I’ve decided that The Same Boat will be primarily a PowerPoint presentation for college students and a website rather than primarily a book in print form. As stated in my preface, I intended the product to remain superficial in its depth on any given subject. There are numerous if not dozens of subjects addressed in the text below and in the contents still listed here as of March 20, 2024 (which will be changed shortly) about which many books have been written in and of themselves. The breadth of the subject matter makes for a daunting task to somehow pack it all into one book. So, in re-thinking the entire concept of my “Guide to Heal the Divide” I’ve come to the conclusion that it should be more like a directory (to be used as a guide) and less like a (typical) 250-300 page book, at least for now.
This re-thinking process has elicited the following new “list of content” / subject material.
Re. GUIDE …
Goal: to put in the smallest, most concise possible nutshell the complicated story of what exactly has so divided the great nation of the USA, brought it to the brink of an enormous national crises with incalculable repercussions and how the tide can yet be stemmed.
Introduction
- An overview of what I mean by we’re all in the same boat and why America is so divided and shouldn’t be
Postmodernism = deconstruction of “grand narratives”. Puts everything into question. Everything becomes relative and subjective. Rejection of objective truth. Hyperreality = confusion. Our tethers are cut and we’re on our own in a chaotic sea of confusion.
Question examples:
Question the value of established social and cultural structures
Question what is true and what isn’t true
Fake News and Alternative Facts
What is a nation?
What is right and what is wrong? Moral relativism
Is America good or bad?
Is gender biological or a social construct?
What is normal? Acceptance of the abnormal at any cost?
What is the nature of reality
Rejection of faith in God. Rejection of universal values (nihilism) Life is meaningless, …possibly a primary reason behind mass shootings?
Regarding the political divide…
What is conservatism?
What are conservative values?
Virtues: personal responsibility, hard work, honesty, integrity, fairness
Family
Freedom
Limited government
Right to bear arms
Fiscal responsibility
Law and order
Faith in God and Natural Law
What many of those on the left believe about conservatives…
„Clinging to their guns and religion“
Want to make abortion illegal
bigoted and racist, extremist
Judgmental and homophobic
Ignorant and brainwashed (by Fox News)
Believe in „right wing“ conspiracy theories
That „right wing“ is far closer to „fascism“ than the left wing ever could be. Use bell curve illustration with fascism at BOTH ends of the political spectrum.
What is liberalism, classical and neo…?
What do Democrats in the USA value?
Social Equality. Address equity vs. Equality of opportunity vs. equality of outcomes
Acceptance / SUPPORT of alternative lifestyles (WOKISM)
Government solutions to social problems
Open border, apparently
Support of Black Lives Matter and „anti racism“
Gun Control
Hating Trump’s guts
Education funding
What do most people on both sides support? What can we ALL agree on?
Freedom, respect, fairness, live and let live. Many Republicans ARE bigoted, but that’s not mainstream.
Ethics: anti corruption, integrity, honesty, cooperation, fairness, merit, virtues. Hypocrisy isn’t a good thing.
Honesty in media reporting is necessary
It’s better to be informed when opinionated than to base opinions on false or incomplete information
Ignorance + strongly opinionated behavior isn’t a good thing, ergo, less ignorance is superior, ergo, if Americans were better informed about the truth on subjects the country would be less divided.
2. Why is America so divided? How could this guide to heal the divide work?
A divided nation is undeniably weaker than one which is united. America has adversaries. If they would want to see America weakened, then dividing the nation would be their (best) strategy. So the question arises, might we be divided on purpose? Griffin’s interview with Besmanov… https://youtu.be/pOmXiapfCs8?si=qe6qX3XKQqYkLAzD
List:
- Polarization around DJT: Haters vs. Supporters,
- politicized and unprincipled media sources,
- Ideology and the online Filter-Bubble Problem / echo chambers / group think / bias confirmation / shallow thinking / not reading beyond headlines / cognitive dissonance / willful ignorance / labeling without listening…
- Postmodernism / rejection of objective truths, moral relativism,
- Wokeism, identity politics, intersectionality, …
- critical race theory, Marxist BLM founders, SJWs
- TGM / queer theory / DQSH… willful destruction of traditional values which are the cornerstones of a healthy society (family and virtue).
- An overall lack of emphasis on virtues
- Cancel Culture
Partisan Media Reporting, Propaganda and Lies
The illusion of division is significantly if not primarily due to partisan politics and an egregious and precipitous decline in intellectual honesty and hyper-partisan reporting by the MSM news outlets and Big Tech.
It is clearly NOT simply or only a matter of opinion that the slant in MSM reporting is obviously hard to the LEFT such that they de facto and inarguably tip the scales in the public argument by presenting as convincingly as they possibly can ONLY their narrative which they want as many people as possible (YOU) to believe, truth and principles be dammed. There are COUNTLESS examples. Here is a compilation of examples, in list and video format… (to be aggregated)
The Age of Fake News and „alternative facts“. The Information War. No longer a foundation of self-evident truth(s) to unite us. Here we are all in the same boat. We’re all overwhelmed with the conflicting information and incessant news cycle. Many have tuned out and / or only read the headlines, lacking the time and / or interest to look deep enough into anything to suss-out what the truth of any matter actually is.
Cultural Marxism, identity politics, tribalism and wokism. “Conspiracy theory” or not, this is what we de facto HAVE! Call out Wikipedia, https://youtu.be/kiRgJYMw6YA?si=ONTEmBwm1u-txiDn Disney and the entire woke movement leadership, including BLM and get into their history in this chapter / section. https://youtu.be/kza1rOTFrBY?si=f1hJEhbDiuZUtmU2
With regards to Cultural Marxism…(CM)
There IS major funding behind the MSM, the vaccine / pharmaceutical industry, BLM, the Trans Movement, district attorneys who won’t prosecute criminals that should be prosecuted, among other issues which have America divided. Whether there is a coordinated “grand conspiracy” among these funders and organizations / movements or not, the de facto status quo is that these issues have America divided. Full stop. Ergo, CM IS a “thing” and NOT simply an unfounded “conspiracy theory”.
Marxism exists. Maoism and Maoist tactics exist. The idea of Communist (Marxist) Revolution exists. If you want to take down / revolutionize a nation, empire or army the tactic to divide them is your greatest weapon. America is obviously more divided now than ever. We need to ask ourselves why and if it is by design or coincidence. Leftists believe that “right wingers” / republicans who believe it is indeed by design are “conspiracy theorists”. Whether it’s by conspiracy / design, or not, the reasons why America is divided remain the same and self evident, albeit complex.
What is the BLM movement really about? Manning Johnson, Color, Communism and Common Sense. Yuri Besmanov. Read Wikipedia(!) article about Partisan Cullers under Career…Ideology…https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrisse_Cullors
3. Regarding DJT and and unprincipled biased media
Go to :38 Rapist, Racist, Fascist…repeat. WTF?!?!
Incessant attacks to stop him at any cost. Propaganda pure…https://youtu.be/uWG3zFPeNew?si=IebGqUPGMCoYN4M6
Why has DJT been labeled a racist?
https://youtu.be/4adfmROQyMI?si=zyIQ9xK__Uu4fGi8 Bill Clinton SOTA 1995
Rainbow Coalition event… https://youtu.be/ln5irfxLjks?si=loFkwdo4zIW-9syz
2024 at black conservatives event… https://youtu.be/iXnDYqzYVyk?si=aEnEtoUvGqgsEtP5
Hunter Biden laptop revelations and media blackout. How would that have been if it were one of Trump’s kids? Americans must all agree that such double standards are election interference!
Did Russia help to get DJT elected? The Russia Collusion Hoax / Crossfire Hurricane / Durham Report…the biggest political scandal in U.S. history, ignored by the MSM because they were part of it.
Note: Wikipedia article on Steele Dossier is TLDR for almost anyone. Obscure, slanted…
Why was he impeached and was that legitimate or purely political?
https://youtu.be/U4PKEx239dA?si=TaUjvYbvs835zNvR on Biden firing Shokin.
Is the mainstream media constantly leading us to conclusions they want us to be making, truth and objective presentation be dammed?
Is partisan politics following an end justifies the means policy and misleading untold millions of people through incomplete information, misinformation and disinformation?
Why exactly were Democrats against funding the building of a barrier along the S. border while Trump was POTUS and how dumb do they think the American people have become to try to blame the current border debacle on Republicans?
C. Shumer clip… https://youtu.be/VNw-RzSwhqo?si=pQEk4WEBorr_evKB
What is wrong with an America First / MAGA policy?
Why DJT won in 2016 – Increase your understanding of a truly historic election when the seeds of division sown under Obama began to sprout and take root.
- HRC was struggling to beat B.S. and then it was leaked that the primary was rigged. B.S. supporters betrayed. Many wouldn’t vote for HRC
- Clinton Foundation was obviously a pay to play scheme
- She obviously had destroyed evidence under subpoena
- The pendulum was swinging because no real change had ever occurred under Obama and people still wanted it but now more than ever and HRC did not represent change however more of the same
- Trump was a Maverick, outsider underdog who wasn’t corrupt because he was obviously never in public office previously. People wanted that and a straight talker, as a reaction to political correctness which many were already sick of
- Trump was right about the swamp and everybody knows it
Why DJT lost in 2020 – The most unusual and controversial election in US history. Facts about the election you likely aren’t aware of…
- Incessant MSM propaganda for 4 years
- Blaming him for the extent of COVID
- Did 94% of eligible (voting age citizens) really actually take the time to vote? How much of a statistical anomaly was that?
- Irregularities and facts regarding the 2020 election
SWOT Analysis for the USA
Where to from here?
Ramaswamy… revival of shared national identity.
Gandhi…be the change you want to see in the world
Relaunch Platform
The vast majority of us are not far apart regarding values and CORE BELIEFS WHATSOEVER! This is the “silent majority”
Let’s agree on what we essentially can ALL agree upon…
What are these things? Our list, but open discussion for our groups list, spontaneously… in public talk…
Some Big Questions we hopefully can all agree on the same answers to
Should we prefer good vs. evil?
Is love better than hatred?
Is truth superior to lies?
Should we all desire to make the world a better place, or a worse place to live in?
Are we personally responsible for what we make of our lives and the choices we make?
Would the world be a better place if everyone followed the Golden Rule, yes, or no?
Regarding politics, some examples of what beliefs we ALL have:
- politicians should be honest and principled, not liars and not hypocrites
- Partisan politics is counter productive
- Bi-partisanship is required to achieve desired results
- The government wastes a lot of money and results for spending are generally unsatisfactory or worse
- The national debt is a ticking time bomb and a national security threat
- Unethical and unvirtuous behavior is detrimental to society. A return to emphasis on virtues is the PRIMARY way to improve society.
Seek the truth before having an opinion. Renounce hypocrisy. Embody the change you want to see in others.
Be aware, be fair, reject hypocrisy, double standards, lies, partisanship and anti-ethical behavior. Period.
FOCUS on VIRTUES, FOUNDATION and the Relaunch Platform! Re- Build the foundation! Natural Law. Reject postmodernist subjective relativism. We NEED a foundation of OBJECTIVE TRUTHS to rely on! Get started. K.I.S.S. Spread the word about a simple concept, a simple website, which is the entrance to the rabbit hole of public discussion and in-depth knowledge search…. Thesameboat.com THE place to go for healthy public discourse based on HONESTY! Focus on INTELLECTUAL HONESTY!
Virtues…
Honesty / Truthfullness
Integrity
Discipline
Courage / Fortitude
Gratitude
Wisdom
Love
Temperance / Moderation
Curiosity
Kindness
Generosity
Justice
Self Control
Modesty / Humility
Prudence / Good Judgement
Politeness
Faithfulness
Compassion / Empathy
Contentment
Authenticity
Mindfulness
Closing quote from Ghandi, be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi said that seven things will destroy us:
1. Wealth without work
2. Pleasure without conscience
3. Knowledge without character
4. Business without ethics
5. Science without humanity
6. Religion without sacrifice
7. Politics without principles
NOTES:
Marketing the presentation / online video series (on how to best attempt to deprogram your TDS nephew, brother, spouse, ex-buddy, son, daughter…)
Story Corps https://storycorps.org/discover/onesmallstep/resources/
https://newpluralists.org/about/. See list of funders
07.03.2024
Navigating the rabbit hole in a hyper-realistic society… the search for truth in a sea of disinformation.
…SO many topics, SO many sources…it’s overwhelming. The need for a guide to navigate it all is there, no doubt about that at all.
Re. Tone: love and warm-heartedness https://youtu.be/-yKo6ZZihwc?si=R3J6y47LsUty4mQU
More notes, things to include…
1984 parallels… YT video by Gabriel Monet, 6 Quotes…
- perpetual war
- Mass surveillance
- Telescreens
- Newspeak and propaganda
Parallels with 1984…language…pregnant people, birthing person…and other such examples
Biden Admin flying 300.000 immigrants over the border? WUWT??!
Blaming the border problems on obstructionism by Republicans…seriously?? Border stats video congressional testimony…Trump years vs. Biden’s and he blames the problem on Republicans!
Biden racist comments and history…Trump with Rainbow Coaltion…but Trump is the racist. Clinton SOTU address comment to bi partisan standing ovation. Check Shumar and HRC on border security prior to 2016… expose hypocrisy.
Warning Re. supposed “guilt by association” Far Right extremist groups supporting Trump and making note of cultural Marxism with their own anti-semetic twist does not make Trump and extremist nor should it de-legitimize the premise of what CM is and how it’s affecting (attacking) the foundations of American society and culture.
AG M. Garland against voter ID laws!
Saul Alinski
History of Democrat Party…. Civil Right Act voting numbers…126 votes against it in the H.o.R. 91 of which were from Dems. 72%. 80% of Republicans voted for it while only 63% of Dems. Senate: 61% Dems, 82% Republicans. No vote, 21 Dems and 6 Republicans… 77,7% of NO vote from Dems.
LBJ comment when signing the welfare bill…https://intellectualtakeout.org/2016/10/did-lbj-say-ill-have-those-nggers-voting-democratic-for-200-years/?print=print
In order to even take in a significant portion of the relevant information necessary to grasp and at least somewhat complete and truthful answer to any of these questions one needs to invest a very significant amount of time and interest which exceeds what the vast majority of Americans have chosen to do thus far. Most of us are literally overwhelmed by the (conflicting) influx of new information on numerous fronts and issues from a multitude of sources and grossly misinformed if not utterly uninformed about the complex answers to all or most of the questions above. The amount of information to process and the need to decide what to believe and what to reject is downright intimidating. It requires time, interest, intelligence and perseverance which can cause significant anxiety, frustration and stress. It can also cause us to question and change our pre-existing beliefs, which few of us rarely, if ever, consider doing. The entire subject matter is very complex and complicated. To attempt to fully understand it is to go down the proverbial rabbit hole and that experience can lead to conclusions which eventually put us at odds not only with our own pre-conceived notions and beliefs but possibly also with those of our friends and family members. In this respect we Americans at this critical time in our history are all in the same boat. We are in the midst of a cold civil war; an information war about what should be and what should not be acceptable in our culture and in the political spectrum. The founding principles of freedom and equality upon which the great republic of the USA was established are being used to compromise and tear down the very foundation(s) of American culture through an “everything goes” (tolerance, postmodernist, DEI, moral relativism) barrage of attacks from a plethora of groups practicing (Neo Marxist) identity politics while brazenly contradicting many of the common values which have constituted the essence of our nation’s soul since its inception. That’s a bold statement which requires significant elaboration in and of itself.
What about Obama?
Was Barack Obama a good leader, or not? Did he deliver on his promise for change we can believe in? Did he unite the country, or did he lead to its most divisive period since the civil war? How? Because Americans are racist?? No, because he was a hypocrite and was never interested in unifying the country at all. What has he done for Chicago, a place he refers to as his “hometown”? What’s up with his foundation? What have they achieved / what are they doing?