The two biggest mistakes I see repeated over & over in political discourse by moderate progressives & liberals are trying to (1) shame or (2) point out hypocrisy as ways to change what the fascist right does or says. These tactics don’t work on them, and are ineffective.
They see your finger-wagging, however sincere, as proof they’re doing something *right*, because they’re pissing off liberals while not being encumbered by anything so stupid as principles in their naked grasping for power & control.
And they have a criticism which is actually often true — these responses are more often about performing for fellow liberals than anything else. But fortunately, they give us a clear path for how they think failed extremist ideologies ought to be handled.
If you listen to the folks in the diners that media always features, they unabashedly say that the only way to win against an extremist death cult is to destroy their institutions, humiliate their leaders, and crush their movement. Give them what they demand, not finger-wagging.
It is important to understand that those not in their cohort are seen as enemies. Why would you feel any obligation to tell the truth to the (as they see it) enemy army? You'd be a fool to be predictable, consistent or honest to your opponents.
This belief in an enemy is why they can't conceive of us being sincere in wanting them to have healthcare, to have good-paying jobs, to be safe from violence, to not fall victim to climate catastrophes. How could an enemy want good for them?
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