Please Read, for all you hold near dear to your heart...

[Pyryck]

...for all you think wonderful, right, righteous and politically correct AND BEFORE YOU POST ANOTHER RESPONSE ON THIS FORUM OR ANY OTHER:

Please reconsider your thoughts and feelings towards the programmed, indoctrinated and propagandized portion of AMERICAN citizens that are human beings just as you and I are, but have fallen into believing all that they have had fed to them. These "gullibles" as I tend to think of them, were and are being fed a very real diet of propaganda, indoctrination and programming to develop opinions, thoughts, belief systems, specifically and scientifically targeted at them to influence them.

These human beings, these American citizens, these people, are friends, former friends, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, grandparents and even children, make up a significant portion of the American population. If we ignore them, if we consider them to be "the other", the "enemy" and not worthy of help, of love, of caring, of compassion and empathy, then the great experiment of democracy that is these United States States of America will forever be damaged, divided and ultimately, destroyed.

The US Civil War was fought over the very real issue of slavery of other human beings and all the attendant industries in support of slavery. Every single soldier that died in that war was an American Citizen, regardless of the color of their uniform being blue or gray.

Today, the USA, is just as divided as the US was in the 1850s and 1860s. But, instead of divided by state borders, we are divided by house walls, fence lines, manicured lawns, railroad tracks, overly developed municipal areas and under developed municipal areas, city limits or boundaries. For a few years, maybe decades, we were not divided, out of 246 years of this great experiments recorded history.

If WE American citizens really believe in the ideas put forth in the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the rest of the Amendments made to the US Constitution, if we are to truly honor all of the blood spilt in defense of an IDEA, a CONCEPT, a hope, a vision, and a future worthy of our children and their children, then we must rise above these divided times, reach across the aisle, fence, city limit sign, and engage, help, care, love, show compassion and empathy and prove to all of the world that the idea of a human democracy is the beacon of hope for all human beings to aspire to.

If you are of the Christian faith, then turn the other cheek and embrace Jesus's positive, loving, caring teachings as written in your bible. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Help your friend by being a friend. Reach out a hand to help another human being up, back on their feet.

But, please, I beg you don't treat, call, term American Citizens as "the Enemy". There is no future in that for any of us because WE THE PEOPLE won't survive it.

If I can influence a reader or two with this posting, and they can influence a few more, then maybe, just maybe we can find a way to "pay it forward" and not "hate your neighbor" or "cheat a friend". I don't want to be One Tin Soldier. No single human being can.

Please don't respond. Just share the ideas presented here. Act on them and encourage others to do the same.

[Atticus]

1. Best I can manage is "Bless your heart!" I have scars on all four of my cheeks because I turned

them to "the enemy".

I'm outta cheeks.

[luvallpeeps]

2. Bless our hearts!

So many of us have talked ourselves exhausted. I feel like the harder we try and explain, convince, and inform, the harder they dig their heels in. Money is some powerful stuff. Citizens United may have sealed our fate. We’re running out of cheeks to turn. I remain hopeful though. There are only so many school slaughters we can stand. 😭

[NewHendoLib]

3. How we gonna do that? impossible to reason with a cult. Nice sentiment - but..no thanks.

[onecaliberal]

4. When they stop trying to kill my kids, I might consider caring. I am sorry, but no.

[Scrivener7]

5. No. Not turning the other cheek. I understand abuse. Turn the other cheek

"as written in your bible" and the abuser will break that cheek too.

They don't belong in my uterus and I don't want to be shot in the grocery store and Black Lives Matter.

So I just don't think this is going to work out for me.

But I do see your sincerity and wish you well.

[demtenjeep]

6. hahaha

oh huh...............................

[dixiechiken1]

7. Sorry, no.

Your sentiments are lovely, truly. But many, many, MANY of "these human beings, these American citizens, these people" would just as soon shoot us libs in the face as look at us. They already have. And they continue to do so. They scream about "rigged elections" and "stolen votes" but seem to be A-OK with Republican efforts to negate 81 million of our votes. They have no qualms about supporting a coup to overthrow our government because they didn't like the outcome of a free and fair election. Everything - absolutely EVERYTHING - is a zero sum game to these people. In their worldview, compromise is not an option because if someone wins, someone else must lose. Period.

How many times are we supposed to extend our hand in friendship, only to pull back a bloody stump? No. Just NO. They may have been "fed a very real diet of propaganda, indoctrination and programming," but they are still responsible for their actions. I do not and will not accept responsibility for their ethical shortcomings and pliant moralities. The moral failing here is not mine - it is theirs and theirs alone.

[area51]

24. +1 n/t

[MuseRider]

8. What makes you think

we have not tried that for YEARS?

Much of what you read here is written by those of us who marched against the Vietnam war. We marched for equality for our black citizens, brown citizens, immigrant citizens wherever they were from. We marched for women, we marched for LGBTQ+, etc etc forever and always AMEN. All of those marches and all the work was done either for peace or done peacefully. We talked our freaking faces off and always listened. I came long ago to the conclusion you cannot talk to hate. You can talk at it and once in a great while someone will hear you and if you are very very VERY lucky they will have the time to absorb and learn from it before they get thrown back in to the hate.

I do not think we were capable of understanding the hate that they have. We are watching it proliferate and are now coming to see that really, we cannot do much of anything other than what we are doing. In our hearts and minds we cannot stop doing it. The rugs have been pulled, we have been put in the corner and although we talk and talk and talk we are not talking to people. We are talking to closed minds that have been convinced by the corporate nation that has been more clever than I ever thought they could be. Every turn reinforces the hate, from everywhere. Can we stop this? Maybe. I am not sure anymore yet we are still out there and we will die trying to make it better because that is what we do.

What makes you think we have not tried to be kind and what makes you think we should keep on shining on the hate that they are running our country with, the world, ALL people? At some point we have to accept that there are enemies out there and I think most of us have. Our one most wonderful trait is we know who they are and we know what they are and we know we are losing right now but we have not stopped. WE ARE AMAZING!

I did not see your post count and it really does not matter. You have a good heart that has not be battered into painful little bits. Some people will do what you say but to make people who have done everything EVERYTHING to try to stop this feel bad for their own well deserved feelings of exhaustion, sadness, fear and sheer inability to go one more step toward thinking of these folks as more than the enemy will not help your cause.

If I walked up to my own brother, living in his car because of the libs, and tried to hug him he would break my nose. The one and only family member who has saved his ass countless times. What does he say to me? Are you still a stupid fucking lib? Enough said.

[LuckyCharms]

9. I disagree, but your post is very well written.

Personally, I have a "fuck 'em in ear" attitude toward these people.

We're human beings, and as such, we can only take so much abuse, while trying to turn the other cheek.

To me, they ARE the enemy.

Your post stated "But, please, I beg you don't treat, call, term American Citizens as "the Enemy".

To that, I say "So what"? So they're American Citizens, big deal. Are they acting like real American Citizens should act? Nope, they're not. They are, in fact, an enemy. And they are hurting people.

Fuck 'em.

[cachukis]

10. Agree with sentiment, but

the sentiment has to have listening ears.
As a retired teacher, I can tell you that my lessons struck chords where i never expected.
But I had younger ears.
I'm confident that generations in the future will need your advice, but some old folk are hard of hearing.

[llmart]

11. Nope, ain't gonna happen from me.

Probably because I'm "woke". Also, I'm an atheist so I don't believe in turning the other cheek.

[Eko]

12. Its always a good idea to stop for a moment and think about your feelings and thoughts

before you come to a decision. I don't like calling them the enemy at all. It changes the way you think about them. They become an undefined "them", you start to treat them like you wouldn't treat people normally. You degrade them in your mind and thoughts and actions that would have once been unseemly or unimaginable on your part become the norm. This is a dangerous path and one that republicans and conservatives have fallen into deeply. I see it here though some. No where as much, but more than I would like. I hate to say it but it happens, its part of human nature for people not used to fighting. There are two types of way to fight, with emotion or with logic. When you let emotion control you to fight and this is not just physical fighting but is true in any confrontation you have lost control of yourself. You are no longer acting as a rational being. Your actions are not ones that you would normally do or choose to do. You have lost control. Calling someone the enemy or treating them as such reinforces your using emotion when you do a confrontation. They are the enemy, they must be destroyed. Your actions upon confronting them are emotional because you have used emotion to classify them. Pyryck, I hope you have read this far because it about to change. You are using emotion in confronting them, not logic. They are not your enemy, but they are without a doubt against what I presume you stand for and what you think this country should be and they are working hard, even using violence to erase what those ideals are. You are using emotion thinking you and us can reach out with love and compassion to fix this while they are planning and executing the end of the ideals we all believe in. Many of them want you and us just straight out dead and if it was legal to do it they would be doing it. If there was some kind of crazy civil war that broke out I have no doubt whatsoever that my whole family would be on the other side of me. Would I fight against my brothers? Yes. Not because they are my enemy but because they are wrong. They are just plain ol wrong. At a certain point you just have to realize that you cant fix their wrong and when they decide to impose it upon us we get to do what we need to do to protect ourselves and our country. My enemy? Evil? Nope, but wrong nonetheless and sitting back thinking we can change them with our kindness is pretty much just spitting in the wind.

[IngridsLittleAngel]

13. They have made themselves enemies

No one here wanted them to become the enemies. We would be happier if the nation wasn't on the verge of fracturing apart - perhaps irreparably. We don't want a civil war. We would rather live our lives than have to fight these people and fight for our very existence. Some of us have tried to play nice for decades, and realize all we did was waste our time and energy that could've been used elsewhere.

Guess what? Not our choice. They made it for us. They're the ones with more guns than brains. They're the ones armed like a third-world banana republic. They're the ones talking about "liberal hunting licenses" and threatening to kill LGBTQ's and drag queens for "grooming."

We are the ones who have tried to peacefully coexist, only to face nonstop hatred, threats and even violence. All of this brought on by the fact we exist and they hate anyone who doesn't meet their approval.

These enemies have declared war on people like me in 2022, with each day bringing a new attack and more hatred. "Sports". "Don't Say Gay". "Helping your kid transition is abuse". "Groomers". And now it's escalated to UHauls full of these enemies preparing to attack Pride events and Proud Incels threatening drag queens.

You think these people would "reach out a hand" to help us up? They'd kick us while we were down. If they did reach out a hand, it'd have a loaded gun in it, aimed at us.

We didn't start this war. They did. I have no intention to be used for target practice or have my life ruined or destroyed because these small-minded fascists have devoted their lives to ruining mine and the lives of others like me.

Maybe you should reevaluate what is going on here in 2022 and call them out for their hatred for their fellow Americans and desire to murder us. Instead of calling us out for saying just what our enemies are and making it clear that we're not going to take their terrorism anymore.

[usonian]

14. I generally agree. (and don't wait for the BUT)

All people have the potential for good and evil in them.

They don't generally square off into "opposing groups" unless conned into, or by group social pressure.

This is a very deep topic and rather than wander into Buddhism, which teaches that we are all interconnected, and places a lot of emphasis, in the Lotus Sutra, on the Buddha's "nemesis" Devadatta, who eventually achieves Buddhahood himself.

On the everyday plane, I recommend studying the reasons why people are hoodwinked, seduced and hypnotized by exploiters, and am pasting some reference material here.

People deeply down a rabbit hole are like addicts and curing them of their delusion is either for professionals, or they have to hit the proverbial "rock bottom". There is hope for others not so stuck in the mud, and I find that presenting the contradictions that they live with can possibly help them wake up. (See "Every Accusation is a Confession, referenced below.)

Read this great series on DKos
https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2021/8/6/2044226/-America-2021-The-Good-the-Bad-the-Ugly
“Democracy in Crisis: We’ve Been Headed Here for Decades.” Part 1of 8
Read all 8 to get the pattern in detail.

For a look into the crooked minds of the perpetrators, read
The Psychology of Genocide by Steven K. Baum. (2008)
He groups people into three categories: Perpetrators, Bystanders, and Rescuers.
How Frickin appropriate is that TODAY?

And, to get an idea how the "cult" behaves, read
When Society Becomes an Addict by Anne Wilson Schaef,
because cult behavior shares lots of patterns with addiction.
When you read the list, you will recognize lots of folks in the Republican Party.

The "conspiracy" has been hatched by a coalition of Qvangelicals, RW politicians and oligarchs. Since the Buckley/Nixon/Reagan years, basically all ganging together to put a shine and blessing on greed. (It's actually mentioned in that series)
ALL PLAYING RACISM TO THE FULLEST (and homophobia or misogyny or whatever spikes the hate glands)

I also posted "Every Accusation is a Confession" and that relates to the Buddhist principle that what we do to others, we do to ourselves (being connected)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216777247

And that's how I try to act on DU.
Post insights, informative stuff, "messages" to deliver, and calls to GOTV,
some funny stuff, a little photo editing, and
Neat photos.

I try not to demean or demonize. (I said, TRY)
I need, we need, all the positive energy we can muster to win.

In the end, it's not so much about idealism as just being at the helm.
During the "reign of error" a lot of harm was done.

This is from the epilogue of "Stamped From the Beginning", by Ibram X Kendi.
This is of course, about racism, because racism is the engine of the Republican party.
Emphasis mine:

Protesting against racist power and succeeding can never be mistaken for seizing power. Any effective solution to eradicating American racism must involve Americans committed to antiracist policies seizing and maintaining power over institutions, neighborhoods, counties, states, nations—the world. It makes no sense to sit back and put the future in the hands of people committed to racist policies, or people who regularly sail with the wind of self-interest, toward racism today, toward antiracism tomorrow. An antiracist America can only be guaranteed if principled antiracists are in power, and then antiracist policies become the law of the land, and then antiracist ideas become the common sense of the people, and then the antiracist common sense of the people holds those antiracist leaders and policies accountable.

[shrike3]

15. "Pro-Trump Candidate Calls for Executing Parents of LGBTQ+ Kids."

Another post in GD. Have you read it? You should.

Let's say he wins. Let's say he's serious. What will "these human beings, these American citizens, these people, are friends, former friends, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, grandparents and even children" think of that? How will they respond? What will they do? Will they like the idea? Will they cheer him on?

I don't know. That's where we are in this country. I don't know. Which mean we are in a damn dangerous situation. I honestly don't know what certain of my "fellow Americans" would do in that situation.

And don't tell me not to respond. I'll respond to any damn post I please, thank you very much.

[MerryBlooms]

16. This is why we lose a lot of elections. Unintentionally

Campaigning for Republicans.

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. Tell it to the other side.

[qwlauren35]

18. Sorry, I have to respond.

You are very new here. Or else you've been lurking for years, and this is what you've decided that you need to say.

I understand where you are coming from. Truly I do. But I would not approach it the same way. I think it is very, very important to show our friends and relatives on the other side that they have been brainwashed. If that's what the problem is.

But SOME of these people are not brainwashed. For example, some people really thought that slavery was okay. Sorry, I have to fight those people. I need to take up arms against those people. Those people need to be exterminated, so that our country "can be great again". I used to think that they would die off, but they have sucked in a new generation. It's frightening.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you are white. Most of us who are people of color don't have family "on the other side". We don't have the conflicts and inner angst that some white people may struggle with. But more importantly, for most straight white men, the political views of the conservatives do not physically, financially, emotionally, mentally, and completely HARM them. And in fact, most straight white men do not acknowledge that PHYSICAL HARM is occurring as a result of conservatives.

Three people died on January 6th. Do we really want to reach across the table to those people? No, we arrest them and throw them in jail, and maybe somebody can knock some sense into them.

Dylann Roof wanted to start a race war and killed black people in a church. Do we really want to reach across the table to him? No, you arrest his sorry ass in a capital punishment state and fry the living shit out of him.

Do we reach across the table to the young man in Uvalde who opened fire on children? No. Shoot first, ask questions later, if possible.

These people deserve to die. I'm really sorry if you can't see that. But people who believe that their right to exist requires killing others have no place in my America.

[JonAndKatePlusABird]

19. The people you're referring to, the lost souls who have hopelessly ingested propaganda

Why can’t they take everything you’ve said, and apply it towards me? As a gay guy, I’ve been told and primed my whole life to handle people like this, people who “are filled with love” but go to church every Sunday and for Reasons can’t outwardly express their tolerance.

And every single time I feel like I’ve “gotten through” and “helped them see the light,” maybe I have for that hour, but as soon as they get home and flip Fox back on, everything I’ve said is forgotten. If anything it’s, “oh the faggy liberal got worked up AGAIN, mission accomplished.”

Paradox of tolerance and all that jazz

[DET]

20. I Can't Really Add Much...

…but I want to thank OP for provoking so many heartfelt, well-written responses that pretty much capture how I and many people feel. You have a good heart, OP, but we’re pretty beaten down at this point and just want something resembling a return to sanity.

[scipan]

21. I'm not a Christian

so I don't think in terms of turning the other cheek.

But I have had a little success talking to them, 2 or 3 times. I tell them something personal, like I'm a 73 year old woman. Then they maybe get some image of their mother or grandma, and cut down on the hostility. I haven't changed minds but I have made them see me as a human being. Then I try to find things in common: concern for children gunned down, or the very basic principles of our democracy, that voting should be transparent, fair, and open to all.

Maybe I've planted a seed or two.

[kairos12]

22. No accommodation

with MAGA types.

Evil doesn't exclude nationalities.

In that way, we are not exceptional.

[EndlessWire]

23. No.

First, I'll express my opinion at any point I deem fit.

Second, it's up to those that advocate fascism to finally see all that they are going to lose; it is not my responsibility to coddle those little cheeks that are spiteful and arrogant towards me.

I'll call them what they are to their faces. We will treat them like we treat all our enemies. One day, we will embrace them again, as we always do, but until then, as they make us suffer, so shall they suffer. Talk about push back. There is no way that these fascists are going to get to destroy my country, my Democracy, and walk off as poor, little, ignorant, innocent, child-like citizens who don't know any better. They are adults. They can own it.

I won't say goodbye to the Midterm Elections and 2024 while these poor excuses for citizens vote our country into the hands of fascists who will be more Hitler-like than Germany. If you think you can plead their cause and get them in under the guise of "just reach across the aisle and embrace them," you are wrong. They are the enemy and will remain so until they give up their dirty bag of tricks and stop trying to destroy my country. I don't care who they are. Let them stop what they are doing, and we will continue our Democracy. Until then, they can all go to hell. Or, better yet, let them move to Russia and get drafted. We don't need them here.