
I shit you not.
I don’t know what the death polls gonna be because of the anti-VAXXers but most of it will happen in the part of the country known as Trumpistan. So take heart in knowing that there won’t be any humans dying from it. The only death will be those of Trumpanzees.
Good riddance!! I have no sympathy!! The more those ignorant morons die off, the better for America & the sane,intelligent people who want a fair,rational,democratic America according to the constitution!!
For the most part, you are right. However, there will be those who have to deal with the consequences of not getting vaccinated and regret it.
Yes, there will always be those who hate. The sociopaths, the mentally bent... But I happen to think that even many of these are the product of bad training in how to think. We will always have the wannabe Nazis who want to feel special and entiteled to be on top, without even trying... The Royalists, because it is so much easier to just have someone else do all your thinking. The Theocrats, for the same reason as the Royalists...
But perhaps, just perhaps, if we gave them some basic tools for thinking with, and did not drown them in a sea of propaganda from the ultra rich owning the media companies and funding the PACs, enabling outright lies by our politicians and others on the very serious subject of our politics, just maybe they would have a better chance of making better choices.
I do not blame a dog for not understanding politics, and our students get about as much training for dealing with it as your average dog. And yes, some people are just not very bright, or maybe they are just lazier or more distracted by what is going on in their life, but maybe we can help them a bit when they have time to make an effort.
Unfortunately allowing grievous wrongs like djt is part of being a Democracy. Thankfully, millions of people were not deluded by this Orwellian nightmare and millions that were are slowly seeing the light. Never bury the past. Teach it. Shout it from the rooftop. Look at how nations like Germany recovered. Education is our greatest asset to change what is and prevent it from happening again. Are you aware that in Germany, the Nazi salute is often outlawed?
It’s against the law in Australia as well, we have to outlaw the Dump machine as well.
I have both “friends” and family members who supported Trump and still defend their decision. They condemn the clown show and deny that they knew what they were voting for when it was clearly presented during the campaign. They say that they voted for the lesser of two evils, claiming that Biden, and then Harris were proven to be corrupt, and refuse to acknowledge the documented truth about Trump’s corruption even though it was presented to them in plain English over and over again. The most common excuse they would spew was: what was I supposed to do, vote for “that other one”? They couldn’t even bring themselves to say “Harris”. I’ve had numerous heated conversations with them and many of them are no longer my friends.
Sadly, far too many people really resent it when they are made to actually think.
Thinking is hard work, and it is painful for most to admit they made a mistake. In politics, for them it is like changing their fundamental identity, changing their religion, and here you go, telling them to apply logic and facts to their decision process, well of course they will hate you for inflicting that pain on them...
I haven't figured out how to deal with the people who I really care about that persists in remaining in the cult. The biggest issue for me is that I have lost respect for some people who I really valued their ideas. How can I remain close to someone whose judgements I don't trust anymore?
Dump them! You will Never convince them they were wrong ! They're a drain on your consciousness...don't even bother about them in your life..you're better off without them !
No. I refuse to dump them because djt has so much control over all aspects of American lives that I refuse to allow him to pick my friends. It may have affected the quality and depth of those relationships but my life is about so much more than politics.
I’m only a very interested and in many senses affected observer, from a country once thought to be a reliable and dependable ally of the USA. It is not for me to espouse my opinions in this matter. I only ask if the USA will consider changing the established political and legal infrastructure to prevent the possibility of a future repeat of the current situation? Germany did so after WW2 and continues to clamp down on attempts to resurrect the extremism that enabled their pre-war political situation to arise.
I agree, we definitely should work on that, while preserving the essence of our treasured rights. It is a challenge we need to face resolutely.
David - I have been thinking about this for a long time. It’s a very important conversation to be having at this time so we have plans. Three things I think of are:
1. There needs to be accountability. For citizens and elected officials alike. Something akin to the Nuremberg Trials. National and international laws have been broken (trampled) and people need to be held to account for this.
2. Democracy is great! But we can’t cooperate with criminals about the results of their actions. Post Civil War there was so many confederates in Congress, that any meaningful change was obliterated by concessions and cooperation. We can’t cooperate not make that mistake again. There has to be a total eradication of any and all associated with this time and the criminality of the actions.
3. The name Trump must be removed from everything and history must be written to reflect the criminality and damage done by this regime.
Education needs to be revisited, our government structure needs to reinforced to ONLY respect the constitution and its ideals.
Absolution or accountability?? You can’t have both!!
Otherwise 👍
I would say, absolution for the fools, and accountability for the criminals.
I meant eradication. Thank you for catching this - I am changing it now
You have pointed out a MAJOR flaw in our democracy, and as such, it will require bold changes, or we will end up here again and again. In a Democracy, if you do not teach your voters how to THINK, inevitably they will let someone else do their thinking for them
Sure, people make mistakes, but most people are not trained in the skills of thinking, or of resisting persuasion techniques such as Advertisers, salesmen and cult leaders use. Most people don't even have the skills to spot liars, and if you look at your average school yard, most of them tend to go along with the bully, laughing when the bully humiliates the 'odd' kid.
We have people who are not trained in thinking independently and evaluating if an 'authority' is wrong, or even lying to them. Most are not trained in how to spot a false argument. Most of our young are not trained in how to avoid being 'recruited' by a cult, spotting their techniques and resisting them. This lack in our education is not a mistake, it was deliberate. Businesses do not want employees thinking for themselves and our schools are set up to train employees, not leaders, not citizens. The one class on 'Civics' they get is not enough to get most to learn even the basic concepts of how our government is organized, let alone why it was organized this way. they need to learn all this AND how our courts work (most people do not watch the 'lawyer' shows)... In most states students are not even given the same tests as those who become citizens.
Voters are constantly lied to (by at least one side) and it is called "freedom of speech" and given not just equal air time, but because it is so 'exciting' it is given MORE air time. Most media is slanted, because they are owned by a very rich person, who typically has motivations beyond the function of their company.
And of course, most people (unlike us ;) have a life and do not spend 'far too much' time studying politics every day, and at least one side is trying to make it far more complicated than it needs to be, so people give up and tune out.
Solutions:
* More than just one class on 'civics' might be a start, adding to it basic thinking skills, Spotting false arguments and persuasion techniques, how our courts work...
* Get all Money out of Politics, including PACS, and rich people out of owning media companies, and I do mean ALL money, including 'self funding', and we need to pay them more, so they are able to do their jobs without outside funding.
* Make lying by politicians both on the job, and campaigning, a crime, including by others who make their living off of politics (including 'influencers'). Sure opinions are fine, make promises 'to try' etc, but stop the outright lies. Make it enforceable with actual, scaled penalties. We already make lying a crime in situations where it can cause real harm. Lies in our politics cause real harm.
In order to make these doable by law, we will need to get Politics out of our courts. This will have to include changing how judges get hired / nominated to their positions (I suggest having the appellate courts manage the hiring and promotion process). Enforce (with regular investigations) our ethics rules on ALL the judges, especially the SCOTUS Justices, and of course cleaning out, reforming SCOTUS with the new process (I suggest having SCOTUS justices being selected by and from each appellate court, and they are rotated every few years). Hopefully also end the process of 'Judge shopping', or enable appellate courts to discipline or remove judges who are 'too biased'.
Our current SCOTUS would insist that their positions not be challenged in any way, and that money = speech, so that the wealthy can drown out the poor, and that lies are essential to our politics...
If it requires an amendment, then we push HARD for an amendment. I have noticed that MOST of the judges we have in the country are reasonable about the law and the constitution.
Those who are legitimately sorry and realize what (who) they supported should be accepted. Those who still believe in their Hitler-President should be sent to El Salvador (or the equivalent to the place where Dimwit sent OUR people to) for life. They need to learn what it's like under a REAL dictatorship. Maybe that's the only way they'll wake up to who/what they voted for.
Interesting and important points. I actually have two relatives who are convinced Trump was the answer. They thought immigration had gotten lax, he as a businessman could really change the slow moving government agencies, look closer at budget matter with a business/practically etc. I could not believe how they justified so much of his behavior! We do not discuss politics now because they get so upset. Recently the oldest one said "Trump is getting harder to defend" I was stunned. Up to know he was 100% golden ( no pun intended) we know he loves the gold look everywhere. So yes, as the ongoing daily outrageous rants, and threats to bomb, not bomb, or pivot to the Ballroom, then to how great he is ( a daily favorite of his) I think they see he is unwell, never was going to deliver the great economy etc. So after Trump is gone and hopefully the devotees calm down in my case I cannot "hold" my relatives at a distance due to their beliefs. ( I will wonder what they will do after Trump) hopefully no more ranting. David's point about collaborating as a nation is important. How thst will look over time is anyones guess. What happened after Nixon, Reagan etc people moved on - this President is far and above more toxic, so that I would guess will take time, work and leadership that can conduct conversations domestically and internationally.
I keep thinking of more changes. We need a social change. We need to stop teaching children what to think and start teaching them HOW to think.
Most Trump voters I know lack critical thinking skills or are lazy media consumers.
Addressing the media is one thing but we need to teach children and adults how to look beyond the surface and ask questions .
Critical thinking needs a HUGE promotion on a social level.
The former MAGA if they don't want to learn new thinking skills I see them as basically hopeless. I am not mean to them as I see them as having a handicap of sorts.
We can't fix the past only the future based on our decisions in the present.
Agreed. Critical thinking, in my not so humble opinion, is as important as math skills, and in fact could be included in math classes, since both rely on logic and rules for how to approach problems.
If we don’t solve the problem of the perpetually-angry, far-right, greedy propaganda machine on Fox News, Trumpism will never die. Even if we accept the 30% back into our communities, they will always be tempted by the subsequent cults promoted by Fox News.
I’m still befuddled by the fact that 30% of our country perceived Trump as charismatic. To me, he always presented the vile visage of a human blobfish and inflicted us with a voice that sounded like the loudest, never-ending scraping of nails on a chalkboard. His yelled, absurd, racist, crass and offensive lies, combined with his schoolyard bullying and obvious sadism, resulted in the worst symptoms of physical repulsion that I have ever experienced. Every time he opened his mouth or spread hatred on social media, my skin crawled, my muscles roiled in disgust, and I felt nauseated. Then, add on both the admitted sexual abuse, as well as the thinly denied sexual abuse of women, and we end up with the most extremely disgusting abomination of a demon in a flesh suit, before we ever consider his narcissism, selfish grifting, and pedophilia.
I may weaken towards those who apologize for believing his non-stop lies, but I will never understand their complete and utter stupidity for falling for those lies. I will never understand their betrayal of what have always been our aspirational American values. I may try to find a way to accept these people as part of our nation, but I will never trust them. I will certainly never love them as my brethren as I did before 2015.
I’d choose to walk toward an entire sleuth of bears in the forest before I’d ever risk my safety by retreating towards former MAGA men and women on a forest path. If the reformed MAGA members raised guns to kill the sleuth of bears in a supposed effort to save me, I’d throw my body in front of the bears to keep them from becoming MAGA victims, too.
Trump’s eventual passing from whatever physical malady that FINALLY succeeds in ridding us of his malignant presence may result in millions of us ending our reliance on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. I will literally dance in the street when he expires from natural consequences, unless I am finally too old to walk, crawl or roll into the street to wiggle to the music in unbridled joy.
It becomes a bowel movement and goes The way of the Tea Party
This is what I posted on my page:
What do you think of David Packman's opinion here?
Do you think what he proposes would have worked or been right after Hitler?
I don't know how to think about this because we STILL have concentration camps here - right here - being BUILT in Texas.
When there are concentration camps is that just "harm" or something beyond harm that we can't ever say, "OK, you're my friend again" or "I'll accept you as a client" even though that person was ready and willing to have people tortured and won't fight now how people are being tortured - just a: Well, I'm still conservative but Trump ruined the economy and started a war. He lied.
Do they still want to take away women's and non-binary rights?
People knew he raped and had been convicted and talked hate. They just don't think they should pay over $4 for a gallon of gas or have their grocery prices more and their "whatever" taken away from them.
I keep coming back to, I can't help it, WE HAVE CONCENTRATION CAMPS.
What are your thoughts?
This one is difficult.
It’s so SICK!! Why does it get reported that tons of what “they “ do are illegal but?? So what I guess- without a huge monetary fine or ROADBLOCKS they just continue the illegal stuff!!! We normal people are fined or incarcerated so we STOP illegal behaviors!! They maybe get a side-eye- or more likely, kudos from their sycophants
So how do you plan on handling the MAGA people when they finally come around Carole?
A child typically needs to be taught the lessons of honesty and compassion, fair play and to follow the rules. Obviously a lot of people never learned those lessons well, or maybe they just think there are 'special people' who don't need to obey them. Perhaps they learned the lessons but always resented the restrictions it placed on them.
Then there are those who just outright break laws.
So how do you plan on handling the MAGA people when they finally come around based on these observations?
I welcome them like any teacher, when a slow student FINALLY learns a lesson. You do not beat a dog AFTER they learn the trick.
an idea, Venezuala? 🤣☮️🏳️🌈💩
While I think individual accountability is a good start what needs reform is our system. Trump found too many holes in our democracy that need to be renforced with consequences that actually have teeth.
Supreme court justices limited terms and ethical codes of conduct attached to criminal charges.
Removing the ability for one man to start a war.
Have the ability to have a vote of no confidence so we don't have to put up with an insane person for an entire term.
Getting money and billionaires out of elections.
Actual criminal charges for politicians that knowingly lie
Rank choice voting
Elimination to the electoral.
Inability for the president to fire or interfere with independent agencies like the Inspector Generals
Criminal charges for any one in public office who commits a crime.
Independent enforcement of judicial orders / contempt charges.
We have to change the system to make it more authoritarian proof because we know it will happen again.
I'm looking forward to your new book after reading your last one. Your explanations and commentary on the unholy anti democracy gaggle is first-rate. Thank you.
Personally and professionally I believe that it's going to take time and some real deep thinking what to do to never allow this to happen again. We need to listen to each other's voice and learn to respond and try to understand each other.