Jan. 6 came and went. There was worry and fear as to what could happen on this day. Fortunately, the day passed quietly. I hope that it means that there will be a change which will bring about some progress that the government will start to be concerned about the people who elected them.
When one looks back it's hard to believe that such dangerous and scary things could happen. It was unimaginable at that time to think that the Capital could be attacked. Looking back you see that many people were more than willing to lie and that more people again were willing to believe lies.
I hope that as we get further away from Jan. 6 some sanity will return.
The United states has drifted into problems before and as a country they have gathered together and worked things out. I hope the same thing happens again.
I had to call my roofer a few days ago. He's an amiable and pleasant fellow. We got on to Covid and government. He has been pulled into all kinds of conspiracy theories. It's hard to discuss things with him as he plays fast and loose with the truth. He doesn't listen to reason. He has his own rules for making deductions. He thinks that government and big business is ripping us off so he just doesn't want a different political party in power. He wants a different government. So when some of the loonies start saying that changes can be made he is ready to follow and does not consider what negative could go along with his choice.
Some days I feel hopeful about society keeping on a sensible path and other days I'm worried.
Have we learned any lessons? Can we change?
Hi Mr. Red, I hope your roofer does a nice job. We've had a well-known plumber run for office in Kansas. (He charges way too much and estimates work that doesn't need to be done.) As I watched his political campaign commercials, I decided, "sorry, some of your viewpoints don't earn my business in the future." I hadn't used them before anyway after they tried to gouge my elderly neighbors. A newscaster ran for office and lost. Now I don't trust how he slants his broadcast. I hope it gets better. My parents would've switched parties if they'd been alive through the previous Prez's garbage. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteMy roofer guy is fair and does a good job. He isn't running for office. He just has these nutty ideas.
DeleteThere are sadly too many Americans who somehow still believe in that terrible lie and still think Trump is the legitimate president. It's really remarkable. I have one otherwise sensible teacher friend who actually ordered ivermectin from Canada because she couldn't find it here. Sigh... What can you do? The Republican Party here is somehow caught in a Trump stranglehold. It's really amazing.
ReplyDeleteSome people don't seem to be able to evaluate an idea and make a judgement.
DeleteRegarding the assault on the US Capitol, 725 people have been arrested. However, the leader of this vile attack on democracy still drives and flies around scot free. You know which guy I mean.
ReplyDeleteThe various investigations going on must make the said guy pretty nervous at times.
DeleteThese conspiracy theories are really out there, very strange. I am glad things were calm and the anniversary of Jan 6th passed quietly. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe connections made in their deductions are wild.
DeleteThe irony of the internet age and social media is that we have access to information as never before but we use it to follow crackpot theories that appeal to our lesser natures.
ReplyDeleteThe crackpots have access to social media and get their message out. People are not listening to information and evaluating it.
DeleteI am sure I am not the only one who believes that the United States will be an autocratic dictatorship, underpinned by a fanatical theocracy, within ten years.
ReplyDeleteThe possibility is there for a dictatorship but I hope it doesn't happen.
DeleteThere are people like that roofer and his beliefs throughout the country. The optometrist I visited, quite good at his job, was an anti-Vaxer and quite vocal about it, drawn into the conspiracy myths. An anti-masker at heart but doing what kept his business open. A man of science supposedly…Scary really.
ReplyDeleteIt's appalling to see some physicians who are away off the truth they have promised to follow.
DeleteI fear we are in for some hard times ahead, Red. There are just too many people who are committed to lies and sedition. :-(
ReplyDeleteI think you're right that it will not be pretty. I hope that people will see that there is too much to lose.
DeleteI worry about your roofer. But I have two thoughts about that. 1. As bad as Jan. 6 was, I think the Democrats are stoking even more fears about it for political gain, thus feeding the paranoia on the other side. And 2. If a few stubborn, illogical people don't believe what you're saying, then that's their problem. But if more than 70 million voters don't believe what you're saying, YOU are the one with the problem and it needs to be addressed. So as a Democrat myself I don't think it serves any purpose to label everyone else crazy and dangerous. I think Democrats, and independents too, need to take their concerns seriously and start to do something about the rust belt, the dying towns, the drug addiction, the lack of opportunity, the breakdown of the family, the destruction of cultural norms, etc., etc. Anyway, I hope your roofer is at least vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteYou list some important things that need attention. My roofer said he was vaccinated.
DeleteI'm worried about the future of the US. The next two elections (2022 and 2024) will make a huge difference in the direction we're headed. I'm worried.
ReplyDeleteI hope some people and politicians will see some sensible stuff to do.
DeleteThe world is going through a crisis right now. Lots of unvaccinated people, anti maskers, and conspiracy theories. They care only for themselves. I just do my thing and don't involve myself with these crazy people.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it will take for people to see that we need to support each other.
DeleteI am worried about the maneuverings going on to try to manipulate our next elections. Republicans across the country seem to be engaging in "legal sedition" to change and restrict our voting laws at the local and state levels.
ReplyDeleteI reacted to Tom's comment, above: "start to do something" about all of our problems. Democrats have been trying to "do something" for years and they continue to be blocked by Republicans who seem to only want to stay in power and do as little as possible to help those who are suffering from these issues.
Some of the voter regulations passed are frightening.
DeleteI will never forget the state of disbelief I felt when I watched the news that day. I can still hardly believe that it ever happened. I hope we can come together as a united country again. It is hard to shake the beliefs of those who believe in conspiracy theories, as with your roofer the other day. It seems to be a world-wide issue. Can we change? I am living in hope, that’s all I ever say these days. I read with interest what Tom had to say, and I'm reading your post to my husband. We discuss these things quite often.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure most people couldn't believe what they saw happen Jan. 6 2021.
DeleteI know a guy. Nice guy, but at some point during the pandemic he went deep into the conspiracy theory rabbit hole.
ReplyDeletePeople watch internet sites and some sites can be very convincing.
DeleteWe've had larger insurrections in this country, and I'm not talking about the 1776 big one. Wilmington, 1898, for one. We'll get over it...or we won't. I hope the former; I enjoy my Social Security payment.
ReplyDeleteYes, I said there have been bad times before and people united . I hope that happens.
DeleteRed, I think that the first step to putting this all behind us is to hear it said out loud, over and over, that it was a lie. I think that we've been too quiet about it. This craziness has to be confronted and denounced. The Republican party will never do it. I was glad to hear Biden addressing it as such. It is a discouraging time that's for sure. When you have people looking at you telling you that Trump has discovered life on the dark side of the moon or that they expect the return of JFK Jr., you have to wonder about the sanity of 1/3 of our population.
ReplyDeleteMany people have a serious problem of evaluating information they receive.
ReplyDeleteNot sure there can be change:(
ReplyDeleteI have said it for years. We need to teach critical thinking skills at an early age.
ReplyDeleteAs I look at the USA today, it seems like we could divide our population into thirds. The first third, on the left, are progressive and don’t want to change. The last third, on the right, are conservative, and don’t want to change. The middle third are the ones whose votes can change the direction of the country. My belief is we can change. Whether we will or not depends on what that middle third is thinking.
ReplyDeleteSadly, quite a few people have fallen into the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. Let's just hope it's a minority.
ReplyDelete