This is America!
In a recent
discussion on reparations, a Jesus-loving Christian posted the following:
“Our
Constitution provides for reimbursement when people’s property is taken. The republic took
property (freed slaves) at the point of a rifle. They were never compensated.
If any reparations are due, it’s
to those who were dispossessed of their property.”
Stop for a
moment and think about this statement. There was no pushback, no disagreement.
Perhaps people simply didn’t
want to alienate a friend or criticize his or her views.
But this is how
racism continues to reside and fester in the United States.
I’ve
asked my conservative friends many times to name specific viewpoints or actions
from conservative or MAGA supporters that they would consider “extreme.”
To date, I’ve
never received a response.
Not to
statements like the one above. Not to cartoons depicting President Obama
tending watermelon gardens at the White House. Not to caricatures portraying a
former president and first lady as apes.
Apparently,
none of these rise to the level of “extreme” for many on the right or
among MAGA supporters. There seems to be either an inability or an
unwillingness to critically address the proverbial bad apples within their own
circles.
I’ve
seen this before.
Today, many on
the right are critical of former President George W. Bush for U.S. involvement
in the Iraq War. But at the time, voicing criticism of that war often resulted
in being labeled un-American. Just look at what happened to the Dixie Chicks.
Sound familiar?
I even had
friends who were privately critical of the war explain their reluctance to
speak publicly, saying they didn’t
want to give the “left” fodder to criticize the
president. I’ve
heard similar sentiments more recently in relation to President Trump.
Progressives
and other Democrats, by contrast, have often been willing to publicly criticize
their own leaders. Many Democrats spoke out against President Clinton during
the Lewinsky scandal. Others questioned President Obama’s focus on the Affordable Care Act
during his first term. Still others criticized the Afghanistan withdrawal and
the handling of border issues during President Biden’s administration.
For some
reason, the GOP, its MAGA base, and many conservatives seem reluctant to call
out extremism, racism, Nazi support and more within their own ranks. Unless and
until this group steps up and does so, it is hard to imagine America being able
to move forward anytime soon.
34 comments:
Sheeple always follow the biggest Ram in the barnyard. For them belonging to, and following the tribe leader, is one of their primary identities.
It matters not to them wether the Ram's views, actions, and policies are right or just in truth. They must obey the demands of their Ram to be in the tribe. For being in the tribe is their identity and it gives them a feeling of power as well as belonging.
Most, at least the intelligent ones, face a sense of cognitive disconnect. Their intelligence tells them they should leave the barnyard but their need to identity with the Ram and its tribe overpowers what they know to be right, just, and true.
The Ram Hitler and the Ram Trump both had the ability to create fear over made up circumstances and dangers that were non existent. And both were able to bamboozled their nation and gain control and power.
So here we are. With the biggest Ram in the barnyard Creating growing problems both domestically and internationally. Problems that will takes years if not decades to correct. Assuming the nation wakes up and cleans uo the barnyard after the Orange Ram is gone.
There is hope. The privileged white tribe of MAGA is fracturing as the Epstein Files and the unjustified, immoral, and illegal war on Iran continues to wear on. Creating increasing economic hardships fir many at home.
I know I'll be at the upcoming No Kings Protests in my town on March 28th. Celebrating our constitutional right to oppose the madness and insanity the Orange Ram.
History and Psychology 101.
Authoritarian followers never question their authoritarian leaders.
Those few praying 'Christians' over there find defending against facts and logic
need heed "And immediately there fell from his eyes as had been scales, and he received the spirit forthwith" Acts 9:18, stop hating and re-read the Beatitudes. Condolences to Shaw in her grief, she is missed!
How many white so-called progressives called out Al Sharpton during the Tawana Brawley affair? How many were willing to speak up against the "Hands up, Don't Shoot" THUG Michael Brown? George Floyd as an arrest resister? Not a one. Hypocrisy isn't a one way street. In fact, the Left INVENTED it!
Yes, follow the BLUE ram, Les!
Joe,
Speaking of white people who delight in cops killing black guys...
When will you call out Trump's LIE about the 2020 election being "rigged" by "massive voter fraud"/
When will you call out Trump for PRAISING and PARDONING his thugs for beating cops bloody trying overturn an election he LIED about?
When will you show us evidence of massive voter fraud or of more votes for Trump than for Biden?
When will you show us the evidence of an "imminent attack" from Iran?
When will you show us the evidence of Iran being "a week or two from having a nuclear weapon"?
I can do this all day.
You're the hypocritical one con man Joe. We know you're conditioned to waddle obediently behind your belived authoritarian Fuhrer trump. So we'll let's ya continue to waddle.
I would have more respect for you if you just came out and said straight up that you support authoritarian rule and racism. Cause at least that would be honest.
How many "white conservatives" Joe? I bet I can find a fair number. But what's your point? Sure, there are hypocrites on the left. And I've given examples where ppl on the left have called them out.
But here's the difference and it's one you cannot dispute.
Leaders of both parties maintained discipline and called their members out for stupid s*^t for years. The Dems still do. Witness Al Franken. He was essentially blackballed by the Dems for a bad joke.
But the only thing the MAGA crowd calls out is lack of fealty to Trump. That's the only thing that seems to get someone blackballed in the current GOP.
Not Naziism, not outright racism, not making fun of ppl with disabilities, not serial immorality. Nothing.
When the GOP was a semi respectable party, they used to call out all of these behaviors. We're they wrong to do so? Or was it just a political calculation. I believe the latter.
You and -FJ, whether you are one in the same person I don't know, don't care. I get it. But for many, whose votes are still up for grab, this stuff is important.
At least IMHO...
This seems to be an over the top generalization tat is totally lopsided. Most people don't criticize their own actions but are quick to point out others. I call obama barry and biden beachchair joe, horrible. When others call trump the orange turn or fuhrer trump it is fine.
Neither party represents the American people. One side supports an unprovoked military action while the other punishes millions so illegals get free access to our system.
Les,
-FJ/JC has been essentially admitting all along that he is an authoritarian racist. His comments at MAGA blogs don't even pretend otherwise.
I don't pretend that the Right isn't hypocritical... and therein lies ALL the difference.
The race-essentialism Nick Fuentes Alt-Right is merely a mirror-image reflection of the Left. Race-race-race. Everything is race. White-progressives merely "excuse" the racists in their coalition with their "no racial crticism of non-whites allowed" hypocrisy.
If the New Left followed Universal principles, they wouldn't be so exposed today. But they built their whole ideology since the 1960's "freedom riders" around race essentialism.
I respect "order" over "chaos". Whether that comes "internally" or, if need be, "externally". Meden agan!
Joe's link that he posted in defense of his point offers a clue... here's one line in it:
"In other words, while debating a political enemy..."
This statement perfectly encapsulates the problem. Americans with whom we disagree politically are not enemies. They are our fellow citizens, fellow Americans.
It was Newt Gingrich, a GOP conservative from Georgia who first encouraged his political party to see political opponents not as fellow citizens, but enemies. Evil enemies.
Prior to that, as some have observed, a guy like Tip O'Neill could sit with a Reagan, who both disagreed with vehemently, for a drink and maybe a cigar.
Now they can't because sitting with the enemy is the unforgivable political sin.
Our unwillingness to not call out terrible behaviors within our own ranks, and the desire to see our opponents as enemies are killing us.
Come on Joe... is there anything posted here with which you can agree? Ever? Or is everything ever posted here wrong, or part of the problem?
Politics is kayfabe ALL THE WAY DOWN!
But you support a chaotic, undisciplined, bully with severe narcissist personality disorder -fj, so I call bulls**t on your statement.
The GOP has been long tarnished with the likes of Nixon, 'Newt and Lee Atwater. The latter was found to have terminal brain cancer, did a bit of self
reflection and noted "My illness helped me to see that what was missing in society is what was missing in me: a little heart, a lot of brotherhood." and apologized for his 'terrible cruelty' in managing campaigns and espousing
what he knew were lies about opponents.
Now, if -FJ-prefers order over chaos,
most humans and many animals do as well. More and more chaos is being mentioned along with Trump , his administration and the mess of his
Greatest Defensive War ever.
It was true for most of our history that the opposition party was NOT the enemy. But that is no longer the case with the Trumpublican party. The "leadership", donald j. trump, sees ALl who disagree with his views, policies, and rampant criminality as THE ENEMY and proceeds from that position, supported by his sycophants in congress and in his administration, Dave.
-fj has no problem with any of that. Like all authoritarian bullies he in fact supports it all. As do the rest of the cult of MAGA. These people want a dictator to lead them around by the proverbial ring they have willing placed through their noses.
The problem is trump and his brand of authoritarian governance and his rampant criminality. Criminality that the corrupt conservative court is responsible for allowing with the blanket immunity bestowed on trump by the grace of their judicial ignorance.
This country is done. Kaput. Ben Franklin was right when he said, a republic ma'am, if you can keep it.
donald j. trump, the republican party, and the corrupted scotus have proven that we can't keep it. And, it is the fault of the Anerican electorate who gave up its ability to do so.
Joe, I don't believe that. Yes, everyone wants to see their views advanced, that's fine. But I choose to not believe it's all a bunch of scripted nonsense.
Skud posted... " Most people don't criticize their own actions but are quick to point out others.
That's a huge DUH comment. No, as a matter of fact, most people are not critical of themselves.
That's why we need others to point out the flaws we are unable to see in ourselves.
What the poster I cited wrote was such utter buls*#t, everyone on the site should have called it out immediately. But none did. Not one. Not two. None.
Why? Because is not's racist or racially insensitive? It's all of the above.
Calling out people and as some say "setting them straight" is one of the actions of a community. And in this case, certainly a community of believers in Christ.
If she said what she wrote, to her pastor, I bet he'd have said something. But her friends? Not a word. Why?
This isn't Orange Turd, MAGAt, Swell Guy, Sleepy Joe level stuff. This is the racist original sin at the heart and soul of the founding and growth of the US.
Would folks there allow racist antisemitic Jewish tropes? Of course not. Why racist tropes towards black people and not Jews?
There was no push back because they're all racist. And not even trying to be better.
No, I don't agree with deranged Trump hating,. Sorry to disappoint. Do you agree with Trump on ANYTHING? Didn't think so...
Every Institution, academic, political, governmental, has gatekeepers and does ideological gate-keeping. Newt Gingrich didn't "invent" it. Us vs. Them has been around since before cavemen gathered around a campfire. But the Left has now perfected the "cancellation" of dissenters. It's a total "purity test" that has given the Right some it's very best and most recent spokesmen (Greg Greenwald, Aaron Mate, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK, jr.)... so please keep pretending that YOUR side is the tolerant self-critical one.
And I criticize my own team ALL THE TIME.
We ALL privately criticize internal factions of our own political parties all the time. But Reagan's 11th Commandment applies in public (most of the time).
I visit this site more times every day than I care to admit. It's not an urge for Shaw to return but a nose touch, a sending of loves and hoping the knowledge I stopped by somehow brings lightness to that moment.
When I checked in today imagine my surprise at how the guest post by Dave Miller blew up while I was away doing other things. Of course our usual trolls gave me a laugh - DARVO all the way, as predictable as Trump answering "I don't know about that" after claiming for years that no one knows more about everything than themselves, Donald Jessica Trump.
Concerning the conversation about calling those on the other side an enemy. I'm of two minds on this. First I prefer to use the term opponent. It denotes respect, a recognition that they have the same rights as myself. For me this ethos is left over from Toastmasters and debate class. That said, my other side is quite clear as I've read Sun Tzu. An enemy is to be defeated, preferably by methods other than direct conflict. His greatest lesson to me was learning the arts of cunning and manipulation ensuring my enemy defeats itself as the war won without firing shots is the best way to win a war. Based on how a person treats me is how I address them. In a world of gray, in this I'm surprisingly binary (black/white).
Back to addressing points in the comment section: Of course the patriarchal many named troll who always agrees with themselves believes politics is just for show. Their rights have never been up for debate on the legislative floor. Our founding documents made clear humans are endowed with specific rights but somehow between their idealist goals and the implementation of those goals our current state is all citizens are equal but some are more equal that others.
When I read Animal Farm as a child I did not understand the importance it would take in translating current events.
Because I needed the change in perspective I went back to the younger generations' posts on Instagram. Ouch, my ego! It's not for the feint of heart as they pull no punches in calling out the responsible parties of our here/now. Their honesty allows me to look at the world clearly with sacred eyes rather than as MAGA who are bamboozled by a false religion comprised of politics and faith. I've stated before evil never serves it's own purpose and MAGA attacking itself over Trump loyalty purity tests is the best example I've ever witnessed.
I must let y'all know things are going to get worse. You know that right?
Violence here in the states will ensue. How do I know? Oh, I wish I didn't to be honest but these things have a predictable pattern and trajectory. Humans coming to terms with everything they've believed and been told to believe turning out to be nothing but lies is not a peaceful process. Add to that the fact that authoritarians have to amp up the cruelty because their drug of choice never feels the same as their first time. And still ICE is building more and more detention centers. If all the immigrants are gone, as evidenced by the number of deportations and lack of workers in immigrant heavy industries, who will fill those for profit buildings? (I know because I read the script thoughtfully provided by the Heritage Foundation - just asking to see if y'all know too).
In these times of danger all we have is each other. I hope you find your communities and hunker down. As I'm learning, not every lesson is for you. Others must learn what many of us already know so while I'm waiting I'm painting, getting healthy (somewhat), and learning how to write a book. For me it's the gentle lights that make the difference.
I hope you guys start impeachment hearings come November. You totally dropped the ball with the last election and had the perfect opportunity to keep the presidency but your choice was worse than terrible.
To take a page from people on this site, the orange turn and fuhrer trump, is way out of control. Yes there will still be people who support because of what he has accomplished for middle Americans but his declaring war without provocation and his total insult on a former FBI director is going too far. He has no respect for anything and he is an embarrassment to the US.
skud but your choice was worse than terrible ...
Yeah, yeah, yeah skud. And the one you voted for is SO much better.
This country is being turned into a rightwing authoritarian sh**hole by your moron presnit, Project 2025, and the useless rubber stamp republican cult.
So , when those detention centers that are being constructed for alleged undocumented migrants start being used to imprison trump's and the Christian Nationalists political opposition enemies in your view this country will in fact be no better than Putin's Russia or the Ayatollah's Iran in the way their political opponents enemies are treated.
The authoritarian rightwing Christian Nationalists will be gleefully happy. And you skud will be right there with -fj, Joe con, the mother ship, and all the rest of MAGA celebrating.
And -fj, your full of s**t once again. BTW, trump did 2 good things. I'll let you guess what they are.
Meden agan. Too much order is authoritarian/ totalitarian schlop... the kind served up by the CIA Orange-Revolutionizing European/ American democracies to install woke bureaucracies whose resources can be taken over by American corporations and George Soros types. Sh*t the neocons even tried it on the Middle East and now have their eyes on Iran.
This is how the tolerant Left deals with its' dissenters. You can't speak "truth to power" when the power is a deranged purity-testing cabal of guilt-pride groupies.
Well Skud... I don't think Biden was anyone's number one Dem choice among us here and, unlike our GOP buddies, most of us said so in real time. But even the man "sleepy joe" as you call him, with a competent staff and VP would have been better than Trump.
Our economy was growing, unemployment was down, immigration was finally coming under control albeit not at Trump levels, and our reputation abroad was once again improving.
Those are all verifiable facts. But you're right, if the Dems had nominated a guy who was more awake, maybe we would have won.
But your snark and disgust is misplaced. It should be aimed at those who voted for Trump. They are the ones who enabled what is happening, who put in place a man so devoid of decency, he can't even shut up when a genuine US war hero dies.
Trump's election is not because the Dem ran Joe Biden and the Kamala Harris. It's because the racists, like the one I highlighted above, and their friends wanted Trump, believed the lies, and wanted to see undocumented immigrants punished and deported.
Your constant harping on us and the Dems for Trump being president misses the fact that it is up to the parties to police their nominees. The Dems, though late, did what they could. The GOP not so much.
And it continues to this day.
-FJ linked to his Tea Leaves blog where he posted a couple of videos of the current media sensations within MAGA world, one from White Supremacist Tucker Carlson and one the Young Turks. Both Carlson and the Young Turks brigade have at times been both supportive and contrary to Trump and MAGA.
In the Young Turks video, the YTs call out MAGA and Trump supporting Nazi Nick Fuentes. In the Carlson video, the CIA is admonished for spying on Americans, a practice against US law.
But here's the, okay, a few problems with this mea culpa.
Nowhere does -FJ offer any commentary, his support for any non Trump views, says he too views Fuentes as the scumbag he is. Nothing.
And that's the point of this post.
When those in your midst say stupid s*#t, those of you who are sane need to step up. For the good of society, the good of America.
A few years back Tony Snow, former FOX News commentator died from cancer at a young age. Many on the left were gleeful. Stupidly gleeful. Even Huff Post had to slow comments so moderators could keep up with the level of vitriol being posted.
That's a fact.
Conservatives were rightly aghast that people would speak so ill of the dead. Recently JD Vance, in a never speak ill of the dead moment, posted that anyone speaking ill of Charlie Kirk should lose his job.
Yet people like -FJ, Vance and the MAGA crowd are at best silent and at worst, cheering on the president for saying "Good, I'm glad he's dead" after Robert Mueller's death.
Why is Vance not calling for Trump to lose his job for such words about a genuine US war hero? Why isn't -FJ critical of the Prez on this?
Just a few years ago such talk from our political leaders would have been out of bounds, beyond the pale. But now, because of silent assent from the -FJ's of the world, it's mainstream and okay.
Sorry -FJ, you are not critical of Trump "all the time". you may believe that to be so, but you are deluded, at least on this point.
-FJ, you stated and asked... "No, I don't agree with deranged Trump hating,. Sorry to disappoint. Do you agree with Trump on ANYTHING? Didn't think so..."
How tiring.
There are in fact things Trump supports that I do too. Here's a short list of some of those, many I have posted here and elsewhere over the years.
Immigration. I've said Trump did a good job closing and getting control of the border. And that mostly the Dems have no clue how to deal with immigration and satisfy their base.
North Korea. During Trump's first term I was supportive of his approach to NK. No president had been able to make headway with them before, so why continue the same ineffective policies. It did not work out, but at least he tried something different.
Less Regulation. I am generally in favor of this, as a concept. Trump has started the ball rolling but on some things he has gone too far. But he has started something here that if managed well, could be really good for America. As Ezra Klein has stated within the Abundance Movement, we can't build anything now because of excess regulations.
Iran. Few ppl in the world are upset that the US killed the leader of Iran. I agree with the Trump Admin analysis that something had to be done to contain and control the Iranian regime. But I have been utterly amazed at the seeming lack of planning and support building for war by a US President.
Historic Support of the HBCUs. No other president has supported the HBCUs as Trump has. None. And all of them had a chance to do it. Good on him.
So yes, despite your uninformed snark, there are things he has done with which I agree.
Now, fair is fair and there is plenty from Trump I cannot stand. But because I am an "elections have consequences" guy, my issue is more with process. I don't think the Iran War/incursion/etc., has been well planned and has hurt the president.
I think the push by ICE to arrest decent people, here illegally yes, but who have committed no other crimes, has been a massive mistake.
I think the cancelling of US work in EV and alternative energy sources has ceded leadership in this field to the Chinese, at our peril.
I think the lessening of environmental and MPG numbers for cars and truck has been a disaster for the US.
And I could go on. But most of all, I don't think Trump has a soul. His refusal to remove his cap at solemn transfer ceremonies, his mocking of disabled ppl, his derision of US war heroes like John McCain and Robert Mueller and more, alongside his over the top narcissism and his constant braggadocio and mendacity are symptoms of a deep psychological problem.
All of that makes me concerned for our country.
Sadly, few in the MAGA world, you included I assume, share my worry.
Well Dave, I'm NOT critical of Trump's Mueller post. Mueller, in a just world, would long ago been dragged out of his home, put up against a wall, and shot for treason. And until the Deep State gang that couldn't shoot straight (Comey, Brennan, et al) are tried and locked away for crimes against the US Constitution, I'll never trust a governmental official again.
Want to know the real reason they hate Trump? He's onto their scam and replacing them. Trump rules DIRECTLY instead of indirectly. Personally, I prefer the honesty.
Nick Fuentes is merely a white version of Don Lemon, a race-essentialist on a mission. Until you understand THAT, you'll continue to suffer from the white guilt-pride that afflicts 99.9% of white Democrats who do not recognize their own racie essentialist policies.
I happen to agree with Trump On Mueller. They should cut off his head and put in on a spike outside the J. Edgar Hoover Building until crows pick the skull clean as a reminder to what happens to partisan bureaucrats who abuse the US Constitution. I can think of hundreds more heads to place next to it and who have never come to Justice (Comey, Brennan, et al).
And Nick Fuentes is merely a white Don Lemon. There's no difference between their views but the race hated.
And I was critical about Trump over his Iran policy and subsequent resignation, questioning whether or not Trump was still MAGA. IMO, he's no longer an "America 1ster".
Again, you're as deluded as your disgusting trump, -fj.
Dave, delusion is a hallmark of the trump supporting MAGAs. -fj is but a mime for the ignorant and very dangerous trump.
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