On DU You See It Everywhere. Constantly.

[JFN1]

I was feeling brave (or stupid, hard to tell in the early A.M.) when I woke up, so I went for a stroll around FP, Red State, and a few other "conservative"/radical/fanatical blogs they link to, while I tried to drink my coffee. Normally, I'll pop in at one of these sites to laugh at a particularily funny item someone else found, and then I'm right back out of there. I can't breath the air in those places...

But this morning, I waded in deeper than I've ever been. I read dozens of diaries and threads and articles; well, "read" may be too strong a term...browsed is probably more appropriate, though I did actually read a few of them. Man, but that was painfull...my brain still hurts...I think...

Anyway, after about an hour and a half total spent amongst these various "conservative"/radical/fanatical sites, I was suddenly struck by the realization that the one thing I am so accustomed to seeing constantly, everywhere on DU (and other liberal sites), was conspicuously absent: Viable source links to verifiable facts.

Oh, there are links, but of the circular type, i.e., RS quotes "facts," giving a source link to a thread on FP, which linked to Michelle Malkin's site, who was quoting Ann Coulter, and so on. On RS, Eric (site founder I guess) is the most linked to source - and his stuff is mostly on RS!! Round and round and round and round and round...

It really makes me dizzy, trying to follow their "logic" - the readers and authors at these sites are apparently blind to every logical fallacy in the book, and their arguments are backed up either by NO facts, or twisted and convoulted "proofs" which USED to be facts...until their OP's got hold of them. And, the best part? They call it "truth." Truth! HA! I'd actually laugh, but it's really not so funny to me anymore...

I just do not understand how people who believe they are conservatives can consider themselves informed, when they work with so few facts. Talk about tinfoil hats! My God, all these people are doing, apparently, is playing a game of "follow the leader." Facts are optional, while lockstep belief is mandatory.

And the hate! Boiled down, all these sites offer is hatred - there is no hope offered, only dire consequences, and there is absolutely no joy - no joy at all!! - other than that which can be wrought at a "lesser" person's expense...and such celebrations, upon the backs of others, are far from genuinely joyfull. They are a people so miserably unhappy, it is simply astonishing they can function at all.

I have to be honest and admit that I toyed with the idea of staying home and not voting this November, as Obama has pissed me off with some of his non-progressive choices - but FUCK THAT. I'll be voting, and voting for Obama - count on it.

The "other side" - and this isn't hyperbole, I say this with all sincerity - is literally insane. To purposely believe as they do, to choose ignorance in favor of ego - is so unbeievably deranged, I am, well, completely flabbergasted.

They didn't board the crazy train - they picked it up and moved it off the fucking tracks completely...

[annabanana]

1. If they DID start offering legit links,

either they'd see instantly that they've been wrong all this time

OR

we would.

And THAT'S the reason you don't see them over there...

[banned from Kos]

2. their favorite "news" sources = World Net Daily, CNS, NewsMax, Beck's site.

But rarely Fox News - the regular news side. Fox News is a bit too factual for them.

[SalviaBlue]

3. Thank you for the insight...

I can't bring myself to venture into those swamps, so thanks for doing it for me.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. I don't quite understand how a padded cell can also be an echo chamber,

but even though that's acoustically impossible, those guys manage.

And yes, they are certifiably insane. Barking mad.

I have always maintained that the hard-right ideology, if you want to call it that, is fundamentally fear-based. And these idiots have taken all their fears - foreigners, people of color, "socialism," The End Of America, all that made-up shit that has them wetting themselves every time they turn on their AM radios - and turned them back on themselves. They are scaring themselves with the echos they made in their padded cells.

Poor, dumb fools. What a miserable way to live.

[Demonaut]

5. I agree, absolutely depressing and a circle jerk

my grandmother once said "misery loves company"

[renie408]

6. I have this experience a lot when talking to people. They make statements as if they are FACT...

but when you ask them to back it up, they become affronted. When I try, even gently, to tell them that I am less interested in their 'opinions' and more interested in what they can PROVE, the get really, really affronted.

And I have also noticed that the right has just completely gone batshit nuts in spectacular style.

[FarLeftFist]

7. I have never met an intelligent conservative.

[Muskypundit]

13. I have met a couple

All einsenhower republicans.

[Hatchling]

14. I've met one.

A retired gynocologist with whom I've had indepth conversations, but somehow he was really blind in his political leanings.

[TwilightGardener]

8. I've noticed that too--they refer to their own media figures

and RW think tanks for proof of their points, if they do it at all. Really, their beliefs are their facts, and anyone else who believes what they believe becomes a credible reference. You certainly can't trust that librul media, or government, or academia--they're all liars. They say things that challenge your beliefs.

[annabanana]

9. Very instructive example is the idiot who

objects to the show "American Muslim" because it shows them as ordinary people and not crazed fundamentalists bent on our destruction...

[TwilightGardener]

10. Yep--if it stands in the way of belief and preconceived notions, then it's false.

Edit to add: I guess it makes sense that religious fundies tend to be conservative--faith and belief always drive the bus, not fact and logic.

[RevStPatrick]

11. I've done that a couple of times over the years...

It really is instructive!
And more than a little sad...

[get the red out]

12. That's what happens

When a large segment of the "media" gives this sort of thinking and hatred legitimacy. We've suffered so long with what should be real news organizations trying to "keep up with Fox" as nothing but hate and lies filled talk radio boosting people like this up as the only "real Americans". I only see us coming out of this right wing oriented blitz slightly now, at long last.

[felix_numinous]

15. It is the difference between learning

and being assimilated into a point of view. This is about how we take in information, and how we form our identities.

I have run into the same thing, it is very frustrating to attempt conversation with people who have so closely identified with the information they have taken in that they take it *personally* if you disagree with their concept.

It sometimes happens here on DU, when people are insulted because they personally identify with a candidate or an issue, but usually there is a counterbalance of facts that balance out the discussion. I have caught myself in my own pet issues, but I have not been rude or mean to people about them, and I set out to overcome my stubbornness so I can learn.

DU is far and beyond the forums that seem to be purely places to project personal issues, rather than a place to solve problems or to clarify what is going on in the country or world.

I too will vote for President Obama, it is either him or some certifiable character who would be an embarrassment and a danger--no one else is running.

[hfojvt]

16. I am not seeing it in your OP

"the other side - ... is literally insane"

I don't buy that, even if it plays well in Jetland, not without some sort of proof.

[JFN1]

17. I'm not actually a psychiatrist, though I did play one on TV...

No, not really.

I hope you realize my post merely represents my opinion, and is not in any way a clinical analysis or diagnosis or whatever...please, lighten up, brother.

Perhaps you might consider spending an hour and a half at some of these sites yourself, and forming your own opinion on the literal level of sanity being practiced by "the other side." (sounds like a Scary Door episode!)

Air sick bags are in isle 9, I think...