Thread by @erichhartmann

The entire comment section of this 👇 post is an object lesson in progressive cultural hypocrisy. The people who decry "gentrification" in cities are accusing this VA town of racism, etc - for asking the fleeing residents of Blue States to #StopTheSpread of cancerous policies.

It's apparently "narrow minded" to not want your area overrun by people who don't understand or care about your culture. Is gentrification / complete reimagining of e.g., the South Bronx now okay? Can we all move to Tanzania and replace their culture with ours? Or just Red areas?

The word "progress" has become a synonym for "everything I want is good, everything you want is bad". Has this person ever been to Rappahannock? It seems like they assume it's the local KKK HQ, and needs some fixin up! …with their "progressive" magic, of course.

This poster is "annoyed" that a locality would do something so horrible as to make a nice, witty sign. They are also somehow flummoxed as to who the target of this communication is (which is not surprising because we've apparently nixed geography form our schools).

To be expected: the native argument. Once again they don't seem to understand they're arguing against themselves in a weird anti-logic pretzel formation… but, as always, it doesn't matter. Hypocrisy only flows in one direction.

Here we have someone taking issue with the leading and kerning of the sign. Which completely nullifies the message. Obviously. (PS, I think the sign was well written and designed, kudos to whomever made it!)

Remember: hospitality, like hypocrisy, also only flows in one direction: against *you*.

Oh, it's "those people" again. And (surprise) "those people" are YOU! It's super fun and helpful to pre-judge others, isn't it?

Imagine: if instead of a general message, the sign had addressed some (legitimate) specific complaints re fleeing progressive elitist Blue Staters, would this this poster take issue with it being… too specific? 🤔

Ah, yes. Here we have a 1,2 cliche punch of mental illness & grandpa simpson. Can't you just feel the progressive empathy here?

The irony of this NOVA resident chiming in: it's okay and *necessary* for the DC spillovers to completely take over 1/4 of VA, and inject their ideology and totally change the political landscape forever. But this sign… this sign! The gall!

Next we have someone who has apparently done exhaustive research on all Rappahannock resident origins over the last several generations. Amazing that this person has that kind of time. But it's important to be accurate.

And, just in case you're wondering, only *this* person is entitled to express an opinion on the subject. Not you. He has a blue check and the word "news" in his handle, so… STFU.

Thankfully, the comments included quite a few people (nicely, like the sign) pointing out the reality of the situation: (yes, I hearted this response)

This comment makes one of my main points: why would *anyone* think they have the right to move to X and completely dismantle their culture and replace it with yours? That's rude and shitty. Why move to X at all? But apparently, for some it's "progress". And, again, STFU.

Look. I posted this thread because a TON of people are fleeing Blue States right now. They're fleeing high prices, taxes, bureaucracy, various forms of tyranny, + other reasons. And yet… they're human: many will not take the time to understand *why* they've had to move.

This reality has plagued the free / Red States for decades. The influx of tax refugees is what turned NC blue: companies relocating due to "progressive" costs, and bringing in millions of 'default dem' voters who changed the political landscape forever.

Many of the same people who decry gentrification in cities, and "western influence" overrunning indigenous cultures around the world view their own migrations as righteous; because the backwards rubes of Rappahannock, NC, TN, FL, TX are sorely in need of a dose of "progress" 😉

It vexes me how "progressives" constantly preach empathy & understanding, but when it comes time to apply those ideals IRL they act like this.

It's almost as if they don't actually believe those things, but just want special treatment for themselves.

In order to actually work "empathy" must be consistent. Or else… it's just hypocrisy.

/f