Trump Elected: The True MAGA Era Begins, Now What?

[axj]

Since Gabbard is unlikely to say something that is completely opposed to Trump's plans, the chances of a regime change operation in Venezuela or Iran seem low:

US strategy of ‘regime change’ is over – Gabbard

Washington has dropped its “old” nation-building strategy and now focuses on diplomacy and deal-making, intel chief Tulsi Gabbard has said

www.rt.com

 

[SummerLite]

The main reason for networking is to arrive at a more objective perception of reality, which is crucial. This includes examining any of our potential 'sacred cow' beliefs, instead of refusing to network and question whether what we see or believe may be inaccurate.

I absolutely agree with this in theory. The problem with groups very often is after awhile the goal becomes something else due to human nature I guess. The psychology of groups is helpful to understand how things go awry and sacred cows become predominate. At this point ferreting out objective reality is lost. Opposing views are written off as flawed in some way.

For example, I mentioned in replying to Cosmos everything he said didn't surprise me, that's because he's repeating what I've heard over and over again within this group who discuss the geopolitical stance of the USA. His passion for all the wrongs done by the US could be a example of how emotions and opinions become amplified in a group. In a group setting, where people have common beliefs, their is a tendency for those beliefs to become exaggerated due to group support and an echo chamber is created. The "truth" becomes crystalized in a rather self important way, I'm sorry to say and knowledge is the loser. There's lots of info out there on group dynamics.

An article on the polarization of groups

"During discussions, group members may become more argumentative and less willing to entertain other ideas. The dominant opinion, particularly when expressed by persuasive group members, becomes the main position that other group members increasingly adhere to. As a result, people become more willing to defend the prevailing perspective, often by arguing with anyone who tried to introduce contradictory evidence."

https://www.verywellmind.com/group-polarization-theories-and-examples-7547335

Remembering the goals of networking is something everyone needs to reconsider.

 

[Ruth]

I basically think that many Americans have been brainwashed to see/project their own dangers and wrongdoings primarily onto others such as China. Does that mean that China isn’t doing something? No, not necessarily. Does that mean that China might even do quite nefarious things towards the US? Yes. But even if that should be the case (which I wouldn’t discount) how come many Americans can’t understand or don’t care much for the pretty simple/bad/bloody recent history of America in the world and things like cause and effect?

If I was to guess about that question, I would say that the majority of Americans want something "good" about their country that they can believe in and hold on to, rather than having to face the truth. Their country is corrupt. I think mainly by oligarchs and big companies/corporations. Thank goodness they have The Constitution to refer back to. Many of them have no idea about how long this situation has been going on, or who (or what) really controls them.

 

[axj]

I absolutely agree with this in theory. The problem with groups very often is after awhile the goal becomes something else due to human nature I guess. The psychology of groups is helpful to understand how things go awry and sacred cows become predominate. At this point ferreting out objective reality is lost. Opposing views are written off as flawed in some way.

This tendency is of course there in groups, but in this case we have a group specifically for networking and for enhancing our objective view of reality by people who are doing the Work on themselves, quite a few for many years or even decades.

It is not even that there is a lot of disagreement between for example you and @Cosmos - you are just highlighting different facts that are undeniably there, though maybe you give these facts different weight, eg. how much of a positive or negative impact China has. And that is where more networking can result in a more objective view of reality for everyone here.

Sometimes a "minority view" here on the forum can turn out being closer to the truth, but it does not seem to happen too often.

 

[SummerLite]

This tendency is of course there in groups, but in this case we have a group specifically for networking and for enhancing our objective view of reality by people who are doing the Work on themselves, quite a few for many years or even decades.

It is not even that there is a lot of disagreement between for example you and @Cosmos - you are just highlighting different facts that are undeniably there, though maybe you give these facts different weight, eg. how much of a positive or negative impact China has. And that is where more networking can result in a more objective view of reality for everyone here.

Sometimes a "minority view" here on the forum can turn out being closer to the truth, but it does not seem to happen too often.

I certainly seem to be in the minority on this thread in that there are only a few that post regularly here who are in the US. My minority status becomes even smaller because of my views on Trump and whats happening in the US. However, in this country I'm among the majority, YEAH! I see this as mainly dealing with assumptions and bias that people internationally have developed over the years about the US.

The people here have a good track record over all with sussing things out. But we all have our limitations and blind spots, our knowledge is still limited, even if we've been doing the Work for decades. It depends on what the subject is. Often we have to wait for things to unfold before we know what the truth is which is where we are right now in my view.

 

[axj]

However, in this country I'm among the majority, YEAH! I see this as mainly dealing with assumptions and bias that people internationally have developed over the years about the US..

You think that there is an "international bias" against Trump and the US on a forum founded by someone from the US and in the US? Have you considered that there may be bias and assumptions, as well as a dose of arrogance on your part regarding the rest of the world?

You are certainly making assumptions about how much those who post in this thread know about the US. I lived there too for 6 years not too long ago.

The people here have a good track record over all with sussing things out. But we all have our limitations and blind spots, our knowledge is still limited, even if we've been doing the Work for decades.

The personal blind spots are the whole reason for networking, which for some reason you think does not work in the case of assessing the US and Trump.

The consensus here seems to be that none of this is black and white, that Trump is certainly better than the alternative, but with a lot of weaknesses and blind spots of his own. Including the misplaced arrogance towards the rest of the world.

 

[SummerLite]

You think that there is an "international bias" against Trump and the US on a forum founded by someone from the US and in the US? Have you considered that there may be bias and assumptions, as well as a dose of arrogance on your part regarding the rest of the world?

The majority are international on the forum. Of course, not all are biased on the forum concerning the US only some and others are misinformed.. You perceive me as arrogant? Hmm....I don't think so. Is it the Trump affect?

You are certainly making assumptions about how much those who post in this thread know about the US. I lived there too for 6 years not too long ago

I am?

SummerLite said:
The people here have a good track record over all with sussing things out. But we all have our limitations and blind spots, our knowledge is still limited, even if we've been doing the Work for decades.

The personal blind spots are the whole reason for networking, which for some reason you think does not work in the case of assessing the US and Trump.

Poor choice of words perhaps, I mean we will always have more to learn no matter how far along we are on the path. We need to figure it out on our own at some point. The assessing is working well in some places and not in others.

The consensus here seems to be that none of this is black and white, that Trump is certainly better than the alternative, but with a lot of weaknesses and blind spots of his own. Including the misplaced arrogance towards the rest of the world.

That sounds reasonable. The accuracy of this may change over time.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

It seems that the US is changing its strategy from "regime change" to "real war".

[...]
“And from day one, he has showed a very different way to conduct foreign policy, one that is pragmatic, that is deal-driven,” she said. “This is what President Trump’s America First policy looks like in action – building peace through diplomacy.”

Amassing thousands of troops near to Venezuela it's not "Trump's America First policy - building peace through diplomacy", but it's building peace through strength.