I work in a conservative office in a conservative industry. I want to share a Stan Mack’s Real Life (Un)Funnies from this morning.
When I got into work this morning, Fox News was on in the lobby, as it always is unless I’ve changed it, and there was a small gathering of workers watching a story about one of the bombs (Biden, I think). As I walked away one of my co-workers said “… sure, they’re some psycho, and from here now, but you know they’re from somewhere else originally. Probably the Middle East or something”
This is no Russian Bot. She is a human being, saying this right in front of my eyes (well, behind my right shoulder blade). In fact, she’s often like this. She’s the woman who after Christine Blassey Ford’s testimony turned from the TV and said “I think her father raped her and she’s mis-remembering because of trauma.”
I recount these two statements because I think it’s important to know this is who we are dealing with. Nobody Inceptioned her that Ford theory — she done thunk it up all by herself on the spot. These people will do anything to avoid cognitive dissonance. When the facts don’t support their ideology, they change the facts.
Here is a rundown of the coworkers on my row of offices, in order, from the guard shack to the rest room:
#1. My boss. Very nice Christian fundy and my best friend in the office. Thinks Dump is a terrible person and maybe crazy. Voted for Dump because “I want my judges” and because “better than that criminal Hillary.” Will vote for him again in 2020.
#2. VA woman. R but apolitical. Oh, I’ve tried.
#3. MD woman with the nutbar opinions above.
#4. VA man who “assumes” Soros sent the bombs as a false flag.
#5. NY man me. Liberal AF.
#6. VA man. I assume R but apolitical. Hints we’re suckers for caring either way.
#7. CA man. Raised ultra-conservative, ex-special forces, now almost as liberal as I. Working class, military liberal — very different from me, but over the last 13 years has gone from centrist to ultra left. Genuinely afraid of a slow coup in which military and LEO sit it out. Shit; he’d know.
#8. NY man. Huge on guns and huge on the environment. Loves Dump but was appalled by him raping Bears Ears. Listens attentively to me on social strat / inequality numbers. Like #1, I have convinced him on many issues but his primary issue (2ndA, whereas #1 is abortion) makes him R for life.
#9. OH woman, new, have no idea what she is though she is an ex-marine sniper and very into guns. Seemed angry about Ford’s treatment but doesn’t change the TV from Fox in the break room. I’m going to assume a somewhat conflicted, possibly apolitical R. Recruitment target.
That’s the leadership in my office, a tiny division of an enormous defense contractor, sitting just outside the 250 kiloton radius of DC. We’re all white and over 50. I’m the only one with a 4-year college degree. Only #3 is outwardly racist or homophobic but the rest of the politically active Rs all vote straight ticket on anything the GOP put on their plate. #1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and I assume #9 are active NRA — #7 used to be but quit them in disgust after Sandy Hook.
As Childish Gambino said: “This is America.” An America. And it’s a place where is it very difficult reach anybody on the facts.