Some nice epiphanies from a friend of mine who is a long-time staunch Republican.

[Music Man]

This fellow is indeed quite conservative. Moved away from me a few years ago, and we haven't stayed in touch much, but we've generally been on opposite ends of the spectrum. He is a smart, kind guy, and despite our mutual respect, we've had it out a few times on Facebook. We eventually learned to just co-exist by not bringing up politics with each other.

Anyway, he commented on a thread recently, which led to us messaging back and forth, and he said how much he's been disgusted by Trump and the Republican Party the last five years and that has led to him agreeing more with friends of his he never has before. And that he's been asking a lot of questions recently about his worldview because he doesn't trust the sources he's been listening to.

Hope

Like I said, I do think this person is quite intelligent and would be more primed than some yahoos out there to see a political change-of-heart, but I still do think it is indicative of how Trumpism, ultimately, has been bad for Republicans and has opened up a lot of people's eyes. Perhaps having to endure the crucible of a Trump presidency means we will reap our rewards in more meaningful ways.

[msongs]

1. maybe praying white knight romney will run again? nt

[dutch777]

2. That is really good news. And good on you for working out how to stay friends but disagree...

...agreeably. We all have to remember how to do that. We really do have more of common interest than we recognize. I pray, for our kids and grandkids sake, we can find a way back from this suicidal tribalism.

[Laelth]

3. That's very encouraging. n/t

-Laelth

[BigmanPigman]

4. Mental health providers

could save time and money diagnosing a new client by asking them what their political views are. The "tRump" BS is so blatant and obvious. It is a simple test to give and the answers are not man, car, flower, clock. As soon as they mention any Fux Ruse story or "Q" BS you know you can start therapy ASAP. Sounds like your "friend" may be able to be saved from most of the craziness out there.

[blue neen]

5. Um, I believe that's being a little insensitive.

People from every political persuasion and every walk of life can be affected by mental health issues.

[summer_in_TX]

6. As angry as I am about the Trumpists attack on our Capitol, one thing keeps me

remembering that while they are culpable, they have also been systematically propagandized for 25-30 years.

Ultimate responsibility belongs to those who decided to create a right wing media structure consisting of academic chairs and scholarships, funding for "research," think tanks, the 1500 hate-talk radio stations and FOX News to frame everything in ways that built up a politics of resentment. They traffic in grievances, get people juiced up on anger (including Donald J Trump), and stoke the fires that predictably fuel events like that on January 6. Trump was a product, and also a multiplier of the anger and grievance.

He loved it. As Maureen Dowd's recent OpEd piece "Trump's Taste for Blood" describes, Trump loved whipping up the anger of his crowds and aiming their violence to threaten reporters and other targets of his wrath. The power of the presidency gave him far more reach, and he used it to convince his cult followers of his lies – with the help of a sophisticated propaganda system including FOX, OAN, Newsmax, Rush, and the likes of Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz.

That propaganda system is layered, from many different sources, making it seem as if the information must be true. So much info, and all the negative stuff about Trump discounted, managed, explained away during shows with carefully chosen guests who would cast doubt, giving their audiences reason to disbelieve what other media said.

Knowing that, I feel sorry for them as well as being furious at what they did.