Russia....What It's Like

[Stevicus]

Oh, if we could only just put all the capitalists in prison.
Then the socialists...with their generosity instead of greed,
their leaders' love of liberty instead of power, and their
support for diversity of thought....we'd have a worker's
paradise seen in every socialist country throughout history.

Did you have a point to make?

 

[Estro Felino]

Suspicion isn't necessary. In my observation, it appears to come down to a fervent yet naive belief in American exceptionalism and the mythos of America as the "shining city on a hill." The kinds of things that have been considered "normal" in politics in countries throughout most of human history are things that "just can't happen in America."

Corruption, intrigue, malice, and many other things which seem common to all governments - both modern and primitive - just don't happen in America. Because we're special. Anyone who doesn't think that Americans are special and exceptional to every rule of human behavior - they must be some kind of whack job - a "conspiracy theorist."

For instance in Europe there is lots of self-criticism, especially when it deals with conspiracy theories.

Speaking of my country, Freemasons are really afraid of saying they are Freemasons. There is a climate of terror towards secret associations. The press is merciless, because the secrecy of these association increases suspicions.

 

[Revoltingest]

Suspicion isn't necessary. In my observation, it appears to come down to a fervent yet naive belief in American exceptionalism and the mythos of America as the "shining city on a hill." The kinds of things that have been considered "normal" in politics in countries throughout most of human history are things that "just can't happen in America."

Corruption, intrigue, malice, and many other things which seem common to all governments - both modern and primitive - just don't happen in America. Because we're special. Anyone who doesn't think that Americans are special and exceptional to every rule of human behavior - they must be some kind of whack job - a "conspiracy theorist."

Are you actually supporting her conspiracy theories about the "deep state", stolen election, etc?

 

[Revoltingest]

Did you have a point to make?

Yes.
And I've another one...
Few people know what "sarchasm" means.

 

[Revoltingest]

Read @Stevicus post #57
It's because of American exceptionalism.

I saw it.
And I regretted that.

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm still baffled as to why you as a tran woman would align yourself with those who would have you jailed or executed for being what you are.

Cognitive dissonance?
Perhaps Putin's conservative Christian & neo-Soviet values trump LGBLT rights.

 

[Stevicus]

For instance in Europe there is lots of self-criticism, especially when it deals with conspiracy theories.

Speaking of my country, Freemasons are really afraid of saying they are Freemasons. There is a climate of terror towards secret associations. The press destroys these people.

I don't hear much talk about Freemasons one way or the other. Although there have been some groups which I've heard mentioned occasionally, such as the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderberg Group, the Council on Foreign Relations.

 

[Father Heathen]

Read @Stevicus post #57
It's because of American exceptionalism.

So a lot of this is "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" anti-Americanism? That's why we're willing to overlook war crimes and human rights violations?

 

[Estro Felino]

I don't hear much talk about Freemasons one way or the other. Although there have been some groups which I've heard mentioned occasionally, such as the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderberg Group, the Council on Foreign Relations.

Those. People who belong to those associations are mistrusted. By the press.

 

[Estro Felino]

So a lot of this is "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" anti-Americanism? That's why we're willing to overlook war crimes and human rights violations?

Why do you see America as a monolith?
It is not. There are commoners and there are the élites. There are good élites and there are bad élites.
Anywhere. Even in my country there is this division.

 

[Stevicus]

Are you actually supporting her conspiracy theories about the "deep state", stolen election, etc?

"Supporting" is not the word I would use in this context. They're just theories, after all. Why so fearful of them? Some Americans react to conspiracy theories in much the same way some Muslims react to drawings of Muhammad.

 

[Estro Felino]

"Supporting" is not the word I would use in this context. They're just theories, after all. Why so fearful of them? Some Americans react to conspiracy theories in much the same way some Muslims react to drawings of Muhammad.

That's why we invented the expression tail of straw.

 

[Father Heathen]

Why do you see America as a monolith?
It is not. There are commoners and there are the élites. There are good élites and there are bad élites.
Anywhere. Even in my country there is this division.

No ****. Of course there are class divisions and political/cultural divisions. I've said nothing to suggest otherwise.

 

[Revoltingest]

"Supporting" is not the word I would use in this context. They're just theories, after all. Why so fearful of them? Some Americans react to conspiracy theories in much the same way some Muslims react to drawings of Muhammad.

Have you noticed that some theories have evidence, & are useful
explanations that can be tested...while others are untestable beliefs?
They shouldn't be treated as equivalent.
Ukraine being run by Nazis, the Gay Agenda, 9/11 truthers, stolen
election cult, the Military Industrial Complex running government,
Hollywood child blood harvesting conspiracy, Jewish bankers, etc.
Those are just loopy beliefs.

 

[Stevicus]

So a lot of this is "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" anti-Americanism? That's why we're willing to overlook war crimes and human rights violations?

I don't think Americans overlook war crimes and/or human rights violations, although neither position could be considered "anti-Americanism" unless it directly targets America (not the US government). When it comes to what the government does, with the real world being what it is, they've had to make compromises with what they perceive as the "lesser of two evils."

 

[Revoltingest]

That's why we invented the expression tail of straw.

The way you use that term is inconsistent.
I appears to have no meaning at all.
Clearly, you have a "wattle of cheese".

Yeah, I went there.

 

[Father Heathen]

"Supporting" is not the word I would use in this context. They're just theories, after all. Why so fearful of them? Some Americans react to conspiracy theories in much the same way some Muslims react to drawings of Muhammad.

You don't see a problem with people readily believing things that are unsubstantiated, implausible, irrational, etc.?

Critical thinking is the best approach.

 

[Revoltingest]

Critical thinking is the best approach.

But it ruins many cherished belies.
That's why religions value faith so much.
How else could people believe in Scientology, socialism, & reality TV?

 

[Father Heathen]

But it ruins many cherished belies.
That's why religions value faith so much.
How else could people believe in Scientology, socialism, & reality TV?

It reminds me of the story of when a japanese fishing vessel hoisted a rotting basking shark carcass out of the water sometime during the 70's and many thought it was a plesiosaur. Even after a lab test done with a tissue sample determined otherwise, people rejected these results because they wanted so badly for it to be a plesiosaur.

 

[Estro Felino]

You don't see a problem with people readily believing things that are unsubstantiated, implausible, irrational, etc.?

Critical thinking is the best approach.

I give you an example.
Honestly I have never believed in the moon hoax theories.
Astronomy doesn't interest me ...
all that involves space, spaceships...etc is so boring to me.

If there are people who write books about the moon hoax, it's the first amendment.
Those books don't affect my life.
The moon hoax doesn't affect my life.

So...if someone desperately tries to silence, belittle a conspiracy theorist...I find this incredibly suspicious.
Because that means that that conspiracy theory, (if it's proved right someday) can affect them negatively.