That dangerous moment when everything is accepted as "normal".

[kentuck]

Even the lies are no longer disputed. People are worn down by the constant propaganda. The most absurd comments are not even challenged anymore. The people are tired.

Is that where we are today?

That is the goal of authoritarians. The citizens become numb and cynical. Rather than argue anymore, they just become silent. They no longer have the energy or the will to fight.

When and if that happens, the war is lost.

[BlueJac]

1. That is Trump's plan

Where is Merrick Garland!

[iscooterliberally]

5. I'm sure Garland is gathering a whole bunch of evidence and building a case.

He inherited a huge mess that has to be sorted through. It took about 2 years for Watergate to catch up with Nixon:

https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate

I would rather have Merrick Garland go after Trump with an airtight case. He's only got one shot at this and none of us can afford to have him miss his mark. I don't think Trump is going to be around to do much of anything by 2024. Trump doesn't have the republican senate to let him off the hook this time. We all need to show up to vote next year though. That's what I'm more worried about.

[PatSeg]

2. Yes, it is exhausting and unhealthy

to live in a constant state of anger and fear. It is easy to get used to the unthinkable and to start to view it as "normal". I haven't gotten used to it, but I find I cannot dwell on it all the time anymore. I have to take breaks. Too many people, however, have started to accept it as the new "normal".

[jimfields33]

3. 24/7 media and social media has destroyed anything normal

Every single thing is covered. It’s information overload.

[PatSeg]

13. Yes, there is an information overload,

however one major problem is they just rehash the same stories over and over again. A lot of stories don't get covered at all. We often get an hours worth of news in 20 hours.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Authoritarians throughout history have used a similar playbook...

[Baitball Blogger]

6. Something has changed. Once we figure out that we're dealing with a crazy, we put distance

between us. So, there is something going on. We are cutting ties.

There is one way to fight back, if the Dems are smart about it. Many of us on the local level have beefs with these neanderthals. Get good lawyers that have nothing to do with the monopoly sized lawyer firms to provide services, because there are Civil actions taking place on a local level. Some of those large lawfirms are responsible for the tense community atmosphere.

[PortTack]

7. Just because ppl are silent, doesn't mean they are accepting their lies

The acceptance isn’t of the lie itself, it’s why waste your time and energy trying to change ppl that you know cannot be reached.

The ppl spreading that lie...44% of the gqp which equals approx 8.6% of the population. This is what we need to focus on...it really is a very small number

[Javaman]

8. to quote The Talking Heads from "Life During Wartime"...

"The sound of gunfire, off in the distance,
I'm getting used to it now"

[BeyondGeography]

9. It is a war

Unfortunately, only one side is mobilized top-to-bottom along those lines.

[orwell]

10. The thing that is amusing...

...is that both sides think "the elites" or "authoritarians" are in control.

What if nobody is in control and what we are witnessing is a giant cluster fuck of stupidity at all levels.

I am leaning in that direction until proven otherwise...

[lame54]

11. How come they never run out of gas?

[Kaleva]

16. Some are giving up

Lurking at FR, one can read comments made by Freezers saying their nation is dead and the situation is hopeless

[plimsoll]

12. In the 1970's era WWII documentary series "The World at War"

there was a quote from a German Social Democrat. He said when he was drafted it was actually a relief, you were no longer subject to the daily barrage of lies from the propaganda apparatus.

They’re not in power at the moment, so the propaganda isn’t state sanctioned, but much of corporate America seems to support the goals of the GQP.

Regardless, when the GOP says something I assume it’s BS. That’s not a good thing either.

[kentuck]

14. That is interesting.

[Kaleva]

15. You are where you want to be.

You are either master of your own destiny or a slave to others. Your choice.