I've mentioned my mother-in-law before and her devotion to Fox, Tucker, and Trump. She really provides me with a window into how her tribe perceives things. At times, Fox is a narcotic that soothes her in some sense as it effectively confirms that she's a good American for standing strong against immigrants, nutty liberal woke activists, the deep state, sleepy Joe, etc. But it also elevates and triggers her too as it plays on her biases, prejudices, and baser instincts,  tapping into her fears, jealousies, grievances, and yes, hatreds. It really can rile her up! And she's helpless in a sense because she doesn't read and won't seek out any contrary opinions. She doesn't even know how she's effortlessly being manipulated. It's all so sad, and, on a nationwide and international scale, it's terrifying. You can see how autocracies develop, and how cults and religions grow and crowd out critical thinking. And yes, the left sure isn't immune from this, but it isn't dangerously rabid on such a scale, and armed! And its leaders don't promote violence in ways the right has. How many Democrats appear with AR-15 on their Christmas cards? Credulity is seen as a virtue in the MAGA tribe, a loyalty test demanded by Dear Leader! You are so emotionally invested in the man and the movement, you aren't going to admit you have backed the wrong horse, and you sure as hell aren't going to risk being ostracized because these are the people you attend church with, shoot guns with, and sing Kid Rock songs with.

Peter T.