I'm so brainwashed by Right Wing media

[BayouBengal07]

The first thing I thought when I saw when John Melloncamp started singing about small town America was "Look at all us elitist Liberals trying to act like we represent middle America."

My God! Look at what they've made me think and say!


Just like when there was all the talk about Hillary running for VP, all I could say was that it would be political suicide because all I hear out of the media is that Hillary is evil and everyone hates her.

Same thing with Clinton- all I hear about is his penis.


Anyone else have these kind of toxic associations? Can you imagine what the rest of the country must believe?

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. It's a good thing you found us here...

Stick around DU long enough and we will get you back on the right track!

Welcome!

[BayouBengal07]

3. Thank you

I'm just so saturated with (and sick of) Liberal used as a dirty word. I even read it in a dark, dirty tone in my mind if I see it in an editorial. The media has trained me to do so.

[Reverend_Smitty]

4. Well you're safe here...

Just don't take the flame-bait :)

:pals: Liberal will never be called a dirty word over here

[bloom]

2. I've lived near the town Mellancamp grew up in

and I live near the town he lives in now (not that far away).

and I've met him and his parents.

I know where he's coming from.

[union_maid]

5. Well, I think your dark side has a point about Hillary

She's a terrific senator. I don't want her to run for president or vice president. But yeah, overall that's been our problem. We can see other people's point of view. Unfortunately, in this political climate that can be a weakness.

[BayouBengal07]

6. Wow it just happened again

They gave a shoutout to McGovern, Mondale, and Dukakis, and the first thing I thought of is that how all through my life (I'm 19) all I've heard about those men is that they are weak, leftist, loser wimps.

[Misunderestimator]

10. Nice. So go ahead and vote for the Strong, Caring, Populist Bush. n/t

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

7. Yeah here's the deal

and I'm sure it's been said on this thread, I didn't read the replies first, so forgive me if I am repeating.

TURN THE TV OFF. Or turn it to CSPAN. DO NOT WATCH THE TALKING HEADS.

I know exactly what you are talking about. I "thought" "their way" for years, then I turned the shit off and started thinking for myself. It was like a breath of fresh air.

There's a story in a book called "Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim" about this family on this guy's street when he was growing up who didn't OWN a TV and the kid (narrator) kept wondering "how do they know what they want or who they are?"

That question is pretty telling isn't it? Pretty disturbing too.

The only time I know what the talking heads say is because I read about it here. Other than that, I don't let them pollute my brain.

[bloom]

8. I agree....n/t

[BayouBengal07]

11. No, I know better than that

I watch the convention on C-SPAN. I'm just afraid of what the rest of the country is getting.

[Misunderestimator]

9. WHAT??? You don't think that liberals represent small-town America?

Are you kidding? Elitist?!?

[BayouBengal07]

13. That's what the media implies

That's the common misconception. I've been a Democrat all my life (thanks to my dad), but I know that we are percieved and portrayed as out of touch and elite.

[Misunderestimator]

14. Ok, true enough... but from what I've seen of this convention...

it should change your perception... Switch to C-SPAN.

[MichiganVote]

12. Welcome Bayou, happy posting!

[cprise]

15. APPLAUSE!

Good for you!

It happens with me too, and I've learn to identify them the same way. Its why I generally haven't watched TV for about 9 years. If you expose yourself to too much of that stuff, you can be a bloody socialist and still have the mental reflexes of Trent Lott.

I won't allow myself to become conditioned like that (the networks love Pavlov). Avoid sensationalism and devote time to something constructive (but issue-related) and the toxicity will dissipate. You will also spend less time griping about he-said-she-said stuff and saving your energies for ideas and action instead.

OTOH, the rest of the country are like hypnotized chickens. What would they be like if we snapped them out of it?

[LSU_Subversive]

16. At least you're aware of the problem and are doing something to remedy it

That's more than many people can say. That's also what makes the difference between folks like us and the repubes that are voting for chimp. Unless you're completely isolated from popular news sources (not to mention other sources like MTV, etc) it's almost impossible for some of their points not to affect the way we think, however subtle it may be. Their tactics are so well researched and mastered. Education is the key. Keep asking questions. As much as you can, QUESTION the validity of your automatic thoughts. Question everything. Ask for references.

Think critically. Not that you aren't. Obviously you already are or you wouldn't have posted this thread.

Cheers from another newbie. :toast:

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. Welcome to DU :^D

[Liberal_Dog]

18. No, You're Not

Or you wouldn't be here.

[Zinfandel]

19. Welcome to the DU family!!!

[dumpster_baby]

20. politics is not about issues, but worldview/paradigm/memes/perceptions

I really think activists would do better just getting together over the internet and coming with a about one dozen short, snappy politcal phrases describing the Right in unfavorable terms. THen go repeat and repeat those phrases. A good approach might be to put them up on little signs by the road.

[jakefrep]

21. Welcome to DU!

:toast: