In our Big Q&A, former right-wing online activist Matthew Sheffield breaks down the authoritarian roots of Trump's MAGA movement and explains why you can't reason with his most die-hard fans.
This is very helpful. For people who appreciate reason dealing with people who do not appreciate it is very puzzling and frustrating.
I post this quote from Senator Barry Goldwater, never known as a liberal, wherever I think appropriate.
"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them. Said in November 1994, as quoted in John Dean, Conservatives Without Conscience (2006)
Jimmy Kimmel says he was told not to read Trump's pan of the Oscars onstage, but obviously did it anyway! Glad he read Trump's usual angry diatribe; everyone needs to know "who he is."
By the way, I already ordered this "isn't it past your jail time?" T: t.co/mtZXE00EFj
Please read Tim Alberta’s book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism. I thought I understood what was going on within the Evangelical Movement, but it is far more insidious. Enlightening and scary. (Think Katie Britt)
MAGA's adoption of the "victim" narrative, perceiving themselves to be low status individuals who need a protector and savior in order for them to achieve their "rightful place" as the arbiters of American society, is going to be a particularly difficult nut to crack. Victimhood narratives have an extremely long half-life. Just look at the Middle East if you don't believe me.
When I was a kid , my whole world encompassed a very small area,every one I knew was Catholic and usually of Irish ☘️ descent. This formed my thinking on mostly everything, but as I grew older things became confusing and contradictory! The older I became I realized certain aspects of my small world of experience were not the only explanation for the difference in my perception of the world from others that were being represented in the larger world .Survival of the fittest was how I was taught that the human race had evolved,( religious dogma I had been taught , conflicted with scientifically proven facts that I was learning in school) this was the point in my life that critical thinking became my new religion,I was 12 years old ,and slowly through continuous questioning, and reasoning I was forming my own way of navigating the very concept of how things actually worked . It became apparent to me survival of the fittest,didn’t necessarily mean that the strongest in physical strength was the one destined to survive,but rather those who used their intellect and physical abilities were far more likely to evolve into a better, stronger and more resilient species.The funny thing about my experience in gaining this knowledge ,is that I had to learn it from personal experiences ,and interactions with all kinds of different individuals.The more socially active I became was the key to my ability to become a stronger,more mature individual .My spiritual beliefs we’re primary based in Catholic teachings, and I believe in the basic principles taught to me.However the contradictions of organized religions are not something I have ever needed . I think back , and I realize that all of us are different and so much alike ,my journey to the present day was mine to travel,my path was mine.!My wish is for everyone to have the good fortune to travel theirs to a happy and satisfying place of peace and understanding.
Every person on this list has a strong interest to see Donald Trump regain the WH.
Donald needs $454 million to pay the State of New York's fraud judgment. The trick isn't raising the money. His rich "friends" have the ready cash. "Chump change." The real trick is paying the judgment using money from his rich "friends" without political/legal blowback.
Fox News (Rupert Murdoch) Settlement Payment to Dominion Voting Systems for Lying/Defaming Them: $787.5 million
Rupert Murdoch Net Worth: $19.7 Billion (He can afford to pay another 25 defamation settlements like this.)
Vladimir Putin Net Worth $70 Billion to $200 Billion
Elon Mush Net Worth: $196.5 Billion
Jeff Yass Net Worth: $27.6 Billion (TikTok investor)
Bin Salman Al Saud Net Worth: $18 Billion (Saudi Royal Family total: $1.4 Trillion)
Recep Erdogan Net Worth: $1 Billion to $250 Billion (on a $65,000 annual salary)
Thank you for posting this. My Christian theology instructs me to be as concerned with the common good - with my neighbor - as with myself. Service rather than judging is my job.
As for science and the arts, these are means for discovering and expressing truth. The God I know has no problem with that. God does, however, take issue with hypocrites and bullies. Christian nationalism is an oxymoron - and powered by Hell.
This is very helpful. For people who appreciate reason dealing with people who do not appreciate it is very puzzling and frustrating.
I post this quote from Senator Barry Goldwater, never known as a liberal, wherever I think appropriate.
"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them. Said in November 1994, as quoted in John Dean, Conservatives Without Conscience (2006)
Jimmy Kimmel says he was told not to read Trump's pan of the Oscars onstage, but obviously did it anyway! Glad he read Trump's usual angry diatribe; everyone needs to know "who he is."
By the way, I already ordered this "isn't it past your jail time?" T: t.co/mtZXE00EFj
Can't wait to wear it!
This piece is very helpful. Thank you, Matthew.
Please read Tim Alberta’s book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism. I thought I understood what was going on within the Evangelical Movement, but it is far more insidious. Enlightening and scary. (Think Katie Britt)
This was very interesting and helpful. Thank you.
"... some people are just too poor and stupid to ever be able to manage their own affairs successfully"
Let's say, wickedly, that this premise is true.
Wouldn't that be a reason TO provide more help, rather than take it away?
Thank you both for an enlightening conversation.
MAGA's adoption of the "victim" narrative, perceiving themselves to be low status individuals who need a protector and savior in order for them to achieve their "rightful place" as the arbiters of American society, is going to be a particularly difficult nut to crack. Victimhood narratives have an extremely long half-life. Just look at the Middle East if you don't believe me.
This guy saw the Light. Read it.
When I was a kid , my whole world encompassed a very small area,every one I knew was Catholic and usually of Irish ☘️ descent. This formed my thinking on mostly everything, but as I grew older things became confusing and contradictory! The older I became I realized certain aspects of my small world of experience were not the only explanation for the difference in my perception of the world from others that were being represented in the larger world .Survival of the fittest was how I was taught that the human race had evolved,( religious dogma I had been taught , conflicted with scientifically proven facts that I was learning in school) this was the point in my life that critical thinking became my new religion,I was 12 years old ,and slowly through continuous questioning, and reasoning I was forming my own way of navigating the very concept of how things actually worked . It became apparent to me survival of the fittest,didn’t necessarily mean that the strongest in physical strength was the one destined to survive,but rather those who used their intellect and physical abilities were far more likely to evolve into a better, stronger and more resilient species.The funny thing about my experience in gaining this knowledge ,is that I had to learn it from personal experiences ,and interactions with all kinds of different individuals.The more socially active I became was the key to my ability to become a stronger,more mature individual .My spiritual beliefs we’re primary based in Catholic teachings, and I believe in the basic principles taught to me.However the contradictions of organized religions are not something I have ever needed . I think back , and I realize that all of us are different and so much alike ,my journey to the present day was mine to travel,my path was mine.!My wish is for everyone to have the good fortune to travel theirs to a happy and satisfying place of peace and understanding.
Fun with numbers.
Every person on this list has a strong interest to see Donald Trump regain the WH.
Donald needs $454 million to pay the State of New York's fraud judgment. The trick isn't raising the money. His rich "friends" have the ready cash. "Chump change." The real trick is paying the judgment using money from his rich "friends" without political/legal blowback.
Fox News (Rupert Murdoch) Settlement Payment to Dominion Voting Systems for Lying/Defaming Them: $787.5 million
Rupert Murdoch Net Worth: $19.7 Billion (He can afford to pay another 25 defamation settlements like this.)
Vladimir Putin Net Worth $70 Billion to $200 Billion
Elon Mush Net Worth: $196.5 Billion
Jeff Yass Net Worth: $27.6 Billion (TikTok investor)
Bin Salman Al Saud Net Worth: $18 Billion (Saudi Royal Family total: $1.4 Trillion)
Recep Erdogan Net Worth: $1 Billion to $250 Billion (on a $65,000 annual salary)
Viktor Orban Net Worth: $815 million
Who is missing?
fascinating word from the horse's mouth--or ex mouth, I guess.
Very informative. Thank you!
MAGA? More like MEGA make evil great again. Lead by Hitler's Apprentice the MegaDon.
Thank you for posting this. My Christian theology instructs me to be as concerned with the common good - with my neighbor - as with myself. Service rather than judging is my job.
As for science and the arts, these are means for discovering and expressing truth. The God I know has no problem with that. God does, however, take issue with hypocrites and bullies. Christian nationalism is an oxymoron - and powered by Hell.
According To Informed . .
They were full of Special undies and Long ties ..
I didn't know then how Bigly he Lies
(with support for his Alright Down There . . so
Right to Grab Types wouldn't be scared)
said Merry Lardo Employee Number Five . .
Highly Entertained . . # U Can't Make It Up Sources .. . ..