Not enough Whisky for this Tango Foxtrot

[RoseMorninStar]

Some people like to feel they are 'in-the-know' or special. They (and only they) have all the answers. This describes Trump to a 'T'. He has all of the resources available on this planet for the most up-to-date and sophisticated intelligence and information but he fires competent people and prefers to traffic in conspiracy theories and nonsense because the facts don't fit his narrative.

[elengil]

Some people like to feel they are 'in-the-know' or special. They (and only they) have all the answers. This describes Trump to a 'T'. He has all of the resources available on this planet for the most up-to-date and sophisticated intelligence and information but he fires competent people and prefers to traffic in conspiracy theories and nonsense because the facts don't fit his narrative.

That actually brings up one of the things that continues to baffle me about people believing all of Trump's claims - he knows best, he knows better than anyone, than all the intelligence agencies, all the experts... where on earth does he get *his* information, then!? He isn't in the field gathering intelligence, he isn't infiltrating organizations, he isn't somehow privy to medical data that *nobody else has* - nobody can ever explain how he has all this information that nobody else has!

[RoseMorninStar]

That actually brings up one of the things that continues to baffle me about people believing all of Trump's claims - he knows best, he knows better than anyone, than all the intelligence agencies, all the experts... where on earth does he get *his* information, then!? He isn't in the field gathering intelligence, he isn't infiltrating organizations, he isn't somehow privy to medical data that *nobody else has* - nobody can ever explain how he has all this information that nobody else has!

*edited post to fix quotation form.

I believe the term is paranoia.

par·a·noi·a | ˌperəˈnoiə |
a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system.

Paranoia is a hallmark of a lot of cult/cult-like and fascist political leaders. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology (who reminds me a great deal of Trump), Charles Manson, Jim Jones, the Kim family of North Korea, etc.. They are charismatic and they strongly believe their delusions which convinces others to follow them. The strong 'US vs. THEM', everyone who is not completely loyal is a traitor, is to be fired, made fun of, or vilified.

[elengil]

Maybe it is paranoia, but it seems that doesn't quite cover the whole of it. It's definitely the cult of "dear leader is perfect, dear leader has all the answers, dear leader tells us the truth whereas everyone else lies to us" - I just am baffled by where "dear leader" gets his information that nobody else has.

[RoseMorninStar]

Conspiracy websites.
Paranoia is often found co-morbid with other personality issues.

** edited to add: USA Today; Trump Wades Deeper Into Conspiracy Theories.

Steve Bannon, former chairman of Breitbart recently made fun of Don Jr. for believing what he read on the site. I would imagine Trump is getting his info from disreputable sites like InfoWars and nut cases like Roger Stone and people with an agenda (Putin/Russia) via WikiLeaks. Oh.. and don't forget memes on Twitter.

[elengil]

I guess I should clarify, *I* realize where Trump gets his information, I just wonder about those who think he has some mystical information source that eludes all the other experts and agents, where *they* think he gets his exclusive information from.

[Túrin Turambar]

Every time I see this thinking I wonder, "Yeah, but why? Even if everything you said was true.... why?"

Because sinking entire industries is a totally awesome way to get rich. Duh.

Actually, I think the appeal in the theories is it takes away the randomness factor in certain events. In the case of COVID-19, retreating into a conspiracy theory maintains an illusion of control over the natural world. Thing is, emerging diseases happen fairly regularly. Zika and MERS both popped up in the last five or six years. It happens as chaotically as any other natural disaster and as with any other disaster the human response to it can make the situation either better or worse. COVID-19 turned out to be more insidious than most new diseases in that it managed to get everywhere while health officials were still sleeping. But rather than accept that this is the sort of sh*t that just happens on occasion, some people find comfort in the idea that it was all engineered for some reason because it allows them to believe that there's some control over natural events like these. There isn't. It's the virological equivalent of a mega-earthquake and it hit during our lifetimes. But not everyone has the fatalism of a biologist so they try to concoct better stories. The connectivity of the internet and social media amplifies the nonsense. A surprisingly large fraction of the American public gets their news from Facebook, for example. I have no idea how that works or how the information is vetted for basis in reality. I use Facebook, but the only "news" that pops up on my feed is stuff friends and family are posting about their lives.

This, pretty much. Our brains are hardwired to see patterns in randomness. This can be a good or bad thing.

Plus, as Rose says, it's very empowering to feel like you have special knowledge no-one else has.

[RoseMorninStar]

I guess I should clarify, *I* realize where Trump gets his information, I just wonder about those who think he has some mystical information source that eludes all the other experts and agents, where *they* think he gets his exclusive information from.

I'm not sure you are looking for my input elengil but I'll throw out a few theories based things things I've seen and heard people say. They (QAnon/pizzagaters, etc..) believe that the American government is The Deep State and not to be trusted. They believe a person 'at the highest levels' known as 'Q' is feeding the REAL information to the public through the dark website 8kun, now called 8chan after 8kun, which peddled Japanese porn, was shut down. Or maybe I have the names of the site turned around. I've seen it both ways. I don't know much about the dark web or how those types of sites work, but here's a Wikipedia page on Jim Watkins, the guy who owns it and the person many believe to be Q. Many of those trafficking in and repeating these conspiracy theories believe the government needs to be 'deconstructed'. This has long been the screed of Trump strategists; Steve Bannon/Breitbart and Steve Miller. Information from Allies (like the UK, Germany, Australia, etc.. ) seemingly cannot be trusted either because they are also part of the anti-Trump Deep State. QAnon's believe Q to be higher than the head of the CIA, FBI, etc.. Seemingly they trust information coming out of Russia, China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, White Nationalists/Neo-Nazi's, and Wikileaks (who has often disseminated information on behalf of Russia or whatever info Assange can find to fit his agenda).. that's where you'll get the real scoop! (evidently). All of this mind-game propaganda is a gift to those like Putin & Kim Jong Un, et al who have long wanted to destroy America. With propaganda they can destroy us without firing a shot. Much cheaper than a war. Putin et al, are not our friends no matter how much they flatter Trump and how much he claims to 'love' them/be his 'friend'. Trump is a patsy but many of his followers believe (I know people who believe this) he is just 'playing dumb' to fool Deep State people who would thwart his plans to # save the children from liberal Democrat pedophile cannibals. I am not joking. I wish I were.

Politifact's page on QAnon

What I find puzzling is the claim many of these conspiracy theorists to be 'True Patriots'.. and yet hate/distrust our government. That is a disconnect I cannot fathom. Many of them believe that least half of the people in this country ('liberals'/ Democrats, minorities, those who are not personally loyal to Trump - not the Constitution) are not real Americans. All that said, I think a great many people just see/read what comes up on their social media news feed and are frustrated with the great amount of disinformation and believe that it is all a lie, and that is also effective in breaking down trust a government. That the ante has to be upped to such ludicrous levels because they've gone so far off the rails is telling. I guess that is where the pedophile cannibal thing comes into play. Who wouldn't be against pedophile cannibals? They want people to believe that anyone who is against Trump is a vile being only worth being shot (and yes, I've seen those signs too). If it sounds crazy, well, yes, I'd say it does. Big time. It needs to be called out for the ridiculous garbage that it is. It takes an awful lot of mental gymnastics to believe that the whole world is in on an anti-Trump conspiracy. A good leader would not buy into this garbage nor would they encourage it.

[Impenitent]

Deleted in whole due to having given offence.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Just a reminder to please discuss the content of posts, and not the poster. I've done it myself so this is somewhat a case of the pot calling the kettle black (mea culpa), but it is important.

[Cerin]

Impenitent, it is rude to talk about people rather than to them. You could have quoted my post and addressed me directly.

I was not "justifying Mr. Trump's positions by nit-picking evidence and facts to evade and ignore those that don't suit my ideological position." I was providing related facts the article omitted -- which might have been thought pertinent had the article's purpose been to inform -- in order to point out something that fills me with despair -- we have no news organizations in this country anymore (maybe there are no real news organizations left anywhere in the world). Our media has become an infotainment advocacy organization that has subjugated every other truth and purpose (other than their ratings) to getting Trump out of office. This is because they are deranged by the same hatred that has possessed you and so many others. I believe this pseudo-media, and this deranged hatred that subjugates everything to one obsessive goal, is a greater danger and a greater sadness to my country and to the world than is Mr. Trump. Also, such hatred must be very unhealthy; sadly, I have loved ones who are also consumed by it.

To be clear -- although I have to say I thought I had been clear about the purpose of my post, and I think your misreading could be an example of how people turn into hand-wringing non-thinkers whenever the name 'Trump' is mentioned -- I quoted Alatar's post and gave what I perceive to be facts related to the slanted, incomplete, purposeless and uninformative piece the NYT put out, not to 'nitpick, evade, and ignore' regarding Mr. Trump, but to illustrate what the 'media' has become, and how they purposely work to keep the froth up on the hatred of Trump they have been working so hard to create and maintain since the day he announced his candidacy for President.

If there should be another time you want to refer to something I have said, please address me directly. If you find that too distasteful, then I would suggest the only proper thing would be to let it go. Please do not talk about me to the forum.
.

[Impenitent]

Righty-o. I'll delete the post and stop engaging.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[RoseMorninStar]

Righty-o. I'll delete the post and stop engaging.

Oh, I hope you do not choose to disengage, Impy. I value the insight and opinions you contribute, especially since you have a unique point of view from the outside/abroad and have access to news on how policies here affect the world at large.

[Impenitent]

Apologies. I meant I will disengage from this particular discussion and so will not follow up on Cerin's response. I don't wish to pursue a path that offends others.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[narya]

Magical thinking and knowing special things that the muggles don't know can give one a sense of power. It can be very attractive. At least, I think that is what is driving the attraction for some.

[elengil]

autumn not fall.jpg (29.16 KiB) Viewed 5858 times

[elengil]

Not sure if this is the best place for it but Sweetie and I just finished listening to this two-parter this morning. I already was taking a break from FB, but this definitely cements my new-found level of distaste for the platform

Part I https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-behi ... -71796243/

Part II https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-behi ... -71869965/

[Voronwë the Faithful]

You just can't make this stuff up.

Rudy Giuliani Uploads Clip of Himself Mocking Asian Accents (Video)

[Snowdog]

More 'Foxtrot India' whiskey please....

[elengil]

[picture removed in consideration of others]

... I have some bad news for them

Russia imposes a nationwide mask mandate

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/worl ... ntine.html