Comment by chowchowchow
4 years ago
Ok well what is this then? Do the voters of GA and Trump rioters have agency or not? If they do then what’s wrong with calling them out. You’re sounding a bit condescending saying they’re just being swept by forces beyond their control and shouldn’t be criticized for it (or that it’s somehow a red herring to).
The point I’m discussing with @bsder is about who is holding the “pointy stick.” As nutty and stupid as MTG’s district may be for voting for her, the elites calling them such are still the ones holding the pointy stick. They have the money and the power, while those rural Georgians have gotten the short end of the stick from globalization. Focusing on MTG’s antics to distract from that fundamental fact of life is objectionable.
As to your point about criticism, I think it’s fine to criticize them for supporting MTG. But note that the seat had been held since 2010 by a normal Republican before her, who opposed Trump but won re-election anyway in 2018. Before that it was held by Nathan Deal, a became governor of Georgia and was known for having a very friendly relationship with the then-mayor of Atlanta. Do you think there is a reason they picked someone different in 2020?
I will also point out that the media applies extreme double standards about this criticism. There’s lots of nutty ideas floating around the leadership of low-education communities in the US. Look at the folks connected to Louis Farrakhan and the NOI. But the media soft peddles that because apparently only white people have moral agency.
Rationalization rationalization. Are they doing something bad and supporting bad politicians, which should be outside the bounds of acceptability? Do they know it?
Also Tim Cook is from Alabama, just to pick one. Georgians can work in tech and finance and heck even move to SF or NYC. Or they can work remotely. Or they can work in hundreds of other non tech fields and make great livings as Americans. You are condescending as hell about these people in your defense of them and attempt to shield them from criticism.
Let me help you state your point in a non condescending way: “these people believe the pointy stick is pointed at them. They are engaging in acts of provocation and culture war because they feel threatened. They’re being radicalized to supporting acts of outright violence against medical practitioners and the US Government. They have their reasons.” Doesn’t sound so sympathetic when it’s put that way but also more evenhanded than your “the unfair world maaaaakes them do it also it’s really your fault” misty eyed silliness.