Responding to a Racist Letter on Facebook - Trump Fan

Looking down the Twitter lines that I subscribe to I rarely find anyone who an adamant Trumpster.  Now on Facebook they are all over the place.  You cannot swing a dead rational human without hitting on in the oversize frothing ego.  Let us take for example a letter I discovered on Facebook.  This was all one paragraph and had little to no punctuation.  That had to be added in to give this some direction and operational function.

Link to the letter ->  Open Racist Letter

One thing that that comes screaming to forefront when reading the diatribe is that there is a tremendous amount of disinformation and flat out conspiracy theory materials interlaced with strongly emotional ‘personal testimony’.  Some of this testimony tends to ‘come from a friend’ which lends to this being second hand or non-dependable testimony.   One item that must be made very clear is that this person barely has a high school level education and lives in Biss Idaho.

First component is to advertise the ACA (Obmacare) has treated this family unfairly.  It his is equitable across the board.  Not one person who is dealing with insurance can escape outrageous increases in deductibles.  Something needs to be clearly outlined is the ACA is NOT a liberal plan.  It was a plan originally rolled out the Heritage Foundation idea.  So this cannot be tossed back at Obama and the Democrats.  Please look in the mirror.  This was created by the GOP, Republicans and their minons.

Next this author addresses multiple times ‘Illegal Aliens’ as being there to take from her what is rightfully hers.  I am uncertain how this can even be possible if the person is illegal how can they get covered medical care?  I believe that she means undocumented migrants/refugees.  Illegal or undocumented mean they cannot gain access to the benefits of a system to which they cannot connect. It takes some pretty profound leaps of conspiracy theory events to grant them access.    All of the persons that she is referring to are migrant workers who have Mexican heritage and this is the only frame of reference.    The first response to this statement is; prove it.  Please produce some evidence to support your claim otherwise you are basically talking out your ass.

She starts to spiral out of control in her conspiracy modes as this letter progresses with every Right-Wing radio talking point and conspiracy theory about Black Lives Matter and that the victims are deserving of being “killed at the hands of an honest cop” then tossing Obama as being the person responsible with zero evidence that he can in any way be culpable.

It becomes very evident that she is a heavy drinker of the Kool-Aid and is Too Far Gone down the rabbit hole to realize that most of what she is describing is full on conspiracy theorist supporter and may be one of those people who believes that chemtrails are being used to limit population growth.

As soon as she starts talking about the second amendment and the defense of Trump at the expense of any and all the other rights that we currently have she has gone full Ammosexual and when adding in the Benghazi event and Infowars.com supporter she is completely lost to humanity and is a full-fledged racist xenophobe.   She openly admits that Obama is Muslim and a member of the Black Panthers.  She has valid complaints.  However she is working very hard to shove the responsibility onto someone who is NOT responsible.  She does an exemplary job slinging blame and hostile intentions at Obama.  I have read the letter 4 times and have yet to find any policy substance that Trump will provide to support her and her family.

All of this can be refuted quickly and easily if she does ONE thing.  Prove it.

Are We Too Far Gone?

I have been in several “dialog events” with Trump supporters in the past few days on social media.  It has been quite a challenge to get some degree of validation that they are actually listening.  It is apparent that on a majority of the time they are warming up their next ‘right wing talking point’ or ‘Fox News commentary line’ with the predetermination that it will stop the world turning, leaving the participants under a pall of shock and awe.  No.  It is usually a cliché that makes one laugh and wonder if their diet of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Anne Coulter has not permanently damaged reconfigured their morality.  Sadly if one listens to any of these conservative commentators for any period of time you run the risk of becoming morally bankrupt.

Many of these Trump advocates seem to be so profoundly convinced that he is the ONLY person who can rescue the country.  They whip themselves into a profound rage state that borders on a ‘Trump Jihad’.  The only thing missing is Allah Akbar.   What is astounding is that these people emulate their leader to the extreme.  There is only one emotion that seems to pour from them is FEAR.

Initially one may think that the anger and hate would be broadcast.  This is not the case.  Anger is a secondary emotion based on a primary emotion driving the anger/hate.

When talking with anyone who openly supports Trump; one must keep in mind that you are trying to communicate with a very special group and must adjust your language accordingly.   The presenter must keep focus that your audience is a group of hysterical fourth graders who unquestionably cannot accept the fact that the recess bully was wrong, and they are not going home early today.

The recess bully also knows he is wrong, but if he can keep everyone guessing what his next action is he feels he has the advantage.  Given there is a moment where he is cornered by facts or reality he creates a make believe desperado on the playground and convinces his followers only he can protect them.

The followers are; Too Far Gone to realize they are only pawns in a juvenile chess game, to be sacrificed at the master’s whim.

This has become so profoundly prevalent a feeling in this area that many are comfortable openly pushing a hate fueled agenda.  Much of this bubbles to the top of the social dynamic as open racism, xenophobia, and expected persecution of those parties that they feel are a threat to them.  As evidenced by several events specific to Idaho.  The accusations of sexual perpetration on a 5 year old girl in Twin Falls have made national news.  The sexual assault of an African American special needs individual in Dietrich.  I am personally aware of some churches openly fanning the flames of this racism directed at the refugees from the Middle East.

These perverse humans openly display Trump bumper stickers, and fly the confederate flag on their trucks.  They are also convinced that the current president Barrack Obama is a Muslim and a traitor.

I have grown up in Idaho and experienced much of this by observation as the disdain directed at the Hispanic population by my father referring to them as ‘Spics’ , ‘wetbacks’ and Arabs as ‘sand niggers’.  I have known the shame of family members who are active bigots.  I have done all in my power to ensure that my children are fully informed and are not afraid.

I know that Idaho is better than this.  We are better than Trump.  In some way we have to convince his followers that he is not the second coming of Jesus and he is not the only person who can make them feel safe.  The fear is misplaced and unnecessary.  I do not hate Trump.  I hate what he has inspired in people   We must demonstrate by example that we are NOT too far gone.

Private Idaho

     Growing up in Idaho has been quite an unpleasant experience.  There is an old B52 song called “Private Idaho” meaning this place is a private hell.  Idaho can be a living hell for anyone who does not ascribe to the hardcore conservative Christian lunatic perspective.  To give a better interpretation of how extreme the close-minded Idahoans are; I was banned from a Facebook page for publicly displaying pictures of local trucks with confederate flags and labeling them as racist, bigots.  It appears that when you call out the bigotry and hate you are quickly silenced.  If they cannot silence you, they work the back avenues to intimidate your position at work, society, and with peers using threats you could lose your job, or friends will flee to avoid the intimidation.

 These are the same “Idahoans” who are strong Christian/Mormon/Baptist/Catholic….etc. who will hide behind the forgiveness factor of their religion and continue doing the same hateful things.  I want to make it clear not all ‘Idahoans’ are religious nut-bag, bigoted, hate-filled, cowards.  Unfortunately those people are the ones who feel that they are righteous in their championing the cause of hate whilst hiding behind their religious doctrine.  Something interesting noted growing up in Twin Falls, there are more bars than schools, more churches than bars and more hypocrites than humanists.

Creep Factor: 9000

I ended up working for the schools or working in the schools as a professional it becomes painfully obvious that the indoctrination begins at an early stage and is pushed onto the student for the duration of their educational experience.  The high school graduation rate of Idaho is 77.3%  we are ranked 41^st of 50.  In a 2015 report only 17% of student from southern Idaho are ready for college.  Idaho has established a goal of 60% but has not even made any discernible effort to change the outcome for any of the students.  It becomes very evident early on that Idaho desires to keep its students ill-informed and under-educated.  Thus keeping two lines moving in two directions:  One is from pre-school to prison and from graduation to garbage collector.  Idaho is ranked 13th for prison population per person spending in state.  Idaho has spent more money building prisons than has been applied to secondary education.  Freakishly real: Pre-school to prison is alive and well here.

If the system can keep them dumb and following in their parent’s footsteps then they are likely to stay ignorant of humanity and close-minded to the rest of civilization.  It was a huge culture shock to me when I went away to obtain my bachelor’s degree.  I was mixing with a group of people that I had much more commonality with than my hometown peers.  I met my first atheist (other than myself) and became close friends with people who were not of the same race as me.  This was devastating to my peers in my hometown.  They clearly stated that I should not be mixing my time with “the sub humans”.  This raw bigotry was right in my face.  They used biblical statements to support their position that races should not mix and that I would have more support if I stood with my own ‘type’.  The white bigots are strong in Idaho.  They feel safe here:

I have also noted that when a group of Mormon ‘young adults’ prepare for their missions that they go to a preparation camp prior to their departure.  Many of the Catholics will have their graduates blessed in a ceremony before departing for college.  All designed to reinforce the social safety net that these individuals can hide behind if they find themselves away from home, beliefs, and morals are being challenged.  It does not take much to become elevated in stature in a church or social club, let alone have any education that may benefit the circumstances.  The lesser educated you are the more preferred you are in religious events.  Even the churches admit that reason is faiths greatest enemy:

This is even more clearly established by the faith healers killing their own children in northern Idaho.  The fully indoctrinated representatives ->(Lee Heider ex.) of this state continue to do nothing to save children at the risk.  They fear the religious/financial backlash that will befall them if they do.  That may be why in this state you can now carry a concealed weapon (gun) without training or permit.  It is becoming the wild wild west.  This state is thick with ammosexuals.  Even mentioning 'gun sense' will get a strong reaction from the ammosexual  as though their children were being murdered... No just limiting your access to guns.  They don't care about kids dying from preventable diseases - Just think of the guns!

I refuse to be ignorant and follow the same path that my hometown peers are currently taking.  They are the reason and rationale why Idaho is my personal hell.  What makes it even worse is the fact that the state is governed by these right wing jut-jobs and they are fervent Trump supporters.  I fully admit that I am liberal in my social perspective, have no religious beliefs, will call a racist what they are to their faces at profound risk to my social life. 

If I was living in the Middle East I would have my head cleaved off.  Unfortunately many my home town are members of the Christian Taliban would likely be cheering them on in the beheading process.

Atheism Advocacy via Paper Route

Spending the last week participating in the Atheist Paper Route was well worth the time.  Initially I perceived it as waging some war on the religious factions in my home town.  After participating and starting some dialog with other atheists, I see it now more as a way of switching up the way that information and perspectives are shared.   Currently I am only one voice (delivery boy).

In this part of Idaho there are more churches than any other location I have ever lived.  One cannot travel more than half a mile on any road until you see a church or two.  There are a preponderance of Christian churches attuned to the charismatic evangelical populous and a very large number of Mormon stakes.

It often feels as though I live in the ‘Bible Belt of Idaho’ (a doubling of hellish experiences for an atheist).  There are a large number of missionary individuals going door-to-door to share their perspective on faith and to encourage many to join them for service at their holy place.    I have most certainly turned them away in a fashion that is appropriate and respectful.    Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

After posting several fliers on the doors of these establishments in an effort to ‘door-to-door’ advertise that atheists are here and we have valid points, the responses are typically bordering mild passivity.  I was expecting some letter to the editor with some fierce rhetoric (still waiting).  There was one church that did respond with a ‘Good Luck’ message on their sign. 

Is it a safe assessment of the situation that if they do not attend to us that we will fade into obscurity?   Maybe there is a more xenophobic approach that they are working hard to shield their populations from the information that is being dropped on their doorsteps? 

As the ‘Easter Season’ gets into full swing many of the churches have advertising to solicit new members to join them.  I will be there to deliver my paper and share with them that there are more options to choose from.  Remaining connected to some religion based in fear is asinine.    If I can reach one person give them the confidence to step out of the shadows it is well worth my time to advocate for atheism.

I want to thank the following:

@FreeAtheism

@GentleAtheist

@Atheist_Forever

@BrianBrachiopod

 For their support on Twitter!

Resources available here: Free Atheism Paper Route

Psychology of Fundamentalism and Limiting Projection Issues

Given my propensity for evaluating human behavior in its many forms, one thing becomes evident; the individuals who identify themselves (passively or actively), as bible fundamentalists, young earth creationists, evangelicals, Teabaggers (all inferred insults applied), Christians, right-wing-nut-jobs etc. have a very well developed defense mechanism of Psychological Projection. 

Defining Projection -   albeit an older term (Freud) it still fits the thought paradigms today.  Simply defined:  A person will reject their own negative personality/character attribute(s) and then assign those same attributes to the person or entity they are in conflict with, in an effort to quell or reduce cognitive dissonance.  Described as a defense mechanism it works very well for the user as a way of displacing responsibility or distracts from the harm produced by one’s comments or actions.  This has also be identified as a False-Consensus  event but for the purpose of simplicity and ease of use I will continue to use ‘Projection.’

This can take on many forms.  As a whole Americans are naive to the effects of projection.    A person makes an assumption that all persons of the same persuasion or belief system thing and behave in the same fashion as he/she does given they ascribe to the same system – Both positive and negative. One is the perception that all Christians worship the same god or that all follow the same interpretation of the bible.  

More insidious Projection takes place when an Atheist confronts a Fundamentalist on their negative character attributes or perceived bias and they are reflected back with strong emotion and hostility.

An example of this was and exchange between a talented blogger nonprophetess and a random fundamentalist here.  He clearly has very biased views and aggressively projecting them on her and the other participants of the conversation.   

When addressed directly the dialog becomes immature and is resembles the grade school dialog “I know you are but what am I...?”  This will generally elicit a strong Counter Projection (Jung) escalating the conflict.

Example:

Makes one think, "Are you that unaware?"

When addressing Projection events one must understand that this is taking place at a rudimentary behavioral level and typically based on a defect of character or personality.  In the simplest terms it is like arguing with a five year old who needs a nap.  How to successfully address an exchange one can rely on the basic application of Applied Behavior Analysis.  Strongly reinforce any positives identified in the dialog even if that requires re-framing the dialog (this can and will elicit a very strong negative emotional response from the projector).

Dialog with a person projecting should resemble that of a dialog with a five year old.  Treat them accordingly.  You may have to break down the dialog into short simple sentences – state a core topic and stick to it.   They like to take people down the rabbit hole of delusion.   Continuously redirect them back to the core topic.  Consider if you will gain any benefit from it or will the other party?  Remember you are the one in control of the conversation and your emotions.  They are not.  Don’t own their issues.  We have enough of our own.

When a ‘Projector’ hits Crisis Phase (cognitive dissonance) this can and will elicit ‘Word Salad’ from the more disturbed individuals.   This should be a trigger to end the conversation due to individual being in an emotional crisis and unable to respond coherently.    This is also identified when scripture or bible verses are being quoted.  This is a signal that there is no longer a productive dialog going on and the person has recluses into their mental safe zone.

Decline the invitation to be angry and stay rational.

Race, Rights, and Religion Rant

I have been accused of racism based on my ridicule of Islam.  I am very curious why so many people perceive Islam as a race of individuals?   These persons are very eager and aggressive in their use of the racism perspective to defend the religion or their discriminatory actions.

I have also been very open with my criticism of Christianity and the associated actions of that religion.  Let’s take for examples in Idaho where I live; the Christians are working very hard to accomplish a couple of new laws:  No protections for LGBT individuals basically legalizing discriminatory practices against that part of the population.  A second piece of legislation allowing faith healing groups protection from prosecution based on the death of children due to negligent practices (faith healing).   

Using religious practices to inflict harm or actual death on a differing group of persons is akin to racism but  actually should be classified as discriminatory practice.   They then hide behind their ‘religious freedom’ to practice discrimination and negligent homicide of their own children.

There is no mention of race associated with these religious practices.  Yet there is a perception among the religious that one set of humans has more respect or rights to live free of discrimination or negligent death.  This profound lack of introspection by the followers is astounding.  The delusions professed by these people shake the foundations of reality and yet no one calls them out.

Using ‘religious practice’ as a shield to protect a person or a community based on bias is spineless and principled in disordered intellect.  To witness the death of a child due to willful disregard and then to attribute it to the will of some god is tantamount to negligent homicide.

When called out on their obvious immorality and held to scrutiny by the population as a whole as being corrupt they hurriedly build a barricade of racial or religious discrimination as a case against the accuser.

It is a cowardly practice to cry foul when the only misconduct has been on the part of the religious practitioner and you are unwilling to accept responsibility for your deeds.

Humanity cannot continue to hold any religion in reverence when it‘s followers use it as a way to deflect responsibility for immoral, discriminatory or juvenile actions.  

Sometimes those who are offended need to be.