Episode 77: TikTok, MAGA Violence, & Right Wing Cognitive Dissonance

Here’s Episode 77 of Michigan’s premier progressive podcast!

Vote on this week’s Left of Lansing Online Poll via Twitter or X: Does Social Media help or hurt the political process?

On this week’s show, Pat talks about how Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt’s ridiculous and disturbing State of the Union response showed how the White Christian Nationalist movement dominates the Republican Party. Pat compares her speech to that of Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s SOTU response in 2020, and the differences could not be starker. Even more, Britt’s speech was designed to not just show how women “love kitchen,” but it was designed to also stoke fear. That’s a reliable aspect in the right wing playbook, and Pat explains how his time in right wing talk radio taught him how fear is vital in the right wing’s propaganda strategy.

Which then leads Pat to criticize Democrats in Congress for going along with Republicans to vote on banning TikTok. Democrats went along with the Republican xenophobic games to get rid of a platform that connects millions of young voters across the country. Michigan Democrats took over the state legislature, re-elected Gov. Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson because young voters showed-up at the polls in 2022! And we also enshrined abortion rights in our state’s constitution! How did that happen? Progressive groups, Gov. Whitmer’s campaign, and the state Democratic Party’s social media outreach via TikTok! And now, Democrats in Congress want to ban the platform that helps their voter outreach. Make it make sense!

Pat’s “Last Call” focuses on one of his favorite parts of the weird, warped, right wing world: Cognitive Dissonance.

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

SHOW NOTES:

The Left of Lansing “Friday Short” on Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt’s “Fundie Baby Voice.” From March 8, 2024

Dirt Road Democrat host Jess Piper’s explanation of the White Christian Nationalist “Fundie Baby Voice.

Episode 76 of the Left of Lansing Podcast featuring Dr. Sara Moslener of Central Michigan University on the history of White Christian Nationalism

“‘My heart is broken’: Katie Britt sens out self-pitying cash plea after SOTU debacle.” By Travis Gettys of Raw Story

Freelance Journalist Jonathan Katz’s breakdown of Sen. Britt’s lies regarding 20-year old story of woman raped in Mexico during the George W. Bush administration. (Thanks to Shannon Watts)

U.S. House votes to ban TikTok unless it is sold by China-controlled parent.” By Ashley Murray in Michigan Advance

U.S. House vote on TikTok ban.

Michigan Republican Congressman John James explaining his vote to ban TikTok.

Report: Michigan’s youth turnout in the 2022 election was best in the nation.” By Michigan Dept. of State

Man with ties to Alabama GOP charged with murder, sexual torture.” By Taylor O’Beir of Scripps News

Iron Mountain Mayor dispels rumors of 500 migrants moving into area hotels. (Thanks to Michigan GOP Watch)

Joe Spauldinglitter boxes” tweet.

Photo: “TikTok on iPhone” by Nordskov Media is marked with CC0 1.0.

Share this!