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H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 08:37 PM Mar 21

Keep Hope Alive

" Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion that prompts people to jump to the worst possible conclusion, usually with very limited information or objective reason to despair. When a situation is upsetting, but not necessarily catastrophic, they still feel like they are in the midst of a crisis."
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/catastrophizing#:~:text=Catastrophizing%20is%20a%20cognitive%20distortion,the%20midst%20of%20a%20crisis.


We are in a historic struggle that goes beyond what, in theory, would be an election contest between a Democrat and republican candidate for president. As a "historic struggle," it will involve stumbling blocks, set-backs, disappointments, and frustrations. Without these things, it could not possibly be defined as a "historic struggle," now, could it?

It would instead be "business as usual." But this is truly a struggle between democracy and dictatorship. The foundation stone of democracy is the rule of law. For the first time in our nation's history, a former president is facing both criminal and civil charges. Those criminal charges are at both the state and federal levels. And we all want to see him convicted, for these are serious crimes that threaten democracy.

In order to decrease the chances of the defendant facing consequences, your and my enemy wants to increase the catastrophizing among Democrats. They want us tired, discouraged, and thinking like Eeyore and behaving like Chicken Little. They are the phantoms that Carlos wrote about in "Journey to Ixtlan," seeking to trick you into believing lies.

During the months to come, you can expect to see misinformation and disinformation flowing out like endless rain into a Russian gutter, across the internet. Do not step in it. So not argue with it. Do not repeat it.

Even on a good forum, we sometimes see one of our friends expressing doubts about the future, and even catastrophizing. For it is a human trait, that we all might be prone to once in a while. For example, if your doctor has a serious look on her face, and says she needs to order some tests. Or if you are really tired, and didn't fully read an article, but are reacting to a headline. Maybe you are doing your taxes, have the television on, only only hear a bit of a report, and your kid is asking you about cursive writing. Or you are intoxicated on alcohol, pot, mushrooms, and/or LSD. Could happen to any of us.

The thing is, catastrophizing isn't a good thing for Democrats. Look what it has done to what was once the republican party. Has not the defendant convinced his maga cult that everything is either terrible or tragic? And that only he can fix it? If you don't believe me, try telling some shit stain wearing a maga hat that things are getting better, a little better all the time with President Biden in office. They will tell you it couldn't get much worse.

We are in a historic struggle. There will be tough times and bad things that are real. We need to be accurate, focused, rational, and strong. That makes it better in tough times, and at our best we can not lose. We need to be at our bests. And kick the shit out of the maga cult.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Keep Hope Alive (Original Post) H2O Man Mar 21 OP
Love it, and great advice. Grown2Hate Mar 21 #1
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 21 #2
Good stuff, and well worth sharing. madamesilverspurs Mar 21 #3
Thanks! H2O Man Mar 21 #7
Agree... but here is good news AmBlue Mar 21 #4
Yes, cilla4progress Mar 21 #6
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 21 #8
Awesome AmBlue Mar 22 #17
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 21 #9
Awesome uplifting post! cilla4progress Mar 21 #5
True! H2O Man Mar 21 #10
Eyes on the prize, guys! calimary Mar 21 #16
That's it! H2O Man Mar 22 #18
We could all benefit from the oft-forgotten teachings of Don Juan JoseBalow Mar 21 #11
And Don Genaro! H2O Man Mar 21 #13
Wow! Nice job. Firestorm49 Mar 21 #12
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 21 #14
spot on OldSWODog Mar 21 #15
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 22 #19
Excellent message which we should all hold close Bundbuster Mar 22 #20
Thanks! H2O Man Mar 22 #21

Grown2Hate

(2,013 posts)
1. Love it, and great advice.
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 09:05 PM
Mar 21

I am one of those that lie at wake some nights just wondering how to escape this country if the worst happens. Doesn't help me sleep, doesn't move us towards our goals, only hurts myself (and those around me). Posts like this help, so thank you.

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
2. Thank you!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 09:35 PM
Mar 21

Being old and limited in intelligence, I too often see life as a boxing match. The easy fights I had decades ago didn't mean much, other than keeping me in shape for the hard fights. And it was those hard fights that were most important.

In this battle, our team holds the upper hand. We need to keep that in mind. Not be over-confident, of course. But 100% focused on foing everything we can to win.

madamesilverspurs

(15,818 posts)
3. Good stuff, and well worth sharing.
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 09:54 PM
Mar 21

When things start to look dark, I like to remember that Democrats and Republicans have neither the same starting points nor the same goals, thus we have different perspectives. We aren't afraid to hope for (and work for) the best for the most. For me, there is no greater example of that difference than the contrasting messages of Obama's "Yes WE Can" and Trump's "I'm the Only One". Biden is a lifeline, Trump is a noose. Republicans are choosing their own demise.


.

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
7. Thanks!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:22 PM
Mar 21

Exactly right!

In some ways, it's closer to home here ..... I can walk down to the road, and see my neighbors' house. They hated President Obama, and have had maga yard signs out since 2016. All I have to do is think about the intellectual level of members of the maga cult. (grin)

AmBlue

(3,124 posts)
4. Agree... but here is good news
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:05 PM
Mar 21

...to combat the pessimism and defeatist thoughts we Democrats are all plagued by so often these days. Subscribe to the Hopium Chronicles Podcast and Newsletter by Simon Rosenberg:

"Expert commentary from a 30-year veteran of US politics. Here at Hopium we work on strategies to defeat MAGA, tell our story more effectively, and ensure freedom and democracy prevail. Expect sharp analysis, live events, and all sorts of Hopium!"
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/podcast

Mr. Rosenberg is smart and concise, knowledgeable about current election polls and political news, and best of all he points out all we Dems have to be hopeful about! He also has regular calls to action for volunteers to make calls and donate where we can, and to boost races in states where we can have the most impact.

Highly recommend!!

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
8. Thank you!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:24 PM
Mar 21

I was not familiar with this, so thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will definitely take a close look!

AmBlue

(3,124 posts)
17. Awesome
Fri Mar 22, 2024, 12:12 AM
Mar 22

He is very refreshing and HOPEFUL!! The Kennedy family (less Robert) was recently working with him in his volunteer organizing efforts! He's been a commentator recently on MSNBC recently as well. Enjoy!!

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
9. Thank you!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:24 PM
Mar 21

I was not familiar with this, so thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will definitely take a close look!

cilla4progress

(24,798 posts)
5. Awesome uplifting post!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:11 PM
Mar 21

I heard or read something recently that I am finding helpful: as well as thinking "worst case scenario," we are also welcome to consider "BEST case scenario"!

It helps when the imagination runs wild.

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
10. True!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:25 PM
Mar 21

At this point, the best case scenario is there for us -- crush the maga threat in November, and see the defendant convicted.

calimary

(81,592 posts)
16. Eyes on the prize, guys!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 11:49 PM
Mar 21

"...the best case scenario is there for us -- crush the maga threat in November, and see the defendant convicted."

The other side is counting on us getting discouraged and giving up. So let's disappoint them, BIGTIME!

It CAN Be Done!

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
18. That's it!
Fri Mar 22, 2024, 12:17 AM
Mar 22

Eyes on the Prize.

Although I can't find the commercial I saw last weekend, the defendant is actually peddling these. I saw him on one of the commercials, urging his cult to buy more than one. He has been reduced to this:



We can finish him in November. And have fun in doing so.

JoseBalow

(2,593 posts)
11. We could all benefit from the oft-forgotten teachings of Don Juan
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:45 PM
Mar 21

I always appreciate your insights, amigo!

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
13. And Don Genaro!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 11:14 PM
Mar 21

Those were popular books back in the day! Especially the first three in the series. Hard to believe they are over fifty years old.

Thank you. Much appreciated.

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
14. Thank you!
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 11:19 PM
Mar 21

My late friend Rubin Carter told me that "all the roads to wisdom must first pass through valleys of doubt." Our opposition will increase efforts to plant seeds of doubt as spring turns to summer. As individuals and a community here, we need to be aware of this.

OldSWODog

(37 posts)
15. spot on
Thu Mar 21, 2024, 11:35 PM
Mar 21

Well said, H20 Man...over the past few years, I've found myself nearly despondent but, after some recovery time, re-engage and have some degree of optimism...that said, let's kick the shit out of the MAGA cult (we'll probably need to do that for the next few election cycles to make sure the cult is removed from the electoral stage)...now my sense is that the magas will probably self destruct with our help...cheers, OSD

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
19. Thank you!
Fri Mar 22, 2024, 12:26 AM
Mar 22

I was talking with my cousin yesterday. We were remembering how good we felt when Nixon resigned. I thought the country was in the clear, that no other republican who would biolate the Constitution or federal law could get elected. Yikes! There have been others since, but the defendant is the most aggressively obnoxious.

Bundbuster

(3,206 posts)
20. Excellent message which we should all hold close
Fri Mar 22, 2024, 01:59 AM
Mar 22

When doing so always remember that the defendant is now the most catastrophizing force in the universe. I remind myself of that every day, trying to not let his destructive force of irrationality to derail my objective reasoning. Some days it's a steep mountain to climb, but objectivity and truth are the prizes at the top.

I'll be damned if I'll let that sack of orange sewage drag me down into the mud with him.

H2O Man

(73,692 posts)
21. Thanks!
Fri Mar 22, 2024, 11:51 AM
Mar 22

While catastrophizing is not a mental illness, it is often a symptom of a personality disorder. I think that is useful to keep in mind when considering the maga cult.

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