General Discussion

AStern

(463 posts)

39. I appreciate the tone you're aiming for,

Mon May 5, 2025, 02:57 PM

May 5

...and I agree that diplomacy has a place in international affairs—even with governments whose values we deeply oppose. But I think your analogy misses the mark.

Engaging in diplomacy with hostile foreign powers like Iran is a strategic necessity to prevent war, reduce harm, and manage global stability. It's not a moral endorsement of their ideology. It's transactional and often done with a clear-eyed understanding of who we're dealing with.

Domestic politics is different. MAGA isn’t a foreign adversary—we're talking about a political movement within our own country that actively undermines the rights and safety of marginalized groups, spreads conspiracy theories, and increasingly rejects democratic norms. I’m not obligated to give space or energy to ideologies that seek to erase people’s humanity—especially under the guise of “balance.”

Dialogue only works when there's shared respect for truth, democracy, and basic human dignity. Without that, it's not a conversation—it's a normalization of harm. Choosing not to engage with that isn't a "bubble." It’s a boundary.

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Highlight:

Why I'm NOT interested in "listening" or "understanding" MAGA [View all] AStern May 5 OP

Thank you. My local npr station put on an hour of republicans as if they were normal. And cbabe May 5 #1

I care not for what nazis think. Basso8vb May 5 #2

It's akin to not listening to narcissists try to no_hypocrisy May 5 #3

Same here. Aristus May 5 #4

Me, too. I don't wanna hear their half assed reasons for voting R. However, I will gladly say to them: CTyankee May 5 #58

And it will blueseas May 5 #63

I just don't think they will awaken. It is the nature of a cult. AllyCat May 6 #72

If it's a waste of time, I wouldn't engage further. CTyankee May 6 #74

I could not agree with you more! Mountain Mule May 5 #60

And since when have MAGA or the GOP ever been interested thucythucy May 5 #5

Excellent. I agree. LoisB May 5 #6

My uncles understood people who defended similar beliefs. And they sent them all to early graves 80 years ago. Efilroft Sul May 5 #7

I do talk to MAGA every day and have all along. I listen to what they have to say. Midnight Writer May 5 #8

Might those people have different beliefs if their news sources were more like Reuters and CBS... Martin Eden May 5 #9

Most don't watch news or belong to a church. They listen to talk radio, Facebook, and prosperity Gospel. Midnight Writer May 5 #15

What we're really up against is decades of "conservative" propaganda Martin Eden May 5 #21

And many who only have over the air (OTA) antennae get blue_jay May 5 #30

Amen means I agree, ... aggiesal May 5 #10

Amen! blue_jay May 5 #32

In hindsight, "Deplorables" sounds like such a charitable nickname. kentuck May 5 #11

Freedom and democracy or fascism and dictatorship. Hotler May 5 #12

i dont want to hear their whining when the cost of stuff goes up in 4 weeks time . u get what u pay 3. AllaN01Bear May 5 #13

MAGA voter opinion, egg prices are too high Johonny May 5 #14

Here, here Coolgoober May 5 #16

Abuse Cirsium May 5 #17

MAGA is nothing of substance. hadEnuf May 5 #18

Being tolerant of intolerance doesn't work. love_katz May 5 #19

Your last paragraph says it all, love_katz. calimary May 5 #28

Intolerance is a violation of the social contract misanthrope May 5 #62

Amen - could not agree more. waterwatcher123 May 5 #20

Amen. Joinfortmill May 5 #22

Great post! yonder May 5 #23

Im sure there's a secret formula for turning many. I havent found it yet but will report back if I do SSJVegeta May 5 #24

I remember how some folks try to tell me that I needed to "understand" the folks who voted "Uncommitted" as well as * Oopsie Daisy May 5 #25

I understand them just fine .. haele May 5 #40

Excellent post. Oopsie Daisy May 5 #41

Well said! c-rational May 5 #26

BINGO! ScoutHikerDad May 5 #27

Also because they have little to no principles or factual basis, they will say anything RockRaven May 5 #29

You can't talk cult members out of believing in their cult leader. No logic or persuasion will work. elocs May 5 #36

I seriously doubt that MAGA has ever been asked the same thing about us karynnj May 5 #31

I haven't listened to them since the first go-round. llmart May 5 #33

Excellent exprrsdion of how I feel. Thanks for thr words. KPN May 5 #34

I agree... IthinkThereforeIAM May 5 #35

Not completely pointless Nasruddin May 5 #37

It's understandable and it's often personal since they are the other major party nationally. TheProle May 5 #38

I appreciate the tone you're aiming for, AStern May 5 #39

And do you think what we're currently experiencing isn't a form of war? EdmondDantes_ May 5 #55

We're not ignoring people--we're refusing to center or legitimize views that attack basic rights. AStern May 5 #56

So you want us to sit down with Nazi fascists? Kingofalldems May 5 #42

I offered an alternative viewpoint to the OP TheProle May 5 #45

I hear this argument a lot--that there are "inroads" to be made with Republicans and Independents--but... AStern May 5 #52

If you can point to where I said to pander to anyone.... TheProle May 5 #53

You may not have explicitly said "pander," AStern May 5 #54

That's what Newsom wants to do if I'm reading it right. Especially about the Democratic Bengus81 May 6 #76

If that's the route Newsom wants to take, more power to him. AStern May 6 #77

Kick this for the MAGA trolls. Kingofalldems May 5 #43

heh Skittles May 5 #66

And clearly they aren't interested in listening to other opinions, or capable of empathy.... Blue Owl May 5 #44

What we should understand is how decades of right-wing propaganda created MAGAts... CaptainTruth May 5 #46

This message was self-deleted by its author AStern May 5 #51

I agree completely. We're being told how we need to listen to the poor MAGAs, but listen to what? Vinca May 5 #47

THANK YOU Skittles May 5 #48

100% TBF May 5 #49

AStern, You speak for me. Thank you! MuirHero May 5 #50

We know everything there is to know JustAnotherGen May 5 #57

My complaint - cab67 May 5 #59

This perspective of maga is essential, long read, well worth it Clouds Passing May 5 #61

Excellent article. Very scary read. love_katz May 6 #73

This cabal of spoiled rich kids have no sense of reality. They believe they can create a fake world Clouds Passing May 6 #75

I refuse to feed their delusions of normalcy mdbl May 5 #64

The only point to understanding someone who is demonstrably destructive soldierant May 5 #65

Amen. Reminds me of Facebook/reels. As I said in another post, people who are so far .. chouchou May 5 #67

Never in my life have I heard serious calls for the Right to listen to the Left Orrex May 5 #68

It's not just a difference in morality. It's a difference in reality. SunSeeker May 5 #69

We've had 10 years to listen to them and understand them Justice Brandeis May 6 #70

It's hate, pure & simple RainCaster May 6 #71

Listening to these idiots and allowing them to have their say all over the media is what got us here. mucholderthandirt May 7 #78