And then there are the statements that allegedly proclaim the TRUTH, but are, in fact, hoaxes so people don't know what to believe or who, for that matter. It's like decades' long episode of The Traitors.
Roberta, from day 1 of Trump's appearance on the campaign trail, now over 10 years ago, whatever he "said," I took for the opposite. Whatever he lobbed at someone else, I knew he must be guilty of the same thing. Being raised by a mother with narcissistic personality disorder was helpful, after all! (Head slap emoji here!)
I always LEARN something and I'm always left with something to really ponder about after I read your newsletters, Jack.
**I've had to drop any and all of the conspiracy theorists that I know because I never know where their thoughts are originating from, as they seem to change with their moods, and I worry that sooner than later I, too, will become one of their targets. They are constantly shrouded in fear.
That's not how I am. It doesn't work.
But SO many People ARE really getting played these days. Sad.
The minute I hear “witch hunt,” “hoax,” “weaponisation” or “deep state” my very first instinct is to dig deeper to learn even more about what they are attempting to discredit. The energy they are using in attempting to discredit indicates to me that there really is something there there!
You take things that many of us instinctively and/or intuitively understand and give us the how and why of the underlying structure in addition to ways to spot it right away. Invaluable information. I love being able to add new tools to my arsenal. It’s always good to have solid analysis to point to with specifics to back up the position.
accuse your accuser of doing what you are doing principle
While the "accusation in a mirror" tactic is commonly misattributed to figures like Joseph Goebbels or Karl Marx, the phrase is more accurately described as a general, historical technique of psychological and political warfare.
Fascinating piece, Jack. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped asking questions when any of those words were used. They always sounded designed to make you do just that and I do have a stubborn streak.
When Trump or any of his minions starts with “Witch Hunt” “Hoax” or “Weaponization” I know they’re hiding something they don’t want us to see. They’re afraid of something being seen.. so let’s look for it.
“Deep State” is the one that really gets under my skin because I had some former friends try to use it on me during the Obama era. I admit, I almost bought into it… ALMOST! Those people still support Trump and are no longer in my life.
Thank you for this, Jack. Will restack as usual and share with friends.
Fantastic article on semantics and how language is used, Jack. I particularly appreciate the specific frame of reference for each term. But honestly, honey, at least in my corner of the universe, “conspiracy theory” is not 3 syllables. Try maybe 6? Sorry, such a well-considered piece, but that irritated me right from the start
Jack, your "citizen with a library card and a stubborn streak," describes me perfectly. So perfectly, in fact, that it reminds me of my Substack profile picture, which says, "That's what I do, I read books, I drink coffee, I know things!" A pug is drinking the coffee - that's coffee drinking pug meme is my real-life retirement "BFF", my pug, Peppermint Patty! Peppermint Patty is my favorite Peanuts character (after Snoopy, of course). Why? Peppermint Patty is a bit impertinent, fiercely loyal, a bit salty, and ferociously stubborn in her pursuit of Charlie Brown........my kind of gal who knows the difference between the "good" guys and the guys you didn't bring home!
Peppermint Patty is action-oriented, direct, energetic, and most importantly, resilient! Developed by Charles Schultz in the 1960's, Patty was Schultz's conscious effort to reflect the social changes of my adolescence and young adulthood. She helped defy gender norms and is forthright... moving INTO life rather than going AROUND it! :) She leans into curiosity and isn't frightened off by fools or wanna-be mob bosses who throw around "conspiracy theory" like they're trying to make up for a lack of critical thinking skills.
P.S. Great article - I always knew the Warren Commission was BS, even when it first came out, and I was in high school. It always amazed me then, as it still does, that people far too often WANT to be naive........shields them from accountability, I believe.
Recently, I've been curious to learn more about Roy Cohn and his impact on Yrump. The human development teacher side of me is always curious about how we humans are socialized to the world.
Earlier today, I was reviewing the article, "The Six Dark Lessons Roy Cohn Taught Trump (That He Still Uses Today), based upon Hartmann's book 'The Last American President.' In lesson #5, fear is used as both a shield and a sword, rendering people easier to manipulate and more willing to accept authoritarian solutions. Cohn paved the way for Trump by showing him how to weaponize and stoke fears (of Muslims, immigrants, crime, the deep state & other conspiracy threats) while positioning himself to be the "savior" (like Jesus??? LOL). Weaponization of people, places, things and/or events seem to be the only solution to the terrors that swirl in Trump's world of chaos. And, Jack, you point out a powerful component of gaslighting - labels aren't "applied to bad reasoning. [They are] applied to threatening reasoning." I read that more than twice!
The statement you made about "smears" really hit home with me when you wrote, "And smears are thrown by people who can't afford the truth!" If only I had "owned" that nugget of wisdom when I was in my late teens until my mid-30s. Owning that little nugget is transformational.
I'm going to end this long-winded comment by letting you know I finally felt validated when I read that "calling someone a Warren Commission critic was social suicide." I would argue the point to near exhaustion from 1967 until the movie "JFK" was released. Yes, I know it was "Hollywood juiced for dramatic flair," but you know, after the movie's release, rational conversations started to bubble up about the more PLAUSIBLE truth to JFK's assassination. The Warren Commission lost its "voice of authenticity."
I think my family and friends were happy for me - they knew I was willing to die on the "grassy knoll" of the multiple shooters theory - but now I no longer had to wear that tinfoil hat! My late husband was never a believer in the Warren Commission - he saw too much at his level of law enforcement to believe in the single shooter.......and his Captain started his career in law enforcement with the Dallas PD in 1960. Captain Tom was on duty the day of the assassination, and he was not a tinfoil hat kinda of guy. He was a guy who knew what he saw and heard what he heard. Captain Tom, after the Warren Commission was published, couldn’t stay in the Dallas PD…..he knew too much, but never shared what he knew. He continued his law enforcement career in another city in another state.
This article really validates my quest for the "so what" and the "what's next" perspective of people, places, and things. I was born in Missouri, the Show Me State. Guess that's why I'm so nosey.......LOL
EXCELLENT “The only thing that beats it… is somebody who won’t get tired. Be that somebody.” Jack, this IS the best, I think YOU’RE that somebody. What a great report, essay, lesson whatever called this was a great job! Do you think that deception will lose its power, now that ppl figured it out with trumps usual predictable routine?
Again, before reading on, actually coming back, Ozwald’s shot could not have killed JFK because if the logistics from the position in the book building and the X on the pavement for the angle and placement of the car in which the Kennedys were passengers. The grassy knoll needs further investigation. Probably still more investigation is needed. I visited the scene, was in the places involved in what we were told and shown on television, and realize that we were not told the truth.
I did see Jack Ruby shoot Ozwald on the televised film. The film was shown repeatedly that day.
Reading more of your message tonight is challenging because the light gray letters are so hard to see. The bold font works fine for me. I think I could read it all easily if all of the lettering was black. The pale color is too hard to distinguish more tonight. I’m sorry.
And then there are the statements that allegedly proclaim the TRUTH, but are, in fact, hoaxes so people don't know what to believe or who, for that matter. It's like decades' long episode of The Traitors.
Truth...Roberta.
-Jack
Roberta, from day 1 of Trump's appearance on the campaign trail, now over 10 years ago, whatever he "said," I took for the opposite. Whatever he lobbed at someone else, I knew he must be guilty of the same thing. Being raised by a mother with narcissistic personality disorder was helpful, after all! (Head slap emoji here!)
They knew they'd outlast the questioners....
they knew the memory would fade.
I always LEARN something and I'm always left with something to really ponder about after I read your newsletters, Jack.
**I've had to drop any and all of the conspiracy theorists that I know because I never know where their thoughts are originating from, as they seem to change with their moods, and I worry that sooner than later I, too, will become one of their targets. They are constantly shrouded in fear.
That's not how I am. It doesn't work.
But SO many People ARE really getting played these days. Sad.
Only the strongest will survive.
I come here EVERY SINGLE DAY for more strength.
#HoldFast
The minute I hear “witch hunt,” “hoax,” “weaponisation” or “deep state” my very first instinct is to dig deeper to learn even more about what they are attempting to discredit. The energy they are using in attempting to discredit indicates to me that there really is something there there!
Exactly. Those terms are what he uses to stop people from examining the truth.
Like waving a red flag at a bull or the child who is always way too eager to "tattle." LOL
"citizen with a library card and a stubborn streak".....love it!
Jack, I love this!
You take things that many of us instinctively and/or intuitively understand and give us the how and why of the underlying structure in addition to ways to spot it right away. Invaluable information. I love being able to add new tools to my arsenal. It’s always good to have solid analysis to point to with specifics to back up the position.
Thank you for this and your work. 👍
search on:
accuse your accuser of doing what you are doing principle
While the "accusation in a mirror" tactic is commonly misattributed to figures like Joseph Goebbels or Karl Marx, the phrase is more accurately described as a general, historical technique of psychological and political warfare.
It is the Trump mob's stock in trade.
Then calls anyone who calls him out a low IQ person. His IQ is fast approaching single digits.
Fascinating piece, Jack. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped asking questions when any of those words were used. They always sounded designed to make you do just that and I do have a stubborn streak.
When Trump or any of his minions starts with “Witch Hunt” “Hoax” or “Weaponization” I know they’re hiding something they don’t want us to see. They’re afraid of something being seen.. so let’s look for it.
“Deep State” is the one that really gets under my skin because I had some former friends try to use it on me during the Obama era. I admit, I almost bought into it… ALMOST! Those people still support Trump and are no longer in my life.
Thank you for this, Jack. Will restack as usual and share with friends.
#Holdfast
~Susan
Fantastic article on semantics and how language is used, Jack. I particularly appreciate the specific frame of reference for each term. But honestly, honey, at least in my corner of the universe, “conspiracy theory” is not 3 syllables. Try maybe 6? Sorry, such a well-considered piece, but that irritated me right from the start
The term has seven syllables.
Con spir a cy the or y. Or even if you use an open syllable with o and put the r with the y, it is seven syllables. Count the vowel sounds.
Jack, your "citizen with a library card and a stubborn streak," describes me perfectly. So perfectly, in fact, that it reminds me of my Substack profile picture, which says, "That's what I do, I read books, I drink coffee, I know things!" A pug is drinking the coffee - that's coffee drinking pug meme is my real-life retirement "BFF", my pug, Peppermint Patty! Peppermint Patty is my favorite Peanuts character (after Snoopy, of course). Why? Peppermint Patty is a bit impertinent, fiercely loyal, a bit salty, and ferociously stubborn in her pursuit of Charlie Brown........my kind of gal who knows the difference between the "good" guys and the guys you didn't bring home!
Peppermint Patty is action-oriented, direct, energetic, and most importantly, resilient! Developed by Charles Schultz in the 1960's, Patty was Schultz's conscious effort to reflect the social changes of my adolescence and young adulthood. She helped defy gender norms and is forthright... moving INTO life rather than going AROUND it! :) She leans into curiosity and isn't frightened off by fools or wanna-be mob bosses who throw around "conspiracy theory" like they're trying to make up for a lack of critical thinking skills.
P.S. Great article - I always knew the Warren Commission was BS, even when it first came out, and I was in high school. It always amazed me then, as it still does, that people far too often WANT to be naive........shields them from accountability, I believe.
Recently, I've been curious to learn more about Roy Cohn and his impact on Yrump. The human development teacher side of me is always curious about how we humans are socialized to the world.
Earlier today, I was reviewing the article, "The Six Dark Lessons Roy Cohn Taught Trump (That He Still Uses Today), based upon Hartmann's book 'The Last American President.' In lesson #5, fear is used as both a shield and a sword, rendering people easier to manipulate and more willing to accept authoritarian solutions. Cohn paved the way for Trump by showing him how to weaponize and stoke fears (of Muslims, immigrants, crime, the deep state & other conspiracy threats) while positioning himself to be the "savior" (like Jesus??? LOL). Weaponization of people, places, things and/or events seem to be the only solution to the terrors that swirl in Trump's world of chaos. And, Jack, you point out a powerful component of gaslighting - labels aren't "applied to bad reasoning. [They are] applied to threatening reasoning." I read that more than twice!
The statement you made about "smears" really hit home with me when you wrote, "And smears are thrown by people who can't afford the truth!" If only I had "owned" that nugget of wisdom when I was in my late teens until my mid-30s. Owning that little nugget is transformational.
I'm going to end this long-winded comment by letting you know I finally felt validated when I read that "calling someone a Warren Commission critic was social suicide." I would argue the point to near exhaustion from 1967 until the movie "JFK" was released. Yes, I know it was "Hollywood juiced for dramatic flair," but you know, after the movie's release, rational conversations started to bubble up about the more PLAUSIBLE truth to JFK's assassination. The Warren Commission lost its "voice of authenticity."
I think my family and friends were happy for me - they knew I was willing to die on the "grassy knoll" of the multiple shooters theory - but now I no longer had to wear that tinfoil hat! My late husband was never a believer in the Warren Commission - he saw too much at his level of law enforcement to believe in the single shooter.......and his Captain started his career in law enforcement with the Dallas PD in 1960. Captain Tom was on duty the day of the assassination, and he was not a tinfoil hat kinda of guy. He was a guy who knew what he saw and heard what he heard. Captain Tom, after the Warren Commission was published, couldn’t stay in the Dallas PD…..he knew too much, but never shared what he knew. He continued his law enforcement career in another city in another state.
This article really validates my quest for the "so what" and the "what's next" perspective of people, places, and things. I was born in Missouri, the Show Me State. Guess that's why I'm so nosey.......LOL
Thank you.
EXCELLENT “The only thing that beats it… is somebody who won’t get tired. Be that somebody.” Jack, this IS the best, I think YOU’RE that somebody. What a great report, essay, lesson whatever called this was a great job! Do you think that deception will lose its power, now that ppl figured it out with trumps usual predictable routine?
Again, before reading on, actually coming back, Ozwald’s shot could not have killed JFK because if the logistics from the position in the book building and the X on the pavement for the angle and placement of the car in which the Kennedys were passengers. The grassy knoll needs further investigation. Probably still more investigation is needed. I visited the scene, was in the places involved in what we were told and shown on television, and realize that we were not told the truth.
I did see Jack Ruby shoot Ozwald on the televised film. The film was shown repeatedly that day.
Reading more of your message tonight is challenging because the light gray letters are so hard to see. The bold font works fine for me. I think I could read it all easily if all of the lettering was black. The pale color is too hard to distinguish more tonight. I’m sorry.
Thanks for the info and clear explanations of all the different ways to deny something.
And what happened to Philip Bump. Pretty brilliant and definitely humorous. I looked forward to reading him.
Where did I drop THAT ball?
I am learning SO much from you.
It all comes under the "Truth on it's Head" title. They hollow out the language, then hollow out the government.
#HoldFast