Looking for a Firm Grasp of the Obvious
Reader Advisory: If at any time reading this you're inclined to call this an apologia pro vita sua of Republicans in general or Trump supporters in particular, you friend have made my point.
This is a rant about how politicians frame. Of course, everyone has a point of view. You can only look into your own heart and conscience to see whether that perspective is accurate and uncolored by prejudice, bias, or hard-held beliefs. Politicians live to get your vote. This necessitates positing a world with those who are in the right, those who are in the wrong. Winners, and losers. We live in times where the art of such divisiveness has reached a level where sides are so sharply divided that it is not at all surprising that some will literally take up arms to make their point.
Who's to blame. Politicians. Us too, for swallowing their rhetoric whole and undigested. Pols are particularly adept at slanting facts, twisting them, coloring them, omitting facts that get in the way of their message, cherry-picking facts also to suit their message. Offering opinions as facts. Then there's the faux shock and outrage, at the "obvious" error(s) of their opponents' ways. Too many people are inclined to believe something someone in authority says just for the simple fact that they are in authority. Or, that they utter their propaganda and rhetoric with seeming heartfelt and fully formed conviction.
What to do? Gautama Buddha has his usual sage advice:
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
For the master class of this political artform witness in the provided video below one Member and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, D-CA 12th District [San Francisco], Nancy Pelosi. You'll see her on full display with every trick in the bag, also replete with supporting tonal and cadence variation and facial and hand gestures lifted right out of the silent movies. She's the judging mother-in-law always at the ready to fill your wife's ear with whatever stade she can lay on you.
If you're open-minded, then you will be able to judge for yourself how much of what's coming from politicians is fact, and what is narrative frame spin.
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
For the master class of this political artform witness in the provided video below one Member and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, D-CA 12th District [San Francisco], Nancy Pelosi. You'll see her on full display with every trick in the bag, also replete with supporting tonal and cadence variation and facial and hand gestures lifted right out of the silent movies. She's the judging mother-in-law always at the ready to fill your wife's ear with whatever stade she can lay on you.
The video concerns a statement by a House Republican making it out that he [and his Republican colleagues] would have us believe the violence and mayhem on January 6 in the U.S. Capital was just another tourist day visit; a walk in the park. Really! Nancy! If you're inclined to despise the Republicans going in, then you may entirely miss little Nancy's spin. And, just like Patty Hurst ... buy it.
If you're open-minded, then you will be able to judge for yourself how much of what's coming from politicians is fact, and what is narrative frame spin.
Oh, I'll get to the Republicans, be assured. Sneak peek: Harping on those big hot button, drum-beater tropes: Socialism!, Communism!, and the big juicy "They'll take away your guns!".
Let's not let the so-called journalistic media off the hook. So thoroughly politicized in this day and age that a reasonable person would have a hard as hell time just finding out the truth of things.
Word to the wise: society coheres on a fabric of trust. It can get frayed, threadbare, and torn. Perish the thought that we should see it unravel; in our lifetime, or ever. But, history suggests that it does; and, that it will. We live in interesting times. No?
I focus on the Democrats. Not that Republicans don't deal in that truck, just that the Dems are particularly good at it; both in terms of skillful sly verbal delivery and sheer amount. That latter point, witness the 24/7/12/365 ongoing onslaught against 45 and his group of deplorable supporters. The average citizen would be hard-pressed not to believe so much of it by dint of it being drummed on so incessantly. If you object and say that the criticisms are justified, have you really sorted things out for yourself and come to that conclusion? Or, is it just that it fits your already formed opinions. Or, that those laying this out for you and me to lap it up must know what they're talking about. After all, look at their high position.
I’ve been seeing a rather [to me] consistent and regular pattern in the political landscape. Particularly obvious among the Democratic pols and those who vote for them. It came to its exquisite apotheosis during the term of President Trump. It continues on, encouraged by the success of voting him out of a second term. New grounds, but with a big dose of "how bad was that Trump".
As in ...
A gentleman has just tucked in for the night on the sleeper car of the train (the vintage ones, not that long ago, with several stacked berths closed with privacy curtains). No sooner does he fall asleep when he is awakened by an old lady moaning in a thick accent: “Boy, am I thoisty. Boy, am I thoisty. Boy, am I thoisty. Boy, am I . . .”
This is apparently not going to stop until the lady gets her drink. The young man gets out of his berth and fetches a glass of water. “Tank you, sonny. That’s a good boychick.”
Finally, he gets back to sleep.
But, soon after, what does he hear, “Boy, vas I thoisty. Boy, vas I thoisty. Boy, vas I thoisty. Boy, vas I . . .”
The Democrats have become masters of spin. Framing everything from, and about, their political opponents in the most worst possible light. Selective omissions and emphasis out of context. Modifying statements of fact — or choosing to use only an advantageous partial fact — with colorful and strong pejorative modifiers. So and so just didn’t do some this or that; they did so with ...
Let's not forget:
And, that's not even mentioning the arms-length list of other such you could get from my ex-wife on any given day.
Am I making my point?
I’ve been seeing a rather [to me] consistent and regular pattern in the political landscape. Particularly obvious among the Democratic pols and those who vote for them. It came to its exquisite apotheosis during the term of President Trump. It continues on, encouraged by the success of voting him out of a second term. New grounds, but with a big dose of "how bad was that Trump".
As in ...
A gentleman has just tucked in for the night on the sleeper car of the train (the vintage ones, not that long ago, with several stacked berths closed with privacy curtains). No sooner does he fall asleep when he is awakened by an old lady moaning in a thick accent: “Boy, am I thoisty. Boy, am I thoisty. Boy, am I thoisty. Boy, am I . . .”
This is apparently not going to stop until the lady gets her drink. The young man gets out of his berth and fetches a glass of water. “Tank you, sonny. That’s a good boychick.”
Finally, he gets back to sleep.
But, soon after, what does he hear, “Boy, vas I thoisty. Boy, vas I thoisty. Boy, vas I thoisty. Boy, vas I . . .”
The Democrats have become masters of spin. Framing everything from, and about, their political opponents in the most worst possible light. Selective omissions and emphasis out of context. Modifying statements of fact — or choosing to use only an advantageous partial fact — with colorful and strong pejorative modifiers. So and so just didn’t do some this or that; they did so with ...
"depravity"
"appallingly"
"sadly"
"outrageously"
"dishonestly"
"beyond the pale"
"treasonously"
"seditiously"
"treacherously"
"regrettably"
Let's not forget:
"false"
"crazy"
"insane"
"brazen"
"unbelievable"
"idiotic"
"ignorant"
"imbecilic"
"impetuous"
"incompetent"
"ill-conceived"
"impious"
"inept"
"infantile"
"insane"
"ridiculous"
And, that's not even mentioning the arms-length list of other such you could get from my ex-wife on any given day.
Am I making my point?
It occurs to add conflating, deflating, and from the stench of it ... flatulating.
Correspondently, those who buy all that. I'm truly wondering just how much of their opinions have been shaped by such tricky wordsmithing. Unwitting most of them may be to the bias confirmation.
Confirmation Bias: Hearing only what you want to hear, or accepting what you hear on account of it fits your preconceived opinions. Also, let's not forget those who prey on our unconscious motivations intentionally by telling us what we want to hear. And, for what? A vote.
Now is the time we can have a royal cluster fuck arguing over how that President 45 was clearly a quadrazillion times worse than that devil himself. [Is it sexist to refer to the devil as male? Mea Culpa. Fact is, he may be going for a transition himself. She does keep up with the times.]
And, just watch how the brainwashed will assiduously argue that their opinions are based on nothing but the logical conclusions to the fact(s) of it all. Witness how they not only strongly disagree with opposing opinions, but are so righteously justified in being on God's side of things as to not only denigrate opposing arguments and those who make them, but also to want no part of them as members of society. [Enter Maxine Waters as the high priestess of this genre.] As in, if you don’t like it, get the hell out. You are wrong and therefore we delegitimize you. Shun you. Expel you.
Suggesting that they have bought the framing uncritically only makes you an apologist for Republicans and Trump. Kind of like if you criticize Israeli policy and practices vis-a-vis the Palestinians. Anti-semite! [This Spring 2021 things have turned bloody again in the, ahem, Holy Land. And, mirabile visu, Israel is taking some major heat from around the world. The tables may be turning.]
Do they not see, even consider the possibility, that our leaders are treating us like children lacking any intellectual depth. Recent examples: Mayor of NYC Bill de Blasio offering a free portion of French Fries after you get your vaccination [but, you gotta buy the burger]. Or, Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, offering a free beach pass and a glass of wine. And, this just in, Governor Cuomo will give a free lottery ticket.
Or, Joe 46. Promising $2,000 for your vote, then making it $1,400 on account of you already got the $600. Not the same thing about framing the conversation to put shade on the opposition. I toss that in to illustrate the tricky way pols can do their verbal jiu jitsu.
Or, the political theater masquerading as those recent impeachment attempts. The witness who supposedly blew the whistle ... never showed up. The uprighteous Adam Schiff with his "incontrovertible"
proof of malfeasance. Jerry Nadler with his proof "beyond a shadow of a doubt". Say what you will about President Trump's words and actions. But, do they rise to the level of impeachment? I'm inclined to say, no. Yet, just for the fact that there were impeachment proceedings plus the fact that they were voted down in the Senate on party lines, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth if you happen to believe impeachment(s) was warranted. Score a big one for the Dems in the 2020. [Now, as a result, we have Joe ... or, who he really is: "NOT TRUMP".]
Then there's the U.S. Representative Adrew Clyde R-Athens honeyhole. The summation headline there is that "the Republican's 'excuse' being against House and Senate commissions to investigate that event because the January 6 attack was only just some normal tourists in the building". Like it wasn't really such a big deal.
Correspondently, those who buy all that. I'm truly wondering just how much of their opinions have been shaped by such tricky wordsmithing. Unwitting most of them may be to the bias confirmation.
Confirmation Bias: Hearing only what you want to hear, or accepting what you hear on account of it fits your preconceived opinions. Also, let's not forget those who prey on our unconscious motivations intentionally by telling us what we want to hear. And, for what? A vote.
Now is the time we can have a royal cluster fuck arguing over how that President 45 was clearly a quadrazillion times worse than that devil himself. [Is it sexist to refer to the devil as male? Mea Culpa. Fact is, he may be going for a transition himself. She does keep up with the times.]
And, just watch how the brainwashed will assiduously argue that their opinions are based on nothing but the logical conclusions to the fact(s) of it all. Witness how they not only strongly disagree with opposing opinions, but are so righteously justified in being on God's side of things as to not only denigrate opposing arguments and those who make them, but also to want no part of them as members of society. [Enter Maxine Waters as the high priestess of this genre.] As in, if you don’t like it, get the hell out. You are wrong and therefore we delegitimize you. Shun you. Expel you.
Suggesting that they have bought the framing uncritically only makes you an apologist for Republicans and Trump. Kind of like if you criticize Israeli policy and practices vis-a-vis the Palestinians. Anti-semite! [This Spring 2021 things have turned bloody again in the, ahem, Holy Land. And, mirabile visu, Israel is taking some major heat from around the world. The tables may be turning.]
Do they not see, even consider the possibility, that our leaders are treating us like children lacking any intellectual depth. Recent examples: Mayor of NYC Bill de Blasio offering a free portion of French Fries after you get your vaccination [but, you gotta buy the burger]. Or, Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, offering a free beach pass and a glass of wine. And, this just in, Governor Cuomo will give a free lottery ticket.
Or, Joe 46. Promising $2,000 for your vote, then making it $1,400 on account of you already got the $600. Not the same thing about framing the conversation to put shade on the opposition. I toss that in to illustrate the tricky way pols can do their verbal jiu jitsu.
Or, the political theater masquerading as those recent impeachment attempts. The witness who supposedly blew the whistle ... never showed up. The uprighteous Adam Schiff with his "incontrovertible"
proof of malfeasance. Jerry Nadler with his proof "beyond a shadow of a doubt". Say what you will about President Trump's words and actions. But, do they rise to the level of impeachment? I'm inclined to say, no. Yet, just for the fact that there were impeachment proceedings plus the fact that they were voted down in the Senate on party lines, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth if you happen to believe impeachment(s) was warranted. Score a big one for the Dems in the 2020. [Now, as a result, we have Joe ... or, who he really is: "NOT TRUMP".]
Then there's the U.S. Representative Adrew Clyde R-Athens honeyhole. The summation headline there is that "the Republican's 'excuse' being against House and Senate commissions to investigate that event because the January 6 attack was only just some normal tourists in the building". Like it wasn't really such a big deal.
Here's what he said: “There was an undisciplined mob. There were some rioters, and some who committed acts of vandalism. But let me be clear, there was no insurrection and to call it an insurrection in my opinion, is a bold faced lie. Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol, and walk through Statuary Hall showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and ropes taking videos and pictures, you know.”
Per Robbie Sequeira writing in The Times on May 14, 2021:
"U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens, said Wednesday that calling the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol an insurrection is a "bald-faced lie," and his reference to a “normal tourist visit” has been picked up by media far and wide.
"The events of Jan. 6 saw rioters storm the Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 general election that confirmed a victory for then president-elect Joe Biden."
Fair enough.
The Republicans in fact are against House and Senate inquiries into the events of that day. They call it out as political theater. After all, there are independent agency investigations already underway.
The actual facts per an article in Slate by Jim Newell on May 18, 2021: "McCarthy gave three reasons for his opposition: that Pelosi had spent too much time politicking during the negotiations, that it would be duplicative of the investigatory work already being done by law enforcement and other congressional committees, and that it has a “shortsighted scope” that “does not examine interrelated forms of political violence in America.” Among those other “forms of political violence in America,” he cited “the political violence that has struck American cities, a Republican Congressional baseball practice, and, most recently, the deadly attack on Capitol Police on April 2, 2021.”
Clyde for reasons that are not clear to me said that infamous "like tourists" line. He said that in a specific reference, not about the whole of it. There's nobody who doesn't decry and condemn the violence of that day. Clyde is also guilty of arguing against calling it an "insurrection". Arguable point. But, no. Democrats have tried to make hay again on that one, suggesting that he is pitching for having it be just a little blip, a walk in the park. Normal. Business as usual. Really!
Here's a video that covers Clyde's statements followed by the rhetorical response by Nancy at her propaganda spin best:
Per Robbie Sequeira writing in The Times on May 14, 2021:
"U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens, said Wednesday that calling the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol an insurrection is a "bald-faced lie," and his reference to a “normal tourist visit” has been picked up by media far and wide.
"The events of Jan. 6 saw rioters storm the Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 general election that confirmed a victory for then president-elect Joe Biden."
Fair enough.
The Republicans in fact are against House and Senate inquiries into the events of that day. They call it out as political theater. After all, there are independent agency investigations already underway.
The actual facts per an article in Slate by Jim Newell on May 18, 2021: "McCarthy gave three reasons for his opposition: that Pelosi had spent too much time politicking during the negotiations, that it would be duplicative of the investigatory work already being done by law enforcement and other congressional committees, and that it has a “shortsighted scope” that “does not examine interrelated forms of political violence in America.” Among those other “forms of political violence in America,” he cited “the political violence that has struck American cities, a Republican Congressional baseball practice, and, most recently, the deadly attack on Capitol Police on April 2, 2021.”
Clyde for reasons that are not clear to me said that infamous "like tourists" line. He said that in a specific reference, not about the whole of it. There's nobody who doesn't decry and condemn the violence of that day. Clyde is also guilty of arguing against calling it an "insurrection". Arguable point. But, no. Democrats have tried to make hay again on that one, suggesting that he is pitching for having it be just a little blip, a walk in the park. Normal. Business as usual. Really!
Here's a video that covers Clyde's statements followed by the rhetorical response by Nancy at her propaganda spin best:
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