CSN - Citizen Voice - Lunar New Year Edition! - 2/1/2022
Tuesday Bulletin
CITIZEN SENTINELS’ MESSAGE:
Are you beginning to hear it? Have you heard people complaining about the division in our country? Well, most in the Democrat Party may complaining about the division within their own ranks but those who sincerely wish there could be a respectful debate and dialogue are likely Independents and even most Republicans. Most of the people that we would love to have come over to our way of thinking on issues are hungry for civility.
Jack Gleason has offered up an article today entitled Dealing with Cognitive Dissonance. In this contribution he explores human nature a bit and presents a great approach for entering into dialogue with others about policy topics that are important. Gleason introduces the reader to the internal discomfort felt by people who hold to two contradictory opinions. One glaring example he uses is those who believe the government has no right to get in the way of a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her body (abortion), yet also believe that government does have a right to mandate a vaccine. You get the picture. This article is a must read as it will arm you with effective techniques for entering into dialogue with others.
We have reached a point where so many people are not listening to one another. They are shouting past one another and demonizing all who disagree with them. Yet some are hungry for dialogue. Let’s prepare ourselves to enter into dialogue with others in a non-threatening way that will cause them to think about the issues, sometimes facing the cognitive dissonance that is within them.
Share today’s newsletter with others. It will especially be valuable for those who are principled in their thinking but hate confrontation and conflict.
We hope you enjoy all of our features today. Absorb, share and have a great new New Year!
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Dealing with Cognitive Dissonance
By Jack Gleason January 27, 2022
In an old episode of Star Trek, a powerful android threatened Captain Kirk and was defeated when asked an impossible question. Kirk actually employed “induced computer destruction” at least four times during the series.
The human brain is like a computer in some ways and holding conflicting views can be very uncomfortable. The term “cognitive dissonance” comes up regularly in political discussions, probably because these issues are rarely cut and dried, but are considered very important. It is defined as “the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People tend to seek consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes feelings of unease or discomfort.”
If you feel strongly that a candidate you support for high office should be honest and you catch him lying, you may experience cognitive dissonance.
So how would someone resolve this conflict? Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. explains in a Psychology Today article:
Choose to ignore the new conflicting information;
Commit even further to our beliefs;
Avoid exposure to contradictory information…
Take the case of a pro-abortion advocate whose main argument is “it’s my body and I have the right to make my own medical decisions,” who also believes in mandatory vaccines, even against someone’s personal will. How can this be resolved?
Take the case of a pro-abortion advocate whose main argument is “it’s my body and I have the right to make my own medical decisions,” who also believes in mandatory vaccines, even against someone’s personal will. How can this be resolved?
Looking at the coping behaviors listed above, someone might feel very uncomfortable learning that the vaccines are not as effective as promised, or the side effects are more dangerous than the disease. When we first heard of COVID we were told it was 5-10% fatal, since that was the death rate in the Washington state nursing home.
One subconscious strategy might be to simply ignore the new information that COVID is not as deadly as first thought, or conclude that the side effects are overstated. With social media, it’s easy to only visit groups that agree with your views, while the other side is demonized.
A common reaction is to be even more adamant about your initial views that COVID is so deadly that it’s okay to force an injection on the unwilling, and believe that the side effects are just “right-wing delusions.” You might redouble your efforts to convince others to your side.
Another example is the view that people should be required to carry a vaccine passport, while simultaneously thinking that voter ID is racist. If people must be identified to ensure they’ve been vaccinated and boosted to protect others, why is it a bad idea for people to be properly identified in order to vote? What about people who might cheat by purchasing a fake vax passport? Isn’t that just as bad as people who might vote using someone else’s name?
Yet another common belief is to support a political party “because I’ve always been a (Democrat or Republican).” Party views can change over time. This is very similar to rooting for a football franchise simply because they were your home team growing up. An odd thing often happens. The star player you idolized on Monday is traded to another team and suddenly becomes a hated traitor the next day. He’s the same person, but has now switched sides.
Holding these conflicting views can be extremely uncomfortable and can lead to overreactions, such as cutting off communication with family members who have other opinions, or making statements online you would never make in person. Instead of listening to new information that might make you change your mind, you vehemently attack the messenger as stupid or brainwashed.
You might support laws that clearly violate basic human rights in order to maintain your belief position or be willing to accept harsh punishments for those who refuse to comply. Leaving these conflicts unchallenged means that large segments of our country will forever remain on opposite sides.
Since emotions are by definition not rational, most such discussions are taken personally and honest information is rarely discussed or considered. People devolve into reciting the standard talking points until they walk away in anger. Every Thanksgiving we are presented with liberal articles on how to survive turkey dinner with crazy Uncle Harold who thinks Trump is a great guy, or vaccines all contain poison.
Listen to a “discussion” on NPR or MSM about vaccines or “fair voting laws” and you only hear guests who already agree with each other. The opposing view is only presented on conservative media. People leave their echo chambers with the idea that everyone agrees with their side.
When it’s a candidate for local judge, it’s okay to disagree on who might be best to vote for. But when it involves basic issues of personal liberty, the health of your family, and possible economic disaster, it becomes very important to try to bridge the gap and initiate an honest dialogue.
One suggestion is to avoid going head on, but start by asking honest questions about their views on the issue. “I understand you support mandatory vaccines; can you tell me more?”
The key is truly being willing to listen to the other side. If there really is a good reason to force everyone to take an injection, then you should be willing to change your mind.
Don’t argue your points, instead keep asking more questions. “Tell me more,” and “why is that?” Questions are never threatening and part of resolving cognitive dissonance is recruiting others to your position. They’d like nothing more than to change your views.
The problem with illogical trains of thought is that they rarely hold up to consistent questioning. After three “whys” they often run out of talking points. Repeat back what they just said using different words. Hearing someone else say something that is logically inconsistent might wake them up to reality.
Instead of going in for the kill, try to come up with a safe analogy that might shed light on their logic. “Should we make seasonal flu shots mandatory, too?” “Should people lose their jobs if they don’t get them?” “If flu shots are a good idea, won’t people take them voluntarily?”
If they do start to see things your way, don’t gloat or rub their noses in it. No one wants to be exposed as a fool. Just take it as an opening -- “Thanks for sharing your views, let’s talk about it later. Pass the cranberry sauce.”
You can’t change someone’s mind, only they can.
We often hear that people rarely change their minds. But if you look at Biden’s approval numbers plummeting from 55% to 40% that means 15% of the American public has already changed their minds, so reaching out is definitely worth the effort.
If we don’t address our political differences, we’ll stay locked in our echo chambers. If we can’t learn how to talk honestly with each other, our country will remain permanently divided, and a divided house will soon fall.
Jack Gleason is a conservative political writer. Comments can be sent to jackgleason9@protonmail.com
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We continue to urge citizens to take ownership of the responsibility to keep the Republic!
Remember, an educated and enlightened citizenry is vital for our future. As it has been written:
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 - KJV
The Citizens Voice provides information that the mainstream media hopes people don’t receive. Forward these newsletters to your friends and let them witness, first hand, that there is more than one side to a story. Then they will begin to understand the peril that our nation is in and be able to make informed decisions.
We are truly thankful for all of our readers who have chosen to assist our efforts in bringing the information and words of encouragement to all Americans we can possibly reach. We are truly grateful for the generous donations from our fellow Citizen Sentinels. It helps us keep going as a truly volunteer effort. Thank you so very much for whatever can be given.
"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." ~ Samuel Adams, 1776
Ownership of our Republic is now the fight of our time! Keeping our Republic depends upon the genuine sense of ownership of the Land of the Free. Either this is our country, or it will belong to those who are actively seeking to take it from us. It is the same mentality that inspired someone long ago to express the sentiment that “All it takes for evil to triumph is that good people do nothing.” Efforts to take responsibility for keeping this nation a free Republic are organically occurring right now all across the nation.
To take up your watch! Become a Citizen Sentinel! Stand in Service for Freedom!
Become informed! Also resist the MainStreamMedia’s work to undermine American values. You can reject such efforts! You can recommit to America’s founding values!
Become a Citizen Sentinel by sharing The Citizen Voice with everyone you know. Help others learn the truth.
When you see a video clip or read an article that you want others to see, send the information to one of our editors at PrincipledRepublic@gmx.com.
Step up! The United States is in the fight for her life and all of our citizens need to awaken and take action. Check the Recommended Resources links to take action!
To take up your watch! Become a Citizen Sentinel! Stand in Service for Freedom!
Become informed! Also resist the MainStreamMedia’s work to undermine American values. You can reject such efforts! You can recommit to America’s founding values!
SIGN IT> Sign The Petition - Expel Cheney & Kinzinger Now! Now!
SIGN UP> From The Heritage Foundation: Oppose Biden's Unlawful Vaccine Mandate!
TAKE ACTION > Keep U.S. Athletes from Harm - https://genocidegames.org/petition/
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Onward and Upward!
From Lindell TV: President Trump Speaks at Save America Rally in Houston, Texas - 1/29/22
From WION: Gravitas: Truckers protest turns into Anti-Trudeau movement - 2/1/22
From FOX News - Dan Bongino: They're attacking family and religion - 1/29/22
From Russell Brand: "They'll Be Worse Pandemics Than This!" Thanks Bill. - 1/28/22
From FOX News - Mark Levin: If you want a third world, vote for the Democrats - 1/25/22
From FOX News: Dr. Ben Carson - This is unfair to Biden's Supreme Court nominee - 1/28/22
From The Dan Bongino Show: Ep. 1695 Pick A Side, Before It's Too Late - 2/1/22
From Modern Wisdom: The State Of Modern Journalism - James O'Keefe | Modern Wisdom Podcast 428 - 1/29/22
From Sidney Powell: Bill Federer speaks at The Renewal - 1/27/22
From Sidney Powell: Jonathan Cahn speaks at The Renewal - 1/26/22
From Jordan Peterson: D-I-E must DIE - 1/19/22
ICYMI > From 'Life, Liberty & Levin' w/ Mark Levin: 'Startling' connection between Biden and China: Peter Schweizer - 1/24/22
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American Minute by William J. Federer - American Minute for January 31 - The very first Continental Congress was opened with a prayer by the Rev. Jacob Duché. He was born on this day
in 1783.
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Podcast - From The Victor Davis Hanson Show: Ukraine in Crisis - Who Will Help - 1/28/22
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articles & videos
Podcast - From Uncommon Knowledge: Judging The Justices: Epstein And Yoo On The New Originalist Supreme Court | Hoover Institution - 1/26/22
From Defining Ideas: The Affirmative-Action Showdown - 1/31/22
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Recommended Reading…
From Communities Digital News (w/ video): Freedom Convoy Organizers hold presser - they are in it for the long haul - 2/1/22
From Canada Free Press: 'Rubber Duck Bringing The Hammer Down' on Tyrant Trudeau - 2/1/22
From American Greatness: Zelensky Slams Biden: 'I Think I Know the Details Deeper Than Any Other President' - 1/28/22
From American Thinker: COVID Mandates are Devastating Our Schools - 1/28/22
From The Daily Wire: Joe Rogan Responds To Controversy With Spotify, Proposes New Way Forward For His Show - 2/1/22
From Breitbart (w/ video): Whoopi Goldberg Slammed for Saying 'Holocaust Isn't About Race': 'WTF? This Is Insane' - 1/31/22
From American Thinker: The Democrat Party's Application of Mass Formation Psychosis - 1/28/22
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What affects one, can affect all!
From California on Your Mind: Crimes Against Asians Rose 567% In San Francisco. Why? A Failed Criminal Justice System - 2/1/22
From The Blaze: Serial hypocrite Gavin Newsom pictured without mask at NFC Championship game - TheBlaze - 1/31/22
News From New Hampshire -
From WND: One American state moves to make ivermectin available to consumers - 2/1/22
News From New York -
From Bannon's War Room: The Theory Of ‘Broken Windows’ - 2/1/22
News From Pennsylvania -
From WND: 'She' has 'male genitals'? Locker room abuse - 1/28/22
News From Texas -
From Bannon's War Room: Plan To Solve The Invasion On The Southern Border - 2/1/22
From Bannon's War Room: Big Explosion Of Smuggling On Southern Border - 2/1/22
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Recommended Resources - follow the links…
Excellent Election Education Resource: US 2020 Election Fraud at a Glance
Excellent Non-Partisan Election Resource: Election Integrity Project California
Excellent Citizen-Patriot News Resource: Steve Bannon's War Room
Excellent Citizen-Patriot News Resource: From Frank Speech - the Home of Free Speech
Excellent Citizen Comprehensive Resource: David Horowitz Freedom Center
Excellent Citizen Activist Resource: Precinct Strategy: Home
Excellent Christian Homeschool Resource:
https://ed-exit.com/
Excellent Guide to Protecting Families: A Guide to Protecting Your Family From the Coming Insurrection and Violence 1 ARE YOU SAFE?
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