I'm not writing full much of anything the past couple of months. Long Covid came back to bite me hard. April will be two years with it, for the second time (which led me to writing a book about it that's not doing too bad, Suffering "Long Covid"). It's not that I'm not writing anymore, just that it's been harder in not feeling well too often.
If you stick around for monthly, it helps support indie films and the filmmaker you selected at sign up. For indie filmmakers it's a pretty cool setup. Otherwise we tend to get very little from streaming sites or their algorhythms tend to push only the bigger films. And there's a lot of great smaller films around people just don't get to see.
I hope to get back to more serious work soon. I've also been getting use to using AI. I've been testing out Chat AI for a while now, Bing AI Copilot and Bard, among others. It takes a little getting used to. Mostly I've used them as over glorified Google search functions. I've been posting discussions I've had with Copilot on here this past week because it gives people an idea about how to use them. They do have limitations. But that will fade quickly over time. And probably not that much time.
My best advice on using AI for now? Vet and verify what they say/respond with. Do check their URL references as they can be completely wrong at times. That being said, here's a new one. I just had a long drawn out argument with a conservative, Trump supporter online about democracy". It's a stupid argument that's been used for decades to argue against the status quo and delved into the nutcase right wingnut mindset that led to a Trump insurrection. Let's not do that again, or elect a career criminal, autocrat/wannabe dictator, narcissistic baby to office again.
So, I asked Bing AI Copilot:
There is a certain part of Americans who have long used the concept that America is a Republic, not a democracy as a whistlecall to much that is supported by white supremacists, MAGA conservatives, and antigovernment types. How would you counter their argument to dispel their mindset and lame argument?
Copilot:
This is a complex and controversial topic that has been debated for a long time. There is no definitive answer, but here are some possible ways to counter their argument:
You can point out that the United States is both a republic and a democracy, and that these terms are not mutually exclusive.
A republic is a form of government where the people elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf, while a democracy is a system where the people have a direct or indirect say in how they are governed. The United States has elements of both, such as the popular vote, the Electoral College, the Congress, and the Supreme Court. Therefore, saying that America is a republic and not a democracy is a false dichotomy12.
You can also challenge the assumption that a pure democracy is necessarily bad or leads to mob rule, tyranny, socialism, or communism. These are scare tactics that ignore the diversity and complexity of democratic practices and values around the world. Democracy is not a fixed or static concept, but a dynamic and evolving one that can accommodate different contexts and preferences. Democracy can also foster liberty, peace, and prosperity, as well as civic engagement, accountability, and human rights.
You can also appeal to the ideals and principles of the American founding and constitution, which were influenced by both republican and democratic thinkers and traditions. The founders did not reject democracy, but rather sought to balance it with checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and the rule of law. They also recognized that democracy is not perfect, but rather a work in progress that requires constant vigilance, participation, and improvement. They also left room for amendments and reforms to adapt to changing circumstances and needs.
ME:
What about when they start pointing things out in the federalist papers to support their contentions that America is not a democracy?
Copilot
The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the Constitution of the United States1. They are not official documents of the government, but rather personal opinions and arguments of the authors. They also do not represent a unified or consistent view, as the authors sometimes disagreed with each other on various issues.
Some of the essays in the Federalist Papers do express skepticism or criticism of pure or direct democracy, such as Federalist No. 10 by Madison or Federalist No. 63 by Hamilton. However, they do not deny or reject the value or necessity of democratic principles and practices in the American system. Rather, they advocate for a mixed or balanced form of government that combines republican and democratic elements, such as representation, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the rule of law.
Therefore, when they point out things in the Federalist Papers to support their contentions that America is not a democracy, you can counter their argument by showing that the Federalist Papers are not authoritative or conclusive sources of the American political identity or philosophy. You can also point out that the Federalist Papers acknowledge and appreciate the role and importance of democracy in the American experiment, and that they propose a complex and nuanced model of government that incorporates both republican and democratic features.
There are various groups that oppose or undermine democracy in America, often for extremist, violent, or hateful purposes. Some of these groups are:
Right-wing armed groups, such as white supremacist, anti-immigrant, anti-government, pro-gun, and survivalist militias, who envision a coming civil war or a collapse of the state. Some of these groups, such as the accelerationists and the Boogaloo Bois, seek to hasten or provoke such a scenario.
Hate groups, such as neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-Semitic organizations, who promote bigotry, intolerance, and violence against marginalized or minority communities. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there were about 1,225 active hate and anti-government groups in the US in 2020.
Anti-democratic politicians and media figures, who spread misinformation, conspiracy theories, and lies about the legitimacy of the electoral process, the integrity of the institutions, and the rights of the people. These actors seek to undermine public trust, incite violence, and subvert the will of the majority. Examples include former president Donald Trump, who falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him, and some of his allies and supporters, who attempted to overturn the results or storm the Capitol.
These groups pose a serious threat to the health and stability of American democracy, and they require vigilance, resistance, and counteraction from the public and the authorities.
ME: Do they have their own flag? I know for a while the right wingnut crowd acquired the American flag and the word "Patriotism". If you flew a flag, people avoided you thinking you are a right wing crazy. I'm a veteran. I used to fly an American flag at home, but I stopped for a while because I didn't support those people or POTUS45, Donald Trump. Or when you used the word, "Patriotism", people assumed you were a right wing, gun nut. I think we're on the road to taking both those things back.
Copilot:
Some of the groups that oppose democracy in America may have their own flags or symbols that they use to identify themselves or their causes. For example:
Right-wing armed groups may use flags that feature guns, skulls, snakes, or slogans such as “Don’t tread on me” or “Come and take it”. Some of them may also display the Confederate flag, which is seen by many as a symbol of racism and slavery1.
Hate groups may use flags or symbols that are associated with Nazi Germany, such as the swastika, the iron cross, or the SS runes. They may also use flags or symbols that represent white supremacy, such as the Celtic cross, the Odin’s rune, or the black sun2.
Anti-democratic politicians and media figures may use flags or symbols that are related to former president Donald Trump, such as the MAGA hat, the Trump 2020 flag, or the QAnon flag. They may also use flags or symbols that are related to conspiracy theories, such as the QAnon logo, the Pepe the Frog meme, or the Punisher skull34.
These flags or symbols are not endorsed or recognized by the official government or the majority of the American people. They are often used to provoke, intimidate, or incite violence against those who disagree with them. They are also widely condemned and rejected by many civil rights groups, religious organizations, and political parties.
ME: How would you summarize all this in a closing comment to someone to give them hope and support their fighting against ignorance and this kind of extremist right wing divisiveness?
Copilot:
Copilot:
America is a great nation that was founded on the principles of republicanism and democracy. These principles are not incompatible or contradictory, but rather complementary and mutually reinforcing. They allow the people to have a voice and a choice in how they are governed, while also protecting their rights and liberties from abuse and tyranny. Democracy is not a threat or a weakness, but a strength and a virtue. It is not a fixed or static concept, but a dynamic and evolving one that can adapt to changing circumstances and needs. Democracy is not perfect, but it is worth defending and improving.
However, there are some groups that oppose or undermine democracy in America, often for extremist, violent, or hateful purposes. They use false or misleading arguments, symbols, or flags to justify their actions or beliefs. They spread misinformation, conspiracy theories, and lies to erode public trust and confidence. They incite or commit violence to intimidate or silence those who disagree with them. They are not representative or respectful of the diversity and complexity of the American people and their values.
We should not let these groups divide us or deter us from our democratic ideals and aspirations. We should not let them take away our hope or our courage to fight for what is right and just. We should not let them define or dictate who we are or what we stand for. We are the people of the United States of America, they are a minority, and we are stronger together than apart. Even though they praise division and fear. We are the defenders and the guardians of our republic and our democracy, and we will not let them fall.
There you have it...
Cheers! Sláinte!
