Cult expert (& former Moonie) on whether Trump's followers can be deprogrammed

By artappraiser on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 2:02am |

One cult expert believes there's hope—if the way Americans consume information undergoes a radical change https://t.co/Q7rDuXEQ2E
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) January 24, 2021

URL:

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/01/can-trumps-cult-of-followers-be-deprogrammed

Add new comment
2716 reads

Comments

Approaching the matter as "deprogramming", as presented in this article, presumes that the adoption of a set of beliefs must displace participation in others. But what is patently contradictory to the outsider can be comfortably combined by the believer.

Hagan is right about the iterative loops but those should include how the believer understands the effort to be deprogrammed by others as further confirmation of their own calculations. Many believers are emotionally intelligent, in some cases, more than those who would challenge them.

The point about concentrating upon the personal is well taken but what makes the structure so formidable is the arrogance permitted by means of it. The problem of how to answer arrogance without more arrogance is very old. I would have thought it would be easier by now.

by moat on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 3:13pm

The public deserves information about Russia’s hacking of Smartech in 2015 and to what extent Russia/Trump used this to blackmail current and former members of Congress (eg, @LindseyGrahamSC & Bob Corker) and of the former Bush administration. https://t.co/EO3iGNNQFs
— Jennifer Cohn (@jennycohn1) January 24, 2021

by PeraclesPlease on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 4:47pm

Is this posted in the correct thread?

The shining round eyes of Graham tell me he ain't no member of a cult.

by moat on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 5:16pm

Not even "Thrill Kill Kult"?

Sad to be just mediocre.

3/ On 9/11/17, Corker suggested he might retire and acknowledged that he and Trump may have discussed his election plans over golf. https://t.co/qfkpwSlYpe pic.twitter.com/0vJ4rR2JQt
— Jennifer Cohn (@jennycohn1) September 13, 2018

by PeraclesPlease on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 6:34pm

That whole sociality through golf is a thing and reminds me of sad things in my past.

But it is not a cult.

We need more words.

by moat on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 6:54pm

Treason? Blackmail? Extortion?
Something ain't right with Smartech
And I imagine a lot of people got used to being extorted the last years.
(Anthony Kennedy? Is that you?)

6/ Confirmation that Corker used Smartech for emails. https://t.co/WJVovgBXGc pic.twitter.com/xFr8OujZxS
— Jennifer Cohn (@jennycohn1) September 13, 2018

by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 01/25/2021 - 3:47am

News announcer deprograms Trumpie

This is outstanding interviewing, well-prepared, never takes eye off the ball. @PamelaBrownCNN https://t.co/xvX5Hv2Jad
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) January 24, 2021

by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 01/25/2021 - 2:52am

kinda related theory: how QAnon adherents and similar type thinking evolved and grew since the 80's I see the common thread as "you just can't trust the government, somebody is ripping us all off" and then throw in "it's the media too" with the growth of partisan media. so it ends up with belief in libertarianism one way or another, there's only you to take care of yourself and take control. Which was also popular in "new age" as far as mental and physical help--those crystals, yoga, meditation, et. al.could do more than any of those M.D.'s...

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 4:38pm

New precedents? (worser than filibuster?)

(as rioter rifles McConnell'd desk, shows off letter from Trump):

Are @SenateGOP saying that IF #BlackLivesMatter protestors stormed the Capitol, killed 5 ppl, &caused property damage it would be OK if @POTUS incited it w/ his personal lawyer &2 @SenateDems ?

Logically, they are saying exactly that
Whose desk?
Apparently #Rifling is relative
— Unique Chapman (@UniqueChapman) January 27, 2021

by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 01/27/2021 - 12:22pm

In the News

Russia plays weak hand in Palestine
Russia plays weak hand in Palestine

submitted by PeraclesPlease 9 months ago

The intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow has precedent

Russia's hosted such meetings in the past, most recently Feb 2019

Russia has long lamented the US' "monopolization" of the peace process & tried to carve out a niche for itself: mediating among the disunited Palestinians/2
— Hanna Notte (@HannaNotte) February 29, 2024

Read the article at https://twitter.com/HannaNotte/status/1763116222256701787

Add new comment
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters

submitted by HSG 9 months ago

Here's what I told them: https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

Read the article at https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

2 comments

Add new comment
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes...
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force https://t.co/pCoDg05irX
— Gareth Harris (@garethharr) December 28, 2023

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/28/brazil-law-indigenous-land-rights-claim-time-marker?CMP=share_btn_tw

1 comment

Add new comment
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (...
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (December 25, 2023)

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Location: U.S. Embassy and residential compounds

Events: Heavy gunfire is occuring around the area of the U.S. Embassy and residential compounds adjacent to the Trutier area of Tabarre. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain indoors and shelter-in-place until further notice. All others should avoid the area.

Actions to take:

Avoid the area;

Avoid demonstrations and any large gatherings of people;

Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and

If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.

Read the article at https://ht.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-port-au-prince-haiti-december-25-2023/

3 comments

Add new comment
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

By The Editorial Board @ Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2023

A mass expulsion of Afghan migrants could destabilize the region and fuel radicalization. The West should pressure Islamabad to change course.

Read the article at https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-08/pakistan-s-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees-risks-another-crisis

6 comments

Add new comment
Internet shut down in Chad
Internet shut down in Chad

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

All eyes on #Chad right now
Chad has two internet trunks coming into the country: One from the Red Sea via Sudan; the other from Cameroon. Not possible for the totality of the country's internet network to be shut unless done centrally. A lot of rumors swirling; few facts. https://t.co/N6bDJZ2ixO

Read the article at https://x.com/_hudsonc/status/1732891968709992511?s=20

2 comments

Add new comment
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short

submitted by PeraclesPlease 11 months ago

Read the article at

3 comments

Add new comment
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across...
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

BREAKING: Three loss prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed, one of them has died from stab wounds, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. Police converged on the store as the three workers were rushed to Jefferson Hospital. pic.twitter.com/4U1eKycL4W

Read the article at https://x.com/KeeleyFox29/status/1731713272942940365?s=20

38 comments

Add new comment
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As...
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Former US Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba https://t.co/LDwo4ZJI1K
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 4, 2023

Read the article at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manuel-rocha-ambassador-arrested-cuba_n_656d1e2ae4b028b0f3d07478

Add new comment
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

[Chapter I news is HERE, Oct. 7 til today]

You don’t get it.
It’s not about an UNRWA teacher who held an Israeli kid hostage in his house.
It’s all about how for 75 years you have destroyed the future of generations of Palestinians, including my family.
My cousins in Arab countries are still not citizens - not even the… https://t.co/nv6anubGhc
— George Deek (@GeorgeDeek) December 2, 2023

Note 'Community Notes' attached to UNWRA's statement.

Read the article at https://x.com/GeorgeDeek/status/1731020551328579863?s=20

58 comments

Add new comment
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From...
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From a Neighbor

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Imperialism for me but not for thee?

It's wild that Venezuela is now holding a vote on whether 2/3 of Guyana actually belongs to them! Analysts suggest that Modoru may want military action to pump up his sinking popularity.

Could we have a war in South America?!?

"The people who live in Essequibo are largely… pic.twitter.com/QvMEjkkgwy

Read the article at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/world/americas/maduro-vote-essequibo-guyana.html

6 comments

Add new comment
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House...
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House Republicans powerless

submitted by artappraiser 12 months ago

The lack of a cohesive delegation has allowed attention-seeking lawmakers to act on their own.

McCarthy: “You have [Rep. Matt] Gaetz, who belongs in jail…”

Gaetz: “Tough words from a guy who sucker punches people in the back. The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.”https://t.co/LctPuz6Pcf

Read the article at https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/29/divisions-leave-floridas-house-republicans-powerless-00129200

10 comments

Add new comment
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-...
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-Pelosi clashes

submitted by artappraiser 12 months ago

By Martinn Pengelly in Washington DC for TheGuardian.com, Nov. 30

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ryan Grim life in Congress ‘completely transformed’ after Democratic leader stepped down

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/30/squad-book-aoc-nancy-pelosi?CMP=share_btn_tw

15 comments

Add new comment
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source

submitted by artappraiser 12 months ago

@ Reuters, Nov. 29

Read the article at https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-health-insurers-humana-cigna-talks-merge-wsj-2023-11-29/

3 comments

Add new comment
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-...
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-proofing

submitted by artappraiser 12 months ago

"Both the AU and the intl community place more weight on whether elections are held than whether they are free and fair. Sanctions/expulsions occur when there is a coup but not necessarily when elections are rigged or if an “institutional coup” occurs." https://t.co/m9dNimJP0D
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) November 28, 2023

Read the article at https://africanarguments.org/2023/11/central-africas-dinosaur-regimes-and-the-art-of-coup-proofing/

Add new comment

From the Readers

Creative corner

From the Dagbloggers

Hits of the Day