Removing the Veil

[Dr Exiled]

I knew it was pointless to engage.

Telling me I'm being manipulated is your attempt to "engage?"

Sure, man.

Your anger is over the top, man, and it is coming from somewhere, and divide and conquer/rule has been around for a long time. Fighting amongst ourselves so we don't direct our anger at the true problem and the people causing it is time tested. I don't think you see it.

[Hound of Heaven]

I don't think you see it.

Dr. Exiled, I believe you are the one who is "not seeing it," as Bishop Schmo exemplifies the consequences of becoming deeply entrenched in progressive ideology, where pure hate becomes an integral part of their identity.

Hate not only integrates into your identity as a progressive, but it also transforms into something you yearn for, something you long to possess. Hatred is the emotion that brings joy in life when one fully embraces progressivism. I am completely serious when I say that progressivism employs hatred as a means to draw individuals into their Marxist agenda.

It is a prevalent misconception that individuals are not inclined to seek comfort in hatred. However, many, like Bishop Schmo, would find themselves adrift without the capacity to harbor disdain for those who do not conform to the confines of their worldview. What I believe you may not grasp is that progressives like Bishop Schmo and Dr. CamnPP have permitted a veil to obscure their vision, preventing them from perceiving anything beyond what their overlords wish them to see. According to their overlords, progressivism is the sole legitimate and acceptable way of life on this planet, and those who do not align with progressive ideals are deemed ignorant and deserving of disdain.

If you doubt my words, take a look at Bishop Schmo's posting history; it reveals that hatred is central to his character.

[huckelberry]

Some schmo. I realize there are reasons for your anger but anger can spill out of focus. You mention being happy that Trump creates pain for his followers. Perhaps learning can happen of that yet you and I must share the pain so my enthusiasm is limited. Frankly your comment about a possible death or injury in a fire is ugly enough to need reconsideration.

[huckelberry]

Hound, how do you expect us to react when you explain that we think certain things when we, in experiencing our own thinking do not think what you claim we do.

It would be difficult to convince me that I think as you pretend that I do. Perhaps you could try something deeper than John Birch type cliches.

[Hound of Heaven]

Hound, how do you expect us to react when you explain that we think certain things when we, in experiencing our own thinking do not think what you claim we do.

It would be difficult to convince me that I think as you pretend that I do. Perhaps you could try something deeper than John Birch type cliches.

Naturally, if you identify as a progressive, you may not recognize the hatred I refer to. It won't be visible to you until you find yourself on the outside, observing from a different perspective.

Allow me to illustrate using Mormonism as an example, which will help you grasp the psychology behind how certain ideologies appear entirely different from within, compared to how they seem from the outside. During my time as a devoted Mormon, there was nothing anyone could say that would lead me to believe that the essence of Mormonism is rooted in arrogance and pride. If the prophet had come to my house and knocked on my door, and I had invited him in, only for him to tell me that Mormonism was founded on arrogance and pride, I would have thought he was misled by the devil himself. I was fully committed, and my testimony was quite compelling.

Now that I find myself on the outside looking in, I am astonished by how arrogant and prideful I was during my time as a believing Mormon. It is now quite clear to observe the pride and arrogance of Mormons. Progressivism is akin to Mormonism in that both can obscure your vision once you are completely immersed in their beliefs. You may not recognize the hatred, as you view it as a noble pursuit to assist individuals like Ceeboo or Markk in grasping that progressivism offers a more inclusive and superior way of life compared to their conservative beliefs. From your perspective as a progressive, any means may be deemed acceptable in persuading someone to embrace your radical beliefs.

Progressivism resembles a cult similar to Mormonism in that both assert that truth is exclusively found within their ranks, deeming those outside the group as ignorant for lacking comprehensive understanding of what is best for everyone. Anyone can read Bishop Schmos post and understand he believes he has the only truth on earth and anyone that doesn't believe as he believes are just a bunch of worthless humans.

Trump serves as a catalyst for change, he was hired to remove the veil from your eyes.

[canpakes]

Republicans are stupid assholes and proud of it.
…
I love telling Republicans to go “F” themselves when they ask me for help. It's happened a few times. Gives me pleasure. Assholes deserve to be treated like assholes. It's funny; they always seemed surprised that their idiot choices have consequences.

You really need to tone down the hate for people that might be delusional in your mind, but still are your neighbors. You're being manipulated into hating these people for political reasons and you obviously don't see it.

Doc X, I totally get where you’re coming from. And I do wish I’d see less ‘Trump’ on the boards if just for simple reasons of civility.

I also might understand Schmo’s angle. Because the two things here can happen at once: ‘us versus them’ manipulation is a given, but so are the actions of neighbors that don’t care if you and I are aware of it, and they end up participating in it.

I’m reminded of an account from a WW2 concentration camp where it was observed that the soldiers guarding the Jews would sometimes recognize people that they had known prior to the war. They could chat amicably, and then still march them right down to the ovens afterwards. Being a friendly person and giving the benefit of the doubt won’t save most people from suffering at the hands of another.

Modern-day MAGA is not the Nazi regime. Yet, there’s a disturbing and overriding attitude within it that desires to pursue revenge and retribution. This need for retribution doesn’t seem predicated on any actual injury they’ve suffered from outgroups, rather it appears driven by a lack of empathy or emotional maturity. Unlike any of the identifiable excesses of the so-called ‘woke liberals’, MAGA seems compelled to deny, injure or hurt. There’s not an equivalent that I can think of from ‘the woke left’ that matches this MAGA Administration’s actions to strip assistance or health benefits based on gender, or to strip promised retirement benefits, or identity and dignity from others that they just don’t like, and to publicly heckle them as somehow undeserving or less than human simply for being a different orientation or having been born in another, poorer country, and to take joy in their resulting misfortune. What is the reason for MAGA to be so committed to their worst thoughts and behaviors, needing to measure their success by how many people they can hold down, hold back, denigrate, hurt or get rid of altogether?

Fighting amongst ourselves so we don't direct our anger at the true problem and the people causing it is time tested.

Unfortunately, being the neighbors who voted in “the people causing it” has resulted in those neighbors becoming part of the problem.

[canpakes]

Hound, how do you expect us to react when you explain that we think certain things when we, in experiencing our own thinking do not think what you claim we do.

It would be difficult to convince me that I think as you pretend that I do. Perhaps you could try something deeper than John Birch type cliches.

Hound looks at things through mirrored lenses, but the mirrors are on the inside face.

[Some Schmo]

Your anger is over the top, man, and it is coming from somewhere, and divide and conquer/rule has been around for a long time.

If you'd like to walk me through how I've been manipulated to hate GOP voters, I'm all ears. I suppose you could make the argument that their ignorant and asshole behavior has manipulated me into disliking their behavior, but I'm not sure that's what "manipulation" means.

Fighting amongst ourselves so we don't direct our anger at the true problem and the people causing it is time tested. I don't think you see it.

I'm completely aware of this concept. We've talked about it at length, and I return to the point I've been making for years, which is I'm not the one causing the division; I'm reacting to it. The GOP wants the country to stay divided. They aren't interested in good faith conversation or basic harmony.

So when ignorant assholes vote for division, how should we all react? Should we simply forgive them when all the information about this administration's corruption and incompetence was out there before he was elected a second time, let alone the fact they have no interest in our forgiveness?

And let's face it: it's not like I have a megaphone influencing Americans all over the country like Trump and his quislings do. I'm basically screaming into an empty corner. I honestly don't know how to process how stupid people have to be to think Trump is a good idea. Nobody had to talk me into that. I have eyes and ears, and I actually use them.

[Some Schmo]

Some schmo. I realize there are reasons for your anger but anger can spill out of focus.

No doubt.

You mention being happy that Trump creates pain for his followers. Perhaps learning can happen of that yet you and I must share the pain so my enthusiasm is limited.

If I have to suffer, they can too. They wanted this. I decidedly did not.

Frankly your comment about a possible death or injury in a fire is ugly enough to need reconsideration.

That was just angry talk. I'm not trying to hide my anger. I'm pissed, and quite frankly don't understand how people are so passive about all this nonsense to which we're subjected.

[Some Schmo]

And I do wish I’d see less ‘Trump’ on the boards if just for simple reasons of civility.

I'm giving it the exact amount of civility it deserves. If you have an alternative that has the same essence but you consider more civil, I'll listen.