[rockrr]

There is no defeating the narrative. Not because it is correct. Not because it is convincing. Not even because it is offered up with conviction or enthusiasm. You can’t defeat the narrative because it wasn’t arrived at rationally; therefor rationality isn’t likely to be an effective tool to thwart it. You can’t defeat the narrative because no matter how completely you batter them, they’ll simply trot it back out tomorrow.

To be a lost causer is to start with a conclusion (”We wuz wronged!”) and then build your substantiation to support that conclusion. If one fact doesn’t fit quite right, discard it in favor of one that might fit a bit closer. Never mind that you have to force-fit the pieces - because their value has been exaggerated, distorted, or invented outright - as long as it fits the narrative. Demonize the players (”Lincoln was a tyrant!”), and demonize any opponent who dares to mount a protest (”You’re just a federal boot-licker!”).

If perchance someone would object or criticize any of your conclusions just call them a “south hater” -It’s almost as effective as using the race card - LOL.

Ultimately once every conclusion has been thoroughly refuted and the insults tossed the thread will die of neglect. It doesn’t matter - there’s a new one right around the corner and they’ll resurrect their tired old saws once again to fight the age-old battle against history. It matters not that you lose every time as long as you’re down with the struggle.

[EternalVigilance]

Yeah, I know. I just engage them once in awhile for the exercise.

[Sherman Logan]

Quite.

I will note that my contribution to this thread has been primarily to point out the many statements made by WW that are factually incorrect. Just flat untrue.

Lots of people want to argue with me, but few if any try to show that the statements I question are actually true.

I have no axe to grind with against the South. I’ll be the first to agree their cause was not without some validity. And that they believed, probably accurately, that to maintain their way of life secession and probably war was absolutely necessary.

I just disagree that their way of life was worth dying and killing for. I also object to lies and distortions about history.

I am really, really disappointed in Mr. Williams. I thought he was above producing such nonsense.

[wideawake]

It is a ghost dance religion, not a historical analysis.

[Tau Food]

To be a lost causer is to start with a conclusion (”We wuz wronged!”) and then build your substantiation to support that conclusion.

I'm glad that I can't remember and therefore can't tell you how many times in my life I've been wronged. Had I tried to cling to or focus upon all those injuries large and petty I'm certain that I would have missed many of the good things that have fallen in my lap. It's all just part of life. I guess there are some people of all races who want some sort of reparations for what was lost because of slavery and because of the struggle to end it.

I have come to believe that very little of this has anything to do with what happened over 150 years ago. If people are unhappy, there are almost certainly more proximate causes for their misery. For some reason, things aren't working for these people here and now.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Sometimes I wish they had a “like” button for FR posts.

[x]

I learned on the Nicki Minaj versus Taylor Swift thread that "Anaconda" was slang for a prominent part of the male anatomy.

The Anaconda Plan: Scott's Great Snake indeed.