ToxicHolyGrenade

joined 2 years ago
[–] ToxicHolyGrenade@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago

What is the reason for the downvotes?

 

To publicly address people like Farron Cousins (the far-left Alex Jones imitator) and Mark Romano, I write to you not as a partisan, but as a British centrist tired of the rancor pouring from your broadcasts and writings. Your post-2024 election commentary has been punctuated by a tone of smug superiority and collective scorn, as if ordinary Americans must share blame for broad political problems. You seem to relish name-calling and sensationalism, treating every headline as an opportunity to beat people down instead of lifting citizens up. The country is weary of this approach, and many of us wonder when empathy or insight will begin to replace the vitriol.

Collective Blame and Voter Shaming

You often treat the entire American electorate like one big guilty party. Millions of voters cast ballots for thousands of different reasons, yet you paint them all with one broad stroke. In your world, anyone who voted for the “wrong” candidate or chose not to vote at all somehow deserves scorn or blame. Other millions of people who sat out may be disillusioned, busy, or disenfranchised - not traitors. On the other hand, for all those who know full well about Donald Trump yet voted for him anyway, deserve all of the blame, while most of those who are wilfully ignorant need to be hammered. BUT, having said that, you lump absolutely ALL Americans together as if they are one giant problem, even though most have been actively opposed to MAGA from the start up to this point. This collective punishment is simplistic and cruel. These tactics only divide society further and discourage any real understanding. MAGA voters are the ones that need to be actively opposed, not the whole entire populace, as they don’t even represent the nation, nor even morality.

But the problem runs deeper. You talk as if non-voters and wavering Americans are fully to blame for everything, as if they all share your views or principles. Anyone who might disagree is instantly tainted. That kind of broad-brush condemnation is not only unfair; it’s lazy journalism. By writing off millions of your neighbours with one swipe, you avoid engaging with real reasons people have for their choices. You drive potential allies into silence instead of explaining your position. In a democracy, such scolding only increases suspicion and wounds trust. America’s diversity of thought cannot be eradicated with collective insults - only embraced with discussion.

Sensationalism and Clickbait

I see the cliched clickbait in your headlines a mile away. Mark, your Romano Report coverage often reads like it’s written by a paranoid blogger, not a seasoned professional offering legal insight. Farron, your videos frequently begin with a shriek of horror and deliver only a thin veneer of facts underneath. Together, you trade in dramatic overstatement - words like “outrage,” “collapse,” “exposed,” and “destroyed” fly off your tongues like carnival rhetoric - all to snag views and clicks.

Viewers tune in for insight, not theatrics. Instead, they feel manipulated rather than informed. This style insults their intelligence and erodes trust. Instead of calmly analysing events, you hand out panic by the spoonful. People come looking for understanding, and your sensationalism only confirms their fear that media now cares more about likes than facts. It’s no wonder your credibility suffers: when every topic is a crisis, nothing feels real.

Hypocrisy and Closed Ears

You present yourselves as progressive truth-sayers, the moral high ground from which all others must be judged. Yet when anyone respectfully disagrees or points out a flaw in your narrative, you dismiss them as trolls or stooges. You ignore reasonable feedback and answer tough questions with contempt and condescension. If someone offers counter-evidence or simply a different perspective, you treat it as a personal insult instead of engaging in dialogue. You preach transparency and honesty, but you apply none of it to yourselves. Demanding accountability from others while giving none in your own commentary is the height of hypocrisy.

Those on the left who hoped you would build bridges see the gap widening instead. You act entitled to ratchet up outrage, yet you won’t tolerate a moment of push-back. A genuine discussion requires listening, but you seem deaf to anything that doesn’t echo your own echo chamber. By refusing to acknowledge any nuance or admit any mistake, you lose the respect of everyone who expected a serious conversation. It’s jarring to see you scold others for what you do yourselves - using outrage instead of evidence, punishing questions instead of answering them. That is not the noble praxis of journalism; it’s the tantrum of petulant analysts.

Ignoring the Vulnerable and Disenfranchised

Consider your non-voting, disabled, and marginalised compatriots. Many Americans face real obstacles to voting - disabilities, chronic illness, poverty, long work hours, or even legal disqualification - and some simply feel disenfranchised by the system. Yet you have the gall to write these people off as irresponsible or complicit in the outcome. It is jarring and insensitive.

You claim to champion the underdog, but you conveniently ignore or belittle those who could not participate in the very process you claim to care about. To lump them into a pile of “you get what you deserve” is simply cruel. There are veterans, people with chronic health conditions, caretakers and teachers who have enough on their plates without being scolded for politics. If you truly cared about justice, you would acknowledge these struggles instead of sneering at them. Turning a blind eye to the systemic barriers some citizens face - while lecturing the rest on what to do - is not just hypocritical; it is unkind. I will also go on record, that the democrat party is also to blame, because they pander to divisive ideological aspects that poison societal norms; from pushing identity politics, pandering and favouring Wokism, add fuel to culture wars, and are obsessive with microaggressions. What I can’t stand is that people like you, being cogs in the machine of the democrat party, are never critical of the party you go for unlike the Republicans, and even if you do, you very seldom do it. You people need to get out of your bubble and look at the vital aspects of both parties in full with objectivity, and to not overlook crucial nuances within society and governmental aspects.

The world is not as black and white as you think it is Romano and Farron. The democrats, during the 2024 election campaign, at the time when no party has ever won yet, they threw parties and acted as if they had taken the victory, when that has not happened yet. America is not a stupid country, but if you really want to label a party a stupid party in terms of the people in charge, the democrat party are not just hypocritical and arrogant, but they are also downright idiotic, and doesn’t have any ounce of sensibility at all. While I can say the same for the MAGA GOP but to a worse extent, the democrat party in terms of its leadership, is no better either.

The problem is NOT “the people” as you proclaim, it is the system, the media, the educational system (because the end result with civics as a field being left in the rear-view mirror, that caused so many societal problems as a result), the MAGA supporters specifically, as well as the foundation of democracy. Democracy is a failure, so what I am going to share to you, may be triggering and upsetting, but it is the truth, and that democracy, is a very bad idea in accordance to the famous Greek philosopher named Plato, and the ship analogy he makes is inarguable. Imagine a vessel at sea. The owner is strong, but hard of hearing and short-sighted - that’s most of the public. The sailors - that’s the politicians - all fight for control of the helm. None of them have actually studied navigation, but they shout the loudest, promise the most, and manipulate the owner into letting them steer.

Meanwhile, the real navigator - the philosopher, the one trained to read the stars and currents - is ignored, mocked, or thrown overboard. Plato’s point was simple: democracy, far too often than not, puts the wheel in the hands of the most persuasive, not the most competent.

The crowd chooses charm over skill, and then that’s how disaster strikes with the boat (being the democracy), crashes and sinks. That’s why it needs to be replaced with a better system other than either autocracy or democracy, whether that would be a Technocratic Constitutional Democracy, or a Civic-Republican Meritocracy, though what they are and how they can be implemented, will be for another time here.

Squandered Potential and Failed Leadership

I admit, some of your comments brush up against valid frustration - the sense that democracy is under threat, the anger at corruption and lies. These feelings are understandable. But you squander them by morphing that frustration into constant scorn. Instead of helping Americans solve problems, you drive many away with nonstop finger-wagging and pointing. That is not being a leader, that is being a mini-tyrant and a bully.

Imagine if you took a different approach: sparking dialogue rather than slamming your gavel of judgement on every dissenting voice. A responsible commentator would unite thoughtful people from different backgrounds with constructive criticism, rather than push them into an echo chamber. You miss the chance to lead thoughtful change by focusing on attacks. Instead of expanding your influence, you have ended up preaching to a narrower choir. Your potential as sharp-minded voices is wasted when your style pushes people into defensive corners.

The Real Role of Journalism

Good journalism should do something powerful: inform and guide citizens, not merely incite or demoralise them. A responsible journalist should:

Explain complex issues clearly, rather than oversimplify or sensationalise every detail.

Engage respectfully with different opinions, rather than shutting down critics with insults.

Highlight context and nuance, acknowledging that problems rarely have a single cause or solution.

Show empathy for all productive communities, including those who struggle to vote, rather than dismiss them.

Encourage constructive dialogue, rather than fanning the flames of anger for clicks.

Citizens deserve honest analysis and compassion. People should walk away feeling more informed and motivated to participate - not demeaned or hopeless.

A Call to Non-Partisan Reason and Dialogue

So I implore you: curb the sloganeering and stop treating voters like scapegoats and abandon partisanship. Think of the listeners and readers tuning in seeking truth, clarity, maybe even a dose of hope. Start speaking like actual journalists again, publicly apologise to all those you wrongly crowded over, and stop being so-called champions of your own outrage. Listen more, assume less. Because in the end, your preachy, mean-spirited style only fuels the polarisation you claim to despise. It pushes moderate Americans further to the sidelines.

People deserve analysis and empathy, not knee-jerk insults and lectures. It may not be sensational or viral, but it’s time for true dialogue.

Addendum

When confronted with sharp yet legitimate criticism, a public figure’s response often reveals more about their integrity than their initial commentary. Such was the case when I privately reached out to Mark Romano of The Romano Report, confronting him about his divisive rhetoric and his use of collective blame against the American public. In addition to this private exchange, I also engaged with his audience in the comments, and published my critiques in this very Substack opinion piece. Rather than respond with openness or a willingness to defend his views, Romano’s reaction was simple: he blocked me. This action, though seemingly minor in the age of social media, is profoundly revealing.

Romano has no issue lambasting so many millions of Americans collectively, dismissing voters and non-voters alike as the root of the problem. Yet, when directly confronted with detailed moral and logical counterpoints, he retreats. He demonstrates the classic trait of the demagogue: capable of dishing out sweeping condemnation, but utterly incapable of standing in the heat of intellectual scrutiny.

A commentator who claims to stand for truth, justice, or accountability must be prepared to test their ideas in open dialogue. Blocking a critic rather than addressing the critique reveals moral cowardice. It is easier to shut out dissent than to admit error or nuance, but in doing so Romano exposes himself as fragile and unwilling to uphold the very standards he demands of others.

Romano positions himself as a voice against corruption, dishonesty, and cowardice. Yet his own conduct is defined by these same traits. He is quick to shame and condemn, but refuses accountability when the mirror is turned on him. This is the essence of hypocrisy: he expects others to face his rhetoric, while shielding himself from fair criticism. It is a double standard that undermines his credibility entirely.

Blocking a critic is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It is the digital equivalent of plugging one’s ears, a behavior more fitting of an immature personality than of a commentator who seeks to shape public discourse. It suggests that Romano’s priority is not honest engagement, but ego-preservation.

Mark Romano’s choice to block me rather than engage is more than a personal slight - it is proof of the larger case against him. He can give but cannot take. He attacks others but shields himself. He demands accountability from the masses but refuses it for himself. His rhetoric is divisive, his tone incendiary, and his behavior cowardly. In this, he confirms what his critics have long argued: that far from being a voice of truth, he is another sensationalist commentator lacking the moral fortitude to defend his own words.

#demagogues #collectivevilification #exposed #theromanoreport #dyingempire #partisanship #dyingcountry #antipartisan #demagoguery #division #rant #alienation #recklessness #cybergoguery #collectivepunishment #degeneracy #bullying #extremism #dyingnation #farleftalexjones #cybergogues #doubehypocrisy #opinionpiece #farroncousins #corruption #hypocrisy #farleftdemagoguery #cowardice #theringoffire #condemnation #collectiveshaming #farleftcybergoguery #evil #politics #divisionfuelling #flamethrowers #nuances #flamethrowing #cognitiveblindspots #anticollectivepunishment #anticollectivevilification #anticollectiveshaming #2020s #farronbalanced #dividednation #america #unitedstates #gop #sensationalism #callousness #2025 #2026 #cynicism #anticynicism #unitedstatesofamerica #hypocrites #doublehypocrites #maga

 

To publicly address people like Farron Cousins (the far-left Alex Jones imitator) and Mark Romano, I write to you not as a partisan, but as a British centrist tired of the rancor pouring from your broadcasts and writings. Your post-2024 election commentary has been punctuated by a tone of smug superiority and collective scorn, as if ordinary Americans must share blame for broad political problems. You seem to relish name-calling and sensationalism, treating every headline as an opportunity to beat people down instead of lifting citizens up. The country is weary of this approach, and many of us wonder when empathy or insight will begin to replace the vitriol.

Collective Blame and Voter Shaming

You often treat the entire American electorate like one big guilty party. Millions of voters cast ballots for thousands of different reasons, yet you paint them all with one broad stroke. In your world, anyone who voted for the "wrong" candidate or chose not to vote at all somehow deserves scorn or blame. Other millions of people who sat out may be disillusioned, busy, or disenfranchised - not traitors. On the other hand, for all those who know full well about Donald Trump yet voted for him anyway, deserve all of the blame, while most of those who are wilfully ignorant need to be hammered. BUT, having said that, you lump absolutely ALL Americans together as if they are one giant problem, even though most have been actively opposed to MAGA from the start up to this point. This collective punishment is simplistic and cruel. These tactics only divide society further and discourage any real understanding. MAGA voters are the ones that need to be actively opposed, not the whole entire populace, as they don’t even represent the nation, nor even morality.

But the problem runs deeper. You talk as if non-voters and wavering Americans are fully to blame for everything, as if they all share your views or principles. Anyone who might disagree is instantly tainted. That kind of broad-brush condemnation is not only unfair; it’s lazy journalism. By writing off millions of your neighbours with one swipe, you avoid engaging with real reasons people have for their choices. You drive potential allies into silence instead of explaining your position. In a democracy, such scolding only increases suspicion and wounds trust. America’s diversity of thought cannot be eradicated with collective insults - only embraced with discussion.

Sensationalism and Clickbait

I see the cliched clickbait in your headlines a mile away. Mark, your Romano Report coverage often reads like it’s written by a paranoid blogger, not a seasoned professional offering legal insight. Farron, your videos frequently begin with a shriek of horror and deliver only a thin veneer of facts underneath. Together, you trade in dramatic overstatement - words like "outrage," "collapse," "exposed," and "destroyed" fly off your tongues like carnival rhetoric - all to snag views and clicks.

Viewers tune in for insight, not theatrics. Instead, they feel manipulated rather than informed. This style insults their intelligence and erodes trust. Instead of calmly analysing events, you hand out panic by the spoonful. People come looking for understanding, and your sensationalism only confirms their fear that media now cares more about likes than facts. It’s no wonder your credibility suffers: when every topic is a crisis, nothing feels real.

Hypocrisy and Closed Ears

You present yourselves as progressive truth-sayers, the moral high ground from which all others must be judged. Yet when anyone respectfully disagrees or points out a flaw in your narrative, you dismiss them as trolls or stooges. You ignore reasonable feedback and answer tough questions with contempt and condescension. If someone offers counter-evidence or simply a different perspective, you treat it as a personal insult instead of engaging in dialogue. You preach transparency and honesty, but you apply none of it to yourselves. Demanding accountability from others while giving none in your own commentary is the height of hypocrisy.

Those on the left who hoped you would build bridges see the gap widening instead. You act entitled to ratchet up outrage, yet you won’t tolerate a moment of push-back. A genuine discussion requires listening, but you seem deaf to anything that doesn’t echo your own echo chamber. By refusing to acknowledge any nuance or admit any mistake, you lose the respect of everyone who expected a serious conversation. It’s jarring to see you scold others for what you do yourselves - using outrage instead of evidence, punishing questions instead of answering them. That is not the noble praxis of journalism; it’s the tantrum of petulant analysts.

Ignoring the Vulnerable and Disenfranchised

Consider your non-voting, disabled, and marginalised compatriots. Many Americans face real obstacles to voting - disabilities, chronic illness, poverty, long work hours, or even legal disqualification - and some simply feel disenfranchised by the system. Yet you have the gall to write these people off as irresponsible or complicit in the outcome. It is jarring and insensitive.

You claim to champion the underdog, but you conveniently ignore or belittle those who could not participate in the very process you claim to care about. To lump them into a pile of "you get what you deserve" is simply cruel. There are veterans, people with chronic health conditions, caretakers and teachers who have enough on their plates without being scolded for politics. If you truly cared about justice, you would acknowledge these struggles instead of sneering at them. Turning a blind eye to the systemic barriers some citizens face - while lecturing the rest on what to do - is not just hypocritical; it is unkind. I will also go on record, that the democrat party is also to blame, because they pander to divisive ideological aspects that poison societal norms; from pushing identity politics, pandering and favouring Wokism, add fuel to culture wars, and are obsessive with microaggressions. What I can’t stand is that people like you, being cogs in the machine of the democrat party, are never critical of the party you go for unlike the Republicans, and even if you do, you very seldom do it. You people need to get out of your bubble and look at the vital aspects of both parties in full with objectivity, and to not overlook crucial nuances within society and governmental aspects.

The world is not as black and white as you think it is Romano and Farron. The democrats, during the 2024 election campaign, at the time when no party has ever won yet, they threw parties and acted as if they had taken the victory, when that has not happened yet. America is not a stupid country, but if you really want to label a party a stupid party in terms of the people in charge, the democrat party are not just hypocritical and arrogant, but they are also downright idiotic, and doesn’t have any ounce of sensibility at all. While I can say the same for the MAGA GOP but to a worse extent, the democrat party in terms of its leadership, is no better either.

The problem is NOT "the people" as you proclaim, it is the system, the media, the educational system (because the end result with civics as a field being left in the rear-view mirror, that caused so many societal problems as a result), the MAGA supporters specifically, as well as the foundation of democracy. Democracy is a failure, so what I am going to share to you, may be triggering and upsetting, but it is the truth, and that democracy, is a very bad idea in accordance to the famous Greek philosopher named Plato, and the ship analogy he makes is inarguable. Imagine a vessel at sea. The owner is strong, but hard of hearing and short-sighted - that’s most of the public. The sailors - that’s the politicians - all fight for control of the helm. None of them have actually studied navigation, but they shout the loudest, promise the most, and manipulate the owner into letting them steer.

Meanwhile, the real navigator - the philosopher, the one trained to read the stars and currents - is ignored, mocked, or thrown overboard. Plato’s point was simple: democracy, far too often than not, puts the wheel in the hands of the most persuasive, not the most competent.

The crowd chooses charm over skill, and then that’s how disaster strikes with the boat (being the democracy), crashes and sinks. That’s why it needs to be replaced with a better system other than either autocracy or democracy, whether that would be a Technocratic Constitutional Democracy, or a Civic-Republican Meritocracy, though what they are and how they can be implemented, will be for another time here.

Squandered Potential and Failed Leadership

I admit, some of your comments brush up against valid frustration - the sense that democracy is under threat, the anger at corruption and lies. These feelings are understandable. But you squander them by morphing that frustration into constant scorn. Instead of helping Americans solve problems, you drive many away with nonstop finger-wagging and pointing. That is not being a leader, that is being a mini-tyrant and a bully.

Imagine if you took a different approach: sparking dialogue rather than slamming your gavel of judgement on every dissenting voice. A responsible commentator would unite thoughtful people from different backgrounds with constructive criticism, rather than push them into an echo chamber. You miss the chance to lead thoughtful change by focusing on attacks. Instead of expanding your influence, you have ended up preaching to a narrower choir. Your potential as sharp-minded voices is wasted when your style pushes people into defensive corners.

The Real Role of Journalism

Good journalism should do something powerful: inform and guide citizens, not merely incite or demoralise them. A responsible journalist should:

Explain complex issues clearly, rather than oversimplify or sensationalise every detail.

Engage respectfully with different opinions, rather than shutting down critics with insults.

Highlight context and nuance, acknowledging that problems rarely have a single cause or solution.

Show empathy for all productive communities, including those who struggle to vote, rather than dismiss them.

Encourage constructive dialogue, rather than fanning the flames of anger for clicks.

Citizens deserve honest analysis and compassion. People should walk away feeling more informed and motivated to participate - not demeaned or hopeless.

A Call to Non-Partisan Reason and Dialogue

So I implore you: curb the sloganeering and stop treating voters like scapegoats and abandon partisanship. Think of the listeners and readers tuning in seeking truth, clarity, maybe even a dose of hope. Start speaking like actual journalists again, publicly apologise to all those you wrongly crowded over, and stop being so-called champions of your own outrage. Listen more, assume less. Because in the end, your preachy, mean-spirited style only fuels the polarisation you claim to despise. It pushes moderate Americans further to the sidelines.

People deserve analysis and empathy, not knee-jerk insults and lectures. It may not be sensational or viral, but it’s time for true dialogue.

Addendum

When confronted with sharp yet legitimate criticism, a public figure’s response often reveals more about their integrity than their initial commentary. Such was the case when I privately reached out to Mark Romano of The Romano Report, confronting him about his divisive rhetoric and his use of collective blame against the American public. In addition to this private exchange, I also engaged with his audience in the comments, and published my critiques in this very Substack opinion piece. Rather than respond with openness or a willingness to defend his views, Romano’s reaction was simple: he blocked me. This action, though seemingly minor in the age of social media, is profoundly revealing.

Romano has no issue lambasting so many millions of Americans collectively, dismissing voters and non-voters alike as the root of the problem. Yet, when directly confronted with detailed moral and logical counterpoints, he retreats. He demonstrates the classic trait of the demagogue: capable of dishing out sweeping condemnation, but utterly incapable of standing in the heat of intellectual scrutiny.

A commentator who claims to stand for truth, justice, or accountability must be prepared to test their ideas in open dialogue. Blocking a critic rather than addressing the critique reveals moral cowardice. It is easier to shut out dissent than to admit error or nuance, but in doing so Romano exposes himself as fragile and unwilling to uphold the very standards he demands of others.

Romano positions himself as a voice against corruption, dishonesty, and cowardice. Yet his own conduct is defined by these same traits. He is quick to shame and condemn, but refuses accountability when the mirror is turned on him. This is the essence of hypocrisy: he expects others to face his rhetoric, while shielding himself from fair criticism. It is a double standard that undermines his credibility entirely.

Blocking a critic is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It is the digital equivalent of plugging one’s ears, a behavior more fitting of an immature personality than of a commentator who seeks to shape public discourse. It suggests that Romano’s priority is not honest engagement, but ego-preservation.

Mark Romano’s choice to block me rather than engage is more than a personal slight - it is proof of the larger case against him. He can give but cannot take. He attacks others but shields himself. He demands accountability from the masses but refuses it for himself. His rhetoric is divisive, his tone incendiary, and his behavior cowardly. In this, he confirms what his critics have long argued: that far from being a voice of truth, he is another sensationalist commentator lacking the moral fortitude to defend his own words.

#demagogues #collectivevilification #exposed #theromanoreport #dyingempire #partisanship #dyingcountry #antipartisan #demagoguery #division #rant #alienation #recklessness #cybergoguery #collectivepunishment #degeneracy #bullying #extremism #dyingnation #farleftalexjones #cybergogues #doubehypocrisy #opinionpiece #farroncousins #corruption #hypocrisy #farleftdemagoguery #cowardice #theringoffire #condemnation #collectiveshaming #farleftcybergoguery #evil #politics #divisionfuelling #flamethrowers #nuances #flamethrowing #cognitiveblindspots #anticollectivepunishment #anticollectivevilification #anticollectiveshaming #2020s #farronbalanced #dividednation #america #unitedstates #gop #sensationalism #callousness #2025 #2026 #cynicism #anticynicism #unitedstatesofamerica #hypocrites #doublehypocrites #maga

[–] ToxicHolyGrenade@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Both Farron Cousins and Mark Romano, are both toxic far-left flamethrowers, not productive people. This Substack of mine explains it all.

https://toxicholygrenade.substack.com/p/farron-cousins-and-mark-romanothe

[–] ToxicHolyGrenade@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

I'm sorry but both Farron Cousins and Mark Romano, are both toxic far-left scumbags, and I have the post that explains why.

https://toxicholygrenade.substack.com/p/farron-cousins-and-mark-romanothe

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ACqHS2KGA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Qe1_i1BWk

To publicly address Farron and Mark,

I write to you not as a partisan but as a concerned centrist tired of the rancour pouring from your broadcasts and writings. Your post-2024 election commentary has been punctuated by a tone of smug superiority and collective scorn, as if ordinary Americans must share blame for broad political problems. You seem to relish name-calling and sensationalism, treating every headline as an opportunity to beat people down instead of lifting citizens up. The country is weary of this approach, and many of us wonder when empathy or insight will begin to replace the vitriol.

#Collective Blame and Voter Shaming

You often treat the entire American electorate like one big guilty party. Millions of voters cast ballots for thousands of different reasons, yet you paint them all with one broad stroke. In your world, anyone who voted for the "wrong" candidate or chose not to vote at all somehow deserves scorn or blame. Millions of people who sat out or chose differently may be disillusioned, busy, or disenfranchised - not traitors. But you lump them together as if they are one giant problem. This collective punishment is simplistic and cruel. These tactics only divide us further and discourage any real understanding.

But the problem runs deeper. You talk as if non-voters and wavering Americans are fully to blame for everything, as if they all share your views or principles. Anyone who might disagree is instantly tainted. That kind of broad-brush condemnation is not only unfair; it’s lazy journalism. By writing off millions of our neighbours with one swipe, you avoid engaging with real reasons people have for their choices. You drive potential allies into silence instead of explaining your position. In a democracy, such scolding only increases suspicion and wounds trust. America’s diversity of thought cannot be eradicated with collective insults - only embraced with discussion.

#Sensationalism and Clickbait

I see the cliched clickbait in your headlines a mile away. Mark, your Romano Report coverage often reads like it’s written by a paranoid blogger, not a seasoned professional offering legal insight. Farron, your videos frequently begin with a shriek of horror and deliver only a thin veneer of facts underneath. Together, you trade in dramatic overstatement - words like "outrage," "collapse," "exposed," and "destroyed" fly off your tongues like carnival rhetoric - all to snag views and clicks.

Viewers tune in for insight, not theatrics. Instead, they feel manipulated rather than informed. This style insults their intelligence and erodes trust. Instead of calmly analysing events, you hand out panic by the spoonful. People come looking for understanding, and your sensationalism only confirms their fear that media now cares more about likes than facts. It’s no wonder your credibility suffers: when every topic is a crisis, nothing feels real.

#Hypocrisy and Closed Ears

You present yourselves as progressive truth-sayers, the moral high ground from which all others must be judged. Yet when anyone respectfully disagrees or points out a flaw in your narrative, you dismiss them as trolls or stooges. You ignore reasonable feedback and answer tough questions with contempt and condescension. If someone offers counter-evidence or simply a different perspective, you treat it as a personal insult instead of engaging in dialogue. You preach transparency and honesty, but you apply none of it to yourselves. Demanding accountability from others while giving none in your own commentary is the height of hypocrisy.

Those on the left who hoped you would build bridges see the gap widening instead. You act entitled to ratchet up outrage, yet you won’t tolerate a moment of push-back. A genuine discussion requires listening, but you seem deaf to anything that doesn’t echo your own echo chamber. By refusing to acknowledge any nuance or admit any mistake, you lose the respect of everyone who expected a serious conversation. It’s jarring to see you scold others for what you do yourselves - using outrage instead of evidence, punishing questions instead of answering them. That is not the noble praxis of journalism; it’s the tantrum of petulant analysts.

#Ignoring the Vulnerable and Disenfranchised

Consider your non-voting, disabled, and marginalised compatriots. Many Americans face real obstacles to voting - disabilities, chronic illness, poverty, long work hours, or even legal disqualification - and some simply feel disenfranchised by the system. Yet you have the gall to write these people off as irresponsible or complicit in the outcome. It is jarring and insensitive.

You claim to champion the underdog, but you conveniently ignore or belittle those who could not participate in the very process you claim to care about. To lump them into a pile of "you get what you deserve" is simply cruel. There are veterans, people with chronic health conditions, caretakers and teachers who have enough on their plates without being scolded for politics. If you truly cared about justice, you would acknowledge these struggles instead of sneering at them. Turning a blind eye to the systemic barriers some citizens face - while lecturing the rest on what to do - is not just hypocritical; it is unkind. I will also go on record, that the democrat party is also to blame, because they pander to divisive ideological aspects that poison societal norms; from pushing identity politics, pandering and favouring

Wokism, add fuel to culture wars, and are obsessive with microaggressions. What I can't stand is that people like you, being cogs in the machine of the democrat party, are never critical of the party you go for unlike the Republicans, and even if you do, you very seldom do it. You people need to get out of your bubble and look at the vital aspects of both parties in full with objectivity, and to not overlook crucial nuances within society and governmental aspects.

The world is not as black and white as you think it is Romano and Farron. The democrats, during the 2024 election campaign, at the time when no party has ever won yet, they threw parties and acted as if they had taken the victory, when that has not happened yet. America is not a stupid country, but if you really want to label a party a stupid party in terms of the people in charge, the democrat party are not just hypocritical and arrogant, but they are also downright idiotic, and doesn't have any ounce of sensibility at all. While I can say the same for the MAGA GOP but to a worse extent, the democrat party in terms of its leadership, is no better either.

The problem is NOT "the people" as you proclaim, it is the system, the media, the educational system (because the end result with civics as a field being left in the rear-view mirror, that caused so many societal problems as a result), the MAGA supporters specifically, as well as the foundation of democracy. Democracy is a failure, so what I am going to share to you, may be triggering and upsetting, but it is the truth, and that democracy, is a very bad idea in accordance to the famous Greek philosopher named Plato, and the ship analogy he makes is inarguable. Imagine a vessel at sea. The owner is strong, but hard of hearing and short-sighted - that’s most of the public. The sailors - that’s the politicians - all fight for control of the helm. None of them have actually studied navigation, but they shout the loudest, promise the most, and manipulate the owner into letting them steer.

Meanwhile, the real navigator - the philosopher, the one trained to read the stars and currents - is ignored, mocked, or thrown overboard. Plato’s point was simple: democracy, far too often than not, puts the wheel in the hands of the most persuasive, not the most competent.

The crowd chooses charm over skill, and then that's how disaster strikes with the boat (being the democracy), crashes and sinks. That's why it needs to be replaced with a better system other than either autocracy or democracy, whether that would be a Technocratic Constitutional Democracy, or a Civic-Republican Meritocracy, though what they are and how they can be implemented, will be for another time here.

#Squandered Potential and Failed Leadership

I admit, some of your comments brush up against valid frustration - the sense that democracy is under threat, the anger at corruption and lies. These feelings are understandable. But you squander them by morphing that frustration into constant scorn. Instead of helping Americans solve problems, you drive many away with nonstop finger-wagging and pointing. That is not being a leader, that is being a mini-tyrant and a bully.

Imagine if you took a different approach: sparking dialogue rather than slamming your gavel of judgement on every dissenting voice. A responsible commentator would unite thoughtful people from different backgrounds with constructive criticism, rather than push them into an echo chamber. You miss the chance to lead thoughtful change by focusing on attacks. Instead of expanding your influence, you have ended up preaching to a narrower choir. Your potential as sharp-minded voices is wasted when your style pushes people into defensive corners.

#The Real Role of Journalism

Good journalism should do something powerful: inform and guide citizens, not merely incite or demoralise them. A responsible journalist should:

Explain complex issues clearly, rather than oversimplify or sensationalise every detail.

Engage respectfully with different opinions, rather than shutting down critics with insults.

Highlight context and nuance, acknowledging that problems rarely have a single cause or solution.

Show empathy for all communities, including those who struggle to vote, rather than dismiss them.

Encourage constructive dialogue, rather than fanning the flames of anger for clicks.

Citizens deserve honest analysis and compassion. We should walk away feeling more informed and motivated to participate - not demeaned or hopeless.

#A Call to Reason and Dialogue

So I implore you: curb the sloganeering and stop treating voters like scapegoats. Think of the listeners and readers tuning in seeking truth, clarity, maybe even a dose of hope. Start speaking like actual journalists again, publicly apologise to all those you wrongly crowded over, and stop being so-called champions of your own outrage. Listen more, assume less. Because in the end, your preachy, mean-spirited style only fuels the polarisation you claim to despise. It pushes moderate Americans further to the sidelines.

We deserve analysis and empathy, not knee-jerk insults and lectures. It may not be sensational or viral, but it’s time for true dialogue.

[–] ToxicHolyGrenade@lemmy.world -2 points 11 months ago (7 children)

"Just confirming: Did they only ban hentai games? I did some research and one of the games they got banned was literally a rpg rape simulator. (And I thought ManHunt was the goat of fucked up games).

I’m not saying hentai games are inherently immoral, or shouldn’t exist. But them getting removed from steam does make sense to me. Porn goes on pornhub, not netflix."

With all due respect Canaconda, frankly ANY adult game can have pornographic and sexual contents, including GTA of all games. I get that truly malign games that obviously encourage violence and other heinous crimes, must be banned, I understand that, but they are targeting ALL games that have adult elements at all. They're overzealous pricks and bitches, and art destruction is something I have extremely strong views against.

 

To Whom It May Deeply Concern,

I write to you not with courtesy, nor diplomacy, but with a blazing fire of indignation and righteous fury over the suffocating, authoritarian, and frankly disgusting actions of your organization. Collective Shout - an entity that masquerades as a moral guardian - has become nothing short of a censorship machine, functioning under a warped, puritanical crusade to erase anything that doesn't fit your rigid and Cherry-picked version of "appropriate" content. Your behavior is not that of a benevolent protector of society, but that of an ideological inquisition seeking to annihilate freedom of expression wherever it dares to show a shred of originality, edge, or nuance.

Let me be unequivocal - your group has no moral high ground. You do not represent "all women." You do not speak for society. And you most certainly do not speak for the millions of us who value artistic liberty, diverse storytelling, and the personal responsibility to choose what media we consume. You are not a grassroots watchdog. You are a self-appointed, unelected censorship lobby, whose behavior reeks of the same Orwellian overreach one might expect from repressive regimes.

Let’s get right to it. Your efforts to pressure Valve (Steam) and indie platforms like Itch.io into delisting and banning games - particularly ones that explore adult themes, anime-styled art, edgy humor, sexuality, or uncomfortable subject matter - are not only anti-consumer, but blatantly authoritarian. You paint all creators with the same broad brush, declaring their content harmful or exploitative, while ignoring context, nuance, genre, intent, and even satire.

Worse yet, you treat adults as if they are infants incapable of making their own decisions, demanding companies act as your moral police. You Cherry-pick games out of thousands, often misrepresenting them, weaponizing outrage, and demanding total erasure from the public sphere - not regulation, but outright obliteration.

This is not advocacy. This is ideological fascism dressed in progressive drag.

You’ve reduced a complex, multifaceted cultural medium like video games - a legitimate form of art - to a battlefield for your performative outrage and virtue signaling. Your idea of helping women or protecting children apparently includes silencing artists, crushing small developers, and bulldozing consumer agency into the dirt.

And don't even get me started on your hypocrisy. You rally against fictional content while staying suspiciously silent on real-world abuses that aren’t politically convenient or ideologically aligned. You have no issue rallying your digital pitchforks against harmless visual novels or fan-made indie games, but where is your energy when it comes to holding major corporations accountable for systemic exploitation in media, fashion, or advertising?

You see, your activism is selective, convenient, and ideologically filtered. You only care when it serves your brand. You don't protect people; you curate narratives. And you dare to insult the intelligence and autonomy of every free-thinking adult in the process.

I speak as a centrist, someone who believes in balance - in protecting the vulnerable without infantilizing society or handing over our civil liberties to mobs of moral puritans. I also speak from a mildly conservative perspective when I say: enough is enough.

You are not the solution. You are part of the problem.

You’re not just silencing perverse or extreme content (which already has laws and community moderation in place). You’re silencing weirdness, art, criticism, uncomfortable stories, and mature themes, and you're doing so under the false pretense that you are "protecting" people. The truth is, you don't trust people to think for themselves. And what’s worse - you don't want to.

And what do you think happens when organizations like yours suppress, stifle, and silence under the guise of righteousness? You drive people underground. You create resentment. You provoke backlash. You feed the very anti-feminist and anti-progressive sentiments you claim to oppose.

Congratulations. You’ve helped burn the bridge to discourse and torched it in self-congratulatory flames.

In the heart of justice and the restoration of creative freedom, I call upon your moronic organization - or any platforms you have influenced through coercion - to reverse and revoke every single action taken against affected games and developers. This includes but is not limited to: restoring delisted games, reinstating wrongfully banned creators, and issuing public apologies to the individuals and small studios you’ve dragged through the mud. The damage you've caused - reputational, financial, emotional - is not something that should be swept under the rug. You owe the global indie development community a reckoning. You must repair what you’ve broken, admit the overreach, and stand down from policing artistic expression that falls outside your moral doctrine. Otherwise, history will remember your group as a blight on creative culture - a bitter footnote in the timeline of digital censorship, authoritarian activism, and social overreach.

You are free to hold your values. But you are not free to enforce them on others under threats, manipulation, or corporate pressure. We didn’t elect you. We didn’t ask for your judgment. We don’t want your crusade.

Stop harassing game platforms.

Stop treating artists as criminals.

Stop silencing those who don't think like you.

And above all else, stop pretending you’re doing this for anyone’s benefit but your own self-righteous vanity.

Because if you continue on this course, rest assured - a cultural pushback will come. You are already being viewed by many not as protectors, but as moral tyrants. And history does not remember tyrants fondly.

You have every right to exist. But you do not have the right to dictate what the rest of us can see, play, create, or enjoy.

Stay out of our libraries. Stay out of our hard drives. And for the love of liberty, stay out of our lives.

Sincerely and unapologetically,

A Centrist Who's Had Enough

Why is it getting downvoted?

Why is it getting downvoted?

[–] ToxicHolyGrenade@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, in fairness, any booru site that is writhe with abusive individuals, but I am using https://rule34.xxx/ as the main example here.

Can you refer me to other areas where I can raise these improvements by any chance when it revolves around domains like these?

[–] ToxicHolyGrenade@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (3 children)

...Then what's the point of having a healthy and safe social media platform (even any internet platform), when some abusive individuals are to take up the mod/admin mantle and treat people like dirt and shove people around into making them miserable? If that cannot be done, then I'd rather social media as a whole not exist then.

The fact is, it is one thing to scrap some of the solutions I provided, but it has become evident that most refuse to even try and see what sticks, and some don't work out, then they should be left out. It is about trying, evolving, and experimenting to improve things so people are more happy. Because I was abused and banned for simply making tags that DID serve a good purpose should I add, and being pushed around as well, that's why I feel motivated in making such a proposal in the first place, not for myself, but for everyone else who feels the same way I do.