The BS we get fed constantly.

There's this weird thing going on (among the many things). It's this idea that we should always live in fear. That the boogeyman will get us. 

I follow some of these people who talk about "ugly Americans" and the things they hear from some of those among us who travel outside the country. 

And I pay attention to the messaging we get sometimes here at home. 

The comments often focus on this notion of "personal protection" and not appreciating that other countries don't have an equivalent of the second amendment, and frankly don't feel the need to arm themselves. The locals in the countries mostly coexist and (with a few notable exceptions) feel safe and live their lives. Of course, there are occasions where things go wrong. But when they do, it garners a serious discussion and there is public outrage. Not simply thoughts and prayers, but an outpouring of emotion. Elected folks actively care about the people they represent and don't have to kowtow to a lobbying group that essentially promotes mass murder. It's weird, man. 

And then there's the messaging. If you watch the news, or use many of the social media platforms, you see a lot of the same mindset is prevalent. We talk about the right to open carry weapons of war (subtly as merely a means to intimidate) and there are fairly constant ads about how to protect yourself with your trusty gun. They often feature a person in a hoodie who looks threatening and there's an ominous tone. What is that?  Why is that?  The rest of the world doesn't seem to live in fear of literally anyone, yet here its a problem. 

And it extends into other things too.  We have ads that talk about how illegals are doing bad things! And we need to stop it! By rounding them up in the most ridiculous way possible. (Because you know, someone who maybe overstayed their visa but is making a go of it and even paying taxes is just a bad person, unlike the people who steal from others or commit mass murders). 

It's crazy when you stop and think about it.