Is Conservative Media the Answer?

I've had enough time on the free speech (viz. conservative) social media platforms, Gab and CloutHub, to form something of an opinion in answer to this post's title question, is conservative media the answer? The best I can give you is a wishy-washy probably not. 

First, the pros. I don't spend anywhere near the time on these two platforms as I once did just on Facebook. This is primarily because I don't know anyone on them personally! Alas, none of my Facebook friends have come to find me in either place. I have, however, joined some groups, and that has been a fine experience. The first one I joined was the #WalkAway Campaign, which was the reason I signed up for CloutHub. Speaking of which...

I found out only Friday that on Monday, Brandon Straka was arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol. That's a whole other story, but one thing I heard was that some of the "evidence" against him included comments he made on YouTube, and it was a family member who turned him in. Statements made to Fox News also got him in trouble. So this kind of leads into a related question, as to whether anyone is actually safe using any kind of online media. 

We can find safer options, such as email and internet servers that block ads, don't share your info, and protect your privacy. We can choose social media platforms like Gab that are entirely self-owned and don't censor or fact-check you or spy on what you're doing other places on the web. So you could say that leaving Big Tech and switching to safer options is something of a solution. 

However, if the Leftist mob can shut you down, they will. They are going after the high profile people who have had a strong influence against them first, like poor Brandon. I believe they will eventually fry as many of the smaller fish as they can as well. Unless the whole scheme blows up in their face, which I think is a reasonably likely outcome. I have no doubt that they will start eating each other before it's all said and done. 

Right now I'm leaning toward the conclusion that social media is a plain old bad idea. It's a distraction, an addiction, and largely a waste of time. Following the news, whether it's the big Democrat controlled conglomeration or smaller, more sane alternatives, typically does nothing for one's mental health. Is the solution to cut back, to be very picky about who and how much you read and listen to, or would it be best to cut it all out of your life as entirely as you can? I find that most of my attempts at moderation fail. Once I get started consuming, it's a giant, rolling snowball. I suppose the first step is admitting you have a problem, so I'm probably ahead of the pack by virtue of simply asking these questions. 

What about you? Are you still slogging your way through fruitless sessions on Twitter and Facebook? Have you discovered some better options, but perhaps find them only minimally satisfying? Does viewing the news make you crazy? So then you turn to a Netflix or Hulu binge for escape? 

Where does it all end??? There must be a better way to live. No, I don't necessarily think that getting 100% off the internet is the answer. My family depends on it for a large part of our income, so we must have it. In our personal lives, though, I really don't think it would be hard to live without it. Because I'm old enough that I have. I like blogging, which by now is pretty much old school. I enjoy a TV series now and then. I have been in this place before, and I feel stuck. What changes should be made, and how, if I'm going to live a life around the three themes of this blog for 2021?

I think that wiping the slate clean first would be a feasible approach. Cut it all out and then decide on what, very specifically, to let back in, and how much time to allow for it. For Lent, beginning in 17 days, I could give up all internet but blogging (say, a maximum of once per week), what is needed for work and homeschooling, using the library catalogue online, and a daily, one-hour limit for TV (including YouTube). But no news on any forum and no social media. Okay, I'm going to sleep on that, and then I will proceed to share with you how I'm preparing for Lent and this working plan. I might even give up coffee too, if I'm feeling particularly ascetic!!

On Self-Possession & Setting Boundaries | Social Media

I created this video last month on an exceedingly hot day, and I was very tired. The message is perhaps not as succinct as my previous #WalkAway videos, so I've debated publishing it here at the blog. However, I think the topics presented are important, and I've taken some additional steps in regard to social media since I posted this at YouTube. 

I've deactivated from Facebook. I had two accounts and deactivated one of them months ago, and the other just last week. I'm considering permanently deleting both accounts. I will probably write a more detailed post with all the issues I've encountered, once I've had time to fully detox. 

I've also turned off the comment option here at the blog for the time being. I'm going to be honest about the reason for this. For many years I've been cyber bullied by someone I know. I feel stalked. I thought this abuse had ended, but when I recently discovered comments awaiting moderation that I had received no notification for, I found a barrage of vitriol from this person.

It's alarming that conservative views are increasingly being censored on large social media and news platforms. I want to be able to fight the good fight against this, but doing so puts me in the firing squad of personal attacks. Publishing hateful, obsessive comments of the kind I've been getting would make my blog look unprofessional and would create a hostile place for well-meaning folks to visit. When I set boundaries to protect my personal space and emotional health, I am being told that I'm "censoring" liberal views. 

My refusal to continue futile arguments on Facebook when I'd already allowed persons ample space to express their divergent views is not censorship. It's a healthy response. So many people do not respect the boundaries and rights of others, and this is simply more proof that the political left has gone off the rails. It used to be that "hijacking" a thread was bad manners, but more and more we see good manners going the way of the dinosaur. 

Conservative author and media personality Milo Yiannopoulos, who has been banned from every social media imaginable, has stated his feeling that these platforms are not going to last the long haul. I think he's right. We are going to have to find other means for protecting free speech, and other methods that will produce more productive means of communication. 

I have closed comments on my YouTube channel as well. It's very unfortunate that I can't feel safe, but that is the sad situation. I would love to be able to welcome all views, in response to the actual content I create, and to be able to take joy in these things that bring me happiness and that help other people to feel inspired and supported. 

I don't have the answers yet for how to proceed, but I will keep readers posted. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I navigate these tempestuous waters. I am safe under Mary's mantle, and I pray that all will feel so protected and blessed.

#WalkAway Series, No. 3 | Social Justice | Feminism | Complementarity of the Sexes

Today's video is the 3rd in my #WalkAway Campaign series. Here I discuss my introduction to feminism while in college, through a women's communication class. I highlight some of the positive aspects I learned in this class as well as the contradictions that make feminism so problematic. The ultimate battle we face today is abortion. The Democratic Party has embraced this volatile issue as a way to manipulate women with fear in order to keep their vote. 

Feminism is one of the categories falling under the "social justice" movement, which appears to be the modern version of the PC Mafia I discussed in the previous video. 

I offer the teaching of the Catholic Church on the complementary roles of men and women as a solution for the harm done to us--men, women, children, and society--by radical feminism. As I was uploading this video to YouTube, I saw a video from Dr. Taylor Marshall on the arrest today of his warrior priest friend, Fr. David Nix. Fr. Dave and others with him were arrested at an abortion clinic, where they were giving out roses and peacefully talking to women there. Apparently he was trying to get the Attorney General involved in case where a girl at the clinic was being forced into an abortion by her own mother. 

Please say a Hail Mary for Fr. Dave and keep him and his companions in your prayers. 

#WalkAway Series, No. 2 | Political Correctness | Frog Boiling | Catholic Perspective

In the first video of this series, I discussed the censorship and silencing of Republicans/conservatives by the extreme leftist agenda. In this second video, I explore my experience with political correctness, beginning during my college years in the late 1980s. I believe that the PC Mafia that has since gained tremendous force is the vehicle by which the silencing of traditional, conservative views and values has taken place. 

Words are powerful, and the PC agenda has used the hijacking of language to control people's thoughts and behaviors.  I relate this to the concept of "frog boiling," in which a frog put in cold water that is gradually heated to boiling will not jump out to save itself. We've become desensitized to the manipulation of the Democratic Party and the liberal media. The political correctness that once seemed to be a benign seeking of justice has evolved into a radical, ideological oppression. 

Many pieces of the big picture have been put into place through politically correct control tactics. The next topic I will explore is one of these prime movers, feminism. As a woman, I can speak to this topic through personal experience. But one effect of feminism has been the silencing of men. I look forward to hearing the views of both sexes on this provocative topic!

Trinity Sunday | A Big Thank-You to My Readers

Happy Feast of the Most Holy Trinity! And happy Father's Day to all the good men of God. We're having yet another day of rain in northern Ohio, but I was gifted with a ray of sunshine this morning and am filled with gratitude. 

A couple of days ago I made a YouTube video about the #WalkAway Campaign, which you can view and read about in the previous post. I happened to be on Facebook when a comment notification appeared in the corner of my screen, but it wasn't clear where it was coming from. I went here to the blog but didn't see any notice of a new comment. On a whim I checked to see if there was anything awaiting approval. It turned out that the comment on the #WalkAway post was made at YouTube itself, but in my blog box I found a whole bunch of thoughtful remarks from readers that I had no idea were there! Apparently the notifications feature hasn't been working for some time. 

I feel so encouraged by all the women who took the time to respond to my writing in such lovely ways. What especially struck me is that my articles resonate with both Protestants and Catholics. One of my missions is to work for Christian unity, and I feel affirmed that I'm on the right track. The Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is our model for Christian unity. We are one in the Spirit, as the song goes!

Another thing that really stood out was that these women could disagree with me on certain points in a generous and gracious way. I always welcome divergent views. What I don't tolerate are personal attacks on myself, other individuals, or groups of people. I think most of us get really discouraged on social media, because expressing any strong opinion, or calling out the ugliness we're bombarded with, often results in a vitriolic reaction. To have people respond to my blog in the overwhelmingly positive way that they have does my heart so much good.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who takes the time to read Organic Mothering, and especially to those who have let me know that they support my mission and have received help and inspiration from my words. Finding this gift of your comments today has reinvigorated me to continue this work with confidence. Please be patient as I gradually go through them with my replies. Godspeed!!

#WalkAway Campaign No. 1 | Political Party vs. Ideology | Liberal Silencing of Conservatives

Yesterday I was under the weather and spent way too much time on YouTube. But a fortuitous thing happened. I discovered the #WalkAway Campaign, a movement of former liberals who have taken the "red pill" regarding what the Democratic Party is really all about. The first video I watched is an interview with the founder of the campaign, Brandon Straka, a gay man from NYC, and two other leaders of the group. They discuss the massive rejection and hatred they encountered over switching to the conservative Trump camp. As minorities, it was expected that they be liberal Democrats. They thought they had no choice. This is the most intelligent discussion I've heard on these topics. It's a must-see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATwSpkqI2gk

I also watched a fascinating #WalkAway documentary featuring black Americans who feel deceived and betrayed by the Democratic Party. It begins with Brandon's testimonial video that went viral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNvBpXzKG2E

A common theme among the #WalkAway stories is that people felt intimidated into silence. Now they are courageously "coming out" as former liberals who have seen the light. I'm not on Instagram, but I joined the Facebook group. You can go to the website at walkawaycampaign.com for more information and testimonials. 

This is the first video I plan to share in a series on breaking the silence being imposed on conservatives by the socialist left and showcasing various elements of the big picture. I invite you to take the red pill (ask Wikipedia about the 1990s movie, "The Matrix," if you have no idea what I'm talking about!) with me and get at the truth. The truth will set us free, and our freedom as Americans is exactly what is at stake.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItFAgmg9B_Q

Additional note: A viewer brought to my attention that I wasn't clear on a couple of points in the video. Unfortunately I don't have technical editing skills, and I've heard from other youtubers that it takes several hours to edit a video, so I'm going to leave it as it is. When I mention the Catholic Church's official teaching on marriage (which is the same in some other Christian denominations), and how those views, even when expressed respectfully and without malice, are not allowed, but are viciously attacked by the media and the liberal PC police; I am NOT meaning to say that homosexual people are any less Christian than anyone else. I didn't even present my personal opinion on gay marriage, but used this as an example of the silencing of conservatives. What I did specifically mean to imply is that as a Christian, I cannot in good conscience vote for a Democratic candidate due to that party's extreme pro-abortion agenda. For me, that issue trumps (pun may or may not be intended!) any others at this point. I do see the Democratic party and liberal media as promoting a culture of death and destruction. That does not mean that I villainize everyone who votes Democrat. I clearly stated that I believe there is evil on both sides. The silencing, however, appears very one-sided. I hope that clears up any misunderstanding! I really did try to be sensitive and clear, so please forgive my imperfections.