I've tried very hard to muster some sort of feeling about the shooting over the weekend and so far I'm failing. I guess it's because of what was pointed out in this episode--that the current leader of our country thrives on violence. You reap what you sow, live by the sword die by the sword, etc. I learned that in church. I'm not a violent person, I don't think violence solves anything, I would never call for violence...but for those that do, I think there has to be an acknowledgment that you bring things down onto yourself. I guess I'm more worried about those that could be caught up in the crossfire--although I have a friend sending me videos of a lot of people in the room who seemed unbothered by what was happening. That says something, too.
Can you all talk me off the Butler, PA conspiracy cliff? I swiftly dismissed theories in 2024 that it had been staged. Didn't even consider it.
But I've seen more viral videos surrounding positioning of the photojournalists, the lowering of the flag, the lack of any actual damage to his ear, things like "The Trump administration quietly shut down the investigation." .....and on and on and on.
Then I reread what I just wrote and I'm like, Katie- stop, don't be ridiculous, take off the tin hat. But like the GIF of the lady tasting the kombucha... well?
1) It doesn't do my soul any good to believe it was faked. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. It doesn't change the fact that it happened and now we have to deal with the results. I am grateful that he wasn't harmed.
2) I do believe that he (President Trump) puts violence out into the world - in his actions, attitudes, and words. He believes in the law of attraction, so I don't even feel bad saying this. I think he attracts violence because it is what he thinks is powerful. Also, it is not unreasonable to think that the pitiful response of our political system to the threat he poses would inspire people to take radical action.
3) not to blame the video games, but our films and entertainment all glorify this idea that if we destroy the bad guy (Thanos, The Evil Emperor, the ring of power…) that we will set things right and return to peace. It's not surprising that people get lost in the narrative and think they can take matters “into their own hands.”
Last, now that we're away from the edge.
I do think they are wrong. You're not going to grow peace with seeds of violence. That's not how things work. When violence happens, you just dig yourself deeper into the hole you'll have to dig out of later. But, it isn't too far-fetched to me to believe that extremism begets extremism in this era of Trump.
I don't think the WHCD or Butler were staged (although I'd be easier to convince about Butler because that was SO weird). I think part of what fuels the conspiracies is how fast the Trump admin is to capitalize and market these events. The "fight fight fight" merch with the picture DOES make it all seem staged. Same with the immediate pivot to "SEE?? This is why we need the ballroom!" a hour after the situation was resolved. I still believe these events really happened and weren't staged but on top of the fact that this administration lies about everything and is always doing what they accuse others of, I think the rapid turnaround to selling stuff contributes to conspiracy thinking.
I have comments for each topic and am posting separately. Forgive me, I have time this morning (no I don't I'm procrastinating work)
TO THE Spotify OF IT ALL: Sarah, do you and your husband battle over Spotify like me and mine do??! I'll be happily driving along, often listening to the two of you(!!!), and then all of a sudden Queens of the Stone Age starts coming through my minivan, and that's when I know my husband has started cleaning the kitchen because he will only accomplish that task to 90s grunge through the Alexa.
Also, it is embarrassing that it took me this long to realize I could just make everyone else in the house use the free Spotify accounts and leave mine alone. Still drives me crazy that we can't get a family package that lets us have three separate accounts without paying for three separate accounts.
Loved the tangent on the Catholic Church. I’m somewhat of a Catholic (I describe myself as Catholic-ish but I am raising my children in the church) and I have three theories as to why people seem to gravitate there these days.
1. The church defies American political lines. And, even better, would never describe itself like that. It’s something outside and above politics and I think that’s something people crave.
2. The rules don’t change. They’re not that flexible. How they’re presented does, and how tolerant the church is of people who break them does-but the rules themselves don’t. People like having something authoritative and solid in their lifethat doesn’t move in the winds.
3. I think people crave something mysterious and ceremonial in their lives that the mass fulfills. It’s “special” and also consistent everywhere. It scratches an itch.
There are definitely exceptions to these theories but in general I think most people who engage with Catholicism would cite one of these in their reasons why.
I was raised very Catholic (church every Sunday, all the sacraments, youth group, promise pledges blech etc.) I am no longer practicing and haven't been for years but I baptized my four kids in the church for several reasons that have almost nothing to do with the church dogma. In fact my first child was baptized before my husband and I were even married.
1. I don't have any other cultural practice to welcome a new child in any formal sense to the world. Yes, people send congratulations, well wishes, casseroles, and diapers. But there is no moment of gathering the village until a child's 1st birthday.
2. We also knew we wanted each child to have Godparents and baptism was the only way I knew how to have a ceremony that bonded my child to their Godparents.
3. Quite simply, it made so many of my relatives, including all four grandparents and even my tradition-loving husband so happy/relieved (see: had a baby out of wedlock). On the flip side, I had one friend whose husband nearly didn't attend because he was so triggered by the Catholicism of it all.
4. It gave each baby a soft and solid place to land should they ever find a Catholic church they really vibe with. Being baptized is of course not a requirement for entry to the church but it helps to feel even a small sense of "I belong here, I just haven't been in a while."
Oh I like #2 there! The rules are what they are and always have been. I can follow them or not, stay or go. But I can always come back to them. Also as a terrible Catholic, but one who appreciated my upbringing, I like that Catholics are not “fire and brimstone” believers.
I wonder if the jump to conspiracy is because our brains need some “rational” explanation, and we just can’t fathom this level of hate and violence. How can the gun problem be so bad? How can the mental heath crisis be so bad? How do we all hate each other this much? And then the timing and rumors and facts all start lining up and the simplest explanation is that it’s a set up. Do I believe that? No. If in 20 years it’s made public that it was planned by some group to help the president, would I be shocked? Also, no. And I don’t like that I think this.
Agreed. And how can all these things be this bad and no one do anything about them? Besides say this is why we need a ballroom. And again, what about the rest of us that don’t have ballrooms to hide in?
To your last point- same. My own mounting cynicism is why I need Sarah and Beth and this whole community. It's not good for my soul to be this flippant about violence, and then on some days I'm like, "yeah, but what other option do I have?"
As soon as I heard about the WHCD shooting, I thought of course the conspiracy theories came in quickly. This man and his administrations have been lying in our faces daily for over 10 years. They have fostered a culture of mistrust. And now they are reaping what they’ve sown. Even people who have been loyal followers are starting to doubt them. Unfortunately we all suffer because we have a hard time discerning fact from fiction. It seems oddly apt that so many people in America believe the president staged a shooting over the idea that an unwell man with easy access to firearms went rogue. Honestly, I know it’s most likely the latter, but I understand the conspiracy.
Today’s episode reminds me of my favorite quote from Disney’s Pocahontas, “You think the only people who are people are the people who look and think like you.”
Okay jumping in to say a lot of this Spotify list is surprising but The Weeknd has MANY fantastic albums and big hits! So his space on here makes total sense to me. Re: Beyonce, maybe it's because for a little while during this period she was exclusively on Tidal? I think when Lemonade came out it was only on Tidal for a long while, but I could be wrong. Off to listen to that now for the rest of the day ! 😂
Outside of politics, if it’s not on the local FM radio station, I’m probably not listening to it. And honestly, I’ve been listening to the 80s/90s station lately. I don’t even use Spotify or Apple or Amazon or whatever other music apps are out there.
I've tried very hard to muster some sort of feeling about the shooting over the weekend and so far I'm failing. I guess it's because of what was pointed out in this episode--that the current leader of our country thrives on violence. You reap what you sow, live by the sword die by the sword, etc. I learned that in church. I'm not a violent person, I don't think violence solves anything, I would never call for violence...but for those that do, I think there has to be an acknowledgment that you bring things down onto yourself. I guess I'm more worried about those that could be caught up in the crossfire--although I have a friend sending me videos of a lot of people in the room who seemed unbothered by what was happening. That says something, too.
TO THE conspiracy/cynicism OF IT ALL:
Can you all talk me off the Butler, PA conspiracy cliff? I swiftly dismissed theories in 2024 that it had been staged. Didn't even consider it.
But I've seen more viral videos surrounding positioning of the photojournalists, the lowering of the flag, the lack of any actual damage to his ear, things like "The Trump administration quietly shut down the investigation." .....and on and on and on.
Then I reread what I just wrote and I'm like, Katie- stop, don't be ridiculous, take off the tin hat. But like the GIF of the lady tasting the kombucha... well?
Here’s what helps me back off the cliff.
1) It doesn't do my soul any good to believe it was faked. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. It doesn't change the fact that it happened and now we have to deal with the results. I am grateful that he wasn't harmed.
2) I do believe that he (President Trump) puts violence out into the world - in his actions, attitudes, and words. He believes in the law of attraction, so I don't even feel bad saying this. I think he attracts violence because it is what he thinks is powerful. Also, it is not unreasonable to think that the pitiful response of our political system to the threat he poses would inspire people to take radical action.
3) not to blame the video games, but our films and entertainment all glorify this idea that if we destroy the bad guy (Thanos, The Evil Emperor, the ring of power…) that we will set things right and return to peace. It's not surprising that people get lost in the narrative and think they can take matters “into their own hands.”
Last, now that we're away from the edge.
I do think they are wrong. You're not going to grow peace with seeds of violence. That's not how things work. When violence happens, you just dig yourself deeper into the hole you'll have to dig out of later. But, it isn't too far-fetched to me to believe that extremism begets extremism in this era of Trump.
I don't think the WHCD or Butler were staged (although I'd be easier to convince about Butler because that was SO weird). I think part of what fuels the conspiracies is how fast the Trump admin is to capitalize and market these events. The "fight fight fight" merch with the picture DOES make it all seem staged. Same with the immediate pivot to "SEE?? This is why we need the ballroom!" a hour after the situation was resolved. I still believe these events really happened and weren't staged but on top of the fact that this administration lies about everything and is always doing what they accuse others of, I think the rapid turnaround to selling stuff contributes to conspiracy thinking.
EXCELLENT point
I have comments for each topic and am posting separately. Forgive me, I have time this morning (no I don't I'm procrastinating work)
TO THE Spotify OF IT ALL: Sarah, do you and your husband battle over Spotify like me and mine do??! I'll be happily driving along, often listening to the two of you(!!!), and then all of a sudden Queens of the Stone Age starts coming through my minivan, and that's when I know my husband has started cleaning the kitchen because he will only accomplish that task to 90s grunge through the Alexa.
Also, it is embarrassing that it took me this long to realize I could just make everyone else in the house use the free Spotify accounts and leave mine alone. Still drives me crazy that we can't get a family package that lets us have three separate accounts without paying for three separate accounts.
Yesssssss
I am SO excited for your convo with Emanuel.
Loved the tangent on the Catholic Church. I’m somewhat of a Catholic (I describe myself as Catholic-ish but I am raising my children in the church) and I have three theories as to why people seem to gravitate there these days.
1. The church defies American political lines. And, even better, would never describe itself like that. It’s something outside and above politics and I think that’s something people crave.
2. The rules don’t change. They’re not that flexible. How they’re presented does, and how tolerant the church is of people who break them does-but the rules themselves don’t. People like having something authoritative and solid in their lifethat doesn’t move in the winds.
3. I think people crave something mysterious and ceremonial in their lives that the mass fulfills. It’s “special” and also consistent everywhere. It scratches an itch.
There are definitely exceptions to these theories but in general I think most people who engage with Catholicism would cite one of these in their reasons why.
Wow this has prompted a lot for me:
I was raised very Catholic (church every Sunday, all the sacraments, youth group, promise pledges blech etc.) I am no longer practicing and haven't been for years but I baptized my four kids in the church for several reasons that have almost nothing to do with the church dogma. In fact my first child was baptized before my husband and I were even married.
1. I don't have any other cultural practice to welcome a new child in any formal sense to the world. Yes, people send congratulations, well wishes, casseroles, and diapers. But there is no moment of gathering the village until a child's 1st birthday.
2. We also knew we wanted each child to have Godparents and baptism was the only way I knew how to have a ceremony that bonded my child to their Godparents.
3. Quite simply, it made so many of my relatives, including all four grandparents and even my tradition-loving husband so happy/relieved (see: had a baby out of wedlock). On the flip side, I had one friend whose husband nearly didn't attend because he was so triggered by the Catholicism of it all.
4. It gave each baby a soft and solid place to land should they ever find a Catholic church they really vibe with. Being baptized is of course not a requirement for entry to the church but it helps to feel even a small sense of "I belong here, I just haven't been in a while."
Oh I like #2 there! The rules are what they are and always have been. I can follow them or not, stay or go. But I can always come back to them. Also as a terrible Catholic, but one who appreciated my upbringing, I like that Catholics are not “fire and brimstone” believers.
I wonder if the jump to conspiracy is because our brains need some “rational” explanation, and we just can’t fathom this level of hate and violence. How can the gun problem be so bad? How can the mental heath crisis be so bad? How do we all hate each other this much? And then the timing and rumors and facts all start lining up and the simplest explanation is that it’s a set up. Do I believe that? No. If in 20 years it’s made public that it was planned by some group to help the president, would I be shocked? Also, no. And I don’t like that I think this.
Agreed. And how can all these things be this bad and no one do anything about them? Besides say this is why we need a ballroom. And again, what about the rest of us that don’t have ballrooms to hide in?
To your last point- same. My own mounting cynicism is why I need Sarah and Beth and this whole community. It's not good for my soul to be this flippant about violence, and then on some days I'm like, "yeah, but what other option do I have?"
As soon as I heard about the WHCD shooting, I thought of course the conspiracy theories came in quickly. This man and his administrations have been lying in our faces daily for over 10 years. They have fostered a culture of mistrust. And now they are reaping what they’ve sown. Even people who have been loyal followers are starting to doubt them. Unfortunately we all suffer because we have a hard time discerning fact from fiction. It seems oddly apt that so many people in America believe the president staged a shooting over the idea that an unwell man with easy access to firearms went rogue. Honestly, I know it’s most likely the latter, but I understand the conspiracy.
Today’s episode reminds me of my favorite quote from Disney’s Pocahontas, “You think the only people who are people are the people who look and think like you.”
The vitriol that many politicians spew, especially the President, generates the continued violent reactions. Thank you for not fueling this fire.
Okay jumping in to say a lot of this Spotify list is surprising but The Weeknd has MANY fantastic albums and big hits! So his space on here makes total sense to me. Re: Beyonce, maybe it's because for a little while during this period she was exclusively on Tidal? I think when Lemonade came out it was only on Tidal for a long while, but I could be wrong. Off to listen to that now for the rest of the day ! 😂
Ohhhhh good point!
Outside of politics, if it’s not on the local FM radio station, I’m probably not listening to it. And honestly, I’ve been listening to the 80s/90s station lately. I don’t even use Spotify or Apple or Amazon or whatever other music apps are out there.