Oct 14, 2022·edited Oct 14, 2022Liked by Greg Olear
Being not very familiar with the word apostate, I employ different terminology. People who recover from being in a cult, or culture, are overcoming mind control.
Iranians the world over are finally rebelling, at long last, against the draconian restrictions of that woefully backward Islamic regime. The older generation of Russians still getting their news and worldview from state TV are starting to see their bubble crack.
Recovery from brainwashing is a poorly understood process. I’m with Greg when he says he’s pretty much written off everybody who still supports Trump, and that includes my dad. I have to explain to one of my sisters that he’s a dummy, because she still doesn’t get how he could be so lost.
Remember when Lindsey Graham, of all people, called Trump a racist? [“race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot“ and “lying motherfucker,” among other things] Remember the Access Hollywood tape?
Anyone with eyes can see who this guy is. But not so bright people, or people who don’t pay attention to things like racism and sexism and homophobia, or who subconsciously approve of those values, gravitate towards this dirtbag. He actually has far less intelligence and even less integrity than Hitler did. Yet we have so many saps in this country, that they easily fall for this guy’s cons and made him President.
Recovering from brainwashing is one of the toughest things. Melissa Jo Peltier talks about being ostracized and shunned by your community, but in addition, you are questioning everything you once believed. Your rock is shaken, removed. You become adrift. You have to find new secure footing.
Our country, our society, has turned off the blender. Now the different liquids are separating. I actually think it’s a very healthy process, because the racism and sexism and homophobia that was covertly affecting things like drawing district boundaries, is now out in the open and visible. We’ve never had this level of transparency into how racism affects our democracy.
It’s going to be a rude awakening, and it already is for a lot of Trumpsters. Although you and I are anxiously and impatiently awaiting his political death knell, dragging the process out, drawing it out, gives the brainwashees more opportunity to see the light of their mistake. It gives more of them opportunity to wake up from their racist sexist old-social-order slumber.
Also, Melissa Jo Peltier says, “… apostates always get more abuse than people that weren’t in the cult….Once you’re an apostate to the cult, you must be destroyed, because you’ve seen inside. And you’re also a threat to the people in the cult, because they knew you.”
Hence the Chinese government, and Saudi and Iranian governments, operating inside the United States and elsewhere to coerce, blackmail, and harass [and murder] dissidents. Putin’s GRU thugs committing murder outside Russia. They fear their own citizens recovering from that society’s cultural programming more than anything else.
Change is such a threat. If you have education, enlightenment, that rocks the security of the people who gain their livelihood from the existing system.
Personal best question about djt I actually used on MAGA cultists was "What does the end of 45s Presidency look like? In your ideal world. Describe it" The typical results were to flummox em, because the Constitution
This was thought provoking. I too have literally given up on cultist MAGAts. In my own way, I have shunned THEM. Dealing with their stubborn adherence to foolish talking points is just too exhausting.
I remember Joe, criticized him non stop as a tea party know-nothing. Also knew him as a dead-beat dad. So glad he had a core of integrity, he hid it well. Hope there is sunshine in your future, not a spell of blindness.
Nobody mentions the non-stop propaganda campaign from Fox or the dirty tricksters manning the Republican bull horns for 40 plus years. The cult is as crazy as Germany in the 30’s. They just haven’t had the power yet. Came damn close though, and Lordy, did the money roll in. Are there any Sauls out there??
Ordinarily I would say that there's no basis in fact for thinking that many of trump's 2020 74M might traipse back to the world of facts, and the few characters who have don't augur that many more will be joining them on their own.
The two facts that give me that basis for hope are, first, the number who switched from voting for Obama in 2008 or 2012 to voting for Trump in 2016 (for whatever reason). I call these changeable people and my guess is that they're still changeable.
Second, I think the biggest influence on the 2024 or by latest, the 2028 elections will be what results from the generational shift that never stops. These will be new people, literally, and most inclined to open-mindedness in view of the barely-improvable mess that will confront them every Election Day.
There was a time when Joe Walsh was #1 on my sh-t list. My only opinion of him was that he was a worthless trouble maker - always trying to get attention by being the most insensitive jerk in the room. Hmmm....who does that sound like? But I am willing to give a second chance to someone who finally sees the light. And yes, he lost every "thing" because of his acceptance of reality. But it seems he gained a glimpse into his soul which will allow him an aspect of humanity that most MAGA will never enjoy.
I’ve been in 2 cults. I’ve learned to recognize them and when I’m making something “into” a cult for myself. Once you come to terms with that process, it becomes threatening and ones whole life has to change it’s “perceptions.” Sometimes giving up a cult, you give up “information” and “social contacts.” The result is wonderful. If you have half a brain, you know it’s happening… they they have something you desperately want. Bravo to Joe Walsh.
After leaving politics, members of Congress who played along with MAGA have scored cushy TV gigs (Jason Chaffetz, Trey Gowdy), jobs running Trump companies (Devin Nunes), and now, presidencies at universities (Ben Sasse).. (article, Greg Olear)
Being not very familiar with the word apostate, I employ different terminology. People who recover from being in a cult, or culture, are overcoming mind control.
Iranians the world over are finally rebelling, at long last, against the draconian restrictions of that woefully backward Islamic regime. The older generation of Russians still getting their news and worldview from state TV are starting to see their bubble crack.
Recovery from brainwashing is a poorly understood process. I’m with Greg when he says he’s pretty much written off everybody who still supports Trump, and that includes my dad. I have to explain to one of my sisters that he’s a dummy, because she still doesn’t get how he could be so lost.
Remember when Lindsey Graham, of all people, called Trump a racist? [“race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot“ and “lying motherfucker,” among other things] Remember the Access Hollywood tape?
Anyone with eyes can see who this guy is. But not so bright people, or people who don’t pay attention to things like racism and sexism and homophobia, or who subconsciously approve of those values, gravitate towards this dirtbag. He actually has far less intelligence and even less integrity than Hitler did. Yet we have so many saps in this country, that they easily fall for this guy’s cons and made him President.
Recovering from brainwashing is one of the toughest things. Melissa Jo Peltier talks about being ostracized and shunned by your community, but in addition, you are questioning everything you once believed. Your rock is shaken, removed. You become adrift. You have to find new secure footing.
Our country, our society, has turned off the blender. Now the different liquids are separating. I actually think it’s a very healthy process, because the racism and sexism and homophobia that was covertly affecting things like drawing district boundaries, is now out in the open and visible. We’ve never had this level of transparency into how racism affects our democracy.
It’s going to be a rude awakening, and it already is for a lot of Trumpsters. Although you and I are anxiously and impatiently awaiting his political death knell, dragging the process out, drawing it out, gives the brainwashees more opportunity to see the light of their mistake. It gives more of them opportunity to wake up from their racist sexist old-social-order slumber.
Also, Melissa Jo Peltier says, “… apostates always get more abuse than people that weren’t in the cult….Once you’re an apostate to the cult, you must be destroyed, because you’ve seen inside. And you’re also a threat to the people in the cult, because they knew you.”
Hence the Chinese government, and Saudi and Iranian governments, operating inside the United States and elsewhere to coerce, blackmail, and harass [and murder] dissidents. Putin’s GRU thugs committing murder outside Russia. They fear their own citizens recovering from that society’s cultural programming more than anything else.
Change is such a threat. If you have education, enlightenment, that rocks the security of the people who gain their livelihood from the existing system.
Quiet quitting works for me, too!
two of my very favorite peeps chatting on PREVAIL? yes please!
Ha! Cute!
Saul to Paul?
I'm not a fan of historical fiction.
But its obvious Donald has yet to be struck by enough lighting to become Ronald.
As for his zombie fans a vaporizing bolt might work.
Personal best question about djt I actually used on MAGA cultists was "What does the end of 45s Presidency look like? In your ideal world. Describe it" The typical results were to flummox em, because the Constitution
This was thought provoking. I too have literally given up on cultist MAGAts. In my own way, I have shunned THEM. Dealing with their stubborn adherence to foolish talking points is just too exhausting.
I remember Joe, criticized him non stop as a tea party know-nothing. Also knew him as a dead-beat dad. So glad he had a core of integrity, he hid it well. Hope there is sunshine in your future, not a spell of blindness.
Nobody mentions the non-stop propaganda campaign from Fox or the dirty tricksters manning the Republican bull horns for 40 plus years. The cult is as crazy as Germany in the 30’s. They just haven’t had the power yet. Came damn close though, and Lordy, did the money roll in. Are there any Sauls out there??
Ordinarily I would say that there's no basis in fact for thinking that many of trump's 2020 74M might traipse back to the world of facts, and the few characters who have don't augur that many more will be joining them on their own.
The two facts that give me that basis for hope are, first, the number who switched from voting for Obama in 2008 or 2012 to voting for Trump in 2016 (for whatever reason). I call these changeable people and my guess is that they're still changeable.
Second, I think the biggest influence on the 2024 or by latest, the 2028 elections will be what results from the generational shift that never stops. These will be new people, literally, and most inclined to open-mindedness in view of the barely-improvable mess that will confront them every Election Day.
Tosay I almost bought a large leather bound copy of Brave New World.
But i hesitated. .
Save my $ for a copy of
A Cowards Old World
by Mary L Trump
There was a time when Joe Walsh was #1 on my sh-t list. My only opinion of him was that he was a worthless trouble maker - always trying to get attention by being the most insensitive jerk in the room. Hmmm....who does that sound like? But I am willing to give a second chance to someone who finally sees the light. And yes, he lost every "thing" because of his acceptance of reality. But it seems he gained a glimpse into his soul which will allow him an aspect of humanity that most MAGA will never enjoy.
Ronald McDonald?
Note: Mans answer to a disagreement.
2.4 wars ever year for the last 4500 years.
I’ve been in 2 cults. I’ve learned to recognize them and when I’m making something “into” a cult for myself. Once you come to terms with that process, it becomes threatening and ones whole life has to change it’s “perceptions.” Sometimes giving up a cult, you give up “information” and “social contacts.” The result is wonderful. If you have half a brain, you know it’s happening… they they have something you desperately want. Bravo to Joe Walsh.
After leaving politics, members of Congress who played along with MAGA have scored cushy TV gigs (Jason Chaffetz, Trey Gowdy), jobs running Trump companies (Devin Nunes), and now, presidencies at universities (Ben Sasse).. (article, Greg Olear)