Dangerous Lies and Simplifications - excellent read

[mcar]

This is a long piece but well worth the read. There is so much in here but each paragraph is short so I'm trying to hit some of the highlights.

https://terikanefield.com/dangerous-lies-and-simplifications/

...Simplifications take a complex situation and boil it down to something that seems true and perhaps has some truth in it, but is not true. It fits into a Tweet, it sounds persuasive, and these days the simplifications seem to have the effect of directing anger at Merrick Garland and the Democrats and leading people to conclude that there is no hope because the system is so corrupt....

I could list everything the DOJ has done since Garland was appointed in March, but that would be time-consuming and, I have discovered, doesn’t work....

Garland continually answers his critics by saying “We will follow the facts.” Ethically, that’s the most he can say. He is not supposed to (and shouldn’t) comment on ongoing investigations. (Also, “follow the facts” is what the DOJ is supposed to do.)...

When I start listing the consequences (more than 700 people charged so far, Bannon indicted, investigations are ongoing) people say, “So? That doesn’t matter. What about [fill in the blank]?”...

I’ve discovered that responding with truth doesn’t help because there’s a tsunami of these on Twitter. I feel like I’m playing Whack-A-Simplification. It’s exhausting.

-Trump was impeached twice (a consequence). (“But so what,” people say. “He wasn’t removed from office.”)
-Trump did everything possible to remain in office, but he was ousted. (“So what! That’s not a consequence.”)
-Bannon was indicted, and this time he can’t be pardoned. (“So what! What took so long!“)...

Also consider what would have happened if the Clinton Foundation or any organization run by the Clintons had been indicted for fraud. We would have never heard the end of it.

But what happens when the Trump Organization is indicted for fraud?

The left actually minimizes it and downplays it by not talking about it and instead says “there are never any consequences.”

[brer cat]

1. Good read. Thanks, mcar.

[mcar]

4. YW, brer cat

[Elessar Zappa]

2. It's almost like people just love complaining.

[mcar]

3. For some, nothing is ever good enough

For others, it's a way to depress the Democratic vote.

[Joinfortmill]

25. 👍

[George II]

7. I was musing about that early this morning. Some of our politicians like to complain about this...

...that, and the other, never putting forth a solution or fix for what they're complaining about.

Some have made it an art form over the last 3 decades.

We have to do this
We must fix that
We need to get the other

My responses:

How?
How?
How?

[Cha]

11. +1!!

[betsuni]

27. +2

[Pantagruel]

5. Terrific response to DU pearl clutchers

Seems like every other post is whining about AG Garland and the speed of the investigations.

[mcar]

6. Yep

Welcome.

[George II]

9. I can't believe how many of those are popping up. Simple question in response: have you ever....

....gone to the DOJ website which actually LISTS everything they're doing and have accomplished? Not in detail, not with impending actions that might tip off targets of subpoenas or charges, but a list of DOJ actions.

Seems no one has.

[Cha]

8. Very Encouraging..

Thank You, mcar!

Doom & Gloomers take note!

[mcar]

12. They should take note Cha

but they won't.

[Cha]

14. Bookmarking this.. it

needs to be front and center.. and Not sink!

[sheshe2]

10. Great article, mcar.

Really, a must read.

TY

[mcar]

13. I'm going to try to bring it to the attention

of posters every time there's a doom and gloom, "dems suck" thread.

[sheshe2]

15. Works for me.

PS...you will be very busy my dear. So many Dems suck threads, so little time.

[mcar]

16. I know.

I won't succeed but I'll try.

[betsuni]

17. Repeating things doesn't make it true. Internet triggers.

So-and-so is doing nothing. Democrats are doing nothing. Democrats don't understand the danger. Why isn't Trump/his people in prison? Democrats should be like Republicans. Biden broke promises.

"Some of the urgency ... comes from the idea that criminal prosecutions can end the threat of right-wing extremism." That's why I can't get upset about it. Right-wing extremists aren't going to care, in my opinion. Prison isn't a deterrent. They want to be martyrs.

Waiting for the Something that will save democracy, thinking they've been promised the Something and Democrats aren't doing the thing. I just listened to a whinefest on TV about Biden breaking promises and thought, OH GROW UP.

There are two choices:

Democrats: steady improvements in government and economy. Negative media, constant passive-aggressive complaining.

Republicans: quickly deteriorating government and economy. Positive media.

Everyone is actually very happy when Democrats are in charge because everyone can complain and criticize and predict disaster and scold and nag. Everyone's happy being miserable! Then they go and ruin it by voting Republicans in.

[Joinfortmill]

24. 👍

[NurseJackie]

18. Thank you.

[c-rational]

19. Thanks, well said.

[monkeyman1]

20. not to change the subject , not-

has been said about some clown's on postal board time is up tomorrow & dejerkoff might be looking at the exit door ? anybody heard anything ?

[CaptainTruth]

21. Thank you, bookmarking. I also get tired of folks who complain "there are never any consequences"...

...when they themselves have done nothing to impose consequences.

We are still a free country, every citizen can write, call, picket, protest & generally be a pain in the ass in a dozen different ways to people who deserve "consequences." Don't just sit around & expect the government to do it all for you, participate.

[Joinfortmill]

23. 👍

[Joinfortmill]

22. Totally agree.

[Cha]

26. KR!