Chris Gloninger wove the reality of global heating into his forecasts in the conservative heartland of Iowa. Not everyone was receptive.

  • uberkalden@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    That’s a cherry picked example. Most of these people have jobs outside of the coal industry. That isn’t why they are like this

    • tikitaki@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      The point wasn’t the rare coal town but the perception that pervades the rural areas of this country. It doesn’t have to be coal towns - there are similar stories for all smallish cities across the Rust Belt for example. You’re focusing on a specific when really the point is that fascism grows only in poor economic situations.

      These people are legitimately suffering and they are turning to hate as a response. Trust me, you or me could have easily been in their shoes had we been in their position. But just like they have been swayed to hate, I think it’s possible to sway them to socialism as long as you call it something other than socialism.

      Zizek has talked about this before where Trump supporters in 2016 were a hair’s breadth away from being Bernie supporters. While a bit of a dramatic statement, there is some truth in this. When the economic situation is unstable, radicalism grows in both directions - left and right. Which is why around the same time period we saw an openly socialist candidate for president in the US receive about 6% of the general vote - while we also saw massive Nazi rallies in New York City.

      Everything is connected. We are fighting for the hearts and minds of the same people.

      • uberkalden@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        In theory I agree with everything you said. In this specific example I don’t buy it. The people threatening this weather man aren’t taking that position because climate change legislation is hurting them personally. They’ve just brainwashed by right wing propoganda

        • tikitaki@kbin.social
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          1 year ago

          Was more to do with the comment I replied to than the original post

          Magic sky man scary me no like. Bad man make planet hot because we be naughty.

          I used to listen and try to understand when I lived in rural counties in the US. Now all I hear is…

          Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

          Sure, people making death threats to weathermen are nutters. But majority of people living in these areas are not so crazy, even ones that lean Trumpers