I came out of 40 days of Lent with an issue I had to write about, despite wanting to continue to have a civil discourse. For those of you that don't know, I made a Lenten pledge not to engage in the politics of ad hominem attacks. I kept that pledge (except for a questionable comment) and felt it was something I would continue. When the president released his long form birth certificate, I was compelled to write about it. In all honesty, I didn't know what to expect; uncharted waters perhaps. Except for links to a couple of fact check sites, I pretty much ignored the topic in the birther threads because I was convinced it was just another conspiracy theory. When the president released the birth certificate, I became convinced that it was an obvious distraction to the White House, so it was worth discussing.
Yesterday, I heard Canadian Jonathan Kay, the author of "Among the Truthers" A Journey though Americans growing conspiracies underground; describe the “Birthers” mindset. He said when a normal person is told that their believes are wrong, it would cause them to go back and rechecked their believes. He convinced me, when he compared it to religion. In my old workplace, there were a lot of people who said negative things about my religion and religion per say, and so I had to go back to validate their statements but all I could say was " I still have faith." ....He also said " all the evidence in the world will not change their mind because they will find something else to cling to."Thor found a YouTube of a couple of people trying to prove that the birth certificate was a fake. In fact there were a couple of morons on the Fox Business Channel, trying to say that the birth certificate was Photoshoped because of the green outer edge. ....Mr. Kay said with the advent of the Internet, the conspirators no longer view television news and just keep in social contact with people who share their views.
The local forum's thread on the birther issue quickly became a dumping ground for all things negative about President Bush and Obama.... My blog became so bad that GOP_ LoveChild, said "I sure hope the folks with Caterpillar, we buffaloed into moving here don’t read this thread."... I did get to clear up some issues with some a couple posters, so it was worth my time and effort.
I'm pretty sure the regulars got tired of the "birther" issue because it dominated the threads but the other regulars will be all rested up, come Monday, then they can dominate the threads. It all works out.
31 comments:
Politics is like religion to some? That's interesting! (Like a cult, even.)
(I should have said "political views" instead of "politics," maybe. (or maybe politics is like religion and then it breaks down into a specific religion and then denominations...)
That's true Rececca..always has been and will continue to be that way....It's a continuing fight for the hearts and minds but it generally turns off people..:-)
Very much like politics. A whole bunch who don't care one way or another, and the zealots who make everyone nuts.
But, back to your VA blog--very predictable. No amount of valid proof is going to change some of their minds.
It is just really sad that this has to still be an issue nationally. Locally, again, not surprising except that we all know Victoria, Texas is the center of the intellectual universe.
EA
Is there a newspaper shortage in Victoria? Some of these people are still spouting things that were debunked several years ago. Others forgot that the financial crisis hit us like a ton of bricks on September of 2008 but John McCain said " Our economy, I think, still the fundamentals of our economy are strong. "
In my old days I would correct every erroneous comment but I just don't care any more besides it would be a two or three day job and as you say "No amount of valid proof is going to change some of their minds." .... It is what it is but how Victoria has fooled me. I'm still hoping that the posters are not representative of Victoria.
Mike--
I don't believe the posters on the VA are representative of the attitude of Victoria. It doesn't take too much to see that it's the same handful of folks--on each side--who post.
Now, if we were talking back 2-3 years ago, I would say you could come closer to gauging the mood of Victoria by the posters. Back then, there were many more posters who could give and take in a discussion without having a meltdown!
But back to the Trump and his Victoria Branch of Birthers United who carried on forever demanding that President Obama produce his birth vertificate--they weren't prepared when he did.
A word to those who aren't sure what they want--be careful of what you wish for. You just might get it.
Edith Ann.
I beg to differ. Those posts are representative of Victoria and it's surrounding counties. I am so PISS OFF. Pardon my French.
How could a handful of online fighters represent a whole city?
BigJ--
I do not for a minute believe that three cheerleaders for the university switch AND the slanted stories in the Advocate represent anyone but the folks who posted the comments, just as I do not believe that the folks posting against it represent anyone but themselves.
We will never know what the will of the community is because they will never ask. They aren't willing to take a chance that the majority of the community isn't on board. That would screw up their plans.
We all know you can't stand Geanie Morrison, but there are those who do like her. They keep making those fat contributions to a candidate that continues to run unopposed...
BigJ
I was born and raised in Victoria, except for three years spent in the military; I've lived here by choice. I may love politics but I don't choose my friends that way. I've kept my friendship with conservatives because we both know where the line is and we have chosen not to cross it.
It is my opinion that the posters represent less than 1% of Victoria and just represent themselves and their believes. They would hold that belief in a liberal city like Austin, Texas... I don't waste my time responding to posters like itisi,topsarge, and BOstinks because they're part of the right- wing hate establishment... They're usually incoherent, out of context, and just want to post their mean-spirited message..... Their main objective is to keep the hate going.
You make a big deal of people voting for Geanie Morrison, but if not her, the Ron Paul republicans and the establish republicans would vote for a fill in the blank........... Republican... Of the 16-18% that actually vote, (mostly seniors age 60+) will just vote straight party ticket...Look it up. Seniors have already paid off the mortgage and have to pay their property taxes in cash, so they will always vote for a small government conservative because they promise to keep their taxes low. Most of them do not factory that a better educated community will do the same thing while enhancing growth. That's an argument that doesn't resonate with seniors because no democrat will step up to the plate.
Then there's that “I’ll scratch your back, if you will scratch mine" or maybe it's the James Wayne crowd vs. the Dennis Patillo crowd...You get what I mean? The local Democratic Party is not going to spend money on an eventual loser. Edith Ann is right; Geanie Morrison war chest is a deterrent for those that want to oppose her. It's the same way for Ron Paul, he'll make a run for president (knowing he will lose) but will use his contributions to spread his message, and then he will make a legal transfer to his son when he eventually retires.
BigJ
In some earlier posts you have stated that Victoria is a bigoted county because James Wyatt and Deborah Branch lost their elections. Republicans in Victoria will vote for a Walter Williams,Alan Keyes type republican because they speak the same language..... We don't have the grassroots effort to sign up new voters in Victoria.
You try to compare Jackson County to Victoria County but there's no comparison because Edna is not growing and they will never make an effort to change their attitude. They are comfortable with their small town mentality; even at 2.2% growth the younger folks in Victoria will change our city. Unfortunately, a lot of people have to die off before then.
You have to try to catch Fox News Sunday--Chris Wallace is tearing Michelle Bachmann up! It's a hoot!
Here is the White House Correspondents Dinner, President Obama's speech. Very good digs at certain folks.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/obama-2011-white-house-correspondents-dinner-speech-mocks-trump
Seth Meyer's speech. Hilarious! Slices and dices Donald Trump!
http://www.eurweb.com/?p=102112
Conspiracy theories are irrelevant.
All that matters is whether or not airliners that weighed less than 200 tons with 34 tons of jet fuel could TOTALLY OBLITERATE buildings 2000 times their mass in less than TWO HOURS.
This is Newtonian Physics!!!
It is THOROUGHLY HILARIOUS that the nation that put men on the Moon cannot tell the entire world the TONS of STEEL and TONS of CONCRETE that were on each and every level of the towers and our so called physicists don't demand the info.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT4BXIpdIdo
So where is the physics department at any engineering school that can make a self supporting structure vaguely similar to the north tower that can completely collapse while damaging its components in the process? Not some house of cards junk that slides apart leaving everything intact.
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/jom/0112/eagar/eagar-0112.html
President Obama ordered our elite strike force to Osama Bin Laden Friday night but it was put in motion in August of last year...Despite the great news for USA ,Sandwichh puts up a blog praising General Petraeus to down play the role of Obama...That's despicable but that is normal for him...Can't come together for 5 minutes...All the hate.
This should take the birther issue out of the news but who knows.
Mike.
I think Morrison will have opposition in 2012. I think it will come from the right with angry the Ron Paul Libertarians. Sadly, I wish I could run in 2012 against Morrison but I have no money or influence. Top of that, the gerrymandering with the ongoing redistricting. Her district is ripe for change with all of its problems. From DA’s Bobby Bell ( Jackson County), Steve Tyler (Victoria County), and on down. I do not her addressing these cases.
I would like to see what Itisi, Thor (the loon from southern Lavaca County), and topSh*T say tomorrow on the aftermath of Osama’s death.
My comment was also to Edith Ann and Rebecca.
Going with our religious theme, I'm a political atheist. =D
Educationally, I'm an anarchist. =P
I can't find who to blame for the things that bother me. Honestly, when it comes to education, I'm disgusted with Bush and Obama. Exactly the same. Exactly. I'm so sick of "raising the standard" as if THAT will change a child's brain or make them develop more quickly... I'm also sick of the people who think that cracking down on teachers will change a child's performance. Like a school is a circus and we (politicians and ignorant citizens) aren't getting our money worth. Our impatience is working against our desires. I think real learning is quiet and happens over a lifetime and dumbing the phenomenon down so that it can be easily measured, is NOT something that educated people would stoop to. It's certainly not something teachers should stand for. I remember in college our professors seemed to be against most everything the govt. was doing to education. I remember feeling like we (teachers) were to be advocates for the child - which meant that we might be butting horns with parents and administrators. We learned about the learning process and how children learn. Politicians don't have a child's best interest at heart - and most parents don't see schools as anything other than daycare.
I have a bit of obsessive tunnel vision - which is really why I can't get into politics. I think it all sucks. I mean, I care most about where it affects the weak and powerless - the child.
I am also starting to consider children (childhood) as another type of minority group that needs standing up for - and protection against adult politicians (and their mice) who want to get power from this innocent trusting group who have no say or voice. I guess that's why the idea of democratic education, free schools, and FREEDOM SCHOOLS seem so appealing to me. I saw Kyle mention International Schools on his Facebook, and that got me curious.
See, I'm psycho too. I just have a bloody tongue er keyboard. =D
Ok, I came up with a slogan. "No TAKSation without representation!"
Great slogan and thoughts Rebecca but if I may;let me add one "all education is local."....WE might need a federal standard ,so the whole country is on the same page but let the local school board figure out the way to get there.
BigJ
The GOP may have a primary opponent for Morrison but it doesn't mean it won't be an uphill climb...People can oppose the actions of a representative but she is still one of them and still has the backing and money of the local GOP.
BTW I don't really think anyone cares what those posters post...IMO,they will wait until a brave sole makes a negative remark and then they will follow.
OK,the local posters have now gone from taking partisan shots into something they are just as comfortable with...Muslim hating.
BigJ
topsarge came in promoting torture which is against the Geneva Convention, proved worthless, helps the enemy recruit, and is no longer an interrogation policy..... Then again it didn't have anything to do with last night's mission..... His comments are totally irreverent.
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