Editor’s note: According to Wikipedia, QAnon “is a far-right conspiracy theory, alleging that a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles running a global child sex-trafficking ring is plotting against President Donald Trump, who is battling them. No part of the theory is based on fact.”
To the editor:
I would like to share this post by QAnon for Americans:
There was a time when our children stood at attention and with pride, put their hand on their heart and in one united voice recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
There was a time when strength and honor meant something.
There was a time when standing for our flag meant something.
There was a time when our history (heritage) was taught with pride and respect.
There was a time when respect was given to those who serve(d), bled and died to protect and defend our freedom.
There was a time when we were grateful.
There was a time when our accomplishments meant something.
There was a time when these United States of America, one nation under God, was united.
There was a time when these United States of America, one nation under God, was united under the American flag, a flag that was carried in battle by brave patriots as a symbol of freedom and justice for all no matter race, religion or background, a beacon of hope when flown, a mark of respect to their memory to those who willfully sacrificed their lives to defend.
There was a time when We, the People decided our future. There was a time when We, the People had a voice.
There was a time when We, the People were united and strong.
There was a time when the media was free from political bias (and corruption).
There was a time when our elected leaders stood their ground, dug in and defended those they represented. How many men and women in uniform are currently serving on the frontlines abroad only to look back in horror to see the homeland on fire? What does the word “Patriot” mean to you? Land of the free. Home of the brave. Now is not the time to be complacent. Will you answer the call?
Q
Thank you.
Rochelle Updike
Bouton
The American past that QAnon speaks of is not a myth and is patriotic. Just ask a veteran or older American, or research American history, Mr. Editor. As far as Q’s claims that Trump is working against pedophiles and human trafficking, is this a bad thing? Furthermore, I suggest that you look beyond MSNBC, CNN and the like, and consider sources that employ real journalists that work to present fact-based information because it may help quell your ignorance.
I’d like the letter writer to say any one year when “these United States of America, one nation under God, was united.” There have always been atheists in the US, so this has never been true.
This is true. Not only have there always been atheists in our nation, there have always been citizens of DIFFERENT faiths in our nation, worshiping different Gods. Though, we know that those on the right today only accept the worship of ONE particular God.
We may think of the World War II years or in the aftermath of 9/11, and feel that America was great at that time, and indeed the citizens came together “united under the American flag, a flag that was carried in battle by brave patriots as a symbol of freedom and justice, a beacon of hope when flown, a mark of respect to their memory to those who willfully sacrificed their lives to defend.” However, to add “for all no matter race, religion or background” is blatantly false. Throughout the entirety of our nation’s history and even today, especially today, we are fighting against bigotry and hatred of “others” that had, until 2016, been kept under the surface for the most part. Once the orange fuhrer came into power, the sentiment that a “patriot” must be nationalistic and racist and sexist and, frankly, a liar exploded out into the daylight.
If we as a nation could come together and truly embrace the ideals of liberty and justice for ALL, we could be headed in the direction of becoming the great nation of our nostalgic memories.
There was a time in this country . . . *Sigh* . . . There is no Q. There is no pedophile cabal. There is no secret society. Some people on Reddit started a joke/hoax, and people with an emptiness in their lives filled it with this nonsense. If it wasn’t so sadly dangerous, it would almost be funny. To those “grownups” who believe this, you are being used and are being laughed at by those taking advantage of you. None of it is true. None of it. I’m embarrassed to have to say these things. You should know better. Most do. There is enough real work to do, so many real people in need. Stop wasting your precious days on earth with this.
There are secret societies. There is a huge world wide problem with human trafficking, including pedophilia and other horrible crimes against children. Consideration of these facts is not a waste of time.
Is there some human trafficking? Yes. A Huge Worldwide Problem? No.
It seems real to you because the TV and internet sites you visit are always feeding you with like-minded posts, articles, and videos. With seeing so much that’s in agreement, how could all of this not be true? Why can’t everyone see what’s happening? It’s obvious!
There is a conspiracy, but it’s in the open. It’s on your phone and your desktop and your TV.
But what has Facebook and YouTube and Google fed you and why? To them, you are only a product, a commodity. Those sites watch what you do, where and for how long you dwell, and they make an AI model of your habits to sell your profile to ad companies as a pre-screened certainty that you’re ready to buy something.
The tragedy is these advertising entities are inescapable and relentless. In the endless drive to hold on to you, they’ll feed you that rush you get whenever you see a new article or video that confirms your beliefs and gets you emotional in some way.
It doesn’t matter if it’s true, doesn’t matter if it tears society apart or starts a war. All that matters to them is that you are a product that they can sell to advertisers. Think about how often you are reaching for that phone to get another affirmation. How does it make you feel? Angry? Excited? Outraged? Happy? Satisfied?
That’s not random. You are being fed very specific content that appeals to you. They want you to keep visiting and to keep you from leaving. Have you ever wondered why Facebook and YouTube are free, yet they show multi-billion dollar profits each year? They are selling you and everyone else for pennies per view. But pennies add up to billions.
Other than deleting your accounts and no longer visiting them, I don’t have a solution. I think they are too big, the AI too fast and refined, and too well financed to resist the siren call. The hook is in deep and they know just how to keep you on the line.
I can only tell you to be careful what you choose to believe and why. There are two industries that call customers “users,” drug dealers and software vendors.