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Okay, I think we all know how the human brain works. If you don't, there's a brilliant free online textbook written by J. Richards Heuer describing all of the ways our minds can be hijacked. Other sources, too, of course.
"Cognitive dissonance" is a very important concept, in its most simple terms referring to the tricky ways that the mind has of side-stepping evidence that doesn't conform to our preconceived ideas, or evidence that contradicts decisions that we've made in the past. Long story short: WE CAN'T TOLERATE THE ANGUISH OF BEING WRONG, and our mind will do everything in its power to "prove" that we were or are right.
Many (obviously a majority, albeit a razor-thin one) made bad decisions in 2008 and 2012. The truth is, they closed their eyes to the evidence staring them in the face, and their brains collaborated with them in doing so. Now, the very same mechanism is wrapping them in a nonsensical potpourri of "facts" to support their decision. Call it "cognitive dissonance squared".
Some - admittedly, the very few who still prize intellectual honesty above every other personal trait, and love of country among the chief virtues - will deflect these mental machinations and admit to themselves that they were wrong. To these, who I number among the most courageous of this nation's defenders, I attribute the title of "patriot".
To those who cannot reexamine their beliefs, their votes, their decisions in 2008 and 2012, I say that history is proving you to be "fools" - whether or not your brain is capable of receiving that information.
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