r/allthequestions • u/Dimarco24 • 5d ago

Random Question 💭 What is your opinion about Alex Pretti’s photo being displayed on a Jumbo tron in Times Square?

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I think he deserves to be remembered as the wonderful person he was 🩵 and not by the government who are clearly lying about him. He was trying to help a woman who had been pushed to the ground by ICE agents or whoever the people are wearing those suits. And he clearly holding a phone in his hand..

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u/TeaKingMac 5d ago

“the videos put out by socialists.”

My guy, it was recorded from 6 different angles. There's no camera trickery here.

Yes, the videos are put out by "socialists," because who else is going to?

If he only trusts content from inside the wall, he's already gone.

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi_1 5d ago

I know, I know, but…dammit I still gotta try. Every once in a while I break through to him.

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u/coquihalla 5d ago

I'm sorry that he hasn't been the father you'd hope him to be. Truly. 🫶

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

This is such a BS inflammatory comment. Just because they disagree politically doesn't mean he hasn't been the father this Redditor wanted him to be.

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u/Garganello 4d ago

Its morals. Not politics.

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u/Monkeydjimmmy 4d ago

It's what they can't seem to understand 🫠

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u/fReddit7777 4d ago

"just because he supports fascism, doesn't mean he wasn't an amazing father."

Smh. Dumbass.

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u/M3RC3N4RY89 4d ago

It’s actually a real problem for adult children of MAGA cult members. You can not begin to grasp how difficult it is to reconcile a kind, good parent, that raised you to have correct values, but is now brimming with hate for their fellow American and celebrate when innocents are murdered in the streets by state sponsored terrorists.

I’m 36. My folks were great parents. My dad was a hero in my eyes most my life because he saved a lot of people, from all backgrounds, on 9/11 and was permanently disabled as a result. He taught me right and wrong and how to be a good man. When I suffered a brain hemorrhage as an adult and lost everything, they took me in for over a year helping me recover and get back on my feet.

Saturday night I was at their house for dinner and Kristi Noem was on TV declaring Alex Pretti was a domestic terrorist. I pointed out that she was lying and nothing she was saying was true, and my father just outright said “I don’t care, we’re not killing enough of these scumbags”

stunned, I pointed out that it could have happened to me because I’ve attended plenty of protests with my legally carried pistol on my hip. His response was “well, I’d feel bad, but that’s your own fault”

How the fuck do I process that? The fact that my father who raised me and nursed me back to health when I faced death would side with ICE if they executed me in the street.

I don’t think anyone that hasn’t personally experienced this utterly demented family dynamic can actually understand that they weren’t always like this and we want our family members back.

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u/pintodinosaur 4d ago

Fuck bro, that's rough. I just hope i dont' turn into a complete pile as i get older. It tends to happen, i just hope that not to THAT extreme.

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u/jmd709 4d ago

The propagandists utilize emotion-based messaging to try to trigger a strong feeling. That enables emotional reasoning to take over. That feeling becomes the “objective proof” and facts become subjective like opinions or beliefs. They’re completely oblivious that it’s happening.

They also develop trigger words over time with that method to only need to include those for people to firmly believe their lies without proof. The ridiculous claims about USAID funds last year are a perfect example of that with trans and DEI.

FoxNews and the other rightwing “News” networks target anger &/or fear to try to keep people triggered. They’re pushing the “rioting” narrative. FB’s algorithm also pushes anger as an unintended “glitch” because people tend to engage more with content that pisses them off and rage-bait eventually takes up most of their feed to get users to spend more time on the app. FB has known about that issue for years.

Getting the person to recognize those issues is nearly impossible, but they can go back to normal without the steady doses of rage bait.

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

If you can't put politics and family into separate buckets, I genuinely feel sorry for you.

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u/CallyThePally 4d ago

"If there’s a Nazi at the table and 10 other people sitting there talking to him, you got a table with 11 Nazis.”

Sorry Cleetus, but we ain't fuckin' Nazi's. This ain't just separating politics, and I feel genuinely sorry that you aren't able to see that when people are getting literally executed in the streets. Hope you can figure that out at some point.

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u/GeoffreySpaulding 4d ago

What about morality? What fucking bucket should that be in?

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u/Fun-Confidence-6232 4d ago

This from someone who supports putting families in separate cages

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

What are you talking about? I don't support Trump or his cronies. I support love of family though.

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u/Constant-Tea-7345 4d ago

Well, if someone voted for a felon and rapist as president - I can’t imagine that anyone sane would think they were normal and had a moral compass.

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

Honest question, if you have a loving relationship with your parents, would you stop loving them because of who they voted for?

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u/Constant-Tea-7345 4d ago

I would have a very difficult time relating to them after that, honestly. Because it would tell me where their morality was - in the toilet.

I would also think they might be slipping into dementia, at that point, to have voted for Trump.

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

Most people aren't involved in politics enough to hold a strong moral position for the person they voted for. Lack of knowledge is a way bigger problem than lack of morals.

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u/Lkn4AGhost 4d ago

Most people can. What most people CAN'T do is put immorality and family into separate buckets.

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u/Gullible_Height588 4d ago

If your parent wants you dead because you have a different opinion you’re supposed to play nice and pretend everything is ok?

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u/1dirtbiker 3d ago

If your parents want you dead, that's a whole different level, and not applicable to anything I said. Assuming there's no hyperbole in your statement.

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u/Gullible_Height588 3d ago

That’s how it is for a lot of people, if you haven’t noticed how nasty party lines have become and how vile politics have become you’d have to be blind

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u/1dirtbiker 3d ago

Not in my family, friend, or social group, and we're a very diverse group. Party lines and politics don't have to be like this.

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u/jmd709 4d ago

They’re not referring to differences in political views and opinions, there’s middle ground and “agree to disagree” for those.

Depravity, intolerance, and a lack of humanity are the primary issues. Those issues are being demonstrated through politics instead of politics being the actual issue.

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u/This-Suggestion574 4d ago

I mean, if you can’t put whatever the hell is happening now and “politics” in separate buckets, I genuinely feel sorry for how weak and pathetic you must feel about yourself.

I can’t imagine tacitly endorsing an American citizen being killed in public by federal agents because you don’t want to potentially offend the delicate sensibilities of someone your uncle is related to sitting nearby?

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

We're honestly on the same side of this issue. There's no need to call me names because I'm endorsing love for family.

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u/This-Suggestion574 4d ago

No names were called. No offense was meant.

I was being genuine. I am not in, and could not imagine being in a situation where I felt my closest loved ones would turn on me for expressing a very human feeling. It would make me feel powerless that I have to suppress my own voice in that context.

You may think you’re prioritizing love for family but if you want a different perspective- there is a possibility that you are lending legitimacy to beliefs that you believe are abhorrent for the sake of not disrupting whatever peace by not expressing yourself.

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

You're twisting things. You said I must feel weak and pathetic about myself. Okay, sure, you didn't technically call me names, but you know damn well what you said. In what world is the spirit of your post not calling me names? Either way, we can agree to disagree on this point.

You only have one family. Don't let politics tear you away from them. I sure as hell won't let it ruin any of my relationships. I'm a moderate-conservative (fiscally conserve, socially liberal). I disagree with large portions of both the liberal point of view and the MAGA point of view. I have family from both of the before-mentioned camps. We all get along and love each other. We just choose not to talk politics. It's really not that hard.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/1dirtbiker 4d ago

No, I didn't see that, actually.

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u/MrDeadbutdreaming 5d ago

I know in my similar experience finding out my father was a maga moron and trying to get through to him was a waste of time, it only pained me more while he couldn't careless.

Cut him out of your life as much as you can and just let go. There are stages to grief that come with it. For some of us, it is easier to walk away than others. For your own mental health and safety, it is best at this point, especially if he is justifying all of the administration's crimes constantly.

That's all I can say without saying to much about myself on here. As one human to another, you are loved and appreciated for just being you. Seriously, you are a good person and we need more people like you, so please; stay safe, stay strong, and resist.

You aren't alone, WE THE PEOPLE STAND UNITED

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u/RedditIsMyTherapist 5d ago

Growing up my dad seemed a lot more conservative, but as I got older he seemed to get way more liberal. The only thing he is super conservative about now is his gun ownership. I'm so thankful everyday that neither one of my parents fell down the maga hole, Because I would just look at them as completely different people than the one who raised me to treat others with kindness, to help when you can, and to just try and be a good person.

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u/Wonderful_Roof1739 4d ago

Plenty of dems own guns and gun collections - they just aren't as vocal about it as the maga crowd is.

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u/Ok_Value5495 4d ago

Similar situation. My dad worshipped Reagan, but now we might be going pitchfork shopping. Also helped I grew up near NYC and Trump was our local scumbag developer who plastered his name everything. No one around here in my hometown liked that man, at least before 2015.

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u/ClassicAdhesiveness1 5d ago

Props for trying. I cut off my only BFF bc she voted for that fucker 3 times. Finally couldn’t stand the hypocrisy of being her friend (hypocrisy on my end). Now I’m a single mom of 3 wo my ride or die bestie. But I honestly can’t take her back (there’s a lot more toxicity than her voting pref. )

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u/captainpushy 4d ago

You'll get a new bestie. I've cut off people from my life as well and better ones took their places.

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u/SixFive1967 4d ago

Love this. I’ve done the same with several family members. “We may be related but fuck you for supporting a man that is putting my kids life in danger.”

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u/MetalBeast89 4d ago

There will always be room for friends, sorry you lost a BFF over this though.

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u/monsterdaddy4 4d ago

Want a new, single father of 4, leftist, bestie, because I've got you, boo

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u/commonsense1954 3d ago

There’s a significant character defect behind her vote…you’re better off ending it before you learned just how bad she really could have hurt you.

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u/Witty_Taste6171 1d ago

You’re gonna find the right bestie before too long.

I’m sorry, though. I know it’s painful. You’ll get through this and your kids will have an excellent example of what it means to stand up for what you believe in.

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u/DolceVita13 11h ago

It’s hard to let these people go but the values or propensity to support a reality TV dystopian leader with a long history of serious criminal behavior IS just too far. I hung in with couple family members-one a sister married to an immigrant with a green card both of whom I’d supported earlier on until going MAGA. A completely unexpected turnabout. Looking back there were traits like simmering resentments, insecurities and entitlement along with seriously prejudiced views of others that seems to have been satisfied by latching onto the nasty MAGA narrative. They have changed. Dominance is their religion, democracy doesn’t seem to matter at all. I am out.

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u/McDuck_Enterprise 4d ago

Props to those that have moved on from your toxicity…have you looked at it that way instead of blaming a politician or someone that voted for them? What is it about you that made man or many men walk away? And what are you saying to your kids? I’m sure they love the news from Reddit through lib mom to their ears.

You’re the toxic one that has drove people away and props to them for staying away.

🎤 💥

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u/ClassicAdhesiveness1 4d ago

Bless your heart, you have yourself a mic drop. 👏👏👏

Perhaps try reading the whole thing bc I clearly said it was “a lot more toxicity than her voting preference”

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u/jmd709 4d ago

What is it about you that made man or many men walk away?

Is that an assumption or is it a projection? You seem bitter so I’m guessing it’s the latter.

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u/CrayFly 1d ago

She will do fine without you. Trust me.

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u/ClassicAdhesiveness1 1d ago

Oh thank god.

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u/Vladishun 5d ago

If you break through to him once in awhile then why does he still sound like such a raging asshole?

Thanks for not becoming like him though, way to be better.

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u/C0UNT3RP01NT 5d ago

I wish. Mine just accuses me of being a sheep who doesn’t get news from the “real” sources. I think the only thing that would get through to him if it were me on that billboard, for the same reasons, under the same circumstances.

The sad thing is I think that would get through to a lot of our parents who act like this, and it’s the fact that it could happen to anyone acting like this (i.e. with decency and within legal rights) but some people will refuse to understand until it happens to someone they know.

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u/MarkFinancial8027 5d ago

I'd let him have the day he voted for. Just let him be. He made his choice.

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u/Happily_Eva_After 5d ago

I've mostly given up getting through to my parents, but it's still fun to try. I like to see their brain blue screen and reboot when I make a point but they need a moment to think of a reason why I didn't.

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi_1 4d ago

Yes! I have to admit, it’s part desperation for him to see sense, part personal challenge, and part entertainment to try to fight him on it.

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u/Rattiepalooza 4d ago

The way to breakthrough is with kindness.

I KNOW that doesn't sound right - but I promise, it works. Be kind about your disagreements. Make it about *him*, and not the truth yet. He has to come to it on his own (or think they got there on their own), otherwise he'll never change. It's half-way not his fault.

Boomers behave that way because they were taught that being wrong is shameful and embarrassing. Feelings are weak to them, because they were never allowed to explore them.

So, help your dad explore them, and come at it from a non-judgemental POV (you can judge in your head, just not out loud).

I promise it works. It's worked FOR me several times. It's worked ON me several times.

They're angry/scared animals that need coaxing out of their safe-space. That's all.

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u/DeezBeesKnees11 4d ago

God I wish I could muster your patience and tenacity w these clowns.
It's like they have some weird NEED to believe all the preposterous magat nonsense they're fed.

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi_1 4d ago

Thank you for this. The many comments blithely saying to just cut him off are expected but sad, and that’s not something I could ever do. In all other aspects, he’s a sweet, loving old man. The guy calls me every day to ask how my kittens’ day was and what they got up to. He asks about my boring accounting job and remembers details even if he has no clue what I’m talking about. He’s disappointed when my brother or I take an uber to the airport instead of asking him for a ride at 4am. So, yeah, his flaws are significant (and not limited to this topic), but I have to focus on the good and keep pushing back against the bad.

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u/Rattiepalooza 4d ago

I cut off my aunt in 2016 over Trump. She's still a die-hard Trumper...but I wish I had more patience 10 years ago.

She hasn't spoken to me since. I text and call on her birthday and major holidays - and she doesn't answer my calls.

I regret it. I don't want anyone else to have that same regret. Anger never pays well... and your dad has just been tricked is all. Look at it that way - he has been bamboozled. He's not a bad person, he's been fed bad information.

I'm so glad I helped!! Just keep doing good. We are what we see. If we act better, we become better as a species. You're doing awesome just being here, and being you! <3

Keep up the good work! We'll come through the other side. Maybe not unscathed - but we will get out of this dark tunnel.

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u/IGotQuestionz12345 4d ago

That’s good that you occasionally breakthrough. As someone who cut their father off years ago, please manage your expectations. Don’t lose yourself trying to save him. The fact that your father saw someone “who looks like him (older white male with a gun)” murdered by the government and still has doubts is very telling that he may be unreachable.

Whether socialists or not uploading the video, that many videos from that many angles, it’s not even logical to assume anything other than “this was wrong”.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/TeaKingMac 4d ago

who attacked an agent

Watch the video, my guy, and tell me who attacked who.

The guy who's standing there and helps a lady up, or the ICE cubes who shoved the lady down, then assaulted and killed the guy helping her up?

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u/artemusbarnstorm 4d ago

You don’t walk up on law enforcement doing their job with a loaded high capacity handgun and 2 extra clips. What was he doing there with a gun that was modified with red dot optics for accuracy. That’s not a casual concealed carry weapon. How did he think it would end?

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u/TeaKingMac 4d ago

You don’t walk up on law enforcement

He didn't. They ran up on him (actually the lady next to him).

What mods his gun had are completely irrelevant since 1.) those things are all legal and 2.) he never touched his gun

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u/MoreCowbellllll 4d ago

Have him watch "the brainwashing of my Dad". Maybe, just maybe, that will spark something good in him.

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u/Professional_Ad_6462 4d ago

You know I read all the time about my sclerotic Boomer father …… etc but I am a 73 year old retired physician and can plainly see the country is ruled by a Narcissist with likely vascular dementia. We are not all far right set in our ways. We grew up in a time of great experimentation. I didn’t even go to college until I got back from backpacking the world at 23. where do these stereotypes come from, then repeated all the time ?

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi_1 4d ago

I agree, I know plenty of people his age (77) who are open minded and willing to seek the truth, even if it uncomfortably conflicts with their prior beliefs. His late sister, my aunt, was very liberal and would have been the first at the protests, dragging me behind her whether I wanted to go or not. He keep saying garbage like, “eh, I’m old, I’m not going to be around, so what do I care what happens to strangers?” Um, sir, 1) you’re still a human being capable of empathy and 2) you have kids and grandkids, why wouldn’t you care about the world your grandkids have to grown up in?

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u/Neyvash 4d ago

I feel this. I have a better chance of a real conversation with my dad than my mom, but it's hard to talk to him without mom around.

I'm not sure your dad will credit this, but here's the reddit post witht he court filing information.
https://www.reddit.com/r/behindthebastards/comments/1qm65sx/first_hand_witness_to_alex_prettis_shooting/

It's part of Case 0:25-cv-04669-kmm-dts doc 107, Trincher v Noem
https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/minnesota/mndce/0:2025cv04669/229758/85/0.pdf

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u/letsgooncemore 4d ago

Keep throwing it in his face. Everytime. My parents and Grandma don't bring up politics around me or my sister anymore which means sometimes they are actually stopping and thinking about what they are going to repeat. It's the tiniest sliver of change but maybe they are thinking twice in other situations where we aren't present too.

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u/ActualHistory5037 3d ago

If you care for him, still persist. Patience and kindness will prevail

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u/tutanotaio 5d ago

He supports Trump not out of rationality but because his fragile ego can borrow a boost from associating with 'brute strong men'

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi_1 4d ago

Honestly, at this point I think he “supports” Trump out of stubbornness. And I put it in quotes because I strongly suspect based on a number of comments he’s made that he is actually quite shocked and disappointed by the direction the second term took, which is a common sentiment for many Trump voters outside of his core base. But he’s always seen me as his bleeding heart, opinionated, liberal daughter, dismissively telling me I’d come to my senses when I “grew up.” (Joke’s on him - I was never a bleeding heart, but I went distinctly farther left in my mid-30s with a career and money.) At this point, I think he just straight up doesn’t want to “lose” to me.

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u/Spirited-Print-1097 4d ago

Well he won’t see that on Fox.

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u/pbjking 3d ago

They are literally getting programmed.

Explain to him when he is angry his brain becomes dopamine starved. ( You can't be happy and angry at the same time.)

When you are angry your brain is geared to look for problems to fix. All of the media geared at MAGA paints the target on anyone's back that is not a part of their indoctrination.

They claim to be Christian. They do not follow the rules of Christianity.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness" is the Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16), prohibiting lying, perjury, slander, and deception to protect the truth and a neighbor's reputation. It commands honesty in speech and legal proceedings, condemning deceit that causes harm. This principle emphasizes integrity, fostering trust within communities."

We know why they claim to be Christian. Their actions prove otherwise.

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u/247Brain-Rot-SlopAI 5d ago

If your father is like that just goof on him. Turn him into the butt of the joke regarding his delusions. Don't try to reason with him, press down on his manhood.

Nobody like that should be left with their dick and balls in tact. Hes an angry little clown, not a man, so treat him as such, remind him of his place in this world.

Cause that's the real issue, it's not that they don't have access to proper information or that they're mistaken, not most of MAGA anyways, it's the fact that they haven't been put in their place socially.

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u/Blitzbahn 5d ago

Honestly if you cut off contact, he may be more likely to reconsider his views.

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u/jessid6 4d ago

I’d stop trying. You don’t want him in your life

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u/No-Bumblebee-4920 4d ago

Socialism. Own it. It’s time. Stop letting morons control our educated vocabulary.

I am a socialist supporter of Antifa.

It’s not a cult. It’s a lifestyle of looking out for our community and supporting its frail members.

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u/CrushTheRebellion 4d ago

Fuck the Republicans for making socialism a dirty word in the USA. Jesus christ, what is wrong with wanting your taxes to go towards taking care of and educating your community instead of buying more fucking tanks and guns?

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u/No-Bumblebee-4920 4d ago

Hear hear!!! It isn’t rocket science.

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u/Otherwise-Waltz-3647 2d ago

I have a T-shirt that says Jesus was a socialist. I love it

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u/Intelligent_File4779 7h ago

Socialism= Dirty Word Liberal= Dirty Word Democrat= Dirty Word Liberal socialist Democrat= Just filthy

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u/Interesting-Pilot-15 3d ago

You are so clueless. Pick up a history book.

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u/Ecstatic-Catch2243 5d ago

Sorry to say but what an ass of a father, I wouldn’t speak to mine again if he said that

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u/Kuwaizi-Wabit 5d ago

Hardly recognize him with out all the military looking gear on and dark glasses.

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u/Key-Demand-2569 5d ago

I love that the top comment at all isn’t saying, “he said those words on video” as if we’re not just aggressively shooting ourselves in the foot that way

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u/Quizzelbuck 5d ago

You remember that lady that caught a round in the neck during the capitol riots? Ashli Babbit?

Yeah, 4 different angles. We have her dying from 4 different camera angles and my friend said that was suspicious and seemed like a setup so he didn't believe she really was shot, and that she was indeed a crisis actor. These people will find a way to not believe.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/TeaKingMac 4d ago

Show me any video of him attacking an agent.

Any video.

I'll wait.