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Culture War Roundup for the week of March 16, 2026

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Okay I think I understand a little bit more about where you are coming from and importantly I think the way you wrote makes me thing you are more worried and fearful than certain which means I do think we can talk, especially because I don't think we are as far apart as you fear.

I think everyone needs to keep two things in mind:

-Trump (and Western values) have been the recipient of an immense smear campaign for years and years. This is coming from inside the house in the form of the media, academics and so on and outside the house as a specific way used by the enemies of the West (including Iran and Russia) to destabilize us. It works. If you are still posting here you are probably heterodox and free thinking and resistant to these tactics but being buried under lies, exaggeration, misrepresentation and fear mongering for decades is going to stick at least a little bit.

-The tremendous amount of recent success of American/Western culture recently has allowed us to have (as embarrassing as it is to say it) a children's view policy and politics. Of course importing an endless stream of foreigners is going to change a country. No, it's ridiculous that 6 dead servicemen is going be painted as a reason that the war should end. I've seen more dead people today at my day job.

Likewise dealing with Iran is going to suck but it's going to happen at some point. Yes something was always going to happen to fracture US/Euro alliance if they continued using the U.S. as a pay pig. The anti-Trump memeplex creates a really potent way for people to dismiss and ignore hard problems and conversations.

Two address two of your specifics: Greenland. We know how Trump talks and negotiates now, he's been around for years. It helps Euro politicians if they handle it in the way they did, but it's important for the free thinking public to recognize what Trump is and how he works and how their politicians are trying to use that.

America isn't a perfect hegemon, but it's so comically more in line with Western values that people reaching for China and Russia really need to stop and think about how much exaggeration is happening. People are out there saying that U.S. is worse than Iran because of Pretti. This is just not reality. Being pissed by Trump's low class presentation style doesn't justify this much of divorce from reality.

(Just noting that I have read and appreciate your comment. Some broadly appropriate thoughts were expressed in my discussion with Shakes but I hope to write you a proper reply as well.)

Don't overdo it! All of us shouting at each other saying the same things isn't good for the soul (and likely fixes beliefs and frustrations by repetition).