Are freepers complicit or brainwashed (or some combo of the two)?

[mod mom]

[killbotfactory]

1. they are a cult

Brainwashed and complicit. The problem is that smart people are very good at rationalizing things they've come to believe for stupid reasons. I assume the problem is worse with stupid people.

[marmar]

2. I concur.

It's all rationalization. And deep down inside, they know how f...ked up all of this is and what a mess it's become.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Filled with low self esteem

It makes them feel good about themselves to think that they are "conservative" and "patriotic" and that America is better because they are here and that the likes of george bush and tom delay "needs" them. All they have to do is logon to get groomed. And on the other end of that process, they systematically block out the tons of truth that counters their thoughts.

I don't know if they are brainwashed or complicit but as a Combat Zone Veteran I know they are DOMESTIC ENEMIES OF THE CONSTITUTION.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Mentally blind

Because the sun sure ain't shinin' on the truth for them!

[Lerkfish]

5. brainwashed.

having been a victim of mild brainwashing myself in college, its easy to recognize the signs:

1. they are taught to mistrust any other sources of information except their main source.
2. they are taught to discount anyone who is not "one of us" and to hold them in contempt.
3. They are given self-contradictory information in incrementally larger and larger doses until they'll swallow anything.
4. they are taught to worship personalities instead of ideals. And the objects of their worship are constantly deified through information sources.
5. they are taught that any personal sacrifice, on THEIR part, is worthwhile for the goals of their leaders, who do not personally sacrifice anything.
6. They are erroneously led to believe they are in an elite status, when actually they are doing grunt work.

[pscot]

6. They're just not very bright

I'd love to know what the average IQ is over there. Judging from their posts they seem to have about the intellectual wattage of a refrigerator bulb.