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Timothy Patrick's avatar

Ashley, yes I do think you're correct about why many of those who claim to be free speech absolutists are contradicting their principles when it comes to foreign students. I wasn't thinking of Christian nationalists because I don't follow any of them on social media, for two reasons: I feel like I already understand how simplistic their worldview is (no need to educate myself further) and the emotional toll it would take to subject myself to it. No thanks! But you make a great point that that's a big part of how in general people can hold these contradictory principles.

More who I was thinking of are these "I used to be a liberal before I woke up to MAGA/MAHA, but I'm not really left or right I'm just a free thinker" influencers that are doing all kinds of gymnastics right now to pick the parts to be angry about, imagining conspiracies, and then ignore when their chosen guy does the same thing right out in the open.

Although Melissa (commenting in another reply) just mentioned Candace Owens, and she's right: I am aware of Candace existing but haven't had the nerve to seek out how she's handling this. I am aware of how much weight her opinion carries in right wing punditry and maybe it's about time I suck it up and watch a few videos if I want to understand how the other side is rationalizing these contradictions.

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Patti Herrmann's avatar

Candace Owens is a Christian Nationalist, Timothy.

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Timothy Patrick's avatar

Thanks, Patti! If that's accurate, it would help explain why I have been avoiding her. And then I'll look forward to hating every minute of what she has to say about how the government should work.

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Timothy Patrick's avatar

🤢🤮🤮🤮 (I don't use that emoji lightly! And of course this is not a reaction to Christianity, it's a reaction to anyone that thinks any religion, or denial of religion, has an official place in my government.)

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