To think this meme is pretty unpleasant?

[heyfrog]

I have a "friend" on Facebook who as well as believing in all the other conspiracy theories also believes COVID is a mass plot to control us etc. (This isn't really around COVID hence not putting it on that board). She's uploaded the attached pic tonight which I think is pretty offensive - I appreciate other people have different views to me, but this seems to imply that because I'd wear a mask this is comparable to Nazi supporters. AIBU to think she's gone a bit far with this one?

What do you mean the government hasn't questioned @Sometimeswinning? Of course they have, and they've also been very bad at following the scientific and medical advice given. But they've been questioning all along and trying to have everything both ways so they can simultaneously keep people working and stop people getting ill. Rich obviously hasn't worked.

Unless you meant something else and I'd love to know what that is?

@DameFanny. We just have different perspectives on things. Maybe I'm a bit more complacent because my life has not really changed. But when there are loop holes as big as the ones we have for this lockdown I cant quite see how anyone can think much thought has gone into it.

But why did you say the government hasn't questioned it? Why are you now talking about something else? What was your point?

Sorry, that last was to @Sometimeswinning

@Guavaf1sh

I think the point is resisting the massive urge to conform. Being brave enough to say no to the crazy times we live in. Stopping freedom of expression like this is- well- sort of fascist no?

Have you ever actually lived under facscism?

If you want you can ask your friend to come sit with me as I'm waiting on the phonecall to tell us my FIL has lost his battle with COVID. Expecting that call anytime.

I'm so sorry wellhello

Did you reply? ‘I wear a mask. I do not shoot and gas masses of children to death, pretty bloody offended here by your making this public statement it’s the same thing. If you think they are the same thing you are far more likely to go shoot a child. one is a heinous Unforgiveable incomprehensible crime and the other is... wearing something on my face to protect others.’

I think the point is resisting the massive urge to conform... Stopping freedom of expression like this is- well- sort of fascist no?

I think it's so weird that anyone thinks there is a massive urge to conform - is there? I thought loads of people were breaking lockdown rules, not to mention sharing nonsensical conspiracy theories.

Also who is trying to stop freedom of expression? Why is having rules to try to control a pandemic, or asking people to wear a mask, "Stopping freedom of expression"? That makes no sense.

Honestly I wish the pandemic would take these post-truthers in greater numbers.

@thepeopleversuswork

It’s idiotic. If it were likely to be taken seriously it could be offensive, yes. As it is I think it makes her look profoundly stupid.

This

Not only offensive but also anti science.

Trouble is conformity is needed for a good reason. If it was conformity for a stupid reason like wear a green hat on a Friday or face execution then yes...i would question it.
If it is please wear a mask unless you are medically exempt to help protect others then no problem.

Yes, it's stupid and offensive. But I also think it's stupid and offensive to call Trump supporters Nazis.

Some people have forgotten their history and have started using Nazi as a catch all term for anybody who disagrees with them or thinks something "bad". It never ceases to irritate me.

That’s awful

Send her this in return

@Oxyiz

Thank you for posting that info. My first thought when seeing that photo was, who is that man and what was the story behind it?

I think it’s unjustified. It doesn’t offend me.

Trouble is conformity is needed for a good reason.

That’s what all tyrants say.

Honestly I wish the pandemic would take these post-truthers in greater numbers.

Fucking hell. When you’re wishing people dead and you think you’re the good guys...

But why did you say the government hasn't questioned it? Why are you now talking about something else? What was your point?

To close down any further conversation. I was going to bed. You had been really angry in your previous posts. So I kind of put out an agree to disagree post.

So you just throw down some untruths and then follow up with a meaningless statement because you can't defend it?

That's why I'm angry

People spewing lies and half truths has become the standard - many times it starts with a deliberate disinformation campaign and gets repeated by idiots because the lies are more interesting than the truth

And then the idiots get entrenched, because they're not used to being actively disagreed with - but when the subjects under discussion are public safety in a pandemic, or electoral integrity in a democracy, disagreement is vital so that these lies don't warp the discourse for generations. Or of course end up killing people.

And then we're told we have to see the other side, because arguments are just entrenching their opinions. But their opinions aren't facts, are actively endangering people (by letting people think masks are more dangerous than not, or letting people with guns and without impulse control think that their vote is being stolen because they lost) and the more you 'see their side' the more they think they're about to persuade you of their silly, dangerous ideas.

And you're wondering why I'm talking about the US election as well as facemasks? Because it's turned into the same rabbit hole. I've watched people looking for excuses not to wear a mask join a Facebook group and a few weeks later they're posting save the children and saying 'there must be something in it' because Qanon groups are being removed from Facebook and they'd only do that if it were true and their freedom of speech relies on them being able to hear all the bollocks about adrenochrome and DUMBs

Muddled thinking - such a sweet, friendly phrase. But it's been weaponised. And every time someone posts something thoughtless (or was it deliberate) to muddy the waters like 'the government aren't questioning the restrictions' it contributes to an environment where a government can't just rollout a vaccine; because they'll have to spend SO many resources on answering stupid questions and countering stupid opinions which will also feed into the cultivated paranoia about psy-ops.

And while this is going on, the real scandals - the PPE contracts, Grenfell, the rebirth of fascism etc etc - are going unnoticed.

That's why I'm angry.

So I repeat @Sometimeswinning, what did you mean? And please put some thought into it, thank you.

@Needsakickupthearse

Yes, it's stupid and offensive. But I also think it's stupid and offensive to call Trump supporters Nazis.

Some people have forgotten their history and have started using Nazi as a catch all term for anybody who disagrees with them or thinks something "bad". It never ceases to irritate me.

Some people remember their history and how the Nazis came to power by persuading their base that the 'other' was the only thing holding them down, that the 'elites' were the enemy and that a vote that goes against them must necessarily be an unfair vote?

@flaviaritt

Trouble is conformity is needed for a good reason.

That’s what all tyrants say.

You completely ignored the context of that @flaviaritt, well done

It is offensive yes.
If it was my pal I'd call her out on it then end the friendship.

You completely ignored the context of that @flaviaritt, well done

What do you think I ignored?