“There’s just no getting thru to him!”
Most of us have said that over the past few years, right?
We tried arguing facts to people who don’t seem to care about facts. We’ve ruined Thanksgiving dinners, otherwise fun barbeques, and get togethers of all kinds. We’ve damaged and/or completely lost friendships and family ties. We’ve been mind blown when we think we’re having an intelligent conversation with someone we loved and respected — only to hear the most insane conspiracy theory come of their mouths. Sometimes it’s one we haven’t even heard about yet, so we have no idea how to respond.
How can we get their attention? Maybe with this title?
It feels like nothing we can say will get thru. Of course, there probably isn’t one conversation, or article, or meme, or even indictment that will turn anyone completely around instantly. Better to use a “slow drip” method, in my opinion. One small thing at a time that will sit in their heads. And make them think, even if just a little. And let them add up. Until maybe they think just a little bit more, the next time they hear something crazy. “Wait. That doesn’t make sense, does it?” Lord knows we can’t get them to read an entire article from the Washington Post, or watch an entire video if it was on MSNBC. But - if the title or the picture is right, maybe we can get them to read a meme?
If they hate Hillary, they are likely to look at this one:
I’m not sure why we always say “Crazy Uncle”. There are also crazy aunts, and friends, and grandmothers, and so on. For me, it actually was an uncle tho. Is he crazy? Hmm. Well. Yeah. A little bit. But, he was a good kind of crazy. In no way a danger to anyone. Fun, and energetic, and enthusiastic! When I was little, it was like hanging out with another kid. Except he had a car, and money, and we had so much fun! As an adult, he made feel kind of old and out of shape. Despite the age difference, his energy could still wear me out. But he was still fun. He’s also intelligent, well educated, and a truly big hearted, and genuinely kind human being. I don’t think he’s ever done a mean thing to anyone. Ever.
Imagine my surprise when I found out he’d been listening to right wing talk radio! “Wait. You? Even you buy into some of this bullshit?” A decade or so ago, I still believed that only fringe, angry, gullible, uneducated people with low IQs could be so easily manipulated. I couldn’t help but think that if they could get to him, how many other people could start believing the propaganda? It was a scary thought! That was back before the term “Fake News” was a thing, and “Mainstream Media” wasn’t considered a derogatory label.
For those who don’t believe anything “those” news channels say, how ‘bout this one?
That being said, while we had our share of deadlock (and sometimes a bit ugly) arguments, there were times that I got thru. The first time, he started talking about Obama being a Muslim. I just shook my head and said something to the effect of “What are you talking about?” He told me that Obama had admitted to it, and it was taped no less. This was news to me, and I found it hard to believe. Then he pulled up a video to show me. There it was. Obama saying “...my Muslim faith”. I was surprised, but skeptical. It was a very short video. Not even an entire sentence. Critical thinking time. So, I asked about the rest of the sentence, or maybe even the whole interview. My uncle didn’t know, so we looked it up. When he realized how completely out of context that clip was, and that in Obama’s complete statement, he was actually defending John McCain — I knew I had an in.
I could see that he didn’t like being intentionally deceived. I could see that he had a little less trust in the people who had told him this crap. I let it sit. I didn’t try to embarrass him. I wasn’t condescending about it. I knew that he would be a little less likely to blindly believe what he hears in the future. A little more likely to question the “news” he was getting, and the people and places where he was getting it. From there, I knew I could slowly interject questions to things he had heard. Get him to think about them. One step at a time.
So, here I am. Trying to get a little critical thinking to permeate out into the world.
For the Obama haters
and/or
the ones who think anyone will turn on anyone
for the money a book deal will bring them:
For the ones who hate hearing about wins for Democrats:
Got people in your family with
“Support Our Troops” bumper stickers?
Who proudly call themselves “Patriots!”?
Maybe this one:
For those “tough guys” who can’t stand snowflakes:
For the same guys, who also don’t want to hear from whining victims.
Especially the hard working, blue collar ones:
I don’t know anyone who is pro abortion,
but for those who haven’t really thought it thru realistically,
and/or doesn’t think it matters to them personally:
For those who say they don’t trust the government
(and I couldn’t resist the jab at Rafael Cruz)
Also a good one for the anti-immigrant crowd:
For anyone actually talking about Civil War
(personally, I’m not sure I’m against the last option):
For the “both-sider” crowd:
Simple priority check:
Add some commentary when you post
Remember the guy involved in the biggest Medicare scam of all time?
Post a link to that story with your meme
Choose a picture of any politician you think needs to be called out,
and make the same meme for them
I’m a total chart nerd!
I think charts are always worth posting
So many people rank the economy as their #1 concern, so show them
who has done what in the most simple form
The debt and the deficits?
More recent chart
People don’t like to believe things they don’t like,
especially if it comes from people or places they don’t like.
They will dismiss it as “liberal bias”
This chart came from Forbes:
Click here for the full article
Super easy to read
AND seeing “your guy” on top will draw your attention:
The Economy?
”Don’t take my word for it. Listen to what Trump said.”
Nice short and to the point video clip.
For anyone who believes everything he says with no questions:
Want to get the attention of Obama haters?
Try sharing this video
Besides, it’s funny. Who doesn’t like to laugh?
Keep sharing anything and everything that makes people at least think
Feel free to “steal” any memes I’ve made!
Get creative! Make your own.
Maybe use these “starters” to put your own ideas on:
Trumpism is scary!
Keep sharing knowledge any way you can!
We must save as many people from the propaganda as we can!
I’ll end with a little self indulgence
As a huge fan of the show Gentleman Jack, I was inspired by the idea of WWALD.
So, I put on my hat, and tried to find a way to get the word out.
We can all do something to help, right?
Saturday, Aug 13, 2022 · 12:47:31 AM +00:00 · LuvPure
I was already torn between “Me Either” or “Me Neither”. Thinking the latter might be better, I did a quick search and I found out that #MeNeither is a much more serious subject. So maybe I should just stick with my first impulse? #MeEither