I've read that the "intelligent" can suffer worse cognitive dissonance than others not so educated. They suffer great mental pain to have their ideas and assumptions questioned, so much so that they will double down on their denial of reality. It makes me glad I'm a blithering idiot sometimes and humble enough to admit when I'm wrong and that I don't know everything, but I know that genocide is morally wrong and should be stopped, not enabled.
You are no blithering idiot! What you say is completely true, especially about those with formal education. I think it makes people very comfortable in what they know - they lose their curiosity and eventually even their critical thinking skills, at least when it comes to hearing things that agree with what they already know to be ‘true’. It hurts me to have friends that have lost those skills and their humility as well. Stay humble and stay with this fight. I will be there too.
When our cat vanished this morning I looked at all the [Harris/Walz] signs outside local houses and just didn't like the idea of asking such people if they'd seen him or would help search. If they don't care about genocide how can they care about anything else?
Well, good that he's home, but maybe they're okay with pets, just don't give a damn about Palestinians being hurt or killed. That's why I really have to wonder about the psychology of people nowadays. They love their pets, but they'll let babies in incubators die cruel deaths. It just...sickens me.
It's hard to reconcile with neighbours, friends and family that are completely ignorant of the truth about Israel, the history of Zionism and don't care to learn about the reasons that caused this genocide.
It is hard. In this day and age of the internet, you just wonder, "How can they be so blind to what's happening in the world?" I think we'll just have to come to terms with, "Some people choose to be ignorant." But the old saying "Ignorance of the law is no excuse!" is going to come back and haunt us all if and when the war crimes trials begin.
If a person can't unequivocally state that genocide is wrong and shouldn't be supported in any fashion, then screw them! They made their bed and they can lie in it... Six feet under possibly because who's next on the oligarchy hit list?
Exactly. Just because you choose to remain ignorant of what's actually happening to other humans on the planet doesn't mean you won't eventually suffer the same fate. It's up to us in the know to share the information with them whether they want to hear it or not. Perhaps, that's being "neighborly"?
Kool-Aid is toxic in and of itself, what with all that sugar in it. The only cure is to not drink the stuff in the first place. We gotta keep our neighbors from sipping the stuff!
I wish YOU were my neighbor, Heather. It would be nice to have someone in the neighborhood to talk to about reality and how to bring about a better world.
Every vote for those who oppose genocide is a vote making a statement. We only got four Greens in as MPs in the UK this year because people kept voting Green, not red or blue. You only change a two party system by voting for a party outside of it.
True, Karl. It's a step by step process and we have to keep fighting back by sponsoring alternative parties and their candidates. But I wish we could speed things up without resorting to violence.
You and me both! I wish there was some sort of water treatment we could spread across the planet that instantly gave everyone a conscience and empathy. But I guess folks have to learn how to be compassionate for themselves.
Thank you for writing so eloquently what I have been feeling. Sometimes it feels like you are so outnumbered by the genocide enablers. People Planet Peace #stein 2024
You're welcome! It does feel like we're outnumbered, but I get a gut feeling that there are many more people actually against genocide, but they're feeling helpless about what to do to stop it. We need to talk to each other more about what we can do together. This my problem since I like to write, not chat with strangers so much, unless they're wearing a pro-peace/anti-genocide shirt or carrying a similar sign.
I resonate with this so much. For me, it’s educated and smart friends in place of neighbours.
I've read that the "intelligent" can suffer worse cognitive dissonance than others not so educated. They suffer great mental pain to have their ideas and assumptions questioned, so much so that they will double down on their denial of reality. It makes me glad I'm a blithering idiot sometimes and humble enough to admit when I'm wrong and that I don't know everything, but I know that genocide is morally wrong and should be stopped, not enabled.
You are no blithering idiot! What you say is completely true, especially about those with formal education. I think it makes people very comfortable in what they know - they lose their curiosity and eventually even their critical thinking skills, at least when it comes to hearing things that agree with what they already know to be ‘true’. It hurts me to have friends that have lost those skills and their humility as well. Stay humble and stay with this fight. I will be there too.
When our cat vanished this morning I looked at all the [Harris/Walz] signs outside local houses and just didn't like the idea of asking such people if they'd seen him or would help search. If they don't care about genocide how can they care about anything else?
(Luckily kitty was home, just very well hidden :)
Well, good that he's home, but maybe they're okay with pets, just don't give a damn about Palestinians being hurt or killed. That's why I really have to wonder about the psychology of people nowadays. They love their pets, but they'll let babies in incubators die cruel deaths. It just...sickens me.
It's hard to reconcile with neighbours, friends and family that are completely ignorant of the truth about Israel, the history of Zionism and don't care to learn about the reasons that caused this genocide.
It is hard. In this day and age of the internet, you just wonder, "How can they be so blind to what's happening in the world?" I think we'll just have to come to terms with, "Some people choose to be ignorant." But the old saying "Ignorance of the law is no excuse!" is going to come back and haunt us all if and when the war crimes trials begin.
If a person can't unequivocally state that genocide is wrong and shouldn't be supported in any fashion, then screw them! They made their bed and they can lie in it... Six feet under possibly because who's next on the oligarchy hit list?
Exactly. Just because you choose to remain ignorant of what's actually happening to other humans on the planet doesn't mean you won't eventually suffer the same fate. It's up to us in the know to share the information with them whether they want to hear it or not. Perhaps, that's being "neighborly"?
I totally agree. No to genocide.
Just say no.... Hey, they'd make a good PR slogan! "Just say NO to GENOCIDE!"
It's called drinking the kool aid and indoctrination. I hope it has a cure.
Kool-Aid is toxic in and of itself, what with all that sugar in it. The only cure is to not drink the stuff in the first place. We gotta keep our neighbors from sipping the stuff!
I couldn't agree more!
Thanks!
Thank you for your voice of sanity and reason ! I wish you were my neighbour
I wish YOU were my neighbor, Heather. It would be nice to have someone in the neighborhood to talk to about reality and how to bring about a better world.
Every vote for those who oppose genocide is a vote making a statement. We only got four Greens in as MPs in the UK this year because people kept voting Green, not red or blue. You only change a two party system by voting for a party outside of it.
True, Karl. It's a step by step process and we have to keep fighting back by sponsoring alternative parties and their candidates. But I wish we could speed things up without resorting to violence.
I agree: I wish we lived in a world where most humans were compassionate, cooperative, and worked for equality, without greed.
You and me both! I wish there was some sort of water treatment we could spread across the planet that instantly gave everyone a conscience and empathy. But I guess folks have to learn how to be compassionate for themselves.
We can only set an example, and do our best to bend but not break in the meantime.
Thank you for writing so eloquently what I have been feeling. Sometimes it feels like you are so outnumbered by the genocide enablers. People Planet Peace #stein 2024
I feel the same way. Ty again for your writing and response
You're welcome! It does feel like we're outnumbered, but I get a gut feeling that there are many more people actually against genocide, but they're feeling helpless about what to do to stop it. We need to talk to each other more about what we can do together. This my problem since I like to write, not chat with strangers so much, unless they're wearing a pro-peace/anti-genocide shirt or carrying a similar sign.