In my imagination there is a blue line painted across the Northway. Crossing that line in either direction says I'm about to enter or leave a special patch of territory that is part of another world. Turning onto Route 73 from Exit 30 says I made it home. The mindset changes to something more cautious and wary if I'm going the opposite direction and out of that imaginary line on the road.
I think that as we enter these times of chaos and confusion that we are wise to extend our social networks.
Many Republicans are fine people in their personal lives. They mow the lawn. They pay their taxes. They are respectable, honest people in their personal dealings.
But they are not so good at public policy.
And, I fear, they are nice to people who are in their tribe.
So, if you deal in a friendly way with people, reserving, of course, a necessary wariness -- because some people are not to be trusted in any way -- by and large you will do fine.
Because you do NOT "talk about politics." Or even public policy.
This is more true for private individuals than for people who put a public face on their opinions.
Think of the phrase I was taught when I worked in a grocery store, deli and meat shop. "Keep it light".. have to be aware of your soroundings at all times. Left the military with that mind set.
I would clarify that we are wise to extend our PHYSICAL IN PERSON social networks. It's not impossible, but for most people, it's much harder to be a jacka** to someone, especially someone you know personally, face to face.
Hmmmmm.....something to think about. I have a very close sibling who I've always thought "suffered" from cognitive dissonance. But I now know she is racist to the core, no cognitive dissonance there. Back the Blue became popular after the George Floyd death. There are people who excuse police brutality and would blame the victim. Are they even aware of the atrocities committed against police at the insurrection on January 6, 2020? If so, isn't that cognitive dissonance?
I believe in the mission of Braver Angels and Monica Guzman. We shudder at the divide but seem to forget there are a significant number of people that can still come together and discuss problems.. I just wish more of them were in Congress.
A very well written and accurate assessment of these times. The country is in chaos and likely needs to "sink" even lower before Trump supporters realize they have been "played" and develop some critical thinking instead of discarding 'fact-checking' which is the current norm.....
The latter might be worse because in their Dunning-Kruger ignorance they don't know how their lack of logic and research skills they are being played the fool
If I know someone voted for trump I avoid them. I'm not interested in conversation or keeping up a pretense of normal.
Whatever the reason, they support a platform of hate that directly impacts a person in my family.
I want nothing to do with them.
I'm attending meetings to find better ways to communicate than with anger, but honestly I just want to lash out at them for their intolerance and disinterest in human rights for everyone.
It's disgusting what we've turned into, and social media is partly to blame.
Last week a local man died, and he was highly praised by his coworkers at the Chronicle as being a great guy.....if I showed you the things he wrote and the name calling he did on our Congresswomans page you wouldn't think it was the same person....in fact I blocked him.
Just look at the ignorance found in the few who comment on the PS articles. It's mind blowing.
I'm pretty sure we're not getting back to polite discourse.
Also, the back the blue fans are the worst offenders.
My sentiments exactly, thank you for expressing them so clearly & concisely. I too am so angry and disgusted with cruel and ignorant people , I’m doing my best to dampen my anger and look for a positive path forward. I’m attending my first local democratic meeting today at an individuals I do not know.., it might be a path forward for me, personally.., baby steps
What occurred on January 6th should have been a wake up call to all Americans. Evidently, it was not! Those who stormed the Capitol were nothing more than thugs . Thugs have no regard for the rule of law and were only interested in carrying out the diabolical wishes of Trump. Many have been prosecuted and have gone to prison. Ironically the person responsible has not faced any consequences and probably never will. After January 20th, I have no doubt, we will begin to see a dismantling of the rule of law. Believe him, I have no doubt that the sociopathic narcissist will pardon the seditionists. This is only the beginning of what the next four years will bring and if we are not vigilant the Constitution will also be on the chopping block.
I hope for the best, but really, I expect there will be very dark days ahead. By the time enough of those MAGA people wake up to reality, the reality may be that it's too late.
Will, thank you for articulating what I think most liberals in the North Country are feeling. When Jan. 6 happened, one of my first thoughts was, "well, now everyone in the country knows about this trend, not just those of us in the north country." Of course I'm glad that so few from the NoCo have been charged -- or even made it down to DC. But the issues are still there. See NCPR, "If all else fails."
It's complicated, because as Will emphasizes, we don't know what law enforcement are thinking. So I'm kind of assuming and projecting. I know a couple officers who had Three Percenters stickers on their personal cars, and that felt terrifying (Google will tell you all about it). I felt a strange relief when there was no outward display of insurrection locally. But we really don't know exactly what officers are willing to do, or how clearly defined their politics are..... so we fear. It doesn't feel right. Local law enforcement should cooperate with their chain of command, not with a candidate or president. Very complicated. I thought NCPR "If all else fails" podcast did a great job of approaching the issues.
I feel the same when I see those signs supporting Trump and police. And I always think to myself: I support what is fair, just, good, actions that help and heal not ones that harm and hurt. It's important to distinguish, to choose, to see.... I think and feel "some of these people with these signs cheer what is immoral, would round up innocent people, would cheer and support a dictator, could be like those in Germany with hands raised to Hitler." It is not just "two sides" with different points of view. . There's clear greed and desire for power and there is, as Baldwin writes, "willful ignorance" which is silent, or goes along with what is dangerous and immoral. He also says: "There are so many ways of being despicable it really makes one's head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people's pain." That's Trump and Maga...the total not caring. And that is a lot of those who cheer Trump and are silent.
Thanks Will for the beautiful photos. Here in my neighborhood there are no less than 5 or 6 Trump Flags, Back the Blue or the Blue and White "American Flag". The idea that these people keep these "yard decorations" up this long past the election, indicates to me that they are just waiting for an argument. No one should be that enamored by a politician, no matter which party they belong to.
My daughter’s neighborhood too, where three of my grandsons live… ages 2-7. One actually had F**k Harris sign on the back of his truck. This was the house nearest their bus stop in Orange County, NY. My boys are beginning readers. Although I called both republican and Democratic Party chairs, the sign didn’t come down until thanksgiving. All the rump signs are still in many yards, sometimes three ❤️🩹😩.
Thanks, Will. I, along with you and others, have been struggling with this issue: the dichotomy of affirming support of the police and law and order, while at the same time supporting January 6 and pardoning those involved in the violent insurrection. Like you, I cannot fathom how one can support both at the same time. It just doesn’t make sense. But how much of MAGA does?
In my imagination there is a blue line painted across the Northway. Crossing that line in either direction says I'm about to enter or leave a special patch of territory that is part of another world. Turning onto Route 73 from Exit 30 says I made it home. The mindset changes to something more cautious and wary if I'm going the opposite direction and out of that imaginary line on the road.
I think that as we enter these times of chaos and confusion that we are wise to extend our social networks.
Many Republicans are fine people in their personal lives. They mow the lawn. They pay their taxes. They are respectable, honest people in their personal dealings.
But they are not so good at public policy.
And, I fear, they are nice to people who are in their tribe.
So, if you deal in a friendly way with people, reserving, of course, a necessary wariness -- because some people are not to be trusted in any way -- by and large you will do fine.
Because you do NOT "talk about politics." Or even public policy.
This is more true for private individuals than for people who put a public face on their opinions.
I'm glad this conversation is opening up.
Appreciate your take on this.
Think of the phrase I was taught when I worked in a grocery store, deli and meat shop. "Keep it light".. have to be aware of your soroundings at all times. Left the military with that mind set.
Take care of one another.
I would clarify that we are wise to extend our PHYSICAL IN PERSON social networks. It's not impossible, but for most people, it's much harder to be a jacka** to someone, especially someone you know personally, face to face.
Yes, indeed! Plus, it gets us out of our closed-in homes and invites us to, possibly, walk somewhere. Maybe even somewhere local.
The dissonance of those who support #BunkerBoy and purport to support the police is both deafening and heartbreaking.
For many, America has been re-crafted, inside-out, upside-down, and backwards.
There is no cognitive dissonance.
Hmmmmm.....something to think about. I have a very close sibling who I've always thought "suffered" from cognitive dissonance. But I now know she is racist to the core, no cognitive dissonance there. Back the Blue became popular after the George Floyd death. There are people who excuse police brutality and would blame the victim. Are they even aware of the atrocities committed against police at the insurrection on January 6, 2020? If so, isn't that cognitive dissonance?
I too have family members that I know support Trump because they are racist. Hard to accept but so true.
I believe in the mission of Braver Angels and Monica Guzman. We shudder at the divide but seem to forget there are a significant number of people that can still come together and discuss problems.. I just wish more of them were in Congress.
Will, you are not alone in your wariness, many of us are too.
Dear Will-
A very well written and accurate assessment of these times. The country is in chaos and likely needs to "sink" even lower before Trump supporters realize they have been "played" and develop some critical thinking instead of discarding 'fact-checking' which is the current norm.....
Every time I drive by a neighbor’s home and see the sign he posted way before the election I cheer:
NEVER A TRUMPER
Now the question remains.. what is worse
The magAholes© knowing they are lying
or the magAholes don't know they are lying...?
The latter might be worse because in their Dunning-Kruger ignorance they don't know how their lack of logic and research skills they are being played the fool
If I know someone voted for trump I avoid them. I'm not interested in conversation or keeping up a pretense of normal.
Whatever the reason, they support a platform of hate that directly impacts a person in my family.
I want nothing to do with them.
I'm attending meetings to find better ways to communicate than with anger, but honestly I just want to lash out at them for their intolerance and disinterest in human rights for everyone.
It's disgusting what we've turned into, and social media is partly to blame.
Last week a local man died, and he was highly praised by his coworkers at the Chronicle as being a great guy.....if I showed you the things he wrote and the name calling he did on our Congresswomans page you wouldn't think it was the same person....in fact I blocked him.
Just look at the ignorance found in the few who comment on the PS articles. It's mind blowing.
I'm pretty sure we're not getting back to polite discourse.
Also, the back the blue fans are the worst offenders.
My sentiments exactly, thank you for expressing them so clearly & concisely. I too am so angry and disgusted with cruel and ignorant people , I’m doing my best to dampen my anger and look for a positive path forward. I’m attending my first local democratic meeting today at an individuals I do not know.., it might be a path forward for me, personally.., baby steps
What occurred on January 6th should have been a wake up call to all Americans. Evidently, it was not! Those who stormed the Capitol were nothing more than thugs . Thugs have no regard for the rule of law and were only interested in carrying out the diabolical wishes of Trump. Many have been prosecuted and have gone to prison. Ironically the person responsible has not faced any consequences and probably never will. After January 20th, I have no doubt, we will begin to see a dismantling of the rule of law. Believe him, I have no doubt that the sociopathic narcissist will pardon the seditionists. This is only the beginning of what the next four years will bring and if we are not vigilant the Constitution will also be on the chopping block.
I hope for the best, but really, I expect there will be very dark days ahead. By the time enough of those MAGA people wake up to reality, the reality may be that it's too late.
Will, thank you for articulating what I think most liberals in the North Country are feeling. When Jan. 6 happened, one of my first thoughts was, "well, now everyone in the country knows about this trend, not just those of us in the north country." Of course I'm glad that so few from the NoCo have been charged -- or even made it down to DC. But the issues are still there. See NCPR, "If all else fails."
It's complicated, because as Will emphasizes, we don't know what law enforcement are thinking. So I'm kind of assuming and projecting. I know a couple officers who had Three Percenters stickers on their personal cars, and that felt terrifying (Google will tell you all about it). I felt a strange relief when there was no outward display of insurrection locally. But we really don't know exactly what officers are willing to do, or how clearly defined their politics are..... so we fear. It doesn't feel right. Local law enforcement should cooperate with their chain of command, not with a candidate or president. Very complicated. I thought NCPR "If all else fails" podcast did a great job of approaching the issues.
I feel the same when I see those signs supporting Trump and police. And I always think to myself: I support what is fair, just, good, actions that help and heal not ones that harm and hurt. It's important to distinguish, to choose, to see.... I think and feel "some of these people with these signs cheer what is immoral, would round up innocent people, would cheer and support a dictator, could be like those in Germany with hands raised to Hitler." It is not just "two sides" with different points of view. . There's clear greed and desire for power and there is, as Baldwin writes, "willful ignorance" which is silent, or goes along with what is dangerous and immoral. He also says: "There are so many ways of being despicable it really makes one's head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people's pain." That's Trump and Maga...the total not caring. And that is a lot of those who cheer Trump and are silent.
Thanks Will for the beautiful photos. Here in my neighborhood there are no less than 5 or 6 Trump Flags, Back the Blue or the Blue and White "American Flag". The idea that these people keep these "yard decorations" up this long past the election, indicates to me that they are just waiting for an argument. No one should be that enamored by a politician, no matter which party they belong to.
If your hero is a politician you have a problem.
My daughter’s neighborhood too, where three of my grandsons live… ages 2-7. One actually had F**k Harris sign on the back of his truck. This was the house nearest their bus stop in Orange County, NY. My boys are beginning readers. Although I called both republican and Democratic Party chairs, the sign didn’t come down until thanksgiving. All the rump signs are still in many yards, sometimes three ❤️🩹😩.
Thanks, Will. I, along with you and others, have been struggling with this issue: the dichotomy of affirming support of the police and law and order, while at the same time supporting January 6 and pardoning those involved in the violent insurrection. Like you, I cannot fathom how one can support both at the same time. It just doesn’t make sense. But how much of MAGA does?
And what they continue to get away with.