See Dr. Bandy Lee's recently posted interview.

Well worth the time.

It's all a conspiracy, and everyone's doing it, you know. They're just picking on T*ump because he was trying to help us, you know. Not them brown and black folks, but you know, us regular Americans. (As Archie Bunker would put it.)

And there is no sign that his popularity among the under educated is slipping. In fact his favorability rating has increased in recent weeks, not decreased. As you say the closer we come to bringing him the justice, the more the true believers conclude that it's all a giant conspiracy.

That has always been the real worry - that Americans in the end will be unable to govern themselves, that some huckster will emerge to lead them down the garden path to authoritarianism.

Here in 2024 it is perfect storm of ignorance, loss of critical thinking skills, and communication technologies / AI that can amplify disinformation and propaganda to be many times more powerful in the past.

reality TV too, but his really was the biggest crock of shit.

A lot of that reality TV sucked. Bring out the worst in people and let that be what makes them succeed. Not what was on when I grew up and talented writers were working in TV. Even the lamest sitcom had some good moral points.

But realized it was not really a reality show. Not when they have parts of it staged.

They weren’t really naked on “Naked and Afraid”! Dream crusher!

A beautifully soulful actor. Her deafness makes her speech sound odd. So TSF referred to her as "The retard".
I have hearing problems, myself, and that instantly alienated me. There will never be any sympathy forthcoming from me for this subhuman specimen.

And he was right.

especially if you had better taste in TV than to watch his heavily scripted portrayal of an executive who knew what he was doing, winners chosen by their talent and hard work instead of their GSRs.

People outside the area fell like a ton of wet manure for the packaged for TV persona and thought that's who he is.

Packaged? Uh-huh, and the cable news channels did nothing but promote it.

years ago to measure their response to people and products. I don't think they do that any more, they just let the focus groups of morons answer questions.

I did not recognize that abbreviation, and neither did Google.

The ability to judge who is a BS flim-flam snake oil salesman and who is genuine.
And a cynical, critical and non-trusting attitude towards their supposed leaders.

Not only that . . .

The ability to effectively settle topics that affect the average citizen once and for all time - little things like gun control, education, abortion, drug company rorting, wage justice, separation of church and state.
You know, little details like that.