We, as Americans, cherish the freedom and right to disagree—which we do, often deeply about important issues that need resolution. But polarization undermines that freedom by tightening prejudices rather than opening thought, thus diminishing the chances for finding resolutions and moving forward. So while polarization may feel like a righteous champion of freedom and right, it is in fact just the opposite—a stick jammed in the spokes of the democratic discourse of freedom. Here are some of the common ways it does it:
- SEDUCES with loaded, heated language and childish name-calling that appeals more to emotion that reason.
- BLINKERS by using cherry-picked facts, and ignoring or mocking opposing arguments and evidence rather than actually addressing them.
- TRIVIALIZES by focusing on “straw-man” issues whose value in re-enforcing biases is clearly greater than their substance.
- BULLIES by making you feel like a dupe or a traitor if you even listen to the other side.
- FLATTERS with language and a tone that makes you feel like an insider, who, of course, agrees with them because you “get it” … just like they do.
- FRIGHTENS by portraying the other side as not just wrong, but a dangerous, evil enemy, replete with wicked hidden agendas.
- “CLANS,” that is, plays the “us vs. them” identity politics game of associating the other view with groups or people (implicitly) “inferior” to “us.”
- “TRIBES” by using the knowing winks and nods of sarcasm, coded language, words in quotes (suggesting they’re misleading) and innuendo which you, as a member of the tribe, of course, will understand without explanation or justification.
This week . . . we review a few of the sad, tired polarizing headlines of the previous month. Exhausted, perhaps, from the vehemence of the Kavanaugh circus, the reds and blues seemed to resort to somewhat unimaginative stock accusations and characterizations. One bright spot: The accusation of “liars” was hurled from both sides…which means that lying is still considered an insult in both camps!
When reading these examples, check the above list and ask yourself: regardless of whether you agree or disagree, is this really advancing an intelligent resolution through the persuasive, rational arguments of advocacy…or simply fueling the fire of conflict through the divisive, emotional manipulations of polarization?
Here are just a few of the rather tired blue and red polarizing headlines from the past week.
Blue Headlines
Lying Republicans are topping their old Obamacare lies with their new pre-existing conditions lies
Republicans counting on willful ignorance of their base voters when it comes to health care
The Republican base is fine with racism and corruption. It’s up to the rest of us to stop it
The GOP is persecuting voters instead of protecting them
Republicans could have taken a moral stand against Trump’s racism. They didn’t—now they’re worried
The Republicans Betrayed Democracy, Walter Schaub Lists The Red Lines Crossed.
The Blue Wave Is Real, and Republicans Are Reeling
After Getting His Ass Kicked By Democrats, Trump Calls Midterm A Success
A Defeated and Broken Trump Blames The Media For Democratic House Win
The midterm elections were a ‘pure repudiation’ of Trump and Republicans. Period.
The Grand Old Rapist Party Had Its Coming Out With Kavanaugh Confirmation
The Republicans’ ‘angry mob’ of protesters is just another dog whistle to scare their dwindling base
It’s Never A Stalinist Purge If You’re A Republican
The GOP’s ‘angry mob’ smear against women will backfire—wait and see
Republicans Go Full Blown Racist And Warn That Black Mobs Are Coming For Whites On Election Day
How much do Republicans despise women? Oh, let them count the ways
Here Are The Facts: Right Wing Political Violence Far Outweighs Left Wing ‘Angry Mobs’
Red Headlines
LIES ARE ALL THEY’VE GOT: Activists, Democrats, and the Media Keep Smearing Betsy DeVos
Democrats Can No Longer Be Trusted
‘Progressives’ Are Really ‘Regressives’
Why I Remain Bullish on America — Despite the Unrelenting Negativism of the Left
Thanksgiving: Leftist Use of National Identity for Immigration Maximalism
REPRESENTING DICTATORS IS FINE WHEN DEMOCRATS DO IT
Pence: ‘We Didn’t Really See That Blue Wave in the House’
So Much for a ‘Blue Wave’—4 of the Biggest Midterm Takeaways
Photos: Shockingly Low Turnout In Dem Districts
Trump’s Republicans Beat Historical Average for Midterm Elections
Forget the blue wave and behold the purple puddle
YEP: ‘Blue wave’ turns out to be ordinary election, rather than an extraordinary rebuke to Trump.
LEFT-WING VIOLENCE: Two Republican Candidates Punched in Minnesota
WHY ARE DEMOCRATS SO VIOLENT? Two GOP Candidates Assaulted in Minnesota:
The Democrat Party is a Mob, Nothing More
Media Misses: Reporters Refuse to Recognize Leftist ‘Mob’ Rule
Multiple Reports Of Left-Wing Partisans Attacking GOP Candidates, Staffers
1 thought on “More Sad, Tired, Polarizing Headlines”
this is a true article the government has been used over and against the public putting AI , thats bad for , the nation as a whole and it breaks down the unity of this country