Trump wasn't the first liar and he won't be the last. But the health of democracy remains in danger as long as Fox News and GOP leaders reject the truth and the public buys it.
I needed this post today as my brain has been on the verge of exploding all week. From when I was very young, my Dad, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge in WW II, 1 of the greatest generation who rarely talked about his service in WW II. He was humble and as he said, there was no question that he would take a hiatus from college and enlist. He had to help his generation make the world sage for Democracy. And you have included the quote that my Dad would tell me when he did talk about the war.], the statement from Third Reich propagandist Joseph Goebbels: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
As you note, we’ve seen the truth of that on a shocking scale in America since Trump lost the 2020 election and tens of millions of Americans—fueled by their hero’s anger, marinating in feelings of grievance, priding themselves on their skepticism of what is knowable—have refused to believe that Joe Biden was legitimately elected president.
45 and the woman who lost in AZ (I can't use their names because I get headaches and I get filled with rage ) are destroying our Democracy with their lies, their election denialism, their constant actions to bring the cult along with them and destroy faith in America's election system. Then, of course, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention that state tv (you know the channel) is not a news channel. It is a propaganda machine, established to perpetuate the lies of 45 and the AZ loser woman and to spread election denialism. Yes, state tv is also trying to destroy our Democracy.
How do we undo the damage that the liars have done, for the purpose of stealing their elections and maintaining their hold on power? I go back to the Goebbels quote that my Dad often mentioned to me. It seems that so many have already assumed those lies to be the truth because they have herd those lies so often. Let's follow the instructions and guidance that witnesses are given in court, to paraphrase: tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The truth will set us free. The truth will restore our Democracy. Telling the truth is the correct thing to do; and we must do it. And, in the words of Hillel: if not now, when. Let it be NOW. Happy weekend, everyone.
deception coupled with a lack of shame is deeply troubling. When repeated in the closed circuits of conspiratorial media, lies develop the patina of truth. They become revered as dogma and all reasonable discourse is rendered impossible. The solution in psychotherapy is systematic deprogramming, but extending those principles to the culture at large feels Sisyphean. I don’t know what the antidote is for this strangling political climate.
This question of deprogramming is a big one. I think it includes criminal accountability for the leaders, particularly the top inciter, to break the narrative of their way as the right way. But that's only a part of it as these polarities intensify.
I agree Steven, there has to be some measure of accountability...a reckoning of sorts, so everyone is more or less on the same page and we can all move forward together. I don’t think we can achieve that
politically, but we might be able to achieve it factually.
However, I can’t envision it happening without DOJ first prosecuting Trump and the republicans in Congress who assisted him in the planning, preparation and participation in the insurrection. If they’re not prosecuted they’ll never stop lying and manipulating because there’s no incentive to stop.
Thank you, as always, Steven for your your outstanding writing. I think you identified the crux of the issue with your phrase: ' the difference between what you want to hear and what is actually the case.' It is remarkable that a mindset of denialism could prevail, to the extent it does today. I suspect that a great deal of insecurity exists in the minds of individuals who hold on so tenaciously to incorrect information.
I also contend that a base level of gullibility in reality deniers, is underscored by suppressed anger and frustration in a pattern of dissimulation. The disenfranchised are only too willing to latch onto a scapegoat for their grievances. Trump is a vociferous conspiracy theorist. and fanned the flames of doubt and discontent among his followers. He played his own personal victim card as well, providing common ground for the aggrieved to relate to him. Anger surged and conspiracy theories manifested with dangerous consequences, such as the January 6th Insurrection at America's Capitol. Truth is a connection to reality, and being capable of self-analysis and introspection is key. Seeking 'alternative facts' is a way to avoid difficult or uncomfortable issues. Truth is not always easy or kind, but it should be the guiding light of our existence. I hope we get there.
We’ve got to “speak” this race to the truth like the Tortoise ran the race against the Hare, slowly but consistently and steadily. We must constantly show our gullible populace what lies ahead for a country that believes a big lie. We must never lose the motivation to shed light on the truth whenever and wherever possible.
What if the ends led to a stronger Democracy? Why can’t we use fear, in a positive direction, to open denier’s eyes to the freedoms they will lose if they let autocracy get a foot hold? Why not combine that with guilt to show what their children and grandchildren will loose when our our Democracy disappears?
I’ve believed all along that most of Trump’s supporters don’t have any idea what an authoritarian
government would be like. That’s why I’ve made a habit of calling it a fascism, but I don’t think they truly understand what fascism is either.
I’ve decided the only way most Magas will get it is to make a movie that illustrates what we will lose if fascism/ authoritarianism prevails. There are plenty of old WWII movies that more or less illustrate fascism, but I doubt those old films would resonate with people now.
Another thing I’ve realized is most of the domestic terrorism we’ve experienced since Trump came on the political scene is being perpetrated by White Supremacists. White supremacists have heavily infiltrated our military, including the National Guard. They may call themselves “Proud Boys” or other names, but the bottom line is they are racists and
are also dead set on terrorizing women, subjecting us to being treated as less than human along with people of color.
Foxnews celebrates white nationalism without specifically referring to it. It’s one more important reason why our DOJ must indict the politicians who
are aligned with these domestic terrorists and bring
it out into our national discourse. The longer it takes
I fully agree with your conclusions. A documentary should be made to show ALL Americans what is currently happening in Russia and the other authoritarian governments, to bring this message home as dramatically and as truthfully as possible. We need someone like Spielberg to get this started. Remember Jews are just as much a target as ANY minority.
I would argue that some of the non-negotiable fundamental building blocks of democracy are truth and integrity of government officials. So although lying, deception, going against your own stated principles might work in the short run to achieve a noble goal, in the long term, thry would work against a functional democracy and weaken it when the truth comes out (and it will). This does not mean absolute transparency since sometimes it is important to keep some facts and actions temporarily secret. But we’ve gone way beyond that now and it is both shameful and harmful to our democracy.
The only answer is to prove election deniers are a distinct minority of voters nationwide by popular vote as well as by electoral college votes. So 24 must be the pinnacle of truth-telling politically as well as raw “turnout.” That will be the obligation of every election believer! I believe everyone reading Steve’s column knows full well that democracy is at stake then! So please accept your responsibility to systematically encourage the registration to vote of seniors in high school, community colleges and four Year institutions. I am engaged with brilliant young minds at Harvard to do this in 2,000 high schools in competitive congressional districts strictly on a nonpartisan basis. If you are interested in helping please let me know at IraLechner@yahoo.com. Youth will save us!
Indictment of Trump will not help unify the country. Nor would his likely and much deserved conviction. Instead, it will deepen the divides that separate Americans to the point of killing our republic.
While speaking of slavery, Lincoln had it right. In 1858, in his famous “House Divided” speech, the future President said, “I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
“It will become all one thing or all the other.”
Our democracy – supposedly a unified republic of multiple racial, religious, ethnic, and other differences -- now needs to be re-sold to its own citizens who have been brainwashed by Fox and its ilk.
Let me suggest to wealthy, pro-democracy readers of your column that they fund a large, paid advertising campaign, selling Americans on America.
And it should not be for just one election cycle, but ongoing for years.
To stop Fox by government fiat would surely tread on the First Amendment. And even if Dominion Voting Systems wins its $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox, the propaganda monster will continue lurching on like the undead as it uses one legal step after another to avoid paying any settlement.
Once Americans believed in the “American dream.” It’s time to re-inspire that dream.
Indicting Trump & sending him to prison may not unify the country, but it would send an important message, which is this: anyone can lie and engage
in deception-it’s easy to do. But you do it at your peril. Sort of like, don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
In addition, Trump is still personally driving a lot of the lies and deceptions engaged in by republicans and by his cabal of unhinged freeloaders like Bannon, Roger Stone & Carter Page. Trump going to prison might even subdue the non-stop marathon of lies & innuendo from republicans like Cruz, Hawley, MTG, Jim Jordan, Marsha Blackburn, Rick Scott, Louisiana Senator Kennedy and the Crown Prince of perfidy, Ron DeSantis...none of whom care about anyone but themselves.
Fox news should’ve been taken off the air for lying non-stop about Covid, resulting in hundreds, if not thousands of unnecessary deaths. If America is destroyed, it will be because too many people failed for too long to stand against people who have no moral compass.
As we progress, I think it will become more and more clear what a debt of gratitude we owe Dominion for pursuing its suit against FOX for defamation. Without it, the emails that are clear proof that FOX and its major hosts deliberately pushed dangerous lies that they knew to be lies would not have come to light.
My hope is that when Dominion wins this suit, as it must if there is any justice, one thing they will have to do is remove the word NEWS from the name of their network. It would be even better if they had to use the word PROPAGANDA in their title, and on every chiron, but that is probably too much to hope for.
I do so appreciate your usual optimism. It appears to be missing, in this missive. Having no foresight regarding future indictments, we need to get over our inured tolerance of political lies, and continue to numerate them. As we tally Drumpf's, let's count MGT, LB, ad nauseum. Call them out! Thanks.
My optimism even in this case is based on the belief if you look squarely at the culture of lying and those bent on exploiting lies, most people will want better and eventually won’t accept it. If we don’t point it out, people will become more and more normalized toward this rejection of truth.
John you miss read me. I would only speak the truth when I tell deniers what their lives would be like under a government like Russia’s and Hungary’s. I want them to face the negative consequences, if not fear, of life under such governments
How about the Russian hoax or the Laptop from hell. Better yet the 50 experts. Top that one, how about the vaccine ;). Oh. And Reagan, debt to GDP was only 41% when he left office and the gap between revenue and expenses was less than 3% but GDP approached 4% meaning the ratio was coming down. Oh, that was you. Liars all no?
Sadly, everyone lies. Parents lie about Santa and the tooth fairy. As a little girl, I lied. If I did something wrong, I said my imaginary friend , "Gummy" did it. Many make false claims that God has spoken to them, literally, and they then proceed to tell some crazy story.
As Abe Lincoln said -you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I believe the latter includes those of us who join in these discussions.
All presidents have lied. Founding Fathers called for equality but owned slaves. JFK owes political success to his father's enhancement of the PT boat incident which would not have happened as Jack was considered a poor boat commander. LBJ lied about the Gulf of Tonkin which led to our full fight in Viet Nam. Nixon "I am not a crook" lied about Watergate. Reagan about the Iran Contra affair. Ike about the U2 spy plane. Clinton about his sexual interludes. Truman A bomb of Hiroshima saying it was a military base. FDR promised never to send the boys to fight in Europe. Biden has a thing about driving/riding in trucks and falsely claimed arrest in a civil rights protest. Even Abe pushed colonization in Africa of freed slaves . There is no need to even mention the other guy. He tells so many, one expects he is lying, shakes one head, and moves on. Sometimes if it weren't so serious, it seems comical. Junior with his shaking arms is a given. I do get upset at Keri Lake episodes. Like trump, her spiel is a broken record, same victim story over and over. VP in mind???
Carlson et al not alone. Brian Wilson of NBC claimed he was in a shot down helicopter in Iraq.
The question is why do people believe this stuff? What advantage to them? Often it just is proof to them that what they already believe is so. And to deny it would prove them wrong.
There is a lot of talk now of AI-artificial intelligence. Students using it to write term papers. What will it mean when it reaches out to those in government who wish to enhance their popularity and bank accounts? AI can be truth and lies, both. trump won't even know what it means, but DeSantis will.
After reading this I am of the opinion, we will never be able to turn the tide with the election deniers. They swallowed the lies hook, line and sinker and will drown and go down with the ship. And Trump, Lake et al. Do not care about them at all - they use them for their votes and rabid support. They will not suffer at all and probably laugh as they are found guilty of their January 6th activities in their name. Ugh ugh ugh. I’m sorry I am just feeling so evasive today about the red states and the awful GOP...
All the more reason to look in a mirror and say, “I will do everything in my power, as limited as it may be, to speak the truth at any and every opportunity”. There is too much at stake to allow ourselves to think anything but positive about our country’s future.
Perhaps I missed something--are you saying all or some part of the Arizona deniers came to understand the truth? They were buying autographed books, but were their minds changed? Thanks for your answer.
I needed this post today as my brain has been on the verge of exploding all week. From when I was very young, my Dad, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge in WW II, 1 of the greatest generation who rarely talked about his service in WW II. He was humble and as he said, there was no question that he would take a hiatus from college and enlist. He had to help his generation make the world sage for Democracy. And you have included the quote that my Dad would tell me when he did talk about the war.], the statement from Third Reich propagandist Joseph Goebbels: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
As you note, we’ve seen the truth of that on a shocking scale in America since Trump lost the 2020 election and tens of millions of Americans—fueled by their hero’s anger, marinating in feelings of grievance, priding themselves on their skepticism of what is knowable—have refused to believe that Joe Biden was legitimately elected president.
45 and the woman who lost in AZ (I can't use their names because I get headaches and I get filled with rage ) are destroying our Democracy with their lies, their election denialism, their constant actions to bring the cult along with them and destroy faith in America's election system. Then, of course, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention that state tv (you know the channel) is not a news channel. It is a propaganda machine, established to perpetuate the lies of 45 and the AZ loser woman and to spread election denialism. Yes, state tv is also trying to destroy our Democracy.
How do we undo the damage that the liars have done, for the purpose of stealing their elections and maintaining their hold on power? I go back to the Goebbels quote that my Dad often mentioned to me. It seems that so many have already assumed those lies to be the truth because they have herd those lies so often. Let's follow the instructions and guidance that witnesses are given in court, to paraphrase: tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The truth will set us free. The truth will restore our Democracy. Telling the truth is the correct thing to do; and we must do it. And, in the words of Hillel: if not now, when. Let it be NOW. Happy weekend, everyone.
The psychology of naked
deception coupled with a lack of shame is deeply troubling. When repeated in the closed circuits of conspiratorial media, lies develop the patina of truth. They become revered as dogma and all reasonable discourse is rendered impossible. The solution in psychotherapy is systematic deprogramming, but extending those principles to the culture at large feels Sisyphean. I don’t know what the antidote is for this strangling political climate.
This question of deprogramming is a big one. I think it includes criminal accountability for the leaders, particularly the top inciter, to break the narrative of their way as the right way. But that's only a part of it as these polarities intensify.
I agree. My hope is that as accountability through the courts becomes highly visible, some of the cultish fervor will extinguish.
I agree Steven, there has to be some measure of accountability...a reckoning of sorts, so everyone is more or less on the same page and we can all move forward together. I don’t think we can achieve that
politically, but we might be able to achieve it factually.
However, I can’t envision it happening without DOJ first prosecuting Trump and the republicans in Congress who assisted him in the planning, preparation and participation in the insurrection. If they’re not prosecuted they’ll never stop lying and manipulating because there’s no incentive to stop.
Thank you, as always, Steven for your your outstanding writing. I think you identified the crux of the issue with your phrase: ' the difference between what you want to hear and what is actually the case.' It is remarkable that a mindset of denialism could prevail, to the extent it does today. I suspect that a great deal of insecurity exists in the minds of individuals who hold on so tenaciously to incorrect information.
I also contend that a base level of gullibility in reality deniers, is underscored by suppressed anger and frustration in a pattern of dissimulation. The disenfranchised are only too willing to latch onto a scapegoat for their grievances. Trump is a vociferous conspiracy theorist. and fanned the flames of doubt and discontent among his followers. He played his own personal victim card as well, providing common ground for the aggrieved to relate to him. Anger surged and conspiracy theories manifested with dangerous consequences, such as the January 6th Insurrection at America's Capitol. Truth is a connection to reality, and being capable of self-analysis and introspection is key. Seeking 'alternative facts' is a way to avoid difficult or uncomfortable issues. Truth is not always easy or kind, but it should be the guiding light of our existence. I hope we get there.
Time WILL tell but Willie Shakespeare says: " truth will out". Hope he's right!!! Democracy is depending on it.
We’ve got to “speak” this race to the truth like the Tortoise ran the race against the Hare, slowly but consistently and steadily. We must constantly show our gullible populace what lies ahead for a country that believes a big lie. We must never lose the motivation to shed light on the truth whenever and wherever possible.
As long as we subscribe to the notion that the ends justify the means, truth will remain a casualty. Great post Steve!
Thank you, John.
What if the ends led to a stronger Democracy? Why can’t we use fear, in a positive direction, to open denier’s eyes to the freedoms they will lose if they let autocracy get a foot hold? Why not combine that with guilt to show what their children and grandchildren will loose when our our Democracy disappears?
I’ve believed all along that most of Trump’s supporters don’t have any idea what an authoritarian
government would be like. That’s why I’ve made a habit of calling it a fascism, but I don’t think they truly understand what fascism is either.
I’ve decided the only way most Magas will get it is to make a movie that illustrates what we will lose if fascism/ authoritarianism prevails. There are plenty of old WWII movies that more or less illustrate fascism, but I doubt those old films would resonate with people now.
Another thing I’ve realized is most of the domestic terrorism we’ve experienced since Trump came on the political scene is being perpetrated by White Supremacists. White supremacists have heavily infiltrated our military, including the National Guard. They may call themselves “Proud Boys” or other names, but the bottom line is they are racists and
are also dead set on terrorizing women, subjecting us to being treated as less than human along with people of color.
Foxnews celebrates white nationalism without specifically referring to it. It’s one more important reason why our DOJ must indict the politicians who
are aligned with these domestic terrorists and bring
it out into our national discourse. The longer it takes
for DOJ to do something, the more entrenched the
fascist mentality will be.
I fully agree with your conclusions. A documentary should be made to show ALL Americans what is currently happening in Russia and the other authoritarian governments, to bring this message home as dramatically and as truthfully as possible. We need someone like Spielberg to get this started. Remember Jews are just as much a target as ANY minority.
Spielberg could definitely tell the story and make it compelling. So could Rob Reiner. Stephen King could write the script.
I would argue that some of the non-negotiable fundamental building blocks of democracy are truth and integrity of government officials. So although lying, deception, going against your own stated principles might work in the short run to achieve a noble goal, in the long term, thry would work against a functional democracy and weaken it when the truth comes out (and it will). This does not mean absolute transparency since sometimes it is important to keep some facts and actions temporarily secret. But we’ve gone way beyond that now and it is both shameful and harmful to our democracy.
The only answer is to prove election deniers are a distinct minority of voters nationwide by popular vote as well as by electoral college votes. So 24 must be the pinnacle of truth-telling politically as well as raw “turnout.” That will be the obligation of every election believer! I believe everyone reading Steve’s column knows full well that democracy is at stake then! So please accept your responsibility to systematically encourage the registration to vote of seniors in high school, community colleges and four Year institutions. I am engaged with brilliant young minds at Harvard to do this in 2,000 high schools in competitive congressional districts strictly on a nonpartisan basis. If you are interested in helping please let me know at IraLechner@yahoo.com. Youth will save us!
Very sobering !
Indictment of Trump will not help unify the country. Nor would his likely and much deserved conviction. Instead, it will deepen the divides that separate Americans to the point of killing our republic.
While speaking of slavery, Lincoln had it right. In 1858, in his famous “House Divided” speech, the future President said, “I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
“It will become all one thing or all the other.”
Our democracy – supposedly a unified republic of multiple racial, religious, ethnic, and other differences -- now needs to be re-sold to its own citizens who have been brainwashed by Fox and its ilk.
Let me suggest to wealthy, pro-democracy readers of your column that they fund a large, paid advertising campaign, selling Americans on America.
And it should not be for just one election cycle, but ongoing for years.
To stop Fox by government fiat would surely tread on the First Amendment. And even if Dominion Voting Systems wins its $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox, the propaganda monster will continue lurching on like the undead as it uses one legal step after another to avoid paying any settlement.
Once Americans believed in the “American dream.” It’s time to re-inspire that dream.
Indicting Trump & sending him to prison may not unify the country, but it would send an important message, which is this: anyone can lie and engage
in deception-it’s easy to do. But you do it at your peril. Sort of like, don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
In addition, Trump is still personally driving a lot of the lies and deceptions engaged in by republicans and by his cabal of unhinged freeloaders like Bannon, Roger Stone & Carter Page. Trump going to prison might even subdue the non-stop marathon of lies & innuendo from republicans like Cruz, Hawley, MTG, Jim Jordan, Marsha Blackburn, Rick Scott, Louisiana Senator Kennedy and the Crown Prince of perfidy, Ron DeSantis...none of whom care about anyone but themselves.
Fox news should’ve been taken off the air for lying non-stop about Covid, resulting in hundreds, if not thousands of unnecessary deaths. If America is destroyed, it will be because too many people failed for too long to stand against people who have no moral compass.
As we progress, I think it will become more and more clear what a debt of gratitude we owe Dominion for pursuing its suit against FOX for defamation. Without it, the emails that are clear proof that FOX and its major hosts deliberately pushed dangerous lies that they knew to be lies would not have come to light.
My hope is that when Dominion wins this suit, as it must if there is any justice, one thing they will have to do is remove the word NEWS from the name of their network. It would be even better if they had to use the word PROPAGANDA in their title, and on every chiron, but that is probably too much to hope for.
I do so appreciate your usual optimism. It appears to be missing, in this missive. Having no foresight regarding future indictments, we need to get over our inured tolerance of political lies, and continue to numerate them. As we tally Drumpf's, let's count MGT, LB, ad nauseum. Call them out! Thanks.
My optimism even in this case is based on the belief if you look squarely at the culture of lying and those bent on exploiting lies, most people will want better and eventually won’t accept it. If we don’t point it out, people will become more and more normalized toward this rejection of truth.
John you miss read me. I would only speak the truth when I tell deniers what their lives would be like under a government like Russia’s and Hungary’s. I want them to face the negative consequences, if not fear, of life under such governments
How about the Russian hoax or the Laptop from hell. Better yet the 50 experts. Top that one, how about the vaccine ;). Oh. And Reagan, debt to GDP was only 41% when he left office and the gap between revenue and expenses was less than 3% but GDP approached 4% meaning the ratio was coming down. Oh, that was you. Liars all no?
Sadly, everyone lies. Parents lie about Santa and the tooth fairy. As a little girl, I lied. If I did something wrong, I said my imaginary friend , "Gummy" did it. Many make false claims that God has spoken to them, literally, and they then proceed to tell some crazy story.
As Abe Lincoln said -you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I believe the latter includes those of us who join in these discussions.
All presidents have lied. Founding Fathers called for equality but owned slaves. JFK owes political success to his father's enhancement of the PT boat incident which would not have happened as Jack was considered a poor boat commander. LBJ lied about the Gulf of Tonkin which led to our full fight in Viet Nam. Nixon "I am not a crook" lied about Watergate. Reagan about the Iran Contra affair. Ike about the U2 spy plane. Clinton about his sexual interludes. Truman A bomb of Hiroshima saying it was a military base. FDR promised never to send the boys to fight in Europe. Biden has a thing about driving/riding in trucks and falsely claimed arrest in a civil rights protest. Even Abe pushed colonization in Africa of freed slaves . There is no need to even mention the other guy. He tells so many, one expects he is lying, shakes one head, and moves on. Sometimes if it weren't so serious, it seems comical. Junior with his shaking arms is a given. I do get upset at Keri Lake episodes. Like trump, her spiel is a broken record, same victim story over and over. VP in mind???
Carlson et al not alone. Brian Wilson of NBC claimed he was in a shot down helicopter in Iraq.
The question is why do people believe this stuff? What advantage to them? Often it just is proof to them that what they already believe is so. And to deny it would prove them wrong.
There is a lot of talk now of AI-artificial intelligence. Students using it to write term papers. What will it mean when it reaches out to those in government who wish to enhance their popularity and bank accounts? AI can be truth and lies, both. trump won't even know what it means, but DeSantis will.
Warning: Beware.
After reading this I am of the opinion, we will never be able to turn the tide with the election deniers. They swallowed the lies hook, line and sinker and will drown and go down with the ship. And Trump, Lake et al. Do not care about them at all - they use them for their votes and rabid support. They will not suffer at all and probably laugh as they are found guilty of their January 6th activities in their name. Ugh ugh ugh. I’m sorry I am just feeling so evasive today about the red states and the awful GOP...
All the more reason to look in a mirror and say, “I will do everything in my power, as limited as it may be, to speak the truth at any and every opportunity”. There is too much at stake to allow ourselves to think anything but positive about our country’s future.
Perhaps I missed something--are you saying all or some part of the Arizona deniers came to understand the truth? They were buying autographed books, but were their minds changed? Thanks for your answer.
I don’t think minds were changed. Quite the contrary. But at least they were civil in the end.
Thank you so much for your response! I always marvel that you would take your valuable time to answer! Distressed though by your answer!
Wow! Then why buy the books? I just keep wondering why and how our views are so mismatched!!!