I'm done trying to understand Trump supporters. Why don't they try to understand me?

[TexasTowelie]

By Leonard Pitts, Jr.


This is for Rose.

She is a nice lady who wrote me a nice email in which she spoke about the need to try to understand Donald Trump’s supporters. As Rose put it, “We need to not close ourselves off to how the other side thinks.” It’s a sentiment I hear a lot from progressives, and it bespeaks a great generosity of spirit.

But I couldn’t disagree more.

Don’t get me wrong. Thinking people will always try to see past their own ideological blind spots, to put themselves into the shoes of those they disagree with. That’s an admirable trait. In normal times it’s a trait I would applaud with enthusiasm.

But these are not normal times. Indeed, sometimes, I wonder if we appreciate just how abnormal — how fraught with danger — they really are. Under Trump, American laws, news media and mores are under assault, to say nothing of American democracy itself.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article210497509.html

[Arkansas Granny]

1. Trump supporters don't want to understand because they are afraid they'll find out they're wrong.

[beachbum bob]

2. They could care less what you want or think....move on

[BigmanPigman]

3. If they do not want to have open minds

than there isn't much you can do. It is a lesson in futility and a waste of time and energy. Focus on using your time and energy on getting people to register to vote and to the polls in Nov.

[machoneman]

4. It's because they are NOT thinking but viscerally reacting.

Why think things through when emotionally reacting all the time is their mantra? Why do we have to question that white woman calling the cops on two black Airbnb renters? Trump and his ilk ALWAYS play up the Nazi-like rallies he holds to tap into white privilege, fear of Muslims, hate of all non-white interlopers and on and on.

[Paladin]

5. What's to understand? They're assholes. End of story.

Leonard Pitts puts it well, as always. Trump supporters are unworthy of our charitable understanding. They are the enemy, and they must be defeated.