I am sorry about your health issues, Scott. Your points are an interesting perspective.
I would like to take a stab at this as I have been spouting at trump supporters for 5 years about our socialist democracy to try to help them understand that if they are using a gazillion systems in our society that make our lives easier, safe and he…
I am sorry about your health issues, Scott. Your points are an interesting perspective.
I would like to take a stab at this as I have been spouting at trump supporters for 5 years about our socialist democracy to try to help them understand that if they are using a gazillion systems in our society that make our lives easier, safe and healthier for all, they are benefactors of a socialist democracy. It is hardly a dirty word. Whether you are rich or poor or in-between, we all benefit from our particular socialist democracy (which includes capitalism). That may be the rub? We are a beautiful conglomeration of the the peoples of the world, Under One Government. We are also an imperfect operational conglomeration that does not fit "socialist," "communist" or purely "capitalist. This appears difficult to explain to people who use one-word simplifications, on purpose or out of ignorance, because is it easy, useful propaganda, or they have not thought through all the facts. It is possible I am totally off-base. If I am not, then it is crucial that we educate the masses using Facts, thus we must have the Fairness Doctrine back as part of righting this ship. Words and truth are critical in a democracy.
Seems to me the intentions of those who appear to control everything want to maintain a racial caste system and have no interest in their brothers' and sisters' well-being.
Anand Giraharadas, https://the.ink/p/hope has written a great article describing what I have been referring to as "the death screams of the dying patriarchy." He shifts that perspective to what we are witnessing is the mourning or grieving of our white supremacist terrorists. They are mourning their place in the world as we become a more equality-based country. That little shift in perception has helped me to suddenly feel compassion for them in their fear and grief of no longer being superior—just because the color of their skins. We are witnessing their stage of anger. This is a Bingo! moment for me. A palpable sudden shift in my view of them. My compassion for them. (Psst! I may secretly love my hate for their despicable behaviors...so I have to marinate in this new perspective for awhile).
In our Heathersherd group, we were asked to come up with the most important things we could do to enable change right now. There was discussion of being able to talk with trump supporters who do not think like us. I have tried for five years, and, until I read Anand's article last night, I could not even IMAGINE wasting my time with the "cult." To me, white supremacy, nazism, proud boys, q-anon... are all impossible to have rational conversations with, a total waste of time, and are behaving like anti-Americans anti-Constitutionalists. I still think that, but I am suddenly more open to seeing them as sad, sad people fighting and mourning imaginary threats of their way of life. Look behind who has really riled them up...BIG MONEY. That Dark Money is all about power and control. America is actually moving forward and the mourners will not be able to stop the changes a'coming. There are many more of us in colorful forces ratcheting forward and We are the Source of money via our buying power. We need to choose wisely whilst we create this new world: "We the People — ALL of us this time." This includes all those grieving white, angry people. All of us. We need to help them understand that we can all prosper....equally, if given the chance. There is nothing to be afraid of with that vision. They are living in fear anyway. Maybe, let's try something different.
Media, books, films, art are such powerful tools. I believe we MUST utilize those tools, rapidly, so our masses are educated in school and outside of school. The dark films that are so rampant might need new films that are shifts in consciousness and creativity The broadway musical, Hamilton, is a great example of consciousness raising of our people via music, dance and seeing all colors of people as prominent thinkers. I know teens who are reading Chernow's 818 page, book on Hamilton's biography after seeing the broadway show. They are excited and pumped up to learning about America! Lin Manuel Miranda is a historical genius in what he has brought forth during this second, most critical period of America's development and vision. Have I reached 818 pages in this missive, yet?
BTW - I've seen folks blocked by paywalls. I'd like to suggest to the group that your library should have lots of paywall news sources available free - just by signing up with your local library card. Mine allows me access to major magazines and newspapers. Cheers!
Oh, I just wrote a long response to you about the caste system and then it disappeared. Thanks for the article, and let's just say that I totally agree that we have a caste system here...and we all know what color is still at the top! Unfortunately, what many of us are striving for is all colors meeting together, in the middle and thriving by sharing with one another.
Penelope, after I responded to your comment I came across this article in my mail. It speaks to some of the issues I was trying to describe, but not as well as this author does.
That was interesting. I think the media/social media have a lot of responsibility for the rise of DTJ. He is a celebrity/drama queen and sucks the air out of most situations so he is good for selling papers, shocking headlines and operating his so-called "presidency" and misinformation via late-night manic tweets.
I agree-- our internet media/social media has made the world much more complex and subject to soundbites and info that does not allow for much in-depth thinking.
And then add the trolls, bots, phishing, and targeted propaganda. In many ways we are able to connect and share information around the world immediately and in other ways, it is a pox on humanity. And then there are forums like this one where people can respectfully hash out our thoughts, hear interesting viewpoints, ideas and experiences and continue to grow and learn from the host and one another.
Penelope, one of the reasons I like this forum is the thoughtful exchanges that occur. (OTOH, too many commenters begin with some HCR worship. Don't get me wrong - she's fascinating and helps us all through interpretation and provision of historical context. But that's why we're here and we don't need to bow or curtsy before posting!)
In any case, the notion of "class mourning" is an interesting take, and it makes sense if we extrapolate individual emotions to society as a whole. However, going to your point about education, we try to teach kids that you "can't always get what you want" and that we can accomplish more by working together. These are tough lessons and it seems as if they're frequently forgotten as people get older. But while I'd have patience dealing with an individual who was mourning, I have no patience for a collective that, in its death throes, pursues a scorched earth strategy rather than seeking ways to adapt to new circumstances.
I think you're right - education about history and social models and community dynamics is critical, but my sense is that a larger issue is how 24/7 technology has backfired. The internet's promise of global interconnectedness has created an almost Pavlovian need for new information AND for validation of one's ideas. This reduces patience and lends itself to simplification or shorthand representations of complex ideas.
Who wants to go through a point by point comparison between capitalism, socialism, and communism when they can just say "socialism is bad?" Who wants to think about how elements of social models may cross over into other models? So technology and social media platforms enable you to connect with almost anybody as well as only with those who think like you do. 24/7 access also forces media sources to try come up with something new every hour. In practical terms that message saying the same thing in different ways or to add opinion or speculation in order to offer a "twist" that differentiates one source from another.
So you're not off base when you say "it appears difficult to explain to people who use one-word simplifications, on purpose or out of ignorance, because is it easy, useful propaganda, or they have not thought through all the facts." it's just like the entire GOP picking up the term "radical leftist agenda" of the Democrats. Even Bernie Sanders is not a radical leftist. I personally think Elizabeth Warren was the smartest candidate out there, I'm part because she not only spoke about topics but she documented them and she developed plans to show hoped she'd propose implementing those plans. Just because every industrialized nation has some form of universal health care doesn't mean it's wrong or radical, though that's what the GOP would have you believe.
Long story short (too late, I know), but yes, we must help educate people about "facts" but we cannot afford to slow our efforts to undo the damage that Trump has wrought and to address the critical issues of the pandemic and the economy and political polarization and becoming re-engaged with the world at large. We're not moving backwards to accommodate the feelings of one group that doesn't want to play ball.
Sorry for the rant, but thanks for your great reply.
Hi Scott, I just want to reply to your response to my response and then I will look at the link you just sent. I totally do not agree or condone in any way with the scorched earth policy behaviors of these dying patriarchal thugs. I can have compassion for the reason they are upset. Every single person who has committed sedition needs to pay the consequences. Grief is not a get out of jail free card. As I stated somewhere else today: Sedition. Felony. Twenty years.
I may be compassionate, but I do have strong boundaries and high expectations for human behaviors that go beyond the pale. I feel the same about T**p and all his cronies. None of them are above the law. Sedition is sedition, and attempting to overthrow our election is simply sedition. They should be charged accordingly.
(Additionally, every one of them owes our country reparations).
I am sorry about your health issues, Scott. Your points are an interesting perspective.
I would like to take a stab at this as I have been spouting at trump supporters for 5 years about our socialist democracy to try to help them understand that if they are using a gazillion systems in our society that make our lives easier, safe and healthier for all, they are benefactors of a socialist democracy. It is hardly a dirty word. Whether you are rich or poor or in-between, we all benefit from our particular socialist democracy (which includes capitalism). That may be the rub? We are a beautiful conglomeration of the the peoples of the world, Under One Government. We are also an imperfect operational conglomeration that does not fit "socialist," "communist" or purely "capitalist. This appears difficult to explain to people who use one-word simplifications, on purpose or out of ignorance, because is it easy, useful propaganda, or they have not thought through all the facts. It is possible I am totally off-base. If I am not, then it is crucial that we educate the masses using Facts, thus we must have the Fairness Doctrine back as part of righting this ship. Words and truth are critical in a democracy.
Seems to me the intentions of those who appear to control everything want to maintain a racial caste system and have no interest in their brothers' and sisters' well-being.
Anand Giraharadas, https://the.ink/p/hope has written a great article describing what I have been referring to as "the death screams of the dying patriarchy." He shifts that perspective to what we are witnessing is the mourning or grieving of our white supremacist terrorists. They are mourning their place in the world as we become a more equality-based country. That little shift in perception has helped me to suddenly feel compassion for them in their fear and grief of no longer being superior—just because the color of their skins. We are witnessing their stage of anger. This is a Bingo! moment for me. A palpable sudden shift in my view of them. My compassion for them. (Psst! I may secretly love my hate for their despicable behaviors...so I have to marinate in this new perspective for awhile).
In our Heathersherd group, we were asked to come up with the most important things we could do to enable change right now. There was discussion of being able to talk with trump supporters who do not think like us. I have tried for five years, and, until I read Anand's article last night, I could not even IMAGINE wasting my time with the "cult." To me, white supremacy, nazism, proud boys, q-anon... are all impossible to have rational conversations with, a total waste of time, and are behaving like anti-Americans anti-Constitutionalists. I still think that, but I am suddenly more open to seeing them as sad, sad people fighting and mourning imaginary threats of their way of life. Look behind who has really riled them up...BIG MONEY. That Dark Money is all about power and control. America is actually moving forward and the mourners will not be able to stop the changes a'coming. There are many more of us in colorful forces ratcheting forward and We are the Source of money via our buying power. We need to choose wisely whilst we create this new world: "We the People — ALL of us this time." This includes all those grieving white, angry people. All of us. We need to help them understand that we can all prosper....equally, if given the chance. There is nothing to be afraid of with that vision. They are living in fear anyway. Maybe, let's try something different.
Media, books, films, art are such powerful tools. I believe we MUST utilize those tools, rapidly, so our masses are educated in school and outside of school. The dark films that are so rampant might need new films that are shifts in consciousness and creativity The broadway musical, Hamilton, is a great example of consciousness raising of our people via music, dance and seeing all colors of people as prominent thinkers. I know teens who are reading Chernow's 818 page, book on Hamilton's biography after seeing the broadway show. They are excited and pumped up to learning about America! Lin Manuel Miranda is a historical genius in what he has brought forth during this second, most critical period of America's development and vision. Have I reached 818 pages in this missive, yet?
I appreciate your comments as I do all those in this forum. Funny how timing comes into a person's life. This morning I read an article in the Chicago Tribune opinion section. It's an exploration of the American social system that looks a lot like a caste. Here is the link: https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/dahleen-glanton/ct-glanton-capitol-insurrection-caste-20210111-qfdy3hy3rbeapdm77wmoyc5pmq-story.html
BTW - I've seen folks blocked by paywalls. I'd like to suggest to the group that your library should have lots of paywall news sources available free - just by signing up with your local library card. Mine allows me access to major magazines and newspapers. Cheers!
Oh, I just wrote a long response to you about the caste system and then it disappeared. Thanks for the article, and let's just say that I totally agree that we have a caste system here...and we all know what color is still at the top! Unfortunately, what many of us are striving for is all colors meeting together, in the middle and thriving by sharing with one another.
Penelope, after I responded to your comment I came across this article in my mail. It speaks to some of the issues I was trying to describe, but not as well as this author does.
The Importance of Twitter’s Trump Ban
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-importance-and-incoherence-of-twitters-trump-ban
That was interesting. I think the media/social media have a lot of responsibility for the rise of DTJ. He is a celebrity/drama queen and sucks the air out of most situations so he is good for selling papers, shocking headlines and operating his so-called "presidency" and misinformation via late-night manic tweets.
I agree-- our internet media/social media has made the world much more complex and subject to soundbites and info that does not allow for much in-depth thinking.
And then add the trolls, bots, phishing, and targeted propaganda. In many ways we are able to connect and share information around the world immediately and in other ways, it is a pox on humanity. And then there are forums like this one where people can respectfully hash out our thoughts, hear interesting viewpoints, ideas and experiences and continue to grow and learn from the host and one another.
Penelope, one of the reasons I like this forum is the thoughtful exchanges that occur. (OTOH, too many commenters begin with some HCR worship. Don't get me wrong - she's fascinating and helps us all through interpretation and provision of historical context. But that's why we're here and we don't need to bow or curtsy before posting!)
In any case, the notion of "class mourning" is an interesting take, and it makes sense if we extrapolate individual emotions to society as a whole. However, going to your point about education, we try to teach kids that you "can't always get what you want" and that we can accomplish more by working together. These are tough lessons and it seems as if they're frequently forgotten as people get older. But while I'd have patience dealing with an individual who was mourning, I have no patience for a collective that, in its death throes, pursues a scorched earth strategy rather than seeking ways to adapt to new circumstances.
I think you're right - education about history and social models and community dynamics is critical, but my sense is that a larger issue is how 24/7 technology has backfired. The internet's promise of global interconnectedness has created an almost Pavlovian need for new information AND for validation of one's ideas. This reduces patience and lends itself to simplification or shorthand representations of complex ideas.
Who wants to go through a point by point comparison between capitalism, socialism, and communism when they can just say "socialism is bad?" Who wants to think about how elements of social models may cross over into other models? So technology and social media platforms enable you to connect with almost anybody as well as only with those who think like you do. 24/7 access also forces media sources to try come up with something new every hour. In practical terms that message saying the same thing in different ways or to add opinion or speculation in order to offer a "twist" that differentiates one source from another.
So you're not off base when you say "it appears difficult to explain to people who use one-word simplifications, on purpose or out of ignorance, because is it easy, useful propaganda, or they have not thought through all the facts." it's just like the entire GOP picking up the term "radical leftist agenda" of the Democrats. Even Bernie Sanders is not a radical leftist. I personally think Elizabeth Warren was the smartest candidate out there, I'm part because she not only spoke about topics but she documented them and she developed plans to show hoped she'd propose implementing those plans. Just because every industrialized nation has some form of universal health care doesn't mean it's wrong or radical, though that's what the GOP would have you believe.
Long story short (too late, I know), but yes, we must help educate people about "facts" but we cannot afford to slow our efforts to undo the damage that Trump has wrought and to address the critical issues of the pandemic and the economy and political polarization and becoming re-engaged with the world at large. We're not moving backwards to accommodate the feelings of one group that doesn't want to play ball.
Sorry for the rant, but thanks for your great reply.
Hi Scott, I just want to reply to your response to my response and then I will look at the link you just sent. I totally do not agree or condone in any way with the scorched earth policy behaviors of these dying patriarchal thugs. I can have compassion for the reason they are upset. Every single person who has committed sedition needs to pay the consequences. Grief is not a get out of jail free card. As I stated somewhere else today: Sedition. Felony. Twenty years.
I may be compassionate, but I do have strong boundaries and high expectations for human behaviors that go beyond the pale. I feel the same about T**p and all his cronies. None of them are above the law. Sedition is sedition, and attempting to overthrow our election is simply sedition. They should be charged accordingly.
(Additionally, every one of them owes our country reparations).
373. Keep going. "We the People - All of Us This Time'!