Quote of the Day: What Should I Do With All This Outrage?

 

“Anger’s my meat; I sup upon myself,
And so shall starve with feeding.”
William Shakespeare, Coriolanus (c. 1607-08), Act IV, scene 2, line 50.

All political media is rich with sources of outrage. It’s a constant drumbeat of people showing horrible behavior. Democrats and <insert Republicans I disagree with here> plan to do all kinds of evil. America’s enemies act blatantly, we have insane socialists with plans to destroy our way of life, and representative ready to nuke us. I’m vigilant and well aware of what is going down — I live in Obamastan, after all, surrounded by people who would despise me if they knew what I was.

What the hell am I supposed to do about this? I’m flooded with outrage like high-pressure steam, ready to act on an object, but I can’t see anywhere to apply it. So it builds and builds, growing hotter and more violent without any outlet. So, when I read yet another damned story about Democrats making the law their slave and selling out the country, what am I supposed to do with this outrage?

Vote? Already did. Where I am at, the Democrats will win almost every single office thanks to zombie voters and demographics. Besides, the outrage is constant, not just in election season.

Write my congresscritters? None of them would care — they get elected repeatedly despite doing nothing — thank the Machine and racial block voting.

Talk with and persuade people? I try, but I have to be careful or I could lose my job. Worse, I might need some co-workers to have my back in a hazardous situation. If they think I am a Nazi or something, would they still back me up while going into a toxic area? So many people are bathing in the opposite side’s rage.

Donate? I did, for the first time this election. I’m not able to actually influence some politician — I am well-off, but not loaded.

This is a legitimate question — I’ve got no answer. I’m debating avoiding all news and political blogs whatsoever, but that feels like surrender. I despise surrender. If you have an answer, please tell me before I decide to become a democrativore…

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  1. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    I can’t advise you until you clarify “democrativore.” 

    • #1
  2. OmegaPaladin Moderator
    OmegaPaladin
    @OmegaPaladin

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    I can’t advise you until you clarify “democrativore.”

    It was a joke about eating democrats Modest Proposal style.

    • #2
  3. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    I can’t advise you until you clarify “democrativore.”

    It was a joke about eating democrats Modest Proposal style.

    Just wanted to be sure. 

    I hear that they’re like rancid porridge, and probably not very nourishing. 

    • #3
  4. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    The reactor core of the mind in question appears to be exceptionally stable. No meltdown is possible due to an extraordinary degree of internal strength and wisdom. Some inevitable venting, and continued cooling due to maybe small, but exceptionally hard won victories will lower the temperature. The pressure will stay in the useful range. 

    When electricity was still a laboratory curiosity, steam power built the western world. We need that pressure, that power more than ever. That’s what you’re going to do with that outrage. You’re going to help capture and preserve a better future of the country you fought for than the one we could be facing now. But heck, we always knew that. 

    • #4
  5. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    I can’t advise you until you clarify “democrativore.”

    It was a joke about eating democrats Modest Proposal style.

    Just wanted to be sure.

    I hear that they’re like rancid porridge, and probably not very nourishing.

    I’m sure the hipsters would taste nice. 

    • #5
  6. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Seemingly nothing can be done?  The fatigue?  The disillusionment?  What did I do?

    And I joined Ricochet.

    • #6
  7. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Seemingly nothing can be done? The fatigue? The disillusionment? What did I do?

    And I joined Ricochet.

    “And we got your fifty bucks, sucka!!” taunts Ricochet mascot Daffy Duck.

    • #7
  8. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Seemingly nothing can be done? The fatigue? The disillusionment? What did I do?

    And I joined Ricochet.

    “And we got your fifty bucks, sucka!!” taunts Ricochet mascot Daffy Duck.

    Um.  Sixty bucks.  And, uh, you’re welcome.

    PS: Can someone start a thread about bread making?

    • #8
  9. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Seemingly nothing can be done? The fatigue? The disillusionment? What did I do?

    And I joined Ricochet.

    “And we got your fifty bucks, sucka!!” taunts Ricochet mascot Daffy Duck.

    Um. Sixty bucks. And, uh, you’re welcome.

    PS: Can someone start a thread about bread making?

    There have actually been quite a number of comments about it. For a bunch of grimly serious men and women in heavy industry, high tech, defense, and the intelligence community, folks here just love to yak about marinated artichoke hearts. You’ve come to the Right place. Check out the Groups; there must be a baker or two. 

    • #9
  10. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Gary McVey (View Comment):
    You’ve come to the Right place. Check out the Groups; there must be a baker or two.

    I don’t really want to make the bread, I just want to knead the dough.

    • #10
  11. OkieSailor Member
    OkieSailor
    @OkieSailor

    The part you can do, even in your situation, is continue to contribute to building a stable and productive civilization. Be productive even when those around you ridicule the productive. Be positive about America even (especially) when those around you are contemptuous about this great country. Be a real thorn in their side, not by being a complainer nor an explainer but by extolling the good things about us and our accomplishments, especially when they are bent on tearing us down. Be a goody two shoes about it. It will drive them crazy and that is at least some recompense for having to live among such Debbie Downers IMO.
    Hanging around Ricochet will give you sufficient ammunition for these exchanges. One example: a young lady at the last office where I worked was just incensed that, “Americans consume 25% of the World’s GDP!” I didn’t argue with her facts, suspect though they may be. I just said, “Yes, and we produce 27%. Do you know what happens to the other 2%?” Her,”No.” Me,” We give it away. Americans are by far the most generous people on Earth. No one else is even close.” I said it with a  smile since my intent was to introduce information that might, just might, cause her and those listening to re-think some things they have been taught about how lousy this Republic is.

    Are those figures accurate? I don’t know but they’re close enough for Government work ;>)

    • #11
  12. Amy Schley Coolidge
    Amy Schley
    @AmySchley

    This is what I told one of my law professors yesterday after his Facebook followers attacked me for daring to say that squabbling on social media does not actually count as “fighting the president”:

    Social media isn’t real. The tempests in teapots that happen on Twitter aren’t real. (One would think the embarrassing failure of #bringbackourgirls to convince a single Boko Haram terrorist to free his kidnapped child sex slave would make that clear.)
    One of the things they teach you in getting over depression is the importance of focusing on what is in your sphere of influence and not wasting time or energy on the rest. Trump isn’t in my sphere of influence. I daresay he’s not in yours either. All I was trying to say, before the thread turned into an analysis of my biography of failure, is that you, like everyone, should focus your efforts on what is real and within your sphere. And your sphere as a man with a well paying and prestigious job is far greater than the fake world of social media.

    Focus on your sphere, and let other people bash themselves senseless over everything else. 

    • #12
  13. Vectorman Inactive
    Vectorman
    @Vectorman

    OkieSailor (View Comment):
    Americans consume 25% of the World’s GDP!” I didn’t argue with her facts, suspect though they may be. I just said, “Yes, and we produce 27%

    For anything critical for modern life, we could tell the rest of the world to buzz off. Example: In World War II, we had the oil, steel, copper, lead, wood, cotton, food, etc., to become the “Arsenal of Democracy.” We’ve stop producing key items like lead (and some copper) due to “the environment.” Except for some exotic items like coffee and cocoa, we could even produce enough table sugar for domestic consumption, although it would be expensive.


    There are 3 openings left on the December Quote of the Day Schedule, the easiest way to start a conversation on Ricochet. And if you’re busy between Christmas and New Year’s, there are many open dates on the January Quote of the Day Schedule. We’ve even include tips for finding great quotes, so choose your favorite quote and sign up today!

    • #13
  14. GrannyDude Member
    GrannyDude
    @GrannyDude

    The guys I work with don’t believe this…but my children and siblings do: I have a temper. And I have been provoked to useless rage about real wrongs I cannot right. Certainly not by fulminating against my loved ones. (Are they still my loved ones? We all have our doubts.) 

    Just so you know, this is incredibly helpful. Keep it coming. (And the quote is perfect).

    • #14
  15. Poindexter Inactive
    Poindexter
    @Poindexter

    People here have said it already in different ways, but I’ll throw in my two cents worth anyway. Use your energy to influence the things that you can. Make your little part of the world as good as you can. Cheer up people around you. Help them out. Pay attention to details. Learn a new skill. Build something. You get the idea.

    • #15
  16. She Member
    She
    @She

    GrannyDude (View Comment):
    Just so you know, this is incredibly helpful. Keep it coming. (And the quote is perfect).

    Indeed it is.  It’s a really important thing to think about.

    I don’t have an answer either, other than to say that I try to keep front and center in my life those I love and those I actually know.  God knows who all these people on political media and social media saying foul and intemperate things are, and, in the great scheme of things, they have only as much power over me as I give them.  Getting all worked up, and being foul and intemperate in return, really doesn’t help things, and just makes me as miserable and lonely as I think many of them are.

    What matters to me are the people actually in my life.  I can’t help thinking that we should spend more time taking care of, being loyal to and loving, the people actually in our lives, and less time worrying about, and even trying to score one over on people we don’t know, and have never met.  My view of Ricochet, for example, is that it’s a wonderful place where I have many friends, both IRL and virtually.  Some of the most meaningful real-life relationships I’ve ever experienced have started here.  And I enjoy chit-chatting with folks I know think differently about politics, and who have a different worldview than I do.  But I don’t ever want Ricochet to become a place where I feel I have to “win,” or where I think that what I am saying is so important and right that if others don’t agree with me I should get angry and combative.  It’s simply not worth it.  And because, largely, I can manage myself on Ricochet to that end, that’s why I’m still here.  Facebook and Twitter, not so much.  That’s why I’m not there.

    And, of course, I assume that most of what’s on the news is either an outright lie, or tailored to advance an agenda.

    So, every day, I get up, try to take care of the people I love, do my best to be straightforward, honest and kind, and make my little corner of the world the best that it can be.  Because, that’s all I can do, really.  And I can’t help thinking that if we all focused more on that, the world might be a better, less angry, and more comforting place.

    • #16
  17. Nanda Panjandrum Member
    Nanda Panjandrum
    @

    Dear Paladin, here’s a Panda Hug…Pray – and brighten the corner(s) where you are. You’re already doing that here…

    • #17
  18. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    Be consoled by the knowledge that each of the two major parties has a secret weapon  — the other party.  After the 1964 LBJ landslide, Democrats also has 68% of each house in Congress.  Newsweek (a serious publication back then) ran a cover story about whether the GOP would disappear.  But LBJ screwed the pooch in Vietnam and his Great Society created social disorder, crime and resentment.  The GOP won 5 of the next six presidential elections.  After 1988, the theme was whether Democrats could ever win the White House again and they they then won 4 of 6.

    The current crop of Democratic leadership is quite capable of creating a new winning GOP coalition in the not-so-distant future. Offer conservative visions with a smile and let nature take its course.

    • #18
  19. Midget Faded Rattlesnake Member
    Midget Faded Rattlesnake
    @Midge

    OmegaPaladin: what am I supposed to do with this outrage?

    @omegapaladin, I think, at least when it comes to Ricochet, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing — volunteering to provide a service, moderating, which keeps Ricochet members’ outrage from destroying themselves and each other.

    We-all on the right need to keep talking to each other, even when we disagree, if we expect to keep it together. No one faction of the right is so dominant and numerous in this country that it can afford to cut the others off entirely if it’s serious about pursuing long-term influence. @aarong3eason (A C Gleason) put it rather well in a recent post of his.

    You have proven yourself an excellent Ricochet moderator. Channeling outrage into promoting peace and amity is difficult, but worth it. So a big sniffly Christmas thank-you to you for stepping up like you have :-)

    • #19
  20. SkipSul Inactive
    SkipSul
    @skipsul

    It’s a question I started asking a lot after the 2016 election.  Our side had won, right?  Why were we still so danged angry?  Why were so many on our side still seething with rage at others on our side, even months after the election?  It’s not healthy to constantly stay so angry at everyone and everything.  

    Find a hobby or two, go to church and pray a bit more, and look around at people near you who maybe could use your help, or want your company.  You cannot fix national politics, but you can help your neighbors.

    • #20
  21. Mrs. Ink Inactive
    Mrs. Ink
    @MrsInk

    Every one here has so many nice suggestions, I admire your goodheartedness.

    Here are some other suggestions.

    Move to a more congenial part of the country, though I warn you, the rot is every where. If that isn’t possible, try some of these activities. I not only have outrage, I have rage, so I need action to burn it off.

    Work on your personal physical fitness. Take up a martial art.

    Try to get out of debt. Learn to be frugal. Learn to fix things.

    Plan for emergencies, and collect supplies to help you and your family survive a disaster-money, food, water, flashlights, warm clothes, backpacks, sleeping bags. Do you know how to get out of town without using major roads? On foot? On a bike? Do you have a place to go? Then practice-go camping, walk the route(s), whatever, so you know what you will need to do if things go pear-shaped in your neighborhood.

    Learn to ride a motorcycle.

    Learn to use a map and compass.

    Try to find some like-minded friends to do things with. Ricochet is great, but a hike or a fishing trip is better.

    Buy a firearm, if that is practical, and learn how to shoot. Then practice, practice, practice. If owning your own firearm is impossible, you can still learn how to shoot. Remember, God made some men big, and some men small, Colonel Colt came along, and he evened them all.

    If nothing bad ever happens, you will be healthier, and will have learned some useful and interesting skills. And you will have demonstrated to your family that you cherish them.

    • #21
  22. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    One option would be to channel your outrage into thinking up rationalizations for cooperating with leftnik overlordship. It takes work to come up with those.    

    • #22
  23. SkipSul Inactive
    SkipSul
    @skipsul

    Mrs. Ink (View Comment):

    Every one here has so many nice suggestions, I admire your goodheartedness.

    Here are some other suggestions.

    Work on your personal physical fitness.

    Try to get out of debt. Learn to be frugal. Learn to fix things.

    Plan for emergencies, and collect supplies to help you and your family survive a disaster-money, food, water, flashlights, warm clothes, backpacks, sleeping bags. Do you know how to get out of town without using major roads? On foot? On a bike? Do you have a place to go?

    Learn to ride a motorcycle.

    Learn to use a map and compass.

    Try to find some like-minded friends to do things with. Ricochet is great, but a hike or a fishing trip is better.

    Buy a firearm, if that is practical, and learn how to shoot. Then practice, practice, practice. If owning your own firearm is impossible, you can still learn how to shoot. Remember, God made some men big, and some men small, Colonel Colt came along, and he evened them all.

    If nothing bad ever happens, you will be healthier, and will have learned some useful and interesting skills. And you will have demonstrated to your family that you cherish them.

     

     

    I apologize as I giggle over this, but I cannot help but notice that if I abridge your list a bit, you might very well have given him a list on how to start a biker gang.

    • Clear out one’s obligations
    • Get in shape
    • Pack a bug-out kit
    • Get a bike
    • Get a map and compass
    • Put together a posse
    • Arm yourself
    • #23
  24. ltpwfdcm, pribbling varlot Coolidge
    ltpwfdcm, pribbling varlot
    @ltpwfdcm

    SkipSul (View Comment):

    Mrs. Ink (View Comment):

    Every one here has so many nice suggestions, I admire your goodheartedness.

    Here are some other suggestions.

    Work on your personal physical fitness.

    Try to get out of debt. Learn to be frugal. Learn to fix things.

    Plan for emergencies, and collect supplies to help you and your family survive a disaster-money, food, water, flashlights, warm clothes, backpacks, sleeping bags. Do you know how to get out of town without using major roads? On foot? On a bike? Do you have a place to go?

    Learn to ride a motorcycle.

    Learn to use a map and compass.

    Try to find some like-minded friends to do things with. Ricochet is great, but a hike or a fishing trip is better.

    Buy a firearm, if that is practical, and learn how to shoot. Then practice, practice, practice. If owning your own firearm is impossible, you can still learn how to shoot. Remember, God made some men big, and some men small, Colonel Colt came along, and he evened them all.

    If nothing bad ever happens, you will be healthier, and will have learned some useful and interesting skills. And you will have demonstrated to your family that you cherish them.

     

     

    I apologize as I giggle over this, but I cannot help but notice that if I abridge your list a bit, you might very well have given him a list on how to start a biker gang.

    • Clear out one’s obligations
    • Get in shape
    • Pack a bug-out kit
    • Get a bike
    • Get a map and compass
    • Put together a posse
    • Arm yourself

    Ricochet MC

    • #24
  25. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    SkipSul (View Comment):

    Mrs. Ink (View Comment):

    Every one here has so many nice suggestions, I admire your goodheartedness.

    Here are some other suggestions.

    Work on your personal physical fitness.

    Try to get out of debt. Learn to be frugal. Learn to fix things.

    Plan for emergencies, and collect supplies to help you and your family survive a disaster-money, food, water, flashlights, warm clothes, backpacks, sleeping bags. Do you know how to get out of town without using major roads? On foot? On a bike? Do you have a place to go?

    Learn to ride a motorcycle.

    Learn to use a map and compass.

    Try to find some like-minded friends to do things with. Ricochet is great, but a hike or a fishing trip is better.

    Buy a firearm, if that is practical, and learn how to shoot. Then practice, practice, practice. If owning your own firearm is impossible, you can still learn how to shoot. Remember, God made some men big, and some men small, Colonel Colt came along, and he evened them all.

    If nothing bad ever happens, you will be healthier, and will have learned some useful and interesting skills. And you will have demonstrated to your family that you cherish them.

     

     

    I apologize as I giggle over this, but I cannot help but notice that if I abridge your list a bit, you might very well have given him a list on how to start a biker gang.

    • Clear out one’s obligations
    • Get in shape
    • Pack a bug-out kit
    • Get a bike
    • Get a map and compass
    • Put together a posse
    • Arm yourself

    Don’t forget to have Claas Relotius write a story about your biker group for Der Spiegel. 

    • #25
  26. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Mrs. Ink (View Comment):

    Every one here has so many nice suggestions, I admire your goodheartedness.

    Here are some other suggestions.

    Wow.  Nice suggestions.  What are you, a conservative or something?

    • #26
  27. Hank Rhody, Red Hunter Contributor
    Hank Rhody, Red Hunter
    @HankRhody

    SkipSul (View Comment):
    I apologize as I giggle over this, but I cannot help but notice that if I abridge your list a bit, you might very well have given him a list on how to start a biker gang.

    Probably a case of ‘stick with what you know’. I bet that Mrs. Ink has some wicked rad tattoos.

    • #27
  28. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    One option would be to channel your outrage into thinking up rationalizations for cooperating with leftnik overlordship. It takes work to come up with those.

    That’s my plan.  But like the headmaster of an unruly student, I fear he knows me.

    • #28
  29. Mrs. Ink Inactive
    Mrs. Ink
    @MrsInk

    Hank Rhody, Red Hunter (View Comment):

    SkipSul (View Comment):
    I apologize as I giggle over this, but I cannot help but notice that if I abridge your list a bit, you might very well have given him a list on how to start a biker gang.

    Probably a case of ‘stick with what you know’. I bet that Mrs. Ink has some wicked rad tattoos.

    Nope, I threatened my USMC son that if he got any more tattoos, then I’d get one. He stopped adding to his collection, so I only have natural scars.

    • #29
  30. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    SkipSul (View Comment):
    I apologize as I giggle over this, but I cannot help but notice that if I abridge your list a bit, you might very well have given him a list on how to start a biker gang.

    Honey, did you pack the crystal meth?

    • #30
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