13 Comments
User's avatar
Jonathan Fowler's avatar

One reason NOT to relax: repetition of bullshit works, and it's proven itself time and again to be especially effective with MAGAs and the MAGA-adjacent. In controlled cog psych studies, the illusory truth effect (BS repetition) works for humans of any stripe – even when the subjects absolutely know the claim is total bullshit. It's just less cognitively demanding to buy bullshit one has heard before. And Trump's a master of the art.

So, is dumb McCarthyism flawed and illogical? Yes. Have I picked my jaw up off the ground thousands of times in the age of Trump, at the sheer stupidity of MAGA gullibility? Also yes.

Jonathan Fowler's avatar

Just FYI, this isn't a diss on Waldman's article, which is top-tier, as usual!

David J. Sharp's avatar

A quibble: Trump is a con man, not an artist—a bully without charm or wit or manners, certainly not the charisma of that artist.

Mark In Colorado's avatar

“Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.” - George Bernard Shaw

David J. Sharp's avatar

Ach, those commies! Xi, Kim, Orban, Putin—Donald Trump will kowtow now.

macwithhisbooks's avatar

merriam webster for kowtow: to show obsequious deference

Since Commies are so bad, trump will kowtow now how?

Vicki Crutchfield's avatar

No in Trump's mind it is still 1960. And his Father's praise of McCarthy is still ringing in his ears.

Tomonthebeach's avatar

Yes, as the late Hunter Thompson long ago pointed out, the GOP thrives on messages full of "Fear & Loathing. All Americans Trump's age were taught in grammar school to hate commies. Ironic, is it not, that Trump's best (only?) friend Vlad is head of a communist country - Russia? Furthermore, being 79 myself, I get the impression that fear of communism is no longer emphasized in public schools. Does Donny know that?

-----------------------

Regardless, equating socialism with communism as twin evils has long been a goal of the billionaire class, who are wealthy beyond imagination thanks to America's rigged capitalist economic system. So branding liberals as communists is not a totally blunt weapon. I wonder if Democrats will find the courage to challenge being labeled as commies with "bullshit," and then link their platforms and goals to promoting the quality of life promised in our Constitution.

David Krupp's avatar

To reduce the power of the Oligarchs, please support and vote for these Democratic candidates for the Senate: SC: Anne Andrews, FL: Alexander Vindman, TX: James Talarico, IA Josh Turek

NH: Chris Pappas, GA: John Ossoff, AK: Mary Peltola, OH: Sherrod Brown,

NC: Roy Cooper, ME:____________, MN:____________, MI:________________.

Join these organizations that help you send postcards to likely Democratic voters urging them to VOTE:

https://turnoutpac.com. https://votefwd.org. https:// shop.bluewavle.com/postcards

commitwdemocracy.com/postcards

Leu2500's avatar

the felon's peri-orbital edema is so severe that his eyes are barely open. CHF &/or kidney disease