GW Hayduke

It is rather obvious that is what is going on here. Do you have source to the contrary? https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004340386/biden-doj-plans-to-continue-to-defend-trump-in-e-jean-carrolls-defamation-lawsui

One perceived downfall of putting Biden in office is that his team takes governing seriously and instead of playing politics, they follow regs, established guidance and procedures, and precedent. I’m assuming that is what the DOJ is doing here. I’m assuming there is established procedure on determining when an action by POTUS should be considered an action by a government employee and thus when it shouldn’t be defended by the government. We want our agencies to follow procedures rather than politics. I get is feels shitty. I get it is something to be embarrassed and ashamed about. I’m embarrassed that our gov attorneys are wasting tax money on this. If we don’t want to be embarrassed by this kind of stuff, we shouldn’t elect an utter clown to office.

I’m more interested in your background. How would you describe your underlying education and experience in dealing with information? Where do you get most of your current information? I see you’ve shared some daily caller and another conspiracy site. You may have been the person that linked a video of Tucker Carlson. Do you get a lot of information from youtube? Twitter? Facebook?

BabaYaga. What's your story? It seems possible you've been taken for a ride down the rabbit hole. Do you care to open up and tell us about yourself? FYI: The times published a great podcast about how folks get into the rabbit hole of misinformation. There was an good segment about a guy that was pushed into it by youtube's algorithms. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rabbit-hole/id1507423923

Bullshit. “Sticks and stones” was taught to school age children. Gramps didn’t need a safe space. Gramps didn’t whine about name calling. Gramps wouldn’t have allowed himself to adopt the victimhood mentality that Trump sold to too many weak minded pussies. There are people on here literally complaining about name calling and folks defending them. I feel ashamed by this.

Not only are you a victim of name calling on a message board, but you are also a victim in the real world!!!! Yes. We get it. You feel like a victim. That is the problem. Stop being a gaping pussy.

My gramps sure as shit wouldn't be whining about being called a name on a message board. It is ok to be a gaping victim and whine about name calling on a message board because the other side thinks about ways to address wealth inequality? What is wrong with you?

Holy fucking shit. My grandpa served during WWII and was a top notch man's man. Dude built his house with his own hands. He passed what he knew down to his grandkids. He was a true reflection of one of our greatest generations. I am so fucking glad he is no longer around to see how "conservative" Americans have turned into such gaping pussies. You are concerned about being called names? You are concerned about being misunderstood? Are you fucking for real? Please tell me you are being sarcastic and just trolling. Please! And people are upvoting your weakass shit. What the fuck is wrong with you people? Seriously. Where did all of this victimhood come from? Do you ever look in the mirror and think to yourself, "Oh my god! I am giant pussy!" Have you ever pondered on why you turned out this way? Was it the way you were raised? Did mommy tell you that you were always right? Is it the cable news show you watch nightly? Maybe the social media you consume? Whatever happened, please share so we can dissect and understand so that our children don't turn into giant gaping pussies.

If he ends up running for governor, does he have to show his birth certificate?

Ok. Thanks for providing. The accusation against fauci is that he lied to congress by saying he didn’t know the origin when he actually did know. The source you provided indicates scientist said the virus looked potentially engendered, but then a few months later published a paper saying the virus was not engineered. That interesting stuff but isn’t evidence he lied, from my understanding.

Your claim was that Fauci stated to congress that he didn’t know the origin but that the emails prove he did know and that he was lying. At least, that was what it seemed you were claiming. I didn’t see that claim supported by the NY post article. Can you point where? Did it link the subject email, but I missed it?

This is the second time I’ve asked for sources about various accusations. Both times the response is hand wave. You conspiracy theory guys suck at conspiracy theories.

Do you have a source for this?

It is possible you've cracked this thing wide open. I'm thinking of the Pelican Brief. It would be in your interest to lay low for a while. Paste this isn't a word document on a secure laptop. Then add sources. Get back to us if they haven't gotten you by then.

Wow man. At first glance, this looks crazy as shit. Are all of these facts readily known by people here? Do you have any sources? Where were you first exposed to these ideas and this narrative? I'm not saying this isn't true, but feels a bit batshit without context or support.

I see that Fox News headlines are indicating some in the GOP are calling for Fauci's firing. I see a lot of the folks in here fired up that something scandalous has happened. I appreciate folks including images of emails. I read this thread and didn't see anything. What am I missing? This feels similar to all the DNC and hillary email drops that were perceived as negative for Hillary and Dems.

I agree with the idea that some brains are broken in that they have developed cravings for dopamine, which keep them looking for libtard ownage within their restricted information bubble. Deprogramming is the correct term to use. I don't think it is hopeless but I do think hard action is required to stop the expansion of propaganda and then to reverse it. It would require protecting people from being susceptible to propaganda, destroying the tools and systems used by propagandists - driving them into the shadows, and getting people to expand their information bubbles.

I don't think anyone should consider killing 74 million trump voters. However, I think we should seriously consider the complete and utter annihilation of the tools, systems, and funding mechanisms that promote propaganda within the US.

Of course. That narrative fits for them. It doesn't make it true though. Just because one thinks both sides are the same, doesn't mean that both sides are in fact the same. Propaganda exists to some degree everywhere, everyone is susceptible in some degree to propaganda, and everyone is to some degree in an information bubble; however, only one side is substantially captured in an alternative reality flooded with conspiracy theories and magical thinking. Only one side believes in the Big Lie. Only one side (28%) believes government is controlled by a cabal of pedophile cannibals. Only one side is overly acceptable to doublethink - the Jan 6th insurrections were antifa and also just tourists, voter fraud was rampant and overturned elections but the GOP's statewide successes were legitimate.

The question seems to be: why has a substantial percent of the US population been captured by misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, conspiracy theories, and magical thinking? IMO the answer includes the below three elements. - People susceptible to propaganda: Segments of our population were educated before social media and the internet and do not have a grounded understanding of how to digest and process information put in front of them. There is also the low educated who weren't able to pick up the needed critical thinking skills and media skills. They do not understand the methods of weaponized propaganda. They do not understand they are in an information bubble. - Weaponized propaganda: The GOP and right wing powers are well funded. They have the ability to craft narratives and push those narratives with a high degree of effect. Their narratives are pushed by right wing leaders and echoed throughout the information landscape, including talk radio, cable news, twitter, facebook, youtube, podcasts, reddit, and religious groups. These narratives use fear-based identity politics (immigration, race, socialism) and wedge issues (abortion, guns) to tap into people's genetic predisposition towards tribalism. Algorithms, social media, and personalized advertising amplify this effect. Think Cambridge Analytica. Troll farms pushing these narratives through social media have been a thing for years. Foreign actors also play a role in funding and pushing these narratives. The "vast right-wing conspiracy" directed at the Clintons is an early elementary example of this. - Information bubbles: People allow themselves to only be exposed to information that supports their preexisting ideas. People experience positive brain chemistry when presented things supporting their beliefs. It is hard and uncomfortable to be challenged; thus, it is easier to avoid counter information than it is to consume and critically consider. Information sources link each other giving the false impression that ideas are widely supported or accurate. Certain search algorithms exist (youtube) that push people deeper into rabbit holes. A succinct answer is probably something like the right uses weaponized propaganda to control people susceptible to propaganda and place them within media bubbles that then result in large populations being within alternative realities.

Solid question. Someone should explore the overlap between those who believe Qanon's conspiracy theories (15% of Americans) and those who believe Russia didn't meddle in the 2016 election to elect Trump (IDK the percent but there are few folks who fit that bill in this thread). If we addressed whatever the causes underlying those beliefs, the US would be much better.

I think one of the reasons folks sometimes make assumptions about celebrities is because the audience is exposed to them in ways that feel human, even though it is just their job and they are acting, it still feels that way. We see them in emotional moments and get a connection to them. After that, it is probably felt/assumed they have human like traits that tend left on the political spectrum. I see you mentioned earlier that you don’t discuss politics. I recommend you at least read about it to stay informed while diversifying your media consumption. For national happenings, I’m a fan of the Newshour by PBS. It’s presented in video, and it’s free, online, and well produced. It has none of the spin or exaggeration of cable news, so it might feel a bit boring. For Texas happenings I recommend the Texas Tribune.