“After watching graphic video from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, many Republican senators denounced the violence but said they were still inclined to acquit former President Donald J. Trump of the charge that he incited an insurrection.” — New York Times, 2/10/21
I just sat through hours and hours of presentations of incredibly detailed, overwhelming, and persuasive evidence, and I’ve decided that it’s in my best interest to completely ignore it.
I know what you’re thinking: if I’m convinced by the arguments, the evidence, and the facts, then why am I pretending like none of it happened and it doesn’t exist? Well, that’s easy: it’s because I don’t like it.
Look, if I liked the conclusion drawn from the evidence, then I would acknowledge that it’s real. I’d do it in a heartbeat. But here’s the thing: it really bums me out, and it makes me feel bad and like I’ve been wrong and stupid. So I’ve decided to pretend I didn’t hear or see any of it.
Besides, if I publicly said that I understand and accept the evidence that’s been presented, some people might not like me. And I can’t have that. Because most people already don’t like me.
This shouldn’t be a surprise — I’m known for doing this! Pretty much any time someone presents a lot of convincing evidence for something that makes me uncomfortable, I stick my fingers in my ears and say, “La la la la” really loudly until it’s over. That way I don’t have to deal with reality, a place I do not like to live.
Now, I’m always open to hearing more presentations that connect the dots with watertight proofs. I will patiently listen to them, and then I will simply disregard them.
Am I worried that my decision to shut my eyes to this overwhelming evidence will affect how people remember me? Not really, because if anyone in the future brings any of this up, I will (you guessed it) completely ignore them.
Heck, I’ll take it a step further and pretend none of this ever happened in the first place. Here, I’ll prove it: I didn’t write anything you just read.