When was the last time you felt compelled to call someone a name. A recent Huffington Post article suggests most of us gave up that childish approach in Junior High or maybe continued through high school if you were very immature. Most of us have figured out the name calling is aggressive and not a way to positively affect a relationship or win a debate. The Orange Wanker uses this technique to change the topic or subject. His critics and opponents, are “haters, fake, bad people or crazy.” He gives his enemies names; Sleepy Joe, Crooked Hilary, Fat Governor Christie— I feel like ad nausea is a better description of his style. Experts point out that it is an intentional strategy. “It’s demagoguery……a political strategy that uses emotions and prejudices to push forward his agenda. In Latin, ad means “to” and homonym means the “person or man”. It is a distraction technique that derails the audience attention to a person, “it is used to discredit the opposition”. It becomes an us versus them and they portray themselves as the good guys. The technique avoids the actual question or issue.
Another of the favored deflections is “whataboutism” focusing on the alleged past mistakes of the “bad guys.” Anything a member of your group did erases any bad on the part of my group. It has been an effective way to stop negotiations, who wants to discuss solutions with a “crazy person.” The article sums it up nicely, “and so it’s just layer upon layer of strategy that is used for the same end, which is to be an unaccountable leader.” Dr. Fauci was to blame for Covid, Zelensky started the war, Russia gate was a hoax, and now he will focus on Chairman Powell as his tariff’s and policies crater our country. Authoritarianism says the “in group” should be unrestricted and held to lower standards than the out group. I hope we are getting wise to this “bullshit” leadership style. Our journalists must be able to ask the difficult questions and not tolerate cockwomble behavior, non answers or outright lies.
I do have a well intended distraction plan when a conversion with friends gets too serious or emotional. I simply ask, “how about those Zags?” It gives everyone pause and usually takes the edge off of the contentious issue. After some reading this week, I am now going to ask if anyone knows about the World Coal Carrying championship. The race began as a challenge between two friends in l932 and now is an annual Easter event. Men and women carry sacks of coal along a 1.1 kilometer course. (.68 mile). The women carry 20 kilograms and the men 50kg. (44 and 110 pounds) in a sack carried over their shoulder. The best contestants finish in less than 5 minutes and then a drink is in order to celebrate. It is not carrying coals to Newcastle as the race occurs in Ossete, Yorkshire.
Oh my hell, Megan is 45 years old. Born in l980 she is a Cusper. A person born on the outer years of the Generation X, as l981 marks the beginning of Millennials or Gen Y. I am likely prejudice, but I am sure that the world is a better place with Megan in it. She is a wise, thoughtful, kind, empathetic soul— making her an amazing mother, spouse, co-worker and friend. Join me in wishing Meg happy birthday and her mother who on each of Megan’s birthdays is reminded that we can add 30 years to solve for her age.
Hank and the girls teach me something new most days. This week I learned that skibity is a word. It seems perfect for the stress of each day, you say it to lighten the mood, it has no literal meaning. I am also told that sigma means most excellent and that slay describes something or someone that is amazing. My golfing pals told me that cool was out and so I guess is righteous- dude.
Thanks for reading the message and for anything you can or have done to protect the future of our children and the planet they will inherit. Mike