Local opinion: Dogs, cats and the threat of chaos
Ever since our cat, Zeta Catalina, watched the Harris-Trump debate, she has been hiding under a bed, afraid of the evil migrants coming to get her. Part of that fear is that we are so close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Some lies are harmless, like how much you spent on your first car, or your golf exploits. Some are just exaggerations for effect or bragging about what you have done or will do. Those can be easily discounted. Some lies, however, can be harmful. Such is the case regarding Haitians eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. There have been bomb threats and school, and office closures, all because of what the Haitians might do, or supposedly have done. Someone could get hurt, or die. It all results from fear loathing and hatred perpetrated to gain power and influence. No matter how untrue the claims made, and the dangers to the Haitians, there will be no retraction or apology, no matter the harm. Haitians are included in the evil hordes of immigrants coming to destroy and poison the blood of our country. Further claims are they are taking away jobs, taking over cities, and committing a vast array of crimes.
It is the methodology utilized by cult leaders. They create an enemy that is out to get you, and the leader will protect you. Donald Trump has told his followers that various entities like the DOJ, FBI, the Communistic Radical Left and the Deep State are out to get them, and he and he alone is standing in the way. There are people on Trump's side who truly believe the things he says about those groups and the millions upon millions of invaders coming to pillage and plunder our nation.
Hitler used the same methods at his rallies. I always wondered what he was saying in his dramatic fashion. After seeing the translations, his message was essentially that evil forces are coming to get you, to defeat Deutschland, and he would conquer them. Whole groups of enemies were created, such as Jews, political opponents, even the mentally handicapped. Millions were rounded up and put to death. That is what a psychotic cult leader could do. The fears being utilized now about potential immigrant threats are not that extreme, but are used to create a following of the vulnerable and conspiracy-minded.
While campaigning in Pennsylvania recently, Trump said that the population of a 4,000-person town there had been increased by 2,000% because of Haitian influx. It was an blatant lie, unsupported by the math. That would make the town grow from 4,000 to nearly 100,000. According to the town's leaders, the number of Haitians is between 700 and 800, most of whom are working at jobs that on one else wants. It is just another example of wild exaggeration intended to strike fear. Why did he say 2,000%? Why not 2,000,000? Like many irrational claims, it is just taken out of space and thrown against the wall.
His description of today's America is a country in the grips of crime, destruction and lawlessness like never before. It is not. As you sit in your house in a peaceful neighborhood, you may not realize the horrors and chaos surrounding you. But according to the fearmongers, the chaos is there, ready to invade your life, endangering your cats, dogs, parakeets, turtles, and pet coyotes. You must admit that the lies told are creative, but on the far edge of bizarre reality and danger.
Trump claimed that he won the debate with Kamala Harris, and that it was fixed by the very dishonest and unfair ABC hosts. They only fact checked him and not Kamala. Could it be because he told 33 lies, and she told one, according to fact-checkers? Trump has further threatened to destroy ABC and other "Fake News" stations. It is all part of a pattern that will not change, including the upcoming November 5th vote. If Trump loses, there will be more Big Lies about a stolen, fixed, fraudulent election, and the nation will remain divided with no effort to unite.
Raised on an Illinois farm, Paul McCreary spent 29 years in education, retired to Indiana, Colorado and now Arizona, where my lovely wife and I try to remain active and creative.
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