I like to follow politics. But this year I do not know whether to just be disgusted or flat out scared. It's not the fear mongering that has me scared, but the possibility that those who use fear mongering and hatred and scapegoating to divide us might gain power by doing so.
I continue to read editorials and skip over the hateful posters that fill up Facebook. I try to stay out of public debates on FB, but when an out and out lie is passed on as truth, especially when it concerns my candidate, I might react. It was through such a reaction that my brother unfriended me. I dared to label his post as a fabrication, as revealed on Snopes.com. But that's OK. I had already hidden him because of all the hate filled posters he "shared" with no attempt to fact check. Apparently "facts" are relative too, and we didn't share the same "facts".
It's all a mess. Even I am growing weary of it. Will the Republicans be able to get rid of he that shall not be named on my blog?
What must the world be thinking.
I know exactly how you feel about this presidential campaign. I'm flat-out scared.
ReplyDeleteYes! I sometimes think the only thing I can contribute is to challenge lies. I am not very confrontational by nature but I will ask, "Where did you get that information? Do you know it as an unbiased source? Would that source/site/etc. have a reason to slant things to trick the less wary?" I don't think I change anyone's mind, but I get them to stop talking to me about things like religion and politics pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteWell Linda, you and I have a lot in common. In the 2012 election cycle a brother-in-law unfriended me on Facebook and died refusing to speak to me. Could be that's why my children have threatened to disown me if I become active again on Facebook. They suggested I go back to blogging so I did. I've 'unfollowed' almost all our Texas family until after the election. Like you I find it very hard not to say something when I know something is untrue. I did that just yesterday over Hillary. I watched some of last night's debate on my phone. Didn't think I could take a full TV screen of that bunch. Can't imagine Obama stooping to such behavior. While the Republicans have been out chasing demons among Democrats the last twenty years the demons of hate and anger took over their own party and now they don't know what to do about it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more than one vote! I will vote for the Democratic ticket up and down the line. But yes, I'm scared, too. You are braver than me, I could never have watched that "debate." I read about it this morning, and that was hard enough. I'm hoping that reason will prevail, but I'm not hopeful. Sigh. :-(
ReplyDeleteThe establishment Republicans have gone nuts!
ReplyDeleteSecurity comes from unity not by division.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about you this morning! Good post, I hear you!
ReplyDeleteI think even the core Republicans are scared. I have gotten where I fast forward past any election news. That kind of leaves just the weather and a stray automobile accident or shooting for the anchors to report. I just hate meanness and that is all there is these days.
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda. I'm not sure, either. I cannot watch any of the R candidates. I'm certain they're not representative of the best -- aren't there ANY normal Republicans?
ReplyDeleteGood post Linda, you nailed it. A nephew and I unfriended each other at the same time. We've restored our communications but avoid the political and both of us are fretting about "he who must not be named." I quit watching those debates too.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has been watching stations such as CNN and MSNBC in the evening to catch up with all of the political rhetoric. At times, I just want to scream because I can't stand all the nastiness and craziness. I've been thinking if the group of men involved in the Republican debates were in my classroom and were participating in a debate in the manner in which these men are "debating," I have them sent to the office with a referral for interfering with the educational process because of their disorderly conduct during the debate. I'd also write them up for bullying, and for showing a lack of respect for the process and for each other. They all would earn "F" grades because I would see no evidence that they learned anything of the debate process.
ReplyDeleteAs far as family goes, I feel your pain. I can relate.
Good Post. I certainly hope no one in Europe is listening in-----I don't want to know what they make of this spectacle. It's really embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteWhat they need to do with those debates is announce along with all the other "rules" that there would be no arguing back and forth and no interrupting and talking over another candidate. That if there was any interrupting that the interrupter would be immediately escorted out of the area and not allowed back in. No exceptions. Have two big muclebound guys standing just off stage to add weight to the injunction and then FOLLOW THROUGH. Toss one of them out and I bet that would calm things down right quick.
Another food fight debate....
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem likely that he who shall not be named can be exorcised from the Republican party. It's too little too late. Mitt Romney coming out against him doesn't do much, especially since he liked Trump before.
ReplyDeleteUmmm... I've hidden some posts on my FB also. It was too aggravating to see what they were spouting out all the time.
ReplyDeleteI lost a nephew but he wasn't very close to me and his life was a reflection of his anger and hatred. It is sad because he had lots of potential. I read an article where the largest supporters of that certain idiot happen to live in counties with the highest death rate among middle-aged white me. Death due to health issues, but also drugs. This is a skewing of the trends as middle-aged black men and middle-aged Latinos have lower death rates in these areas.
ReplyDeleteI think it is all funny, soon Hilly and Trump will be at each others throats...that should be a show worth selling tickets for. Too bad they cannot just debate without pointing fingers and hollering...seems child like to me. I am not a "party" person, I will vote for whoever I think will do the best job...forget about their race or gender...as for their platform and agenda that will be up to the Idiots that are languishing in the House and Senate :)
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of a comment made by a facebook friend who recently moved to and became a citizen of Canada. Something about "The gong show that U.S. government has become." It's disheartening sometimes.
ReplyDelete