General Discussion

Dustlawyer

(10,518 posts)

60. Propaganda is one of the two root causes of most of our country's problems.

Wed Nov 3, 2021, 10:10 AM

Nov 2021

The other is campaign finance (legalized bribery).

We will not get better until and unless all of us focus on these two issues. The rich and powerful own our politicians and are the big advertisers in media. They use this leverage to get what they want at our expense. The media rarely talks about this because they are the recipients of all of the money and benefit in other ways from the current system.

They benefit from the polarization in our country and are able to deflect the blame of our situation on others such as minorities, immigrants, our social safety net…

We fight the symptoms such as gun control, criminal justice reform, climate change and many others with little to no hope of making a real difference. We do not fight the underlying cause of these problems so they never get fixed.

We need leadership to organize and focus on these two root causes if we have any hope of ever getting the country back on track.

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This JFK Jr. thing that happened in Dallas is spooking me. [View all] LuckyCharms Nov 2021 OP

You've defined propaganda. it works. NewHendoLib Nov 2021 #1

And it works on everyone Johnny2X2X Nov 2021 #13

Exactly. Those who do more and better propaganda will win voters NewHendoLib Nov 2021 #34

This country could sure use some "propaganda vs truth" messaging KS Toronado Nov 2021 #37

This is true. I have a very intelligent friend who succumbed.. ananda Nov 2021 #50

Brilliant aerospace engineer I know... Johnny2X2X Nov 2021 #70

I know. Also, ananda Nov 2021 #77

Yes, I have seen this mentality in seemingly smart people. It's truly bizarre. LymphocyteLover Nov 2021 #101

It works because it appeals to people's emotions wnylib Nov 2021 #62

Propaganda is one of the two root causes of most of our country's problems. Dustlawyer Nov 2021 #60

Various personality traits especially dispose some to conspiracism Hortensis Nov 2021 #110

We can assume this is a large scale effort, well funded to create chaos and division in the US? Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #2

Yes the sane, intelligent people do under estimate the damage. Much of it is Russian propaganda Walleye Nov 2021 #7

I firmly believe that much of this stuff is KGB psy-ops. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #16

I agree completely. Too many people who weren't alive during the Cold War don't know what's going on Walleye Nov 2021 #22

GOP welcomes Russian assistance. They have T-shirts saying they would rather be Russian than Dem. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #32

They love Putin, and it's well documented how much he hates the United States Walleye Nov 2021 #35

The GOP works hand in hand with a dangerous enemy and few seem to care. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #41

Sounds like something out of a political novel. Walleye Nov 2021 #42

No one would have believed a work of fiction depicting our current reality. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #45

Well I wouldn't have, that's for sure. It still seems unreal Walleye Nov 2021 #75

Many of us are in shock. We cannot believe a white supremacist autocracy is going to take over. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #76

That's for sure. Some dystopian sorts would have predicted that the internet Hortensis Nov 2021 #111

Dark and dystopian is the correct description. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #113

Academi/Blackwater is helping mahina Nov 2021 #59

FSB not KGB. The Soviet Union is no longer in existence. JanMichael Nov 2021 #95

Yes FSB is the reincarnated Russian spy agency, KGB. Irish_Dem Nov 2021 #96

Well funded NJCher Nov 2021 #28

fear and insecurity kiri Nov 2021 #61

This site has a Qanon presentation mrsadm Nov 2021 #86

Thanks, Kiri. Hortensis Nov 2021 #112

You Underrate Yourself As A Writer, Sir The Magistrate Nov 2021 #3

Thank you, The Magistrate... LuckyCharms Nov 2021 #9

I agree with both of you. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Nov 2021 #31

Clarify which Dallas trip and JFK attendance he's talking about right up front. jaxexpat Nov 2021 #43

The whack jobs have always existed long before Internet and social media. Claustrum Nov 2021 #4

Jim Jeffries tells a joke about idiots/social deviants and social media. Probatim Nov 2021 #54

While I understand the analogy, I don't completely agree with it. Claustrum Nov 2021 #55

Yep, that's a pretty brilliant observation-- Wingus Dingus Nov 2021 #69

People will believe anything. It makes him feel better Walleye Nov 2021 #5

"The Internet is like a big room where all the crazy people meet". - caller to Rush Limbaugh. PoliticAverse Nov 2021 #6

Nope.. Pretty much mainstream LiberalArkie Nov 2021 #21

"That's some crazy shit." n/t PoliticAverse Nov 2021 #25

go on Google or Bing and do a search for "jfk jr." for a real surprise. LiberalArkie Nov 2021 #26

K&R spanone Nov 2021 #8

I think we need to look back in history and study past periods of insanity bucolic_frolic Nov 2021 #10

One of the more insane periods was The Burning Times. There isn't a lot of niyad Nov 2021 #18

Should be an op NJCher Nov 2021 #30

I'd say the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution Wednesdays Nov 2021 #65

A book that might relate AncientOfDays Nov 2021 #66

I study and write about art and have learned that the Italian Renaissance happened as a result of CTyankee Nov 2021 #68

Sex drugs and rock n roll waddirum Nov 2021 #91

King James edited the Bible which most of us use today and he also wrote a Discovery of Witches SweetieD Nov 2021 #99

Yes, i know that same kind of guy, where i live. Omnipresent Nov 2021 #11

Very well written Ishoutandscream2 Nov 2021 #12

Make no mistake. They are dangerously psychotic. Roisin Ni Fiachra Nov 2021 #14

You expressed it very well indeed. The crazies have always been amoung us, but, niyad Nov 2021 #15

I keep thinking of JFK, Jr.'s sister Caroline. How sad for her to have to put up with this. Ugh. SheilaAnn Nov 2021 #17

These assholes never think of the feelings of the families involved. Plus they love hurting people Walleye Nov 2021 #24

This stuff can't be shrugged off, but it proves they believe Scrivener7 Nov 2021 #19

Pretty eloquent writing from my view. I'm waiting for accusations of witchcraft to start flying Bristlecone Nov 2021 #20

It is disturbing. I'm beginning to feel like I'm living in an open-air lunatic asylum. Ocelot II Nov 2021 #23

As I said below, FoxNewsSucks Nov 2021 #40

The DeLaRocha corollary. Mopar151 Nov 2021 #103

K&R Solly Mack Nov 2021 #27

Waiting for some Jonestown event to happen. Cobalt Violet Nov 2021 #29

The CoViD deaths among anti-vaxxers soldierant Nov 2021 #88

You're right. It absolutely can't be shrugged off. However, we have to strike a balance between ancianita Nov 2021 #33

Stupidity and insanity Glaisne Nov 2021 #36

It should scare you. All of us. FoxNewsSucks Nov 2021 #38

Even Reagan is turning in his grave, and it largely started with him. Pobeka Nov 2021 #39

These people have always existed Maine Abu El Banat Nov 2021 #44

It's scary how many actually showed up for this nonsense Ohioboy Nov 2021 #46

You are dead wrong about one thing Blecht Nov 2021 #47

hEY, It worked 2,000 yrs ago so what is the problem? packman Nov 2021 #48

Your inherited senses know what's happening. chia Nov 2021 #49

That's exactly how I felt about the Trump boat parades and truck parades. Tommy Carcetti Nov 2021 #51

You are right, and this is 💯 Bannon/Putin/ doing zaj Nov 2021 #52

Interesting Hekate Nov 2021 #79

First I heard of this idiocy. Wow NT oldsoftie Nov 2021 #53

I don't mind legitimately conservative people. Harker Nov 2021 #56

There are truly stupid people in the world! The 5 Basic Laws of Human Stupidity RestoreAmerica2020 Nov 2021 #57

It's worrying for sure. It's one thing to laugh and shake your head Wingus Dingus Nov 2021 #58

There are millions Turbineguy Nov 2021 #63

Well, as one former president put it, these are some bad hombres. Initech Nov 2021 #64

Why are we always so easily spooked? BannonsLiver Nov 2021 #67

You don't think it's spooky to see people you know, people Wingus Dingus Nov 2021 #71

No. BannonsLiver Nov 2021 #72

OK. I think it's kind of horrifying, myself. Wingus Dingus Nov 2021 #73

Tragic for sure. This is devastating, breaking millions of families and lives. Hortensis Nov 2021 #114

Duplicate. Hortensis Nov 2021 #115

I don't have any in my family. A lot of people I once respected certainly joined the Trump cult. Gore1FL Nov 2021 #98

After I visited an evangelical church with my sister... Buckeye_Democrat Nov 2021 #74

No, this cannot be shrugged off. hamsterjill Nov 2021 #78

What Q is: Sogo Nov 2021 #80

They want us to fear them. Mr.Bill Nov 2021 #81

You are so correct. The problem is MUCH, MUCH larger than we see/know. Ferrets are Cool Nov 2021 #82

don't you think it is weird that this qanon idiot is always saying the orange asshole is going to be dawn5651 Nov 2021 #83

It's frightening because in the past.... BradAllison Nov 2021 #84

If these MAGAt Morans stand with their propaganda, do this: 634-5789 Nov 2021 #85

I understand completely...I live in a small town in blue state, red county. Bluethroughu Nov 2021 #87

Sounds smart, though any way to maintain a sane, normal presence Hortensis Nov 2021 #116

I reported an experience I had with the Nextdoor app regarding the BLM protests Bluethroughu Nov 2021 #121

So you're too well known to be an additional normal percent on line. Hortensis Nov 2021 #123

I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath. Bluethroughu Nov 2021 #124

Me neither. But they'll need something to do. Sleep well. :) Hortensis Nov 2021 #125

Thank you, you too. Bluethroughu Nov 2021 #126

My Hairdresser is the same.. Texasgal Nov 2021 #89

I have said before they are addicts desparate for a fix. It's the same dynamic. Ford_Prefect Nov 2021 #90

I agree with you. Nevilledog Nov 2021 #92

There's more of us than there are of them AmBlue Nov 2021 #93

I'd bet quite a few were there as spectators Effete Snob Nov 2021 #94

A little off topic, but about your handshake. NH Ethylene Nov 2021 #97

I think there is a real art to a handshake. LuckyCharms Nov 2021 #100

:) Reminds me of tRump's famous techniques. I was so sorry when Hortensis Nov 2021 #117

Yes, and I think both... LuckyCharms Nov 2021 #120

I know just what you mean about the dead fish handshake. NH Ethylene Nov 2021 #119

This was a serious demonstration .... Shoonra Nov 2021 #102

This message was self-deleted by its author Aussie105 Nov 2021 #104

The little center of the brain that says 'Oh, wait, that ain't right!' is missing. Aussie105 Nov 2021 #105

The Q people, the Trumpers etc ARE scary. The JFK Jr Q people... electric_blue68 Nov 2021 #106

Two words Roy Rolling Nov 2021 #107

Mister Microphone Roy Rolling Nov 2021 #108

I suspect that these people also believed "bat-boy" stories and the... NurseJackie Nov 2021 #109

How many guns in that JFK Jr. crowd? moondust Nov 2021 #118

We're dealing with insanity on a grand scale. It's shocking. spanone Nov 2021 #122

lol winetourdriver01 Feb 2023 #127

What's your issue? LuckyCharms Feb 2023 #128