10 Comments
User's avatar
Debs Girl💙🌊's avatar

Every base I was on in the early 80’s had Fox News on. I think that is a huge influence.

Expand full comment
Jack Hopkins's avatar

Same. At the time, I was barely conscious of it...it was just always there...in the background. That can have a powerful shaping impact.

Expand full comment
Greg Albrecht's avatar

Wow. While I was finishing reading a brilliant essay by Chris Hedges, for the second time this one popped up. Thanks. It took me back to the 70's when I was traveling from Albuquerque to visit family, especially grandma in Midland TX. Near the border, I started picking up this AM radio station from a place called Muleshoe, TX where a guy was trying to recruit people to move there. His spiel was that, "we don't have any hippies and liberal teachers. Just plain folks." I heard this kind of stuff all over the midwest as I traveled for work. And knew something was wrong then. You've explained a lot.

Expand full comment
Patricia Speier's avatar

Thank you, Jack! I’m sorry to hear about your brain injury. You are one heck of a resilient guy🤩thanks for this cogent explanation of what is going on. I appreciate your good work.

Expand full comment
Jo Burns's avatar

Thanks for the pertinent information. We had a saying growing up, "elbows and assholes." It fits this description. You certainly were thorough, but it makes me leery of our military. My dad and brother were both marines. Neither would have a thing to do with disrespectors of our constitution or flag. They had firm convictions. My dad would never watch Fox when it became available in the 1980s. It stemmed from his dislike of Reagan and his destruction of the country and the start of the decline in following the constitution. I am ever thankful for this growing up, because deep red Indiana. Once it leaned more blue and purple, not anymore, but dad never waivered until he died.

I am thankful you fought the machine and was able to get the cate you needed for your traumatic brain injury. I appreciate all you do.

Expand full comment
Joan's avatar

Great explanation but unfortunately not many solutions. Makes me afraid and unsure of our military. They have all the power and most of the ammunition. Liberal states might be sitting ducks. Can't wait for that military parade Trump has planned for his birthday...he will be so puffed up and proud of himself, not the men and women marching for his ego.

Expand full comment
Roberta's avatar

Jack, you hit a lot of home runs with this. Fortunately, the veteran I am married to feels the same way you do. He and I grew up in Republican homes, but we figured things out eventually. Now, he will be wearing his "I am not a sucker or a loser" t-shirt on Saturday while I wear my "Battle for the Soul of a Nation" one at a protest here in New Hampshire. Stay strong, friends! We cannot CANNOT let this madman and his cult destroy what you all served to protect and defend.

Expand full comment
Eileen Lindburg's avatar

Maybe your best post ever. Thx.

Expand full comment
Mo Robinson's avatar

Thank you Jack. You made it all make sense!

Expand full comment
JMcKay's avatar

So Jack - when you resisted going to church when you were young- was that about the experience of church or because you are an atheist?

Expand full comment