L&T Publisher Earl Watt
How bad is it when you wear out terms like nazi and fascist and so you have to fall back on using cult as your only means to explain why others disagree with your politics?
We print J. Basil Dannebohm’s column even though online trolls claim we only share one political view.
Mr. Dannebohm and I could not be more opposite in our views, and yet if you see this column on social media you’ll see some people with their usual tropes of how I regurgitate talking points.
It’s laughable if it weren’t so dangerous.
When you completely stop listening to anything outside of one point of view, it is easy to characterize anything in opposition to your own point of view as a cult.
When you have determined your own views to be so laudable and superior to anything else, then everything else must be so far off track that no reasonably-minded person could possibly support any view outside your own.
Simply put, when you have achieved your own version of political nirvana, you have brainwashed yourself, and your cult of intellect is proven in your claim that everyone who disagrees with your enlightenment is, in fact, the real cult.
I’m sure John and Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, George Washington and the other founders willing to die for the concept of self government were considered a cult by the British and the British loyalists. They simply could not conceive how anyone would not want to be part of the British Empire or live under the loving protection of King George.
When Barack Obama was swept into the White House, he formed a coalition of support through his charismatic presentations and ability to communicate his message of hope.
Obama’s supporters were extremely dedicated, and those claiming that Trump supporters, or MAGA, is a cult would have to call the same people who supported Obama a cult as well.
Neither is true, but the danger of diminishing the term is what should be of concern.
There are true socialists out there who want to turn our nation into a fascist state. But we won’t be able to recognize them because the left has overused the term so much that it no longer carries any weight.
It’s the same for the word nazi. Either those who use it do not have any understanding of history, or they’ve been victims of academic abuse from those who use history as something to manipulate into a modern message to attack political adversaries under the veil of teaching history.
Nazis will forever only refer to the German racist Third Reich led by Adolf Hitler who used mass extermination to murder 6 million Jews and others the German State saw as undesirable. That term does not apply to Democrats or Republicans, and we should be able to agree that neither side is advocating for the eradication of a religious group or race through concentration camps and gas chambers.
Tax policy or social programs does not a Nazi make. There are terms that may apply, but not those.
Cult is another dangerous attempt to damage people by claiming their political support is not based on reason or policy but on being brainwashed.
There are true cults out there.
In the book “Bully Pulpit,” church goers might be able to see the difference between a strong-willed pastor and someone looking to create a cult following.
I’ve read the book and believe I’ve seen behavior that could meet the definition of a cult.
The problem with a cult, especially within a church, is the attempts to silence all opposition to the leader or cause.
There is plenty of opposition to Trump. No one has been sent to a concentration camp or forced to wear a logo on their clothing in public.
The fact that Dannebohm has the freedom to share his views is evidence that Trump is not the leader of a cult, or dictatorial, because opposing views are not allowed.
You don’t hear Republicans call Democrats a cult simply because we have different political views.
Dannebohm claims that talking to a member of MAGA is like talking to a brainwashed clone. Is it because Republicans, who Sen. John Kennedy from Louisiana said is like herding cats, have unified under a few points of agreement? Like bringing jobs back to America? Like keeping boys out of girls sports and locker rooms? Like advocating for a secure border?
Or is it that MAGA conservatives can’t be brainwashed by the left? Is it that independent thinkers who reject big government solutions, who don’t belittle illegal immigrants by reducing them to an under class in society by expecting them to do the lowest level jobs while we turn a blind eye to illegal entry, who don’t believe the government is the path to prosperity but a necessary expense to create an even playing field — just what is it that makes Democrats believe MAGA is a cult?
If repeating a common phrase is an indication of a cult, then those calling MAGA a cult is a cult.
For decades I’ve been saying that the Democratic Party is slipping into socialism. But they refuse to listen to that.
Now, Zohran Mamdani is the socialist representing the Democratic Party in the race for New York City mayor. While they continue to call people a cult, they are voting for leaders who will show them what a cult truly is.
Earl, while we don't agree on much, I appreciate the fact that you publish my columns and offer readers a balance of different perspectives.
While I don't believe the GOP I once served as a legislator was a cult, I certainly believe the party has devolved into one in their blind loyalty to Trump. Here in DC, one only needs to walk the halls of Congress for a few hours to overhear conversations betwixt GOP members saying, "I hate it, but the President wants it. If we don't pass it, Don Jr. will send his goons after us."
Liberal, Kansas has a very special place in my heart. It's a place where I made many good friends and memories. Again, while we don't necessarily agree, I respect your opinion and am grateful you offer your readers an opportunity to read mine. Keep up the great work!
Nice try.
He trashed Dannenbaum and the guy thanked him? Watt and Isaacs are bullies.
Watt are you saying is not correct in my eyes. First of all you've had a misunderstanding in a lot of comments related to Victor M Chavez that you've written about me. These comments either made me feel like a victim when in fact I suffered head injuries. Back in 1996.
Also MEGA movement doesn't represent any of the American values. At least not any I've ever been taught or reasoned with.
Another thing about presidential powers is that most presidents say in the line , that could create followers.
Now and days our presidents want too much power or glory this creates different types of leadership.
Steven Hassan, a mental health professional specializing in cults, argues that Donald Trump exhibits characteristics of a cult leader and that his movement is similar to a destructive cult. He highlights Trump's use of social psychology methods to influence followers and create strong loyalty and obedience, drawing parallels to figures like Jim Jones and David Koresh.
Other sources, including Wikipedia, describe Trumpism as having authoritarian leanings and state that Trump's political base has been compared to a cult of personality.
A cult of personality is characterized by excessive idealization of a leader, often through propaganda and unquestioning loyalty from followers.
Some define a political cult as a group where supporters see their leader as infallible and demonstrate deep commitment to their ideological positions, never abandoning the leader. The leader's successes are attributed to their wisdom, while failures are blamed on the followers.
Typical MAGA playing the blame games. This guy is imploding. I love it.
I never knew a cult member that realizes there part of a cult before.
Many Donald J. Trump supporters can’t handle basic questions like who won the 2020 election? And by many I mean that 70% of republicans still claims to believe the Joseph Biden wasn’t legitimately elected. This is simply an inability to admit he was wrong. And when confronted on it the way they avoid thinking critically about it is very similar to how cult members act when confronted with some point of evidence about their faith being nonsensical. They engage in thought suppression, change the subject, engage in whataboutism, leave the conversation and even react with violent anger regularly just like Earl and his minion Reita.
I get the sense that a lot of republicans have this gnawing feeling at the back of their mind about their tacit participation in what is quite obviously an ongoing attack on the US itself. But they have to avoid these topics lest the gnawing comes round to the forefront.
MAGA people cannot manage their emotions, so they constantly erupt with anger and rage. They use harsh words, group chants, bizarre letters to the editor, travel in pseudo-military packs, war flagging, aggressive signage and confrontation like we see in this article. No matter which tactic they use they pin down opponents, scream their dogma and move on. They don’t see the other side as fellow Americans who live next door, only as enemies to defeat. Precisely why the author or this article chose to degrade his employee.
Dr. Dumbass you just described libtard people to a 'T"...you must have your parties confused you piece of dung... progessive liberals are the most pathetic people I have ever dealt with. In the case of liberals and your use of pseudo-military control by conservatives....how about we talk about looters and rioters who burn things to the ground when they get pissed off. Democrats have no impulse control at all. I mean 0 impulse control....just go in the hood in any major city and find out.
Mansell what unit are you in as active duty? You are a dipshit to call out the Prez.
I watch MSNBC and CNN an realize what pathetic people democrats are...and as far as you bleeding heart liberals....illegal invaders have 0000000 rights as far as our constitution.....Next time I come back to Liberal, KS I would like to have a face to face with the mayor. He will not like me at all. Jose the Cliche.
Pamela Hemphill, aka MAGA Granny, made headlines recently when she refused President Donald Trump’s pardon for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. The Boise, Idaho, retiree had already served a six-month sentence but was still on probation for the misdemeanor charge of demonstrating in the Capitol.
“I lost my critical thinking ….” she told The New York Times, explaining why she wasn’t interested in the pardon. “I was in a cult.”