Jesus. Is that true? I'm an old now, but only 12 at the time. Every problem in the country can be drawn on graph where the lines lead to that guy. Shit got traction with him because he got the evangelicals on board, but I'd argue the evil in the modern conservative movement starts with Nixon. Sabotaged peace talks with North Vietnam to influence the 1968 election. Created an enemies list and spied on the American opposition. Started the War on Drugs as a way to attack recently won civil rights. Used corrupt campaign dollars through secret slush funds for illegal donations from corporations and the rich. Obstructed justice by repeatedly defying special prosecutor and congressional subpoenas for the release of WH tapes. Watergate/Saturday Night Massacre. Edit: I should add that the evil shit in the modern conservative movement was there before Nixon, but he was the first to gain power.
Of all posters, I figured you'd be most interested in watching this if you haven't already run across it. Insane that any of this should be a consideration, though. Invading Greenland? Mistake of a Lifetime - Here's why - YouTube No idea why this YT video won't embed.
I hear ya. It took me some practice to get there when dealing with my family. The situation I don't want to put myself in is with protesting and seeing ICE or cops start fucking with people. I absolutely don't trust myself to keep my cool in that kind of situation.
Yep. The Vance-Thiel-Yarvin connection has been really effective on two GOP voting friends. It helps that they're both conspiratorially minded, which I knew and why I brought it up to them in separate conversations. I also let them know about the data collection that Elon and DOGE did. Both have come back to me after doing a bit of research and have said something to the effect of "That's some scary shit, man." What makes that a good one to bring up is that they go in knowing nothing and haven't been battered by endless talking points from all their shitty podcasts and Fox News. Also, it doesn't attack Trump directly but places strong doubts in their minds and nudges them to put pieces together on their own. This isn't hard if you can keep your cool. Edit: Also, be sure to mention Palantir and what they do and all the contracts they have. Add in that shiny globe thing, reminding them what it does in LOTR, is where that word comes from and they really start spinning.
DOGE helped with all this, of course. As you know, each federal agency kept its data siloed from other agencies to prevent this type of skullduggery, but that's all gone now.
Yeah, that's generally my approach. I never bring up politics first, but when someone starts, I'm ready and stay calm, pointed, and precise. Unlike on here, I don't lose my cool or go off on rants.
I get it, and it sucks. From the time that I became politically aware in the late 1980s, I've been the only progressive/liberal in my entire extended family, except for my ex-wife and daughter. Just stand your ground at family functions and ask that they respect your beliefs and to not discuss politics in your presence. If they don't, be hyper prepared to calmy defend your position. If they continue, you've got some choices to make about how much you want them in your life. By the time my dad died stupidly of Covid from not following precautions, I didn't have much of a relationship with him, but my mom was generally cool about our differences, especially after he died.