Not really no. They know it's bullshit but it's bullshit that's good for the cause so they do a collective kayfabe for each other to keep the bit going.
That has been the conservative movement since Clinton but nobody wised up to it. Hillary even had a bunch of generals speak at the DNC to "prove" the troops supported her because conservatives were doing this feigned outrage about Dems being anti-troop.
That, and a lot of Americans are aimless so some stupid understimulated suburban dad will hear something from talk radio like "George Clooney mocked American hero Charlton Heston's Alzheimers so we must boycott his movies" then just takes it up as a cause, because then at least they get to perform some sort of crusade participation.
As odd as it sounds, the Dems need to just make their own stuff like this that rouses the potential reactionaries toward something more tolerant (making liberalism into the thing to conserve/retvrn to), that or create a society where people have the means and community to focus their energy on more positive preoccupations. But I also believe the lead gas poisoning of boomers permanently made them more inclined to anger, malice and resentment. Did you know that church attendance is dropping significantly among conservative men? They favor the sadism of culture war over gratitude and hope when presented with the choice.
Not really no. They know it's bullshit but it's bullshit that's good for the cause so they do a collective kayfabe for each other to keep the bit going.
That has been the conservative movement since Clinton but nobody wised up to it. Hillary even had a bunch of generals speak at the DNC to "prove" the troops supported her because conservatives were doing this feigned outrage about Dems being anti-troop.
That, and a lot of Americans are aimless so some stupid understimulated suburban dad will hear something from talk radio like "George Clooney mocked American hero Charlton Heston's Alzheimers so we must boycott his movies" then just takes it up as a cause, because then at least they get to perform some sort of crusade participation.
So how do normal people stop this BS from spreading?
As odd as it sounds, the Dems need to just make their own stuff like this that rouses the potential reactionaries toward something more tolerant (making liberalism into the thing to conserve/retvrn to), that or create a society where people have the means and community to focus their energy on more positive preoccupations. But I also believe the lead gas poisoning of boomers permanently made them more inclined to anger, malice and resentment. Did you know that church attendance is dropping significantly among conservative men? They favor the sadism of culture war over gratitude and hope when presented with the choice.