There have been many diaries about the destructive power of FOX, talk radio, and Trump. When it comes to the large percentage of this country who have been convinced to be scared of the wrong things (immigrants, the poor, Obama) while ignoring very real dangers (climate change, extended magazines, corporate welfare) it seems as if no logical argument can get through to them. Even when those they find the most persuasive are exposed as hypocrites or in it for the money they respond by doubling down on their support and lashing out even more at those who disagree with them. Most of us can probably imagine what the history books will eventually say about America during this period.
My question is this:
When the tides turn, do those who were the most passionate about a subject change with those tides?
For example when McCarthy was finally called out for having “no shame” were those who were the most passionate about the perceived communist threat able to see the truth? Or did they hold out? Do many still hold out?