I repeat excerpts from David French's surreal appeal to us normals:
"one thing is clear: You can’t replace something with nothing. And until we fully understand what that “something” is — and that it includes not only passionate anger but also very real joy and a deep sense of belonging — then our efforts to persuade are doomed to fail.
...their own joy and camaraderie insulate them against external critiques that focus on their anger and cruelty.
That,
Trump’s opponents miss the joy because they experience only the rage.
That,
If you’re deemed to be one of those people who is trying to “destroy our country and our family,” then you don’t see joy, only fury.
,Yes, we have fury and amusement because
They’re the worst, and we’re awesome. Let’s party, and let’s fight.
The consistent message from Trumpland of all ages is something like
this:
You’re horrible, and no one should listen to horrible people.
For them, the MAGA community is kind and welcoming. For them, supporting Trump is fun.— it’s just that they finally understand how bad you are.
So Jan. 6 was a false flag. Or it was a “fedsurrection.” It couldn’t have really been a violent attempt to overthrow the elected government, because they know these people, or people like them, and they’re mostly good folks. It had to be a mistake, or an exaggeration, or a trick or a few bad apples. The real crime was the stolen election.
The battle and the booze cruise both give MAGA devotees a sense of belonging. They see a country that’s changing around them and they are uncertain about their place in it.
Trump’s opponents miss the joy because they experience only the rage.
Yes, we experience it FIRST HAND.
If you’re deemed to be one of those people who is trying to “destroy our country and our family,” then you don’t see joy, only fury.
David French's op-ed is the mot incoherent, irresponsible piece I have ever read in NYT.
We are NOT TALKING to them and the vast majority of Republicans. Only unbreachable opposition is called for.
