i think MAGA voters are offended at anyone trying to teach them anything. I think Democrats (of which I am one) try and teach too much and just end up looking like snobs. MAGA is sick of that. They were in 2016, 2020, and 2024. A win for the Democrats has to come some other way than by "teaching."
I think that Exceptionalism is a particularly dangerous force as it narrows the scope of what is deemed important and inculcates a false sense of security - 'it couldn't happen here' Syndrome. Corporate media preys on it relentlessly, misrepresenting the real threats and creating trivial or bogus diversions. If there's to be a reset, Exceptionalism has to go, I believe.
There was a crunch-point in 1963: the Lone Gunman/Magic Bullet narrative was perhaps more palatable than contemplating even the possibility that those in power (elected or otherwise) were working against the citizenry and the democracy they were supposed to protect. It was a terrifying scenario.
Russ, don't you think that the guy who cheated in 2016, cheated in 2020, tried to overthrow the gov't in 2020, is also capable of manipulating voter infrastructure to cheat with Elon, Thiel, Putin, Bibi or whoever else he's got helping him? Seriously. The Republicans rigged the polls in 2016, & rigged them in 2024 by mixing made-up polls into the average to make it seem closer where he was ahead a little bit. So the media could have their horse race, which they did & not a single one of them ever let it sink through their heads that the rigged polls were not to be "believed", yet Ari Melber thought they were 100% every single day. Then they were discarded when Trump needed to have his ego protected so they manipulated the votes so he got them. In reality, he never had that support to get the popular vote, not then & not now. There is no chance he won the election.
I'm not trying to be an alarmist, it's just that the numbers don't jive.
Also, another way to think of this moment, is to ask what more evidence do you need to think electoral politics, social media, education, the courts, business, and basic human conduct are revealed as hopeless and unfixable?
The fixing of this election by corrupt corporate money goes back to the Reagan/Thatcher counter-revolution, and there is simply too much stupidity now entrenched at so many institutional levels. Humanity is running out of time because of so many converging crises from climate catastrophe to runaway economic inequality to Global South immiseration, so polite calls for starting over again with teach-ins and low-level investigative series will not cut it this time. Now maybe if RFK had not been killed...
Well, OK. I am "going there." This country needs to remove the outsized and ultimately harmful influence of Zionist Jewish control of both parties. How? Let's start with dual citizenship. You don't think this is a problem, or is off topic on what this election shows? Start with Jared Kushner, and see what where that leads.
'Zionist Jewish control of both parties' - could you be more specific ? For example do you mean AIPAC and/or the ADL ? Who else ?
Granted, AIPAC and the ADL are prominent lobbyists, but 'control' ? How do petrochemical industry lobbyists compare ? The arms/surveillance industry ? Global warming denialists, Big Tobacco, etc ?
As for Kushner, does he actually hold additional Citizenship ? (I infer that you mean Israeli Citizenship)
Just to provide background because Israel is THE JEWISH STATE, formed basically due to the genocide of 6 million Jews in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany, every Jew born of a Jewish mother has the right of return to the homeland and will then receive Israeli citizenship along with any other citizenship they may have. Spain is now providing citizenship for Jews who can trace their genealogy to being expelled from Spain during the Inquisition. There are many Conversos- people who may not have even known why they lit Sabbath candles or celebrated Passover at Seders in secret in say New Mexico have this benefit of the right of return to Spain.
I’m sure the ADL can provide a bibliography as well as thins said and written that are anti-Semitic touch stones and macro aggressions.
SiobhanC thank you. I didn’t know what you do know and I’m sure you can infer other details about me baed on what I wrote. And through Gerry hasn’t responded I can say that based on what you wrote to me you know how Jared Kuahnwr would get his dual citizenship.
That shibboleth no longer works. The multi-generational operant conditioning no longer takes when reality breaks through, and there is nothing like a 21st century genocide, available in real time, delivered to hundreds of millions living rooms to break that spell. Zionist power and Zionist control is well past the tipping point and now the ghosts and ghouls of history are once again upon us, irrespective of whether or not you read my comment before posting.
Sounds like another of too many “but the voters are too dumb to figure anything out for themselves or they would see through the manipulation”. Or any number of fill in the blank versions of why democracy fails unless you vote for my side.
Consider for example the author's point about critical thinking. Finland starts early in teaching kids skills for navigating the internet jungle and the many other sources of mis/disinformation. Skills include critical thinking and analysis, fact-checking, interpretation and evaluation of competing narratives, etc. It's integrated across the curriculum and according to the Media Literacy Index, the programme has contributed significantly to Finland's standing as one of the most disinformation-resistant countries in Europe.
By the time these kids are old enough to vote, they should be pretty clued-up, or at least know how they can get there.
There's an awful lot of truth and candour in the article, and plenty of food for thought. 'Why democracy fails unless you vote for my side' ? I think not.
I respectfully acknowledge your disagreement. I’m no expert on Finland though many nations and cultures are worth studying. The fact is, with the numerous colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in this nation, many for minimal fees, it’s less availability than a question of desire as to “critical learning”. This premise, “critical thinking”, however defined, implies one thing; the voters aren’t informed enough to be able to make sound decisions. It implies that 76 million voters lacked the thinking skills to make the “proper decision”. Seems overwrought and kind of nonsensical to me but everyone has the right to their own opinion.
Dennis, I query ordinary people constantly about their views and choices. I can tell you that my empirical research shows that many/most people DO lack critical thinking skills and take a remarkably simplistic approach to most things, arent interested in details or nuance, and respond well to propaganda that is drummed into them. I'm sort of surprised that you would be surprised about this. There's a great deal of historical literature on this topic.
Not odd to my mind. Maybe I need to work on critical thinking skills. :)
Critical thinking is a wonderful concept, I’ve no opposition to it. My point is that this no sudden problem brought about Trump, a large number of voters simply are too busy, not interested or trapped in a two party system that they sense winks and nods to provide choices few are happy with.
JQP is no less lacking critical skills now than any time in much of our history. It’s a major reason why the FF’s feared democracy and wished for a government from the bottom up, not top down. Their fears imo, have been realized. I’ve said this before, the average citizen is smart enough to know their voice is best heard at their local city council meeting than DC. And for the most part in local issues, their critical thinking skills are alive and well.
I totally agree with you about Michelle Obama, in fact I said it on whatever day it was after the election. Except I think there still would have been an inordinate number of people who wouldn’t show up to vote. Would Gretchen Whitmer have won? It strips away race, but not gender. And there WAS that plot hatched by a bunch of men to kidnap her. Would they have tried to kidnap a male Gov ? What about Josh Shapiro? Do you really think in our lifetime we will see a Jewish President?
i think MAGA voters are offended at anyone trying to teach them anything. I think Democrats (of which I am one) try and teach too much and just end up looking like snobs. MAGA is sick of that. They were in 2016, 2020, and 2024. A win for the Democrats has to come some other way than by "teaching."
Totally agree.
I think that Exceptionalism is a particularly dangerous force as it narrows the scope of what is deemed important and inculcates a false sense of security - 'it couldn't happen here' Syndrome. Corporate media preys on it relentlessly, misrepresenting the real threats and creating trivial or bogus diversions. If there's to be a reset, Exceptionalism has to go, I believe.
There was a crunch-point in 1963: the Lone Gunman/Magic Bullet narrative was perhaps more palatable than contemplating even the possibility that those in power (elected or otherwise) were working against the citizenry and the democracy they were supposed to protect. It was a terrifying scenario.
As was 6th January 2021.
Russ, don't you think that the guy who cheated in 2016, cheated in 2020, tried to overthrow the gov't in 2020, is also capable of manipulating voter infrastructure to cheat with Elon, Thiel, Putin, Bibi or whoever else he's got helping him? Seriously. The Republicans rigged the polls in 2016, & rigged them in 2024 by mixing made-up polls into the average to make it seem closer where he was ahead a little bit. So the media could have their horse race, which they did & not a single one of them ever let it sink through their heads that the rigged polls were not to be "believed", yet Ari Melber thought they were 100% every single day. Then they were discarded when Trump needed to have his ego protected so they manipulated the votes so he got them. In reality, he never had that support to get the popular vote, not then & not now. There is no chance he won the election.
I'm not trying to be an alarmist, it's just that the numbers don't jive.
Secession
Also, another way to think of this moment, is to ask what more evidence do you need to think electoral politics, social media, education, the courts, business, and basic human conduct are revealed as hopeless and unfixable?
The fixing of this election by corrupt corporate money goes back to the Reagan/Thatcher counter-revolution, and there is simply too much stupidity now entrenched at so many institutional levels. Humanity is running out of time because of so many converging crises from climate catastrophe to runaway economic inequality to Global South immiseration, so polite calls for starting over again with teach-ins and low-level investigative series will not cut it this time. Now maybe if RFK had not been killed...
Well, OK. I am "going there." This country needs to remove the outsized and ultimately harmful influence of Zionist Jewish control of both parties. How? Let's start with dual citizenship. You don't think this is a problem, or is off topic on what this election shows? Start with Jared Kushner, and see what where that leads.
'Zionist Jewish control of both parties' - could you be more specific ? For example do you mean AIPAC and/or the ADL ? Who else ?
Granted, AIPAC and the ADL are prominent lobbyists, but 'control' ? How do petrochemical industry lobbyists compare ? The arms/surveillance industry ? Global warming denialists, Big Tobacco, etc ?
As for Kushner, does he actually hold additional Citizenship ? (I infer that you mean Israeli Citizenship)
Just to provide background because Israel is THE JEWISH STATE, formed basically due to the genocide of 6 million Jews in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany, every Jew born of a Jewish mother has the right of return to the homeland and will then receive Israeli citizenship along with any other citizenship they may have. Spain is now providing citizenship for Jews who can trace their genealogy to being expelled from Spain during the Inquisition. There are many Conversos- people who may not have even known why they lit Sabbath candles or celebrated Passover at Seders in secret in say New Mexico have this benefit of the right of return to Spain.
I’m sure the ADL can provide a bibliography as well as thins said and written that are anti-Semitic touch stones and macro aggressions.
Thanks - I'm aware of Right of Return, making Aliyah etc but do appreciate the level of detail you provide.
I'm just not sure how it addresses my questions, but in fairness to you, I don't for a moment think that you are claiming to speak for 'Gerry'.
SiobhanC thank you. I didn’t know what you do know and I’m sure you can infer other details about me baed on what I wrote. And through Gerry hasn’t responded I can say that based on what you wrote to me you know how Jared Kuahnwr would get his dual citizenship.
And sorry for all my typos and thank you for your initial response to Gerry
Thank you for proving my point above. I had not read your comment when I wrote and posted mine.
That shibboleth no longer works. The multi-generational operant conditioning no longer takes when reality breaks through, and there is nothing like a 21st century genocide, available in real time, delivered to hundreds of millions living rooms to break that spell. Zionist power and Zionist control is well past the tipping point and now the ghosts and ghouls of history are once again upon us, irrespective of whether or not you read my comment before posting.
Sounds like another of too many “but the voters are too dumb to figure anything out for themselves or they would see through the manipulation”. Or any number of fill in the blank versions of why democracy fails unless you vote for my side.
I respectfully disagree.
Consider for example the author's point about critical thinking. Finland starts early in teaching kids skills for navigating the internet jungle and the many other sources of mis/disinformation. Skills include critical thinking and analysis, fact-checking, interpretation and evaluation of competing narratives, etc. It's integrated across the curriculum and according to the Media Literacy Index, the programme has contributed significantly to Finland's standing as one of the most disinformation-resistant countries in Europe.
By the time these kids are old enough to vote, they should be pretty clued-up, or at least know how they can get there.
There's an awful lot of truth and candour in the article, and plenty of food for thought. 'Why democracy fails unless you vote for my side' ? I think not.
I respectfully acknowledge your disagreement. I’m no expert on Finland though many nations and cultures are worth studying. The fact is, with the numerous colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in this nation, many for minimal fees, it’s less availability than a question of desire as to “critical learning”. This premise, “critical thinking”, however defined, implies one thing; the voters aren’t informed enough to be able to make sound decisions. It implies that 76 million voters lacked the thinking skills to make the “proper decision”. Seems overwrought and kind of nonsensical to me but everyone has the right to their own opinion.
Dennis, I query ordinary people constantly about their views and choices. I can tell you that my empirical research shows that many/most people DO lack critical thinking skills and take a remarkably simplistic approach to most things, arent interested in details or nuance, and respond well to propaganda that is drummed into them. I'm sort of surprised that you would be surprised about this. There's a great deal of historical literature on this topic.
I see you characterize yourself on your profile as a "lifelong learner" -- making your remark even odder
Not odd to my mind. Maybe I need to work on critical thinking skills. :)
Critical thinking is a wonderful concept, I’ve no opposition to it. My point is that this no sudden problem brought about Trump, a large number of voters simply are too busy, not interested or trapped in a two party system that they sense winks and nods to provide choices few are happy with.
JQP is no less lacking critical skills now than any time in much of our history. It’s a major reason why the FF’s feared democracy and wished for a government from the bottom up, not top down. Their fears imo, have been realized. I’ve said this before, the average citizen is smart enough to know their voice is best heard at their local city council meeting than DC. And for the most part in local issues, their critical thinking skills are alive and well.
I totally agree with you about Michelle Obama, in fact I said it on whatever day it was after the election. Except I think there still would have been an inordinate number of people who wouldn’t show up to vote. Would Gretchen Whitmer have won? It strips away race, but not gender. And there WAS that plot hatched by a bunch of men to kidnap her. Would they have tried to kidnap a male Gov ? What about Josh Shapiro? Do you really think in our lifetime we will see a Jewish President?
You are, in the words of an archaic but wistfully missed observation, shoveling shit against the tide.
The only way to escape this Manichean loop of loss and reclamation is to apply what I've termed the No States Solution.
Imagine ...