21 Comments
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Charles's avatar

I have no sympathy for these Republicans at all.

I used to work at a place in the 80's where some coworkers would bring in a radio, turn on rightwing talk shows and listen to it all day. I'm talking about Rush Limbaugh and the likes. So I heard all the vile rightwing rhetoric they spewed out daily. Telling their viewers that Democrats hated America and were tryinmg to destroy it. Then they would go home and turn on FOX news and get another dose. That was 40 years ago. After all these years of hearing that kind of propaganda, they are completely brainwashed. Yes, they are in a cult and whatever you say, you will never get through to them.

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Mike McNiff's avatar

The CEO at my wife’s office is, in no particular order, a Trumper and Republican. He is not dumb. However, he too is in the ‘they are only deporting criminals’ universe. Not going to be easy getting these people to understand reality.

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Sheri Smith's avatar

They are choosing to ignore the truth.

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Stacey Grosvenor's avatar

It's a sad and disturbing situation for sure. I also know some very educated and compassionate Republicans, and they are of the same mindset. They honestly believe we're only deporting the bad guys. The TRUTH about what is really going on needs to get out to more people.

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Sparkplug761's avatar

They don’t believe you even when you show them videos. 😔

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Kenneth Cooper's avatar

Your local republican gets his news from an outlet that paid $780 million to settle a lawsuit that accused them of lying.

They support a president who stated on national TV that dogs and cats were being eaten in immigrant neighborhoods. They voted for him anyway.

That says it all about their mindset.

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Tom's avatar

That same outlet also argued in court that their commentary shows do not state actual facts and present non-literal commentary

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Sanford Sklansky's avatar

People like that are a lost cause. I am assuming that guy has a college education. Someone should take him to a home depot and show him who are being taken away.

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Kevin's avatar

I've been saying this exact same thing for years. They have no idea Humpy was convicted in a civil court of sexual assault, called Kim Jong Un and Putin his friends(and good people), or even remotely understand what happened on Jan 6th. It's b/c all they watch is Fox News.

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Community of Hope's avatar

I used to blame talk radio and Fox News, then billionaire owned media and right wing podcasters spread the lies to a much larger audience. It's very difficult having conversations with people who believe the propaganda. If democracy depends on informed, engaged voters with a shared understanding of reality to survive, we are in danger of losing it!

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Rinoa's avatar

So show him the list of news articles and statistics with how many detainees and deportations aren’t violent criminals. This information is out there already. If you have rapport with him and he’ll listen to you, great.

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Sparkplug761's avatar

Sadly they don’t believe it. I laid it all out in a group. Photos, videos, even used Cato and ICE’s own stats and they still managed to twist it around to something it isn’t or it’s lies. It’s a weird commitment to the absolute rubbish they are fed.

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Sheri Smith's avatar

It’s even been reported in the OC Register.

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Jeanne's avatar

Lots of comments here from people who have the same experiences I have had. No success. As Charles pointed out, this is not a new phenomenon. It began during the "I don't believe the liberal media" era of Rush Limbaugh - I used to laugh because I never thought the New York Times was particularly liberal. People have been brainwashed. They are not willing to even consider a different point of view.

Considering another point of view is risky. You might find out that you are wrong. You might need to change your worldview. A paradigm shift is something that can shatter your sense of self. The safest thing is to stay in your own bubble. So, if you encounter someone who "used to be" in that camp, acknowledge that person's courage, even if only to yourself.

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MAUREEN MEHLER's avatar

So how do we get them to see something other than Fox Noise?

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Alex Khalifa's avatar

There’s a radio spot celebrating the deportation of all these terrible people thanks to Our Fearless Leader and it’s making me unplug the radio all the time.

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Leslie Hornstein's avatar

I agree. All politics are local and I am increasingly vocal but not mean spirited. One conversation at a time and stay nice!

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Justine White's avatar

Not sure how to get them to listen. I know a couple of Trumpers, good people, who have never seen nor were aware of any violence related to Jan 6th. One watches Fox the other Newsmax. They don’t listen to friends they’ve had for 30+ years.

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Eileen's avatar

Show him the story in (increasingly) right wing Los Angeles Times today about the DACA deaf mute arrested despite having his real CA driver's license. One conversation at a time.

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Robin's avatar

I have experienced this too. My extended family lives in that bubble and members are literally not exposed to the excesses. All they ever hear is how terrible and corrupt Democrats are, most often being accused of the exact behaviors actually perpetrated by MAGA

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