Break the Cycle of Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories

We have a huge problem to solve as a country. We need to come together as a nation of US citizens for the good of our Nation and to maintain our Democracy. 

It’s not only Proud Boys, Neo Nazi’s and Militia. There have been angry group demonstration at State Government buildings with some attempts to break in. The potential is there for riots similar to what we just witnessed at the Capitol Building. 

Trump’s been banned from Twitter a little late. He’s already called his people to arms for the Inauguration. DC will be better prepared. However, do we really need to see riot gear, armed mobs fighting with Police and National Guard? Especially on a day where the whole world will be watching just to see what this once proud country has become?

The only solution I see is to somehow break the barrier of misinformation stoked by Trump and radical or far right conservative media outlets. 

You all have friends and neighbors who absolutely, 100% agree that anything reported on Network or Cable news is fake. They’ve been told that over and over again and repetition has sunk into their brain like the times tables many of us had to memorize as children. 

People from all walks of life and all levels of education are true believers in QAnon, like the Airforce Vet who was killed while storming the Capital. Her Twitter feed declared her intentions to support a Coup. 

Members of the Press can’t wear their logos identifying them as such and must take security with them when they cover events. They’re heckled and their equipment’s been destroyed by those who don’t want them to report their “fake news.” 

I don’t know how to get to these disillusioned individuals, but maybe, just maybe, we can break through to them. Right now, people are feeling a little more vulnerable since the violent mob desecrated the People’s House and could have killed our elected officials. They already set up nooses outside for public hangings. Maybe some of few followers are a little awakened to who they’ve been listening to and finally question his beliefs. 

We have to continue dialog with those lost in conspiracy theories and misinformation. Somehow, if we stop just talking only amongst those that agree with us, maybe enough of us can get a few of them to understand who the Groups are behind all of their misinformation. Maybe we even change the channel sometime and listen to what they’re hearing or reading. 

Social Media has to be more vigilant. The accounts of those circulating these violent messages and hashtags stating their intentions for violence to take over the government should be suspended. 

At a minimum, any extremists on the right or left who are advertising their intentions to cause harm should be reported to Authorities. 

Right now it’s up to us. We as US Citizens must try our best to dialog with other US Citizens, regardless of any political affiliation and try to speak truth to them. 

It’s not a time for funny memes, name calling or dismissing those we don’t agree with. You just might break through to 1 person. If enough people break through to 1 person, maybe things will start to get better. 

On the other hand, maybe you’ll just out someone who’s truly racist and has gone down that rabbit hole of idolizing Trump and believing conspiracy theories, so they don’t have to admit to themselves what’s driving them.

https://www.alternet.org/2020/10/here-are-5-far-right-extremist-groups-or-movements-that-pose-a-national-security-threat-in-the-us/tacit-endorsement-the-proud-boys-are-celebrating-trump-telling-them-to-stand-by

Riots Inside The People's House - A Day That Will Live In Infamy

I've been so upset for so long by the divisive and inflammatory rhetoric of our President and by his actions. It upsets me so that he has actually convinced so many people that any news not presented by him or alternative media is Fake. Actual facts no longer matter to so many people.

The underlying and often overt racism of so many, so afraid of change to their status quo is appalling.

Yesterday I hit a wall and am beyond upset but am now afraid. I'm afraid for our Democracy. I'm afraid of what could happen in the next 10 days and after that for the safety of our new President and Vice President. I'm afraid for people of color. I'm afraid that we won't be able to speak civilly to friends and neighbors who may think about things differently from ourselves.

I've tried to have open and honest dialogue with those I don't agree with on politics. If I state facts or look up information they've sent or provided facts regarding misinformation they've sent, I'm told I'm lecturing and shouldn't have to check their information for accuracy. I've been dismissed in discussions with others as citing fake news on everything from what the President said to my quoting National Geographic stating there's no proof that Covid 19 was manufactured in China.

As I get older I get weepy more easily. Today I spoke to 2 different Customer Service Agents from 2 different companies regarding different matters. I found myself tearing up as I started to say goodbye to the first. We ended up continuing the conversation.

This young black woman agreed with my concern She told me several friends texted her yesterday saying if that were a Black Lives Matter Protest (see photo below), the preparation and handling of the crowd would have been different. Like me, she was glued to the TV and stayed up until the early hours of the morning watching events unfold. She too turned on the TV again this morning to check to see if it was just a bad dream.

We talked through the events and gave each other a chance to vent our feelings a little to someone outside of our bubble of conversation. We agreed that yesterday was not a protest. It was a planned show of force by a mob of rioters intent on harm. They came in from around the county and were egged on by a 90 min in-person speech, not a tweet, by our President. They came prepared with their own helmets vests and riot gear and there was no show of force to protect the Capitol Building and the people discussing our democratic process inside. I finally said goodbye and told her to take care of herself and to be careful in the days to come.

I later had the good fortune to speak to a Supervisor in another company about an issue that has taken me weeks to try to resolve. Once again, I found myself starting to tear up and had trouble speaking at first. I apologized and told him that I've just been so upset by recent events and this unresolved issue didn't help my state of mind.

This African American man calmed me down and told me it was going to be OK, we were going to be OK. He helped resolve my issue and left me with these words "One thing I know for sure and one thing I know for certain, We are a Great Nation and We Shall Overcome".

May God or whomever you look to in time of need, protect us, and may he bless this Country.

https://mashable.com/article/capitol-police-trump-riot-black-lives-matter-protest/

Uproar over Pope France comments on Gay Civil Unions

I’ve received a flurry of emails from my more conservatives Catholic friends regarding Pope Francis’ comments in an interview about gay Civil Unions. The wailing and nashing of teeth by those trying to assure each other that this is NOT Catholic Doctrine! The Pope is NOT infallible. Gays are NOT  allowed to be married in our Church, the Pope is a little careless in his choice of words, etc. etc. 

I guess I made the mistake of responding to one validating that these were just comments the Pope made in an interview trying to open up discussion. I added the fact that when I was in Catholic school 100 years ago, we were taught that the Pope was infallible. I sent along a link to a history of the few times the Pope’s declaration have been deemed infallible.  My email either want clear that I agreed with the sender and my fact based links were not read so I got more responses of assurance sent to me.

Once again, I was forwarded an email sent to a congregation by a priest assuring his flock that “It ain’t true!” 

So, fool that I am, I responded with three following:

 This agrees with what we both said. The Pope’s comments are just that, comments. They’re not set in stone as Church doctrine. As mentioned, he is starting a discussion about inclusivity just by talking about gay Civil Unions. 

Interesting though that Fr. Gregg soothes folks about the opinions of one Pope, with those of another made in 1975! The footnotes are from Bishops Conferences, etc. in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. 

Surely the world has changed since then, and continues to change?  Surely discussion about concepts are allowed to take place without misinterpretation of fact or fear of change? Hopefully, we learn and grow with it along with our understanding of others unlike ourselves. What was once a very insular church has slowly continued to change, as it has throughout the centuries. Thank goodness we no longer send out armed soldiers on Crusades or hold Inquisitions to persecute Jews and Muslims, or in more recent times, the Irish persecuting and mistrusting Italian immigrants who came here after them, and not tolerating their Churches or Church traditions surrounding celebrating feasts of Saints.

I find it curious that so many people are already up in arms even about the concept of civil Unions of gays in 2020. In a time when it’s so important for us to at least try to understand all of our differences, folks want to retreat into their comfortable shells. 

No discussion, just send out a flurry of emails assuring each other it’s not true, not happening, not allowed, instead of “Why did Pope Frances make the comment? What was the context of the remark? Why would a gay person want to be married in a civil union? Could I ever accept that notion if the church did condone it? How do I feel about interracial marriage? How would I feel if a gay person, or gay couple, a Trans person, or a black family moved next door to me?” 

People were very upset after the Second Vatican Council under John XXIII. You were too young at the time to remember the full impact, but trying to drag people into the modern world was a life changing event and a lot of people came along kicking and screaming! 

Switching from a Latin Mass to English or in language was HUGE, along with turning the altars around so the priest faced the congregation, stopping the use of very ornate robes and trappings, bringing in non traditional music, guitars and so many other changes, physical and mental. 

Change is hard. Moving away from what is comforting and familiar is hard. Accepting new ideas is hard.

I hope to always be able to keep an open mind no matter how old or set in my ways I become.

Subject: Fr. Gregg's Response to Recent News about Pope Francis



Dear OLV Family, This week a documentary was released that contains quotes from Pope Francis that make it sound like he is promoting Same-Sex Civil Unions, which would be contrary to Official Church Teaching.     Whether this segment was edited intentionally to mislead people (see article here *) or whether he said them and meant them, a Pope's comments in an interview do NOT equal Official Church Teaching.  Just like a Pope's comments at a cocktail party do not equal Official Church Teaching.  So, no, the teachings of the Church have not changed at all. Because these confusing statements from the film have circulated around the world, Pope Francis should issue a statement of clarity for the sake of the faithful.  If he does not, it would be a grave sin of omission and negligent of his Office. To learn the Church's Official Teaching on this issue please read the short document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fatih, promulgated by St. John Paul II,   CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS (here). Here is a quote from paragraph 11, Conclusion: "The Church teaches that respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions."  Forgive the brevity of this response, I hope to address this topic more fully soon. In Christ, Fr. Gregg * the linked article does not mean that I support the author, website, or even all the statements from the article, it is simply one example to show that the Pope's statements came from a longer conversation and that YouTube has removed the original interview so that it cannot be viewed in United States.