The Washington Outsider

An Odd Political Counter In A Pizza Shop: Street Activists, Political Apostles Might Want To Think Before They Act

5/21/2018

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I went to pick up a pizza.  The cashier was a younger black woman, who I had dealt with several times before. She was speaking to an older, unkempt white man about his daughters and their love of dogs, which they apparently adopt any dog that strays into their neighborhood.  The man continued to speak with her, turning to speak to me as well, as I waited silently and politely.  I do not think she actually knew the man, but I believe he lived in the area.  After about five minutes, he started to leave with his pizza and 2-liter of pop.  As he opened the door, he felt compelled to rush back in and randomly say that he forgot to mention his bumper sticker was outdated: "My dog is smarter than my President," referring to Obama.  He then went on a mini, yet seemingly planned, rant filled with Right-wing propaganda about jobs before concluding with “it seems more people are working under Trump.”  She just politely smiled and nodded, which I did as well. 
In the real world, I try to let people freely express their opinions before I interject my own views or reshape their ill-conceived conclusions while I only speak when I feel they are willing to accept what I have to say.  I actually tend to avoid speaking about politics, unless engaged about specific topics.  Only if they use insults or personal attacks do I correct them in the bluntest of terms.  Thinking this odd exchange had ended after the man finally walked out of sight, I made a sarcastic comment to the cashier: "I don't think he liked Obama; I would think his bumper sticker is more correct now." I am not necessarily anti-Trump, but I am an opportunistic smart ass.  As the young lady let out her first real laugh, the man suddenly returned to "show” her a picture he “happened” to find on his flip phone.  He then went on a rant about how liberals are worse than Nazis, throwing out abortion statistics and a personal story about his daughter’s miscarriage.  
 
At that point, the young lady discretely went to check on my pizza as soon as the man turned to me, which meant he had to rant to me.  I just smiled and nodded, until he finally left.  I turned to get my order and complimented the cashier on her handling of the situation, including my own counter-politicking.  Suffice it to say, I found the whole situation weird.  It is not that I necessarily disagreed with the man’s position on abortion.  What I found off-putting was his approach.  Inserting politics into a work environment creates a very sticky situation, especially when one of the participants is an employee and the other is a customer.  When political discussions arise in a workplace, most people are not free to express their true views, because they are often at a disadvantage, thus the discussion is dishonest and unproductive at best.  Civil discourse requires a willingness of participants to willingly accept disagreement, even when that disagreement evokes an emotional response.
 
As someone with a political background, this writer has obviously engaged in political discussion in an number of situations, including potentially awkward situations like the employee-customer scenario.  What the aforementioned gentleman did to place the young lady at a disadvantage was assume she fully agreed with his positions and engaged in the negative, attack politics that has become increasingly prevalent.  A partisan political joke is one thing, but a seemingly premeditated anti-Obama, anti-liberal, pro-Trump, pro-Right, propaganda-filled rant is street activism.  It is political evangelizing.  It is part of a mass effort to force-feed people a political agenda and silence dissenting views.  The goal is not to engage in political discussion or civil discourse on social issues.  It is to establish a bubble that isolates people from counter arguments, fosters “group think,” which favors the political interests of the powerful, and suppresses actual free thinking.  In other words, the goal is to create a political cult.
 
Toward the end of the George W. Bush years, people on the Right could often be heard saying things like “I am a Conservative” to justify their disagreement with allegedly liberal policies and views, especially when they did not have an actual argument and/or the policy aligned with conservative principles but conflicted with Republican positions.  Today, the propaganda machine of the special interest-controlled, radical Right has instilled a myriad of catchphrases, including “sheeple,” in the minds of their followers.  The goal is not to foster “free speech,” offer an alternative perspective, or foster a constructive political discussion.  The goal is to normalize their propaganda so more people are willing to support and spread their views based on the simple fact that most people do not want to dissent from mainstream thinking or feel stupid.  
 
Obviously, all people have a right to express their views in a respectful manner, which they should in a constructive way, but it is abusive and counterproductive to use free speech and expression to suppress the views of others.  When the goal is to foster political division and dysfunction in order to push an agenda, political activism is a problem, not a solution.  With that in mind, activists from the far-Left and radical Left also succumb to many of the same destructive forces as those from the far-Right and radical Right.  Unfortunately, the rise of angry politics, which was fueled by political commentators like Glenn Beck and political figures like Donald Trump, has inspired far more people on the Right to seal themselves into a very think ideological bubble and suppress anyone who dissents from their hardliner views with insults and personal attacks.  
 
A New York City lawyer entered a Midtown restaurant and threatened to all ICE when he overheard employees and customers speaking Spanish.  Although an extreme example, it is an example of extreme Right-wing activism fueled by blatant racism and hardliner views on immigration.  In likelihood, social media blow back will mean the end of this lawyer’s life.  Although all people are entitled to their views and censorship by oppressive peer pressure is a serious issue, this particular case serves as a reminder that the political world may accept outrageous tirades, but there are still very serious costs for those who reject civility in the real world.  Going back to that Trump apostle in the pizza place, his activism was civil and he happened to encounter people who were unwilling to reactive in a negative way.  He could have, however, easily found himself in a situation were emotion-driven responses created an unfavorable scenario.  As it was, he did nothing to actually spread true conservatism or inspire reflection, because he was regurgitating the propaganda of factions that seek to divide and vilify those who disagree with them for their own interests.
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      • Should One's Faith Influence a Citizen's Vote?
      • Should the U.S. Government Help Fund Election Campaigns?
      • On Defunding Political Science Research
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      • Justice for All: The Case for Legal, Social, Economic, and Personal Justice
      • Why Hardliner Thinking in the NSA and CIA is Doing Damage
      • On the Baby Boomer’s Self-Centeredness
      • The Case for Personal Responsibility
      • What Modern Day Revolutionaries Need to Learn from Leader's like Mandela
      • Rising Western Acceptance of LGBT Primes Culture Clash
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      • Perceptions of the United States
      • How Honesty Relates to the Great Recession
      • Why the Middle Class and Rich Need to Support Their Long-term Interests
      • The Aristocratic Republic of the United States of America
      • Discussing the Need for Community Support
      • Why New Forms of Capitalism and Socialism Will Compliment Each Other
      • The Reason We Need to Understand What it is to Be Poor in America
      • Why the World Needs to Reinvest in America
      • Why Are We Against Terrorism?
      • Why Does Terrorism Exist?
      • US Influence: The Value of American Citizenship Around the World
      • Responding to "the Soldier as Sacrficial Victim"
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      • How comfort defines us as people >
        • Is Suicide a Cowardly Way Out?
      • Defense Against the Dark Arts of Manipulators
      • Defining Abuse >
        • On the Willing Victim of Abuse
        • How to Understand Abuse Victims
        • Recognizing Abuse
      • The Role of Substitution in Decision Making
      • Trying to Understand PTSD and Other Trauma-induced Mental Health Issues
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        • Mental Illness is Not the Cause of Anger and Violence >
          • Trying to Understand the Boston Marathon Bombing and Other Violent Crimes
          • Getting into the Twisted Mind of the Tucson Murder
      • Describing the Mind as Modes of Thought >
        • It’s Just Sex?
      • Relationships, or Arrangement
      • Understanding the Effects of Groupthink in the Workplace
      • Relating Circular, Inductive, and Deductive Reasoning to the Scientific Method and Religion
      • What is a Redneck? Understanding Different Cultures and Thinking
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      • The Need for Greater Economic Leverage >
        • Evaluating NAFTA and TPP
        • Undercutting Logistics with the Underpaid Independent Contractor
        • Unions: Hindrance or Essential to Free Markets
        • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
        • Haitians Sue the UN for Failure to Help With Cholera
        • Looking at How Corn-based Ethanol and Other Alternative Energy Subsidies Stack Up
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        • Irish Sovereignty Lost Before Bailout
        • Why Sudan's Greatest Long-Term Hurdle is Our Lowest-bidder Economy
        • Reduce US Imports by Buying American Made Products
      • Ending the need for government support and tackling poverty
      • Income inequality: understanding the limitations and psychology of disadvantage
      • Looking at the Future of American Jobs >
        • On Questioning the Need to Address Economic Disparity
        • Minimum Wage is Not the Problem
        • Responding to the "Blip"
        • Why Education Is Not The Civil Rights Issue Of The Twenty-First Century
      • Considering the Impact of the Capital Gains Tax Deduction
      • Embracing a Capitalist Mindset >
        • Capitalism Versus Socialism
        • The Negatives of Socialism
      • Stealing Intellectual Property
      • Changing Business Models: From Enduring Entities to Cash Cows
      • Consumer and Investor Evolution in the Great Recession of 2008-09
      • Dealing with the Issues Surrounding the Patenting of Self-replicating Technologies
      • Is Technology Threatening Jobs?
    • Education >
      • The Role of Education in Creating a More Dynamic Workforce
      • Primary Education in America and the Changing Needs of Society
      • The Greatness of the American Education System
      • Ideas for Improving the United States Education System
      • Are Teachers Treated as Professionals?
      • Is Engaging Parents in Their Children's Education a Major Factor in Turning Around Low-performing Schools?
      • Should Grants Be Awarded to School Districts that Try Innovative Methods to Improve Student Achievement?
    • US Constitution >
      • On Reading the US Constitution
      • The Senate should not do more to limit the powers of the Judicial Branch
      • On the DOJ Justifying the “targeted Killings” of US Citizens
      • Corporations Do Not Have the Same Rights as US Citizens >
        • Corporate America Pleads the First
      • Discussing the Constitutionality of Per Capita Taxes
      • Was the California Supreme Court Right in Legalizing Gay Marriage?
      • Should the Bible Continue to Be Used for Swearing-in Ceremonies and in Courtrooms?
      • Should Religious Student Clubs Be Allowed in Public Schools?
      • Should the Government Control Talk Radio to Make it More "balanced"?
      • The Second Amendment: Not Outdated >
        • Are We Losing Our Second Amendment Rights
      • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
      • Should a Woman Have the Right to Choose Abortion? >
        • Should Fathers Be Able to Opt Out of Parenthood?
      • Should Smoking Be Allowed in Public Places?
      • Is Teen Driving a Right or a Privilege?
      • Should US Companies Be Required to Provide Equal Pay to Women and Men?
      • Is eighteen too young to vote?
      • First Amendment Rights: The Priviledge of The Press
      • Do Mandatory Seat Belt Laws Violate Individual Rights?
      • Should cell phone use be banned while driving?
      • Dealing with the link between video game violence and children's behavior
      • Should police have to submit to routine drug and alcohol testing?
      • Public schools should not impose mandatory drug testing on students
      • Are High Taxes on Cigarettes Proper?
      • Should pharmacists be required to violate their religious beliefs and dispense the "Morning After Pill?"
      • Should school counselors uphold patient privacy or report students who become unstable?
  • For the record
    • Ongoing Issues >
      • Red Dawn in Ukraine: Understanding the Actions of Russia >
        • On Russia’s Coercion of Ukraine
        • The Russian Annexation of Crimea in the Eyes of the World
        • Putin Has Overplayed His Hand With Crimea
        • Ukraine in Terms of Resovereignization
        • Avoiding a Conflict Between America and Russia Over Ukraine
        • What Drives the World’s Interest in Russia’s Actions in Ukraine
      • China’s Aggressive Pursuit of Interests Demands a Global Response
      • Iran Makes a Deal: A Start to a Long-term Diplomatic Effort to Denuclearize Iran >
        • On the Future of a Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
      • America's Sphere of Influence: Retaking South-East Asia >
        • Power in Asia: Looking at the Power Shift in Japan
        • The China Paradox: Why America is Worried About China
      • Assessing US Support of Israel >
        • Tread Softly Israel for a Heavy Step May Be Your Undoing
      • Understanding the Dysfunctional Nature of the US-Pakistani Relationship
      • Recognizing the True Threat Behind the Current Unrest in the Middle East >
        • Reacting to the Escalating Crackdown in Syria
      • Assessing the Threat of North Korea >
        • Answering North Korea's Call for Food Aid: Breaking the Vicious Cycle Forced Upon Us by a Warring Nation
        • Dealing with the Restarting of the Korean War
        • North Korea Attacks South Korea
      • Dealing with the Ill-effects of Climate Change
      • Racial Inequality and Oppression Do Truly Exist in Today's Society
      • Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?
      • An overview of world wide Human Rights violations
      • Nuclear Threat from Pakistan
      • Return of The Cold War?
    • World >
      • Coverage of FIFA World Cup is a Chance to Focus on Poverty >
        • The FIFA World Cup Offers Benefits for More Than Brazilian Soccer Fans
        • FIFA Can Bring Brazilians Together as a Nation
      • Being Prepared for Any Potential Dangers at the FIFA World Cup Games
      • Treading Softly on the Politicizing of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Over Gay Rights
      • Why NATO Operations in Libya Lack a Well-defined Mission
      • China Hijacks the Web
      • Lessons from the Great Japanese Earthquake of 2011
      • A Modernizing Cuba Offers an Opportunity for Capitalists
      • The Seeds of Democracy Take Root in the Middle East
      • The Rebirth of Democracy in Tunisia
      • What May Come from the Hurt Revolution in Libya
      • Responding to the Violence of Qaddafi and Other Besieged Leaders
      • Embracing the Rise of a Democratic Egypt
      • Protests in Afghanistan Turn Deadly for Coalition Forces and UN Personnel
      • Haiti: Another Failing Humanitarian Investment
      • What Karzai Can Learn from Calderon
      • START II: A Necessary, Easy Success that Nearly Failed
      • Why Does the U.S. Government Support Independence for the Breakaway Serb Territory of Kosovo but Oppose Independence for the Breakaway Georgian Territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
      • Iraq's Electric Issues: When Human Wants Trump Economic Sense
      • The International Community Reacts to Wikileaks: We May Be Moving Toward a Third World War in Cyberspace
      • On Climate Gate
      • Assessing Obama's Afghanistan War strategy
      • 2009 Iranian Presidential Election: The Fallout
      • Resolving Sri Lankan Conflict through Free Media
      • What are the Global Consequences of Russia's Invasion of Georgia
      • The War in Iraq: an assessment of President Bush's surge strategy
      • Drug War: Actions of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador in terms of Resovereignization
      • Is the Iraq Refugee Crisis America's Responsibility?
      • US support for a united Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia: why?
      • Should the US withdraw from Iraq?
      • Setting a Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Iraq is a Terrible Mistake
      • War on Terrorism is needed
    • Law and Order >
      • Rape in the US Military
      • Ethics of Force-feeding Guantanamo Bay Detainees
      • Reacting to the Aftermath of the Tucson Massacre
    • Economy >
      • Affordability Drives Fear of Obamacare and the Individual Mandate
      • Is the Economy Built for a Job's Recovery?
      • Gutting Healthcare Reform of the Individual Mandate
      • Arizona Budget Cuts Lead to Lethal Healthcare Rationing:
      • Shameful Collection Practices of American Banks
      • The Fed Reveals it Actually Undertook an International Bailout
      • Thoughts on French Budgetary Reforms
      • Seniors Start Businesses
      • The Case for Slimming Down the US Military to Make it Better
      • Looking at the Obama Administration's New Approach to Economic Policy
      • Should the Government Regulate the Credit Card Industry?
      • The Big Three's Big Chance
      • The Unhealthy Tone of the Healthcare Reform Debate
      • Should the federal government offer a bailout for home owners?
      • Environmentalists: Do They Do More Good Than More Harm?
      • Responding to Scott Walker's Contribution to the War on Unions
    • US Government >
      • America Needs to Focus on the Impending Fiscal Crisis
      • Reacting to the Bush Era-tax Cut Extension Deal
      • Quitting the Obama Revolution: The Fickle Nature of American Politics
      • John Boehner's Circus
      • Is the Fed Putting Itself in Jeopardy?
      • Wikileaks Goes After the US State Department
      • Discussing the Political Environment Surrounding the 2011 Budget Debate
      • What the Democrats Can Do to Ensure a GOP Year in 2012
      • What the 2010 Midterm Actually Said
      • Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper
      • Democrats Minus Nancy Pelosi Equals Opportunity
      • Terrorists Go Postal: The Terrorism Threat Reexamined
      • Victory in the 2008 Election: Reaction to Barack Obama'a Win >
        • Expectations for Barack Obama
      • President Obama's first one hundred days
      • John McCain's Negative Campaign
      • Reasons People did not Elect John Mccain
      • History judges the George W. Bush Administration
      • Should the next US President focus on domestic issues?
      • President Bush, should he resign or be impeached
      • Should the Ban on Government Sponsored Assassinations be Repealed
    • Off Topic >
      • A Face of America’s Greatest Generation
      • A Story About a Man Who Made the World a Better Place
      • Making the World a Better Place
      • The Bipolar Ethical Nature of Google
      • Learning Computer Plays Jeopardy
      • Verifying Medicine is the Real Thing
      • Taking a Practical Step Forward in Optical Computing Using Slow Light
      • Scientists Take a Closer Look at How Lithium Batteries Work
      • Remarking on the First Blizzard of the 2010-2011 Winter Season
      • Driving in the Snow: Acceleration is the Key
      • How People in Northwest PA Are Coping with the Increasing Cost of Oil
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