"Daddy died a MAGA. His last words were apologies for how his Trumpism hurt our family"

[Nevilledog]

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article289588568.html

No paywall link
https://archive.li/ADKjO

Daddy died in August of 2017. It was a terrible and painful death and he was only 61 years old. His last words to me were absolutely unfathomable and embarrassing: He begged for forgiveness for his behavior and his Facebook posts since 2015. The MAGA mentality he had displayed since Donald Trump came down that escalator. The point of contention in our formerly close relationship — the reason we had barely spoken in two years.

He was dying and he talked about Betsy DeVos.

Years before his death, Daddy had sent me several messages through Facebook about “ripping the teeth” out of education departments across the country and I was shocked. I am sick writing those words. I write them because I know I am not alone. I know many of us lost parents and siblings and grandparents and friends to Trumpism. It’s a sad state of affairs and we may as well talk about it, because even though Trump has been out of office for three years, he’s never gone away. We still suffer the loss of our relationships.

Daddy. He was a Navy Seabee. A carpenter. A guitar player. A fast car collector. A good guy. A man who tried to raise two little girls on his own and did it to the best of his ability. A hippie in his pot-smoking, hard-rock youth and a MAGA in his death.

It made no sense. He was never hateful, until he was. He was always caring, until he wasn’t. He was proud of me — the first to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, much less an master’s in education, until he decided the Education Department was a part of a conspiracy. He was always the man who I could count on when I called, but he died a man I didn’t recognize.

What happened?

*snip*

[hlthe2b]

1. The devastation of families and friends goes on and on...

If there is a hell, that alone would doom TSF and all his ilk.

[SunSeeker]

2. We all have stories like this in our families. What Trump did was devastating. nt

[Attilatheblond]

17. And those sad stories are not just about being alienated from older relatives

I know too many people with broken hearts due to their adult offspring going to the MAGA dark side

Edited to fix title

[Hermit-The-Prog]

3. What happened? Propaganda created and disseminated with scientific targeting.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. my late dad went this route when ronald ray gun left. swolloed the garbage hook, line and sinker.

this was well b4 the word maga was even known. he went totaly bonkers during the obamba years.

[JoseBalow]

5. I find it uplifting and hopeful to hear stories that end

with less drumpf voters

[RainCaster]

6. My maga millennial son will vote for TSF because of the cheap gas we had

He has no care for the fact that the cheap gas was because nobody was buying it. We were all sequestered due to COVID. Somehow, that fact has escaped this single issue voter's little mind.

[PatSeg]

10. And that gas would have gone up

regardless of who was in the White House. Some people are incapable of seeing the big picture.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

21. And what if our adversaries manipulate the prices and cause wars just to influence our elections

Should we allow manipulated gas prices to blackmail us into voting for the person that the enemy favors.

What if the war in Ukraine was promised to end, as long as we voted in Trump.

What if OPEC and Russia forced gas prices very high, and the underlying message was that if we elect Trump the prices will come down.

We do not give in, as far as I know, to such things during hot wars.

[PatSeg]

28. Exactly

People with such limited views of the world have always been with us, but sometimes it is hard to imagine how in this day and age, they can remain SO ignorant.

[Evolve Dammit]

11. That must hurt. Dang it.

[IbogaProject]

45. Gas was cheaper in 18 & 19

TurdSlinger had Russia, Saudi Arabia and others to agree on production cuts to raise prices.

[mountain grammy]

7. I follow Jess Piper and have read this before

Heartbreaking. It happened in my family too. She’s a good woman. Talking sense to Missouri and America.

Thanks for posting.

[Prairie Gates]

8. MAGA is a cult, and cults focus on separating you from your family

Notably, so do multi-level marketing scams: they tell you first that everyone you trust will be negative, but not to believe them.

There is a big crossover from MLM to MAGA. They operate on similar principles.

[harumph]

22. You are spot on and I wish there was more research about this.

My step-dad was a big Rush Limbaugh fan and also a sucker for every MLM scheme to come around the bend.
I would constantly tell him - "...this doesn't feel real." and "...this sounds pretty implausible." or "What exactly are these
guys selling?" A lot of those MLM hangers on really believe they can wish themselves wealth if they just get on the
MLM bandwagon.

[PatSeg]

9. She certainly is not alone

So many people have experienced similar situations with friends and family and it is hard to comprehend, especially when it is someone you've known your whole life. Nothing prepared me for this bizarre phenomenon.

I could relate it somewhat to 1930s Germany, but it is much more personal when it is people you know and love. Plus, I suppose I thought this is a different era and people have more sources of information. If nothing else, most of us were raised with endless movies about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. We know how the story ends.

As such, I thought anyone, even those with limited education, knew that fascism was bad. It has been in our faces for decades.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. It's a firehose 24/7 of lies and misinformation. Many are either brainwashed, burned out or checked out.

[PatSeg]

16. Yes, some major brainwashing on a massive scale

Either that or those alien brain worms! Look what they did to Tony Shalhoub.

[Evolve Dammit]

26. May be an enviable state if 45 somehow gets anointed.

[PatSeg]

29. Sadly, that is true

[barbaraann]

30. RUSSIAN firehose of falsehood.

The Russian "Firehose of Falsehood" Propaganda Model
Why It Might Work and Options to Counter It
Published Jul 11, 2016Photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Since its 2008 incursion into Georgia (if not before), there has been a remarkable evolution in Russia's approach to propaganda. This new approach was on full display during the country's 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula. It continues to be demonstrated in support of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria and in pursuit of nefarious and long-term goals in Russia's “near abroad” and against NATO allies.

In some ways, the current Russian approach to propaganda builds on Soviet Cold War–era techniques, with an emphasis on obfuscation and on getting targets to act in the interests of the propagandist without realizing that they have done so.1 In other ways, it is completely new and driven by the characteristics of the contemporary information environment. Russia has taken advantage of technology and available media in ways that would have been inconceivable during the Cold War. Its tools and channels now include the Internet, social media, and the evolving landscape of professional and amateur journalism and media outlets.

Distinctive Features of the Contemporary Model for Russian Propaganda
High-volume and multichannel
Rapid, continuous, and repetitive
Lacks commitment to objective reality
Lacks commitment to consistency.
We characterize the contemporary Russian model for propaganda as “the firehose of falsehood” because of two of its distinctive features: high numbers of channels and messages and a shameless willingness to disseminate partial truths or outright fictions. In the words of one observer, “[N]ew Russian propaganda entertains, confuses and overwhelms the audience.”2
...
https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE198.html

[Evolve Dammit]

33. Tucker Carlson is very popular in Russia right now (last year or so). Running mate for Orange Boy?

[barbaraann]

34. Hmmm.

The cult members would probably swallow it.

[Evolve Dammit]

35. They would Love it.

[sakabatou]

19. Families have been broken due to the politics/views of Trump

[diane in sf]

13. This stuff has been going on since media consolidation allowed Republican owners to toss every liberal show

off radio stations and flood them with Rush Limbo and his mini mes. Fox sealed the deal. I have this going on in my own family and it escalated this week.

My sister-in-law brought my brother over to the dark side about 15 years ago. And this week she asked me not to post political things on FB because it was “hateful” and members of her family were complaining or commenting to her. I will of course continue to post. And I’ve asked her over the years that we not discuss politics as our views are irreconcilable. I haven’t friended her on FB because I don’t want to shove our differences in her face. At least 2 of her 3 kids did not vote for trump, but she’s such a strong personality they do not post their opinions. She’s expressed that I must hate her and my brother because I really do despise tRump and the Republican Party. I don’t hate them, they are largely very admirable people, other than their political brainwashing.

I’m about to tell her that anyone in the family (mostly her side) who wants to, can come on my political FB posts and disagree with me directly. The rules will be that you can insult any politician, political party, or institution you want to, but other people may have differing opinions and are welcome to express them. No one can insult any other person on the thread or they’ll be called in it or deleted. In God we trust, all others must bring data to support their statements. If their data or source isn’t good, they can expect to be called on it.

[LaMouffette]

14. What happened? Fox News happened. Rightwing social media happened.

The right's propaganda machine is so extremely effective that millions of people and around the world have fallen under the spell of Trumpism.

Unless we find a way to defeat them, I fear we are doomed. Fortunately, I think those of us with non-Fox-infected brains are still in the majority. Fingers crossed that it stays that way.

[Evolve Dammit]

36. Limbaugh was spewing it since 1987, before Faux News. Many others followed

[LaMouffette]

38. You're right. I forgot to include far-right talk radio. We need a new Fairness Doctrine, which, coincidentally,

got the ax in 1987 (I just googled it), which unleashed Rush Limbaugh and Fox News and the rest on America.

Bring Back a New and Improved Fairness Doctrine
By E. Donald Elliott – Distinguished Adjunct Professor, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University

From 1949 to 1987, the Federal Communications Commission had a rule called the Fairness Doctrine. It provided that for broadcasting license renewals by radio and TV stations, the FCC would consider whether a licensee had covered both sides of controversial public issues. The Fairness Doctrine is often confused with one of its subparts, the equal time rule, but the Fairness Doctrine never required broadcasters to give equal time to every side of every issue. Rather, it merely required broadcasters devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views. It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials.

https://dividedwefall.org/fcc-fairness-doctrine/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4seOwreEhwMVfQKtBh2aTw7GEAAYASAAEgI9yfD_BwE

The new Fairness Doctrine would have to have teeth, be enforceable with severe punishment for transgressors, and most importantly, apply to non-broadcast media, like cable TV programs, streaming services, news apps, . . . anything that delivers news. This is a thorny issue because the idea of regulating the internet is also pretty terrifying, but something has to be done to stop these liars from "flooding the zone with shit," as Steven Bannon put it so delicately.

[Evolve Dammit]

39. "would have to have teeth." Absolutely correct.

[Roxi]

42. And now impossible

Since SCOTUS removed the ability of government agencies to enforce laws and regulations.

[Evolve Dammit]

47. Fascism is here thanks to SCOTUS

[Elessar Zappa]

44. There's no way that passes the 1st amendment sniff test.

Even liberal judges would throw out a law like that and it would likely be a 9-0 Supreme Court decision. No, we have to work in the realm of what is possible.

[SarcasticSatyr]

15. I'm sorry for your loss, I guess in a way he was lost before he passed ...

I myself have lost friends and family members to the maga-cult hate .. and no, I dont understand it.

[GoodRaisin]

18. He is the great divider. Like the Devil, in Christianity.

[dameatball]

20. That is so sad and it happens way too often. Hopefully you can keep the good memories in your heart.

[betsuni]

23. My mother began her transformation into right-wing nut with Rush Limbaugh and evangelical Christian

radio programs. She became a customer, a very loyal customer.

Talked about whatever products Rush was selling, raw milk or gold or whatever before launching into endless rants about how feminists and liberals destroyed America; I don't even want to think about how much money she gave to the "Christians" over the years but preferred the religious rants where she'd weep about me roasting in very unpleasant hellfires for all eternity (what with all the damn money she handed over to them, you'd think God would at least let me spend weekends up in heaven with all the other suckers). It was impossible to have a normal conversation without a hysterical rant of some kind, had to be careful not to mention when the weather was cold because that guaranteed 15 minutes about Al Gore and the global warming hoax.

She died before Trump. Since she thought Dick Cheney was a wonderful Christian man, don't see why she wouldn't love Trump. Intolerable. Feel so sorry for everyone with a family member it happened to.

[KS Toronado]

24. Have always wondered if FQX came into being because of Putin

Have read that Rupert Murdoch and Putin are well acquainted, so is FQX Putin's divide & conquer plan?
FQX and their offspring are destroying this Country.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Well Worth The Read

It's short & concise and a should read.

[calimary]

46. Indeed.

[Permanut]

27. You have written a difficult post very eloquently..

Thank you

[captain queeg]

31. When TSF was elected most of the people I interacted with at work were stunned

But there were a few MAGA. Fortunately the boss came down pretty quickly with the directive to avoid political discussions but both side knew who the other side was. We could talk politics amongst ourselves, careful who we included No posting of memes, etc. fortunately in our office this was generally the case. I retired just before Covid hit and that chapter closed. I associate only with like minded people as much as possible. If I have to deal with RWers I’ve managed to stay away from politics. I feel so sorry for those who have lost loved ones to this cult. The relatives I have who are MAGA at least keep it to themselves. I’m very fortunate.

[magicarpet]

32. Well,... one consolation. When Daddy gets up to heaven and sees someone blasting Fux Snooz full blast,....

.... he will quietly switch the channel and then throw a brick through the picture tube so the Fux Snooz propaganda and brainwashing does not affect the angels.

[GreatAuntK]

37. Me Too

My sister is 81, when I call her she asks to call me back and never does. She and her husband listened to Rush for many years, every single day. Her Facebook posts have run the gamut of MAGA conspiracy theories and prayers to Jesus. (Climate change doesn't matter, as Jesus is going to come back and refresh the Earth.) Before Trump, it wasn't much better. I've blocked and unblocked her twice, and suspect she blocks my posts. We never comment, and when I see her we skillfully avoid politics and religion. I love her with all my heart, she lives 2,000 miles away.

Another sister and her husband refused to get vaccinated for covid, and they both died of it. She steadfastly refused to talk about politics ever since the Iraq war. They're older, and it's like a generation apart.

If one has a (married) gay sister, and you love her, how can that person support a party that would take away their rights.

I have 2 younger sisters and an adult niece here in South Florida, and we're all freaked-out Democrats. I despise the Republican party for doing this to families.

[Arne]

40. One of my older brothers

has the trifecta of crazy.
Heavy MLM sucker, religious born again something
and MAGA.
A beautiful smart talented family.
Kids doing missionary work around the world.

[czarjak]

41. The party is never the same after a turd's dropped in the punchbowl.

[Blue Owl]

43. K&R