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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsApparently my neighbors are right wing wackos
Had a talk to my neighbors today from a distance over the fence, have know them a while but never really got beyond saying hello, boy was I in for a shock. It just so happened that they had the radio on which was in the middle of a news update on Covid, cue the craziness. Here's the bullet points of the discussion.
- They said that Covid is the same as the normal yearly flu.
- That no more people have died this year than would normally have, when I brought up the actual statistics showing more deaths they declared that those people were going to die anyway!
- That locking down has helped no country at all, after pointing out some countries have done well locking down they started to list countries that recorded lots of cases only after the lock down was lifted apparently unaware this was the case.
- That the media is trying to trick us by pretending people are following Covid restrictions when they're not. This one really confused me as if there is really no extra danger to them as they say then why would hiding a mass amount of people ignoring restrictions make a difference.
- That Covid is the biggest scam ever created.
- That the tourism industry somehow made profits from cancelling people's trips despite them being unable to organize further trips. This is the point where I seriously started wondering for their mental health, I have no idea how they drew this conclusion.
- That "they" didn't want to stop Covid and were actively sabotaging attempts to get the world back to normal. I didn't stick around to find out who "they" are.
I'm kind of shocked after this, they always seemed so nice, I never would have imagined the complete disregard for life they could show, the point where they declared that anyone who died from Covid was meant to die was particularly sad to me.
I just don't get it, how are some people this far off from reality? How can they have such little regard for life? Why do they think everyone is trying to trick them and get them? Why do they switch from Covid isn't dangerous to it's a threat and back again in the space of then minutes? I feel like I entered the Twilight Zone and nothing makes sense anymore.
Sugarmaggie
(109 posts)There is 70+mil with same mindset. Not sure if its a coping mechanism, general ignorance, revealing of whats been lurking under the surface of a general lack of empathy and humanity.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)maybe they'd see things differently.
It's terrifying how what many would have once considered abhorrent behavior is not disturbing to them.
I can say this as a survivor of being with a narcissist for several decades. I look back at some of the things I tolerated and wonder who the hell was I that I was putting up with such despicable behavior.
jaxexpat
(6,703 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)how shocked the western world was that an advanced white Christian nation could do what the Third Reich did. With your experience you undoubtedly know it, but one specific finding of studying them is that they CAN'T look at themselves from the outside. Or much of anything, critical analysis almost nonexistent.
yankeepants
(1,979 posts)Canoe52
(2,944 posts)WinstonSmith4740
(3,048 posts)n/t
secondwind
(16,903 posts)Its sad, yet very frightening
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Some people get off on the victim mentality and permanent state of outrage that the right-wind media bubble fosters, and many of them get addicted to it--to the point where they distrust any information that doesn't come from within the bubble.
-Laelth
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I've lived in my house for 17 years and have had a good relationship with everyone on my street, and especially with one of my immediate neighbors. I knew she was a Republican, but I didn't think she was a trump supporter. We just never talked politics because I didn't want any kind of rift considering that neither of us is likely to move.
Well, right after the election she called me to chat, and brought up the election. She was very upset. She started talking about all of the great things that she thought OrangeAss had done for the country. I told her I couldn't stand him and elaborated just a bit about what a despicable creature he is.
I bit my tongue a lot during that conversation.
Things got cold. I tried to call her prior to Christmas to wish her happy holidays, which is something we always did. She didn't answer. I figured she must still be pretty upset. She finally did call me just before Christmas, and we had a nice chat with NO mention of anything political.
Ordinarily I'd distance myself from Republicans, because I feel that anyone who can STILL support the asshole is just not the kind of person I want to have in my life. But our relationship is pretty casual, and she's in her 70s and unlikely to change. I don't wish to upset her. She's got some health issues and I see no point in getting her riled.
I've distanced myself from a lot of people in real life and social media over the last four years, but like I said, I have no intention of moving and neither does she, unless she has to for health reasons. In this case, I'm going to keep things on a quiet level.
mdbl
(4,972 posts)- that Bill Gates is adding nanoprobes into the vaccines to control everyone's brain
That's an important thing they left out. Morans!
diane in sf
(3,904 posts)will not change their minds.
KPN
(15,587 posts)experience when I bumped into a former co-worker in a supermarket recently. He spouted almost identical views. Beliefs that are beyond my comprehension.
leftyladyfrommo
(18,816 posts)than that!"
I think these people have always been here. They have just found their voice and we are hearing more about
all the crazy stuff.
KPN
(15,587 posts)a next time around.
captain queeg
(10,036 posts)I talked to my brother over Christmas. I try to avoid any political stuff because I know he is a Republican but it came up. I know he hates trump and knows hes a liar and a con artist but he told me he had to vote for him again. I was a little surprised because I know he actually hates him. He said he just couldnt bring himself to vote for a socialist. The brainwashing in America is bone deep.
ToxMarz
(2,154 posts)My brother, a Trumpster, I thought was coming around. He complained that he can no longer have the news on at home because he doesn't want his 8 and 10 year to hear what comes out of and around Trump's mouth everyday. Yet he voted for him again, believes the vote was rigged and America is doomed if Democrats hold office. Unbelievable!
WinstonSmith4740
(3,048 posts)We all know that some of the most popular programs in this country are basically socialist...parks, education, roads, etc. Just ask him what he's willing to give up in the name of capitalism. Does he have kids? So I'm assuming he's prepared to pay private school fees to educate them. Ready to pay a toll on EVERY street you drive on? Have people on hand that can put the fire out in case your house goes up in flames? You get the idea...I'm generally met with a lot of blank stares, blinking, and muttering.
BlueJac
(7,838 posts)I feel like we are in an episode of twilight zone that has no ending!
John Ludi
(588 posts)is what societal collapse looks like.
I strongly recommend not engaging people of this mindset...it'll just make you a future target for them when things get REALLY out of hand.
jaxexpat
(6,703 posts)It's probably what polite Romans of Constantine's time did when evangelized by early Christians.
twodogsbarking
(9,308 posts)neighbor. I decided early on that I would avoid people as much as possible and wear a mask. The mask is a little inconvenience while avoiding people ain't so bad.
Roisin Ni Fiachra
(2,574 posts)They hang out with like minded people, and are therefore far more likely to contract and spread covid than people who take precautions.
onetexan
(12,994 posts)other GOP candidate signs. My yard had Biden/Harris & quite a few state & local candidates signs and they didn't complain about them. We make it a point not to associate w these trumping neighbors unless we have good reason to. They're not in their right mind.
Jetheels
(991 posts)Ive spent the last 4 plus years trying to understand how this is happening. My theories have been many, including; they are just stupid, theyre brainwashed, blue dress gold dress, theyre racist, theyre sociopath, low information, they worship rich people, some sort of genetic malfunction, malnutrition, forever chemical brain alteration, pesticide poisoning, alien abduction. Or a combination of any of these.
Squidly
(783 posts)Its crazy how they all will spew the exact same talking points. They have been systematically programmed over the last 4 decades plus to be this way. There really is no hope for them.
stopbush
(24,378 posts)Like tRump, they are stupid people who believe they are geniuses. If you asked them where they ranked on the financial scale, theyd tell you they were in the upper 10%. They are living a cheap reality that doesnt come with the costs that attend living a factual existence. Ill bet you they are also deeply religious.
Martin Eden
(12,803 posts)And it's the rest of us who've been conned by the fake news media.
People who've been watching Fox News and listening to Rush Limbaugh have been programmed for decades to believe the kind of nonsense they spouted.
And those rightwing media outlets are gateway drugs to Breitbart, Infowars, QAnon, etc.
They can be nice friendly people who function normally in professional careers. Their beliefs aren't necessarily fueled by inherent hatred and racism. Many religious folk who were raised as conservative Republicans rely on Fow News for information and opinion which is all too often reinforced by religious leaders.
The alternate reality built up over the years forms an ideology which is embraced in full, linking politics and religion. Their belief system of God and country is built on a foundation of lies, but they don't know that. No rational, logical, fact-based argument can dissuade them. They will reject your facts as fake news and simply will not see the glaring contradictions they've embraced.
It's much easier to fool someone than to get them to accept they've been played for a fool.
appleannie1
(5,044 posts)I will say that when I visited them pre covid, she told him to please not turn the TV on for a couple days. FOX is a 24/7 thing in their house except when Rush is on the radio. They are Evangelical Christians. I love my sister and we do speak. I can be with her for short periods of time. We dance around certain subjects when we communicate. We both agree not to disagree. It is sad but at least we can still talk to each other. I have blocked my B-I-L from my e-mail simply because I got tired of deleting all the crap he sends on a daily basis but we still do speak when I fly down to visit them. We have learned over the years to love each other from a distance but at least we still can.
Martin Eden
(12,803 posts)They're not Fox/Limbaugh 24/7, but I'm pretty sure they voted for Trump.
We don't talk very often. They know where I stand, so politics is avoided.
whathehell
(28,969 posts)Does anyone talking to these people challenge them, even gently.like asking them, "What makes you think that"?
As to the bizarre statement "They were going to die anyway"
wouldn't one ask "Who says"? or "Then what's the point of medicine and doctors"?
Thanks for posting..I'm not in any way criticizing your choice to disengage with them, but I just feel someone needs to get to the bottom of this crazed thinking.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)Started talking about covid. She's not going to let this virus stop her from doing things she wants to do. This is a woman who never went too many places to start with, church and out to eat on Sunday. Her husband goes to the grocery store. She said she wears a mask but she's not afraid, when God wants her he will take her. I didn't comment on that at least she's wearing a mask. But when she said kids don't get it I told her my 10 year old granddaughter was exposed and quarantined. Then doctors and hospitals get more money if they put covid on the death certificate I told her that was a lie coming from Fox. She suddenly had to go. Oh well.
whathehell
(28,969 posts)Do they think the same of Tuberculosis or the Swine flu?..,I mean, why would doctors "get more money" if they put Covid on a Death Certificate? I've heard the allegation before, but I never hear their reasoning for it.. Admittedly, I haven't talked to any right wingers for awhile, so I do appreciate the input of those who have
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)But she said one of her Amish friends told her he knew it for a fact. That's the same people who don't believe in vaccines and hate the government. I'm sure she heard it from Hannity who she loves.
Response to blueinredohio (Reply #48)
whathehell This message was self-deleted by its author.
whathehell
(28,969 posts)Faulty sources coupled, it seems, with a complete lack of critical thinking skills.
DeminPennswoods
(15,246 posts)to current events as DU'ers. They are busy living their lives and catch information intermittently and from what they see and hear around them. Just calmly inject some facts here and there into the conversation. You never know what will penetrate and stick.
Vinca
(50,170 posts)niyad
(112,435 posts)bucolic_frolic
(42,676 posts)Must be Trump's speeches and Bund rallies, where he holds up his right hand and gestures, articulates every word, waffles left then right, and arrives at the conclusion he is the greatest. It's a brainwashing technique. Has to be. People like your neighbors are so weak they are being led around by the nose, by someone famous and no one famous ever paid them any attention before.
What'cha think? Does it fit?
pansypoo53219
(20,906 posts)went on that the death rate 9% 2019 + this year the same. i keep pointing out the infactiousness + affect on medical system. $$$. but hasn't said a thing since biden's win. she thinks her FL gov is doing a fine job. trump did fine w/ covid.
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)Welcome to DU!
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)Rush and Clear Channel are the MAIN propaganda arm of the fascist Right.
Been that way for 20+ years - since President Clinton signed the TeleCommunication Act of 1996 that allowed a few mega corps to own almost all the media outlets in this country.
The Hill: Bill Clintons telecom law: Twenty years later
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/268459-bill-clintons-telecom-law-twenty-years-later
Some have argued that parts of the law had detrimental effects on the communications market. A 2005 report from public interest group Common Cause found that political forces blunted its impact.
In many ways, the Telecom Act failed to serve the public and did not deliver on its promise of more competition, more diversity, lower prices, more jobs and a booming economy, the group said. Instead, the public got more media concentration, less diversity, and higher prices.
Duppers
(28,094 posts)niyad
(112,435 posts)vouch for myself!). You are in good company here.
Unfortunately, we are appalled and sickened to see what fifty years of reichwing propaganda is doing. From the deliberate dumbing down of our schools to the churches to the reichwing media, it has been steady programming.
Usually actually means (((they))).
Chainfire
(17,308 posts)BGBD
(3,282 posts)A thinly vailed antisemitic direction when conspiracy theorists start using they. It starts leading back to Soros or the Rothschild.
CurtEastPoint
(18,552 posts)ecstatic
(32,567 posts)Billions of people are now "online" with no formal training or even a basic understanding of how various content ends up on the Internet.
Ferrets are Cool
(21,063 posts)A willingness to absorb and regurgitate right wing propaganda. And, it mirrors their mental views and shows the world what is really in their soul.
Shermann
(7,358 posts)Trump cultivated the idea that all of the thorniest problems have super-easy solutions (trade deficits, national debt, immigration). Or, that they aren't really problems at all (climate change, race relations, coronavirus).
In reality these problems require stark choices be made, and there will be winners and losers. So when the pain of these tradeoffs and sacrifices is being felt, the MAGA-verse will flee to the narrative that there is an easier path we should be on.
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)whoever has the media microphone to see where the line is: "Is this crazy idea or statement too extreme to be believed, or do we have our followers so deluded that they'll believe this, say that, and act on this? How far can we push 5% of them, 40% of them, etc? What are they willing to sacrifice for the lies we tell to stay in power?"
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,483 posts)on social media via their massive propaganda machine. Their objective around the globe is to sow confusion and delusion among the world's citizens and to swing governments toward the right and fascism. China is know to play these games as well.
It's been proven they did this during the 2015/16 U.S. election and during the UK's Brexit campaign.
Russia and China are both very patient and clandestine adversaries.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,483 posts)Just ask them for written proof and source info for any one of those claims. I'll bet they never get back to you.
If, by remote chance they do respond, that would open a window for you to hand them a written rebuttal and you could then exchange written notes. If nothing else, that would give you closure on the issue.
There's something magic and revealing for me to write down my beliefs and problems down on paper.
KY......
Duppers
(28,094 posts)👍
Ziggysmom
(3,374 posts)People dont understand democratic socialism is a good thing and not leading to full blown communism! Democratic socialists believe in democracy and not a full authoritarian government many Americans associate socialism with.
For Petes sake, show me a repubicon who turns down Social Security, Medicare or Federal Student loans? The wealthy take for granted that the poor and middle class pay taxes so they dont have to.
beaglelover
(3,441 posts)I don't remember our ICUs in L.A. Country being completely full EVER and I've lived here since 1988. Fools!
Polybius
(15,239 posts)Multiple things could have happened. They could have been switching stations right before they talked to you, just looking for something and got sidetracked when they say you, and stopped tuning.
Perhaps the station has both right-wing and left-wing shows, such as WABC did. Maybe the left-wing one just ended, and they weren't paying attention.
Or maybe they were like me growing up. I listened to hard-right Bob Grant, and then progressive Lynn Samuels. I enjoyed listening to right-wing nuts, just to see what wacky things they spew.
Piasladic
(1,160 posts)I've posted before of their inordinate love of flags, mostly of the nutty confederate, bastardized American, and trump loving types. It would not be hyperbolic to say they have at least 8 flags and a yard sign up. Most recently, they have remove their prime flag (trump bullshit one) from its place (moved it to the porch), and now proudly hang a F* Biden one.
I am amazed that it was a collaborative effort of both the male (hanging it) and female (holding the ladder). I guess he and his partner are getting along a bit better or he has found a a new one. I've heard the sad and desperate cries and vomit early in the mornings lately bemoaning his loneliness and loss... I still feel sorry for him. I just hope he doesn't shoot me.