Funny Political Memes
- Thread starter Bowers3
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This is exactly where I’m going to try to go. I’m not sure I’m good enough. But I’m going to try.
The cause of the downfall in the dignity of the office of the president……
You’re a good man.
I wish people would quit talking about the ballroom. It's the US government; if there's anything history should have taught us is that any project like this is not what it is called on the surface. I'd think it's safe to assume that there is more than is publicly disclosed in any given section of a building like the White House. This demolition isn't to build a ballroom. It's to build a "ballroom".
On one hand, yeah that's pretty true. On the other, not saying it isn't sketchy but Trump is terrible at keeping secrets so whatever is going on 100% chance he brags about it at some point.
Evangelicals want to have it both ways. The church was once THE largest healthcare provider in the country and the largest provider of beneficence. But healthcare facilities have almost all been sold to corporations and almost none are still operated by the church and churches have given up feeding and caring for the poor in exchange for feeding and caring for their campuses. They have great coffee bars, though.
The first 6 are EXACTLY how I handle difficult situations with my 7yo.ChatGPT (bold and underline is me):
what is the best way to talk with someone who has delusions?
That’s a very thoughtful question — and how you respond to someone with delusions can make a big difference in keeping the conversation calm and supportive.
Here’s a concise, evidence-based approach used in psychiatry and crisis communication:
1. Stay Calm and Grounded
- Speak slowly, clearly, and in a neutral tone.
- Avoid arguing or showing alarm — agitation or disbelief can escalate things.
- Keep your body language open and non-threatening (e.g., uncrossed arms, relaxed posture).
2. Don’t Confront or “Correct” the Delusion
- Trying to prove the person wrong usually increases defensiveness.
- Instead of saying, “That’s not true,”you can say:
- “I understand that’s how it seems to you.”
- “That sounds really stressful — I can see this feels real to you.”
- You’re validating their feelings, not the false belief itself.
3. Reflect and Redirect
- Show empathy, then gently steer the conversation toward safety or problem-solving.
- Example: “I can see this is frightening. What do you think might help you feel safer right now?”
- If possible, focus on shared reality: “I don’t see what you’re describing, but I want to help you feel comfortable.”
4. Listen More Than You Speak
- Let them express the delusion fully without interruption.
- Sometimes people reveal emotional distress underneath (fear, shame, loneliness) — that’s often the real target for support.
5. Prioritize Safety and Trust
- If there are signs of danger (e.g., voices telling them to harm themselves or others), take it seriously and seek help immediately.
- Build rapport: small gestures of respect and reliability make future interventions easier.
6. Encourage Professional Support (Gently)
- Avoid forcing it. Instead, frame it as care:
- “You’ve been under a lot of stress — maybe talking with someone experienced in this could help you feel more in control.”
Quick Summary
Don’t Do Argue about facts Validate emotions Mock or joke Listen and stay calm Dismiss or avoid Engage compassionately Force insight Encourage gentle support
Are the same methods useful when dealing with people who believe the political misinformation coming from the White House?
That’s a very insightful (and difficult) question — and yes, there’s quite a bit of overlap, but with some key differences in intent and intensity.
When you’re talking with someone who believes political misinformation, you’re not dealing with a psychotic delusion — you’re dealing with motivated reasoning and identity-based belief.
So while confrontation still backfires, the goal isn’t to “treat” the belief but to open space for reflection.
Here’s how the approaches compare and how to adapt them effectively:
- Emotional arousal shuts down reasoning; calm dialogue opens it.
- Avoid sarcasm, ridicule, or “fact-dumps.” They make people double down (a well-known “backfire effect”).
- Use the same tone you’d use for someone describing a stressful experience, not someone “being wrong.”
Political misinformation usually ties to a person’s identity, fears, or values (“my team,” “freedom,” “safety,” “fairness”).
- Start there: “I can see why that issue matters a lot to you.”
- Once values feel respected, they become more open to re-examining information.
Instead of, “That’s false,” try:
Curiosity invites collaboration instead of confrontation.
- “That’s interesting — where did you hear that?”
- “How confident are you in that source?”
- “Would you be open to looking at a few different sources together?”
The goal isn’t to “win” the argument; it’s to introduce gentle cognitive dissonance:
4. Plant Doubt, Don’t Demand It
- “I used to think that too until I saw X…”
- “Some people in the administration said Y, but the data from [neutral source] show something else.”
- Even a pause or “huh, that’s odd” can open the door for later reflection.
If this is someone you care about, preserving trust is more valuable than scoring a factual point.
People rarely change beliefs mid-conversation — but they remember how they felt talking to you. That feeling predicts whether they’ll ever listen again.
You can’t reason someone out of a belief they didn’t reason themselves into — but you can create psychological safety for re-evaluation later.
Over time, small nudges from multiple trusted sources (friends, news, experience) matter more than one debate.
Context Primary Goal Effective Approach Delusion Maintain safety, reduce distress Validate feelings, avoid confrontation Misinformation Preserve trust, invite reflection Empathy + curiosity + credible sources
It takes time, and is really hard to keep calm sometimes, but boy does it work (with him).
Well, for one thing, it probably shouldn't cost anywhere near $300m. It's a way for him to leave a lasting legacy, and enrich his pals at the same time. Everything for him is a grift.
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