16. "its a win for conservatives even when we just treat them " In response to In response to 13 Mon Jun-01-20 05:24 PM by Reeq
like theyre debating in good faith.
this liberal fascination with platforming/engaging the other side is a futile and misguided venture.
the free marketplace/exchange of ideas schtick is one of the biggest tricks conservative ever pulled (steve bannon openly admitted as much). they know their ideological circle is dying/shrinking...their ideas are vastly unpopular with the american public...their own base hates their actual policies (when theyre informed about them) outside of culture war fodder...and they need constant disinformation from fox news, facebook, and the entire rightwing media echo chamber just to keep their political leader viable with an approval rating in the 40s.
so they latch on to liberal/mainstream media outlets for the sole purpose of pushing their cynical agenda talking points and shifting the overton window simply by debating/including once extreme ideas as 'free expression' and reasonable thought.
its the reason why the large majority of americans are on the same side of gun safety, workers rights, healthcare access, corporate oversight, etc...but the unpopular nihilist conservative positions are positioned/perceived in the media like center right or moderate policies.
eg. - all of this coverage/amplification of these conservatives that refuse to wear masks like americans are evenly split on the issue...and its a position only held by *10%* of americans now (w10). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EY5njlIWsAECA0q?format=jpg&name=large