Cenk Uygur, TPUSA, And Finding True Common Ground

[@shamisengupta984]

Cenk’s nephew, Hasan Piker, talked about the difference between common ground and middle ground when speaking with an ordinary right winger or a person in normal life who does not share the the left’s political views. He said the key to those conversations is to find common ground not middle ground (as his uncle has been doing with people like Charlie Kirk). Never betray your values in the effort to get someone who does not agree with you on your side. If you try to find middle ground you will, inevitably, be punching down on people who have little to no power, such as, transgender people, the working class, the homeless, those living in poverty, minorities , undocumented immigrants and many more. The main TYT show that Ana and Cenk host has become an opportunity to air the political and personal grievances against “the left“. Their editorial decisions and commentary does a great disservice to their audience, many of whom rely on them to understand how to analyse and follow news from many different sources that are constantly bombarding us throughout our everyday existences.

[@Yette]

For me, reaching out to Bush or Romney (Conservative R) is one thing, embracing the hatred of Trump & MAGA is a very different dynamic

[@crazycatmama2098]

Me too. And it’s different than capitulation in advance because you don’t want to be targeted. Looking at you ABC. Just because you feed chicken to an alligator doesn’t mean said alligator wouldn’t eat you if given the chance. Media keep feeding the alligator and before you know it, our free press is gone.

[@ikeus685]

I didn't Appreciate G.W's policies and war against the Muslim world so, I quiit the GOP and became Independent. Choosing for myself who provided the best and clear forward-looking vision of our futures, they wished to promote and pursue

[@lindapb6529]

@@ikeus685 you didn’t appreciate is such a generous way to say it 😊

[@warheadsnation]

My biggest problem with someone is not "Your ideology is different." My problem with someone is "Your goal is a one-faction dictatorship." Whether that is by Big Government or Big Wealth or Big Tribalism. There are conservatives I can share a Constitution with, and those who want to be my masters. That's the pont where Constitutions fail and confrontation becomes necessary.

[@helenh8688]

Rant all you want...it's echoing things that have been bouncing around in my mind for the last 8-10 years! Alliances built on common hatred will eventually implode. They will continue to clash with each other - it will never bring them together. It's better to have love be infectious than hate. I'm no Pollyanna and I realize there's always sadness and unrest to some extent, but, I sure find it so much more fulfilling to be positive and happy than angry and vengeful. Keep up with the great messages💕

[@wayne00k]

@RevEd - I'm so glad you've addressed this issue and especially in the way you just did. Your clarity of observation and assessment of the current state of society is most welcome!

[@revedtrevors4961]

Thank you

[@ScottJohnson-tk7ql]

Good morning, gentlefolk:) Wow, Cenk made Keith Olberman's "Worst Person in the World" segment this morning, too!

[@cc1k435]

I saw that. Whatever Cenk thinks he's accomplishing, it doesn't seem to be landing on either side. 🙄

[@Gretabpooh]

​@@cc1k435I've been questioning his thinking ever since he de died to run in the Democratic primary for president. How he thought he'd be allowed to run when he wasn't born here was startling. I did stop watching the main show around 2021. I finally realized neither he nor Ana could go an entire segment without yelling. Listening to that was not helping my anxiety level at all.

[@cc1k435]

@Gretabpooh I'd say with his educational background and success in media, it's bound to have a guy like that testing the boundaries. And these days, there don't appear to be a lot of rules anymore in government. 🤷‍♀️

[@ashleywyatt8038]

Like Martin Luther King Jr. said there is good in the worst of us and bad in the best of us💯💜🙏🏻

[@suelingsusu1339]

If someone is against the system because the system is hindering their racism and bigotry and desires to oppress and discriminate and control.... then someone who is against the system because the system does not protect enough and does allow some oppression and discrimination, cannot ever be on common grounds with the former lot.

[@yesitschelle]

From the outside, it's hard to see the motivations of far-right followers. We see the politicians. You have to dig to see further. A large portion talk like they fit your description. Another large portion seem to ignore race rhetoric. They talk about government always lying, stealing from "us," and the like. A few seem to have no idea what's going on. When they answer questions, I wonder if they need help with basic daily tasks. They can be some of the most enthusiastic supporters. I don't know what to do think of that.

[@suelingsusu1339]

@ ... I have been corresponding with three of them... and I live and work in an area filled with them... and my son-in-law is one... I can safely assure you that they are all behaving and talking and looking like cult members of some of the worst cults like Jim Jones' or David Koresh's.... there is no way sane persons who can feed themselves and drive cars and hold jobs and at the same time are sure that their cult leader never lies and loves them and is sacrificing himself for their sake and is the cleverest most wise man and is the one that will save their lives.... without being fully immersed in a cultic pathology. And then there are the type you describe. In other words there are FOUR kinds of cult members... the majority are of the kind I just described... the second majority are the ones I described in the OP... then thirdly the kind you describe.... and of course the elite cult leader's minions who know jolly well what they are in the cult for.

[@suelingsusu1339]

@yes "From the outside, it's hard to see the motivations of far-right followers"... well... when someone tells you what they are believe them... and those people are telling us loudly and repeatedly in rallies and marches and signs on the highways and in churches and on TV and Radio and Online... all the time... just listen and read and watch and believe their own words about themselves.

[@yesitschelle]

@suelingsusu1339 I'm going off their words. I'm not lumping all of Maga, or worse all Trump followers, as one person with one motivation. My vague proportions are the best I can do without limiting it to my area. My area has a few Maga people with no sense of reality. It's too uncommon for serious groupthink. As you find more sources from more of the country, they aren't a monolith.

[@suelingsusu1339]

@yes "I'm not lumping all"... neither am I... those people are telling us who and what they are and what motivations they have... loudly and repeatedly in rallies and marches and signs on the highways and in churches and on TV and Radio and Online and in books and podcasts and newspapers and magazines... all the time... just listen and read and watch and believe THEIR OWN WORDS about themselves.

[@Trekfanwanda]

Like you Rev Ed, I only watch TDR and Watchlist . I cannot watch the main show anymore. Cenk definitely needs to hear this

[@cc1k435]

I have no idea what's going on with the guy, but it also seems like one of those situations where you won't ever get a clear answer. 🤷‍♀️

[@leelindsay5618]

TDR is still feeding the main channel, perhaps you should reconsider.

[@BohoStitcher]

Our issue is not that he went, or that he shared a stage with Kirk. Our issue is that he did those things and disparaged the left in the process.

[@rebeccarittenhouse2203]

So never dis the left for doing crappy things. This is not a team sport. Its lives.

[@philippschwarz4539]

@@rebeccarittenhouse2203 No one is saying that. The point is that you don't cede ground to people that deny the rights of others. So-called "Right-wing Populism" has always been a tool to rile up the masses against an "enemy" that doesn't have the power (Financially, Politically, Socially) to fight back.

[@adamdodd2853]

I dream of a point where politicians aren’t in politics to get rich. I dream of politicians who actually care about the people they were chosen to represent.

[@AZsunflower]

That politician passed away on Sunday.

[@lunarwuffy5299]

You can't blame the politicians, they're not being held to a high enough standard by the voters. When the only thing that matters to most voters is what party the candidate is a member of, you're going to end up with grifter politicians, because they know they don't actually have to do anything to be elected. What you should be dreaming of, is, a voter base that's willing to fully participate in democracy and get informed before casting their ballots.

[@adamdodd2853]

@, I feel we need to change laws about lobbying and how companies can influence both political policies and elections. I think we as a people deserve to have a government that is accountable. I feel this would get rid of a lot of bad actors.

[@AZsunflower]

@@adamdodd2853 Those things will never happen. Just ask yourself this question: Who makes the laws?

[@lunarwuffy5299]

@@adamdodd2853 💯💯 Citizens United was probably the worst decision SCUTUS has ever made, right after failing to implement an enforceable code of ethics for themselves like every other judge in the country has to follow. That a private citizen can give "gifts" exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Supreme Court justice, the citizen has business before, is obscene. That neither is facing consequences for having done so, or for attempting to hide it, is a travesty. Most definitely, if the people held their representatives accountable, the country would be far better off.

[@LeonaGuest]

I just love you, Pastor. You always seem to bring me back the Cliff merry Christmas. God bless you.❤

[@PhecdaPlato]

He is really special. I’m not even religious. But his words are… powerful and encouraging ❤

[@kellyharper367]

Be the light... not the storm!

[@Reva-n5n]

In the last couple years tyt has become unwatchable...

[@dianebannister4591]

TYT was too controversial for me. Very closed minded and smashed President Biden too much. They hated anyone who was a Moderate Democrat of which I am.

[@warheadsnation]

@@dianebannister4591 There are a lot of people on the Left who are in the business of calling for the destruction of the Democratic Party so it can be magically replaced by something they can control. Whereas the Far Right did the long, grinding dirty work of taking over an existing party and brainwashing its moderates into believing absurdities.

[@aces0730]

@@dianebannister4591 Exactly

[@therobertreview8382]

Good morning Ed and fellow Ed followers! Much love to all of you.

[@gailmb1]

The robertreview8382, and to you, also. ❤

[@aprilcalhoun8984]

🤗

[@grammasgotabeerbelly4258]

My initial introduction to TYT was the Damage Report. Cenk and Anna always made me uncomfortable with their negative energy. I’m just now finding the others in my feed again. Thank you Rev. for your perspective. Thank you to whomever gifted me a membership. God bless.

[@dianebannister4591]

Yes, I thought Cenk and Ana were excessively negative. I didn't feel good watching them. I quit 2 years ago except for a couple times when it came in my feed.

[@mckeldin1961]

This video shows so much wisdom *and* common sense. Thank you!

[@mbalberts]

Thank you for such wisdom 💙🩵💙

[@musicmansion3110]

Cenk is playing both sides. It's all about money for Cenk.

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

And his VAST ego

[@yesitschelle]

I suspect the money is frosting for him. He seeks importance and attention.

[@karenholmes6565]

@@mr.mrs.d.7015 Cenk has a Trumpian ego.

[@dianebannister4591]

I thought they were sounding like MAGA.

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

Thank you Rev. Ed! This really helped clarify the problem, and gave me a direction to go in to communicate to my "Christian" children who voted for Trump.

[@lisapoynter1814]

I agree Reverend Ed...Common hate is no way to relate to others to achieve a productive end.

[@AlisonKenzoland]

With gratitude for you, your words, your speaking out and your soul Red 💜 you are so appreciated

[@mrsclaussews]

I stopped watching TYT when they started bashing Biden, instead of being constructive. Cenk just got too full of himself. And I hated the way he bashed all Christians.

[@meh5561]

why constructive with Biden? It was elder about for like 5 years. You can't be constructive with a group of people who want to eschew democracy and ram candidates down your throat

[@themaggiebowman]

@@mrsclaussews bashing Biden? They were being critical, in the same way they would be critical of Trump. It’s awfully hypocritical to be OK when someone is critical of Trump but when catch feelings when your own side gets critique as well. No public figure should ever be free from critique. TYT is being consistent and treating everyone fairly. You just don’t like it when your side is FAIRLY receiving the critique they deserve. Get over it.

[@aprilcalhoun8984]

Yes, they seemed so vicious, unnecessarily so. They were always a little more emotional than other channels, which I’m cautious of ( the more emotional the content the higher likelihood of manipulation), but the intensity ramped up in late spring. If they were critical of republicans they were not as bad and it made me feel gaslit.

[@aprilcalhoun8984]

@@themaggiebowmantelling someone else to “get over it “ is very unkind. I hope you find a little more kindness in your heart.

[@laurabee4056]

I’m not saying Biden nor the democrats shouldn’t be criticized. It’s a healthy and necessary part of democracy. But different standards are used to criticize Trump and Biden. If the same standard was used across the board… Trump should have been repeatedly and for many, many, many reasons been called to drop out of the race. Biden is getting old but apparently he still has enough stuffing in his brain to run the government well or at least put people in place who know how to do it really well. In contrast to the nightmare that are Trumps potential cabinet picks 🤦‍♀️

[@rathbaster]

I find your talks to be calming and help me stay on the side of kindness.

[@ad-dx9gi]

Thanks Rev Ed!!!.. God Bless 🕊️

[@olderandwiser78]

These are excellent points that you have made. Cenk and Anna turned me off completely when they were constantly trashing Biden. They always came across as being Narcissists and know -it -alls. I don't think that we can communicate with the other side because we don't agree on wanting the same future. Since I was a child I could never accept what the church was teaching me, because it seemed so wrong. It is people on the right that embrace those teachings. They believe and teach that we have only one chance to get it right on earth. In this one life if we don't accept Jesus we are condemned to hell. If we are LGBTQ, trans, or have an abortion God will condemn those people to hell. They are always judging and condemning. They turn their backs on the poor, the sick, the homeless, the stranger, etc. It is these beliefs and their future that I cannot and will not accept.

[@dianebannister4591]

I quit watching TYT quite awhile ago because they sounded like FOX Hosts trashing President Biden. Cenk and Ana had extremely closed minds. I thought they became like MAGA.

[@rebeccarittenhouse2203]

I find it amazing so many people seem to think Biden is fine. Just look at the man listen to him speak. He is dying slowly in front of our eyes. There is no way Biden is making any decisions.

[@heidicakes1165]

Reverend Ed, you are always right on point! God bless you! I went to a friend's house for Christmas dinner. I was hesitant at first because we're on opposite sides. She loves RFK and is anti-vax. She can't stand Harris. We both have a lot in common also. We're interested in holistic medicine, clean eating, etc. It ended up being one of the nicest Christmases I've had. I was the only liberal there, but we had very interesting conversations including many conspiracy theories. Some I agreed with, some I didn't. We talked about food, etc. I know some there were MAGA, but we all were respectful and I ended up having a beautiful day. Even though we have different points of views, we had so much in common and respected each other.

[@jenjames4113]

😯 Good on you! And bless you in 2025, and all the days to come, because you must have the patience of Job. 💙 We need people with patience.

[@yabits]

Tim Whitaker -- of the New Evangelicals -- has an interesting and entertaining podcast. He recently returned from his third or fourth straight year at TPUSA. He goes only to listen and observe, and then reports back, as he recently did. His oftentimes co-host, April Ajoy, is a former Trump-supporter and Christian nationalist. Tim did not mention Cenk's appearance or Cenk at all. One key and very interesting point is that Kirk's organization is not "grass-roots." It gets most of its funding from a handful of billionaires.

[@danjr080273]

The worst part about the last 8 years is the bile and vitriol introduced into the public sphere, openly and proudly. The enthusiastic embrace of that darkness by Trump’s supporters has been the most alarming aspect. Cenk says he found common ground with these people in that they hate the same people. And for several days I’ve been trying to put my finger on why that strategy was so disturbing to me. And the Reverend just articulated what it is. Hatred is not a foundation for building. It’s a darkness and in all my 51 years on this earth, I’ve never once seen darkness drive out darkness. Only the light does that. Well said Reverend.

[@jasonolson3133]

I like Rev Ed Trevors he tells the truth

[@sashaj2697]

I agree with the sentiment that we should be moving people with a vision of what we want. I don't think TPUSA is going to have a lot of people who care about that vision. You alluded to the little moustache man, and the audience for TPUSA is much like that man's audience. Can you deradicalize them? Sure, but you're not going to do it in the middle of their conference. We're dealing with a set of beliefs that they hold that are backed up by their feelings and a set of "facts" that they will not verify with information that is not provided by their own group. It takes one-on-one conversation, plus the right moment, plus the right person delivering the message, plus the right way of delivering the message.

[@yesitschelle]

People need friends and family to help deradicalize them. If we aren't constantly arguing with them, we have a chance. They're headed for a huge disappointment from the frauds. I think coffee, casseroles, and non-judgement will mean a lot.

[@warheadsnation]

@@yesitschelle Does even that work? No fascist regime has ever been overthrown by the masses - unless it was after generations like in Spain. The others were overthrown by foreign troops marching thru their country. Because people who worship power don't accept that they've lost until they see they have truly been overpowred for good.

[@Jose-Gonzalez-cfl]

I'm glad you're addressing this rationally, calm, from a loving side. This is, basically, the reason I watch you Rev, as an atheist. Thanks. I'm still thankful that TYT sparked my political curiosity, but lately I've been puzzled by what's going on. Let's hope for the best. They still do have a large audience and got people like me engaged.

[@billmiller9145]

Everything you're against weakens, everything you're for empowers you.

[@AngelaDavis-yz3xf]

Well said Rev. God bless your year ahead 🙏

[@gailforbes7834]

Thank you for this! You expressed my feelings exactly!

[@alfiemuthama3009]

Well said!

[@LA-sn7qx]

Thank you for the rant and for approaching this with a vision for the future and not just an alliance based on a common hate.

[@stacimcgill793]

Ed you are brilliant. I am going to spend more time thinking and asking questions about what I and we want the future to look like. Thanks for the redirection.

[@revedtrevors4961]

Glad it resonated!

[@CallieCatCuddles]

​@revedtrevors4961 Why aren't the people on the right ever confronted with the fact that Christ's actions were liberal and progressive in nature? Helping, caring, feeding, teaching, clothing, healing, bringing the dead to life again, and never asking for monitary recompense for his deeds. His acts of helping others are acts of social benevolence, or put in other terms, socialism. Why is the bold fact that Christ's beliefs - that were based in being kind, having good intentions, and showing goodwill towards others - are also the basis of socialism, and therefore, not to be despised? Why is there a dichotomy between Christian morals and socialism where everyone is lifted up? Why can't the far-right base see that both Christ and socialism want to be the rising tide that lifts ALL boats? That Christ and socialism have the same vision?

[@amyschmidt1113]

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend" should have said "the enemy of my enemy is an opportunity for a temporary win"

[@karenholmes6565]

In this case Dick and Liz Cheney were the friends I would rather break bread with. They aren't talking about putting people into camps.

[@warheadsnation]

@@karenholmes6565 Yes on Liz, no on Dick. Liz was willing to lose her seat to call out a criminal president. Dick instructed a president on how to commit crimes.

[@dkaspar67]

Appreciate your message Rev.

[@ChroniclerofXol]

I'm so glad you analyzed this situation so well.

[@lyrapsi]

Always so very wise.

[@lindajanke6194]

Spot on! Thank you for the effort you put into the words you speak.

[@Struthio_Camelus]

Good morning!

[@Destiny-bt7oi]

🌞 ❄️ G'Morning 😸

[@libbycollins9349]

And a great week to you!

[@TheSuzberry]

It’s not who we like/dislike, it’s about WHY! They don’t dislike Chaney and McConnell for the same reasons we do.

[@pcdosgirl]

Pete Buttigieg has that level of grace. 👍🏼

[@yesitschelle]

He's amazing. I hope he runs again. Maybe when his kids are a little older.

[@jenjames4113]

Mayor Pete is as fine and well spoken of a human being as I've ever seen in politics. I suspect he's too good for the job, but I'm sure glad he's in the fight.

[@yesitschelle]

@@jenjames4113 I voted for him when he ran. But he's young, and I didn't think he'd win the primary. He was 38 at the time. Ageism works that direction also. If he runs again, he'll have 4 years running an executive department. That's solid experience.

[@luisvarela9096]

Happy New Year Rev Ed, thanks for keeping the Faith

[@leslietascoff9784]

Excellent!

[@phaedrussocrates7636]

Thank you

[@jupiterabc123]

Ed should be president! Love what day.

[@kimmoore8266]

Thank you for this ❤

[@tic333-e2m]

I agree that to reach out in an attempt to share common ideas etc. with the other side by agreeing we hate/dislike the same people or policies doesn’t win them over. It would appear to them that we are joining their hate/dislike/unbending agenda..🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@cc1k435]

People keep asking Dems to move more to the right, and they keep doing it. 🤦‍♀️

[@judsonrehberg3121]

i do believe that this, among the thousands i have seen, is one of the best posts i have ever seen,

[@marionopisso212]

Manipulating political language to increasing levels of violence and hatred is a current problem. People speak of their political 'enemies' rather than 'opponents' or 'rivals', hence a supercharged backlash.

[@Stew8artb4]

Amen Rev~! 🙏🏼💜

[@LadyWinterGreen]

Thank you Rev Ed. Have a lovely day.😊

[@G27pat]

When you seek unity through hatred, you focus on destruction. When you speak of hope, it is for building up. The powerful need to be stripped of their power one way or another.

[@gavinreid9184]

It is easy to agree on the point of departure but the destination is essential and agreeing on that is hard.

[@TerriBynum]

3:23 An important point of context, the right isn't booing McConnell & the Cheneys because they're odious political figures, they've turned against them because each of them have broken with dear leader at some point. This matters.

[@lindaSee89]

Happy New Year 2025

[@thomasshannon7793]

Amen and amen, brother.

[@Paul_I_S]

Amen!

[@What_do_I_Think]

Many voted for Trumpf just because they did not like the situation that currently is. I also do not like that situation. I do not like the neoliberal capitalism, we are in -- But the Trumpf voters had so much to do looking at what they disliked, that they did not see, what they voted for. They voted for something that is MUCH WORSE than the current situation. "Change" in itself will not help. It must go in the right direction.

[@johnhayman4549]

This situation puts me in mind of being " unequally yoked".

[@LiwaMaldina]

Y E S!!!

[@libbycollins9349]

I stopped watching TYT when they criticized ALL Christians, lumping us all as MAGA. It sounded so judgmental and critical, it made me wonder about everything they had to say.

[@noheroespublishing1907]

The Right Wing Evangelical Christians are, and they're the only Christians with political power in the United States, making them the only ones that matter in a political sense. I've got these kind of people in our family, they're insane, the kind Christians in my family are not these people, and they are also not political power people.

[@annabrahamson4320]

They are anarchists just stirring oeople up, they do tge same for Dens

[@gbprime2353]

Cenk very much has a purity test. His rhetoric up to this point has been clear that any liberal point of view to the right of AOC or Bernie is not welcome on the team. He does this with a lot of other demographics. I stopped watching him when he ran for President. After the Turning Point stunt, I stopped watching the other podcasts under his brand.

[@meh5561]

If they did said that, I'm sure they would take it back. They were probably fuming about specific story. Though they are not religious at all

[@libbycollins9349]

@@meh5561 I don’t mind not being religious, as I prefer to think of myself as a follower of Jesus, but the cavalier assumption that Christian’s are MAGA made me wonder about the other assumptions. My guess is my Christian friends who volunteer at homeless shelters, food shelves, legal aid, etc, do more to show love and care than he has, despite his rhetoric about condemning those who don’t care.

[@MetalRabbit13]

👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

[@ashleywyatt8038]

Well, when we talk about civil and the other side i've got called a commie and told to leave this country Because I believe in equal rights and livable wages And that people are inherently worthy from the day they are born.... You can't find common ground with hate because as soon as you start talking about the real issues, you realize how far divided you are.

[@Crowned744]

💯💯💯

[@libbycollins9349]

I did facilitative mediation. Without basic common goals, agreement on minor matters is possible, but real agreement on basic important matters won’t happen. For example PETA reached an agreement with a deer hunting group over keeping the herd healthy, but PETA won’t be eating venison anytime soon.

[@CarolTaff-bb9ts]

Thank you for mediating. Mediators are such unsung heroes.

[@libbycollins9349]

@@CarolTaff-bb9ts it was always a privilege.

[@junerussell6972]

A common vision of the future is exactly what I look at. Sometimes if someone dislikes the same thing, they may do so for different reasons. For example, the Cheney's are disliked by the left because they supported things that would be counter to helping those who are less fortunate. The right dislikes them because they drew the line at allowing people like Trump to break the law. Those are diametrically opposed "common visions"! Same thing with Mitch McConnell. One really does have to look at the reasons behind *why* someone dislikes the same things we do. Otherwise we're going to have a major negative effect on obtaining the vision for a better world that many of us here have for the future. True common ground is found when we have common *goals* rather than common dislikes. For instance, one of the things that we should have spent far more time in the run-up to the election was trying to make sure that our goals for economic well being were addressed better. I feel like some of them were, but too much was not clearly addressed. But everyone is concerned about their economic well being and want that for their families. We need to make sure that people see that we want *their* family to do well (and that someone who is less fortunate doing better is good for us, as opposed to just making sure that the billionaires can hoard more which is bad for everyone!) In some ways, Biden's push to build from the middles out and bottom up was a good way to go, because we've learned the hard way that the "trickle down theory" is totally debunked and is the major source of the economic decline of the majority of non-wealthy people.

[@KingoftheJuice18]

He threw Liz Cheney, a national hero, under the bus in order to pander to that crowd? Terrible.

[@LindaMcification]

I don't believe that I was unsubbed. I didn't unsub.

[@revedtrevors4961]

That's interesting - thanks for letting me know!

[@williamfinch9858]

Ed Trevors: “Blessed are the Peacemakers!” Also Ed Trevors: “No, not like that!”

[@cheriann6461]

Is what Mr. Uygur is doing a kind of peacemaking? Peace for whom?

[@XenobiaF]

❤🙏🏼

[@lynnglidewell7367]

When you shake hands with the Devil you shouldn't be surprised people doubt you. There's never a good reason to shake hands with the Devil.

[@paulwalsh2344]

I really respected Cenk for quite a few years. He used to take a lot of heat from Ana and other younger progressives because he wasn’t AS LEFT as younger members of his audience. But that’s not because he’s “centre-left” but because he’s PRAGMATIC. He’s always been very progressive, but realized that in a polarized nation the optics of framing of very left, the far-left, surrounding trans issues, homelessness and defund the police, just DROVE centre-left pragmatists who weren’t as politically aware to find common ground with the anti-woke soft-MAGA crowd. He gradually believed the left had to meet the centre-left where they were and find common ground and get them on board voting Democrat because at least then your not Losing ground to the very real threat of the Christofascists and the oligarchs who were easily manipulating them. It was pragmatic because at least there was space with Democrats for the immigrant rights, trans rights, workers’ rights, where the fascist Republican / MAGA movement would viciously persecute and deny those rights. My problem and I think the problem most on the left now have with Cenk, Ana and TYT is that they equivocated the vicious, tyrannical, corrupt, negligent, incompetent, stupid racist, corrupt rapist Donald Trump with naive Catholic schoolboy Joe Biden and in effect were doing EXACTLY what they criticized the MSM of doing in grading Biden harshly while lauding Trump (he’s funny, he can be charming he doesn’t LIE as bad as BIDEN ! ? !)… and I just lost respect for their perspective then. That’s bad enough, but Ana and even Cenk and John are influencers and that equivocating was just super dangerous ! And Cenks constant histrionics and Anas growing histrionics just made TYT unwatchable… But now… their fellating figures like Charlie Kirk, Rudy Giuliani, Vivek Ramaswami at the RNC Anas “why I left the left” tour for Glen Beck and Piers Morgan and Cenks TPUSA appearance were just the final act of turning to the dark side. I accused Cenk of collaborating with the far right and that may have been too harsh, but there’s DEFINITELY a Neville Chamberlain like appeasement going on now that is unconscionable.

[@maudieg8459]

Thank you for affirming what so many of us believe: hate speech, insults, judgement are not the way to build coalitions. I am not familiar with the persons mentioned in your presentation. But there are many people who think the way they do. What they don’t realize is, when the present hated setup crashes, thé fight begins over what to put in its place. Your companions in hate will now hate you for your interference with their goals.

[@Stillwater23-q5r]

Maybe its just me, but what alarms me the most is not the policy differences (which is bad enough). I saw a video of his Christmas message, and the comments were all putting him on a pedestal as a savior. Only recently he said he was not a Christian, but now he's fully embracing the savior role. People wrapped their gifts with his face all over it. They used Christmas cards of nativity scene where his face is substituting for Jesus. The blasphemy is off the charts. He is destroying Christianity and spitting in the face of God.

[@dennissmallwood9082]

They lost me when they bashed President Biden and their love of republicans became clear.

[@thomasshannon7793]

Pete Buttigieg is a master at doing that "behind enemy lines" preaching, so to speak.

[@yesitschelle]

I think the difference is what they say. Secretary Pete takes important concepts, strips out politically charged words, and educates. Cenk throws in as many poltically charged words as possible to stir up emotions.

[@jeffreyjacobs6072]

Agreed

[@laklinlee]

Watching Cenk shake hands with Charlie Kirk was a betrayal.

[@robbylock1741]

Cenk has always come across to me as a very angry man, it has often turned me off to his words even when I supported his stance. This has forced me to quit watching him and Anna. I still watch lots of the content on TYT just not when he's on. If you have to yell to make your point, maybe you need to examine the point you are trying to make.

[@MaraschinoPenguin31415]

^ This. I could never tolerate watching him for more than a few minutes. Too toxic.

[@cpk313]

Going to Turning Point was no buneo

[@mw8498]

Ok. Cenk and Charley have found common ground with whom they dislike. Who are the common ground folks both would like to replace people with? That answer will tell you who Cenk is.

[@itowmyhome797]

🙏

[@runicvision26]

Heres the problem I have. It doesnt fit in with Cenks history and character. He has never been a coalition builder, and certainly not across the isle. TYT has recently been the beneficiary of some very fine donations by a Peter Teil. It is not encouraging to me. As one who has Trans friends and loved ones and a fair number of them besides (I run a gaming community that is very protective of trans members. They are some of our most active people.) It does feel like Cenk is trying to pin the last elections results on our people. And we just cant vibe with that as progressive people. I wont let this be Trans peoples 1940s. We gotta do better.

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

He used to be a Republican and he voted for a Republican in the last midterms. He is not progressive or Liberal. He just saw a market and took advantage of it

[@esme011]

They need to take a page out of Pete Buttigieg’s book.

[@ralph5899]

In order to create a more perfect Union.

[@eleanorburns8686]

Good points, though being a trans person Cenk and Ana lost me by default. One is never too eager to break bread with one's open enemies.

[@CalliopeLyric]

That was a great rant. I appreciate you sharing it. I stopped watching Cenk & Ana years ago. I still watch other shows, but they just weren't my cup of tea. I think it's important, yes, to push the Democrats towards progressivism, but if you attack Biden as much as Trump, you've lost the plot. They were doing that & so I took my clicks elsewhere. That being said, I saw the conversation between Cenk & BTC. Cenk explained his rationale for going to Turning Point & I thought it made sense. I'm in the rustbelt. The Trumpers around me do think he's like Bernie Sanders, it's bizarre, & I long ago concluded that they are actually would-be progressives who've been taught to fear "socialism." I don't get why or how they excuse the hate, but, economically, they should be on our team. So, upon seeing that interview, I thought I understood. I didn't watch the Turning Point event, though, & if all he did was say, " We hate the same people," that's not good. You're right. We have to share our vision of the future. Thank you for explaining it to us so fully & with such clarity.

[@LindaMcification]

❤💙💜💛🧡🖤

[@lunarwuffy5299]

Shared dislike or hatred of something/someone is not a solid foundation for any kind of relationship. Shared passion and/or love of something/someone is. Is there anything that folks on the right love other than money and themselves? Not that I can see.

[@vulpeish]

^. ^ Well Rev...... are you familiar with the Scottish proverb " It taks a lang spoon to sup wi the devil" This is the ultimate example of that. In the USA you cannot separate religion and government any more.........Real Christians you have to act or all will be lost! Foxy Pagan love fae Scotland Vvxx

[@judychandler8485]

I used to watch TYT a long time ago, but I turned it off when they said something that irked me so bad I couldn't watch them anymore. I can't even remember what it was all about, I just know I was done.

[@starwolf99]

There has been so much desire for the destruction or deconstruction of the status quo that they forgot the reconstruction part. "Great, you threw a grenade at the establishment. Now what?"

[@rblh3839]

Cenk got rid of many of the best contributors that TYT had. Speaks volumes.

[@billnye69]

I only watched TYT for a few months early on. They seemed extreme but in the opposite direction of MAGA. Extremes in any direction are always bad.

[@danagordon8871]

I beg to differ on your opinion that 70 million people could be evil; as a Black man living in America, tell me that 70 million people could be evil….

[@revedtrevors4961]

I see your point...

[@InfiniteUmbra]

It's not a matter of going over to the right and having a discussion/debate with them it's how you choose to challenge them when you're there. Cenk went to TPA and pandered to Kirk, who is a racist and bigot (who he'd apparently have a beer with 🙄) and that audience pretending that his reason for not liking Cheney and McConnell were the same as their reasons for not liking them and accepting the bare minimum on human rights from them as they booed and hissed saying "I'll take it" that he would NEVER do for those ok the left. He gave them legitimacy that they didn't earn or deserve and then had the gall to demonize the left as he did it! Unacceptable.