Are there dog whistles that even Republicans don't hear?

[Baitball Blogger]

I will be the first to notice that Republicans do not spend much time analyzing the world outside their comfort zones. It's pretty easy for them in that regard. What doesn't affect their pocket book isn't going to get their attention. They'll listen to you until things become "too complicated," which means, it doesn't affect them so why take the time to get into their heads.

That's the impression I got of the mother who thought her son was at a Trump Rally, instead of plowing into pedestrians. She claimed she had no idea that her son was at a white nationalist protest. It's possible, I guess. But something was going on in that household that allowed her son to connect with organizations that have weaponized hate. And we need to find out just what are the words that are being used in those households that are giving the young the impression that they are entitled to resort to physical harm.

And I am guessing that one of the things that we will find is that it's acceptable in those households to demonize anyone who isn't a Trump supporter. I hope someone interviews her and profiles her to determine what, exactly, went on in that household.

[dlk]

1. Republicans Have Selective Hearing

[Solly Mack]

2. It isn't so much as they don't hear them - it's that they agree with them, so it doesn't

register with them as something wrong or bad or negative. They aren't dog whistles to them because they accept as true what the dog whistle is saying.

Example being:

Son: I'm tired of all the "welfare queens taking over" so I'm going to a rally to "defend people like us".

Mom: Don't forget to bring milk home on your way back.

The mom heard - didn't think anything of it because she agrees that welfare queens are taking over and people like her need defending - and her concern was the milk.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. I can see it. It's all by degrees. They might not condone violent measures, but they

approve of the opinions that are raising the heat and encouraging their children to act with violence.

[Solly Mack]

7. And many don't think it violence but defense. As in

He didn't do anything wrong, he was defending white people.

The man's mother knew. She simply didn't think anything wrong with what her son believed or what he was doing.

You read about the other racist? Claiming he isn't a hateful racist, merely supports white supremacy?

That's one of the "Aw, shucks. Who, me?" layers of denial they utilize in hopes of appealing to more people, as well as playing down their true natures and motives.

Field's mom probably lives in that layer of denial. Oh, no...not us...we simply support white (Christian) people.

But that denial in no way means she doesn't fully understand who and what her son is - she frames it differently in her mind. It's defense - not attack. It's love of white people - not hate of others.

Except they still call white people who don't agree with them "race traitors" - which lets you know exactly what their love of white people really means.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. I absolutely understand the concept of white identity and tribal thinking.

I live in a community that loves its heritage. Oh, not the Timucua tribe or anything native. But I have definitely heard someone state in a HOA meeting, "We were here first." And they support this insular society mentality by resorting to private meetings that circumvent Florida requirements They don't even properly notice their board and ARB meetings and I can imagine why. Too many deals have been cut to benefit their friends and family members. All part of reinforcing a network of dominance.

In this framework, it's obvious why they don't like outsiders who challenge them.

[dawg]

4. There's lots that they pretend not to hear.

For some, the bigotry is something they are willing to put up with in order to get tax cuts. For others, it's the main feature.

[kairos12]

5. No a dog whistle, but a fog horn. Rethugs will follow it, but claim not to.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. I don't think we're going to make progress until we reach out to the Republicans who are

finally realizing they were mistaken about racism. It does exist. It has always existed.