Not much of a diary, perhaps, but an observation and a suggestion that may be helpful this political season.
I was watching football this weekend with some friends, and some of my friends’ friends. A couple of them were all 2nd- amendment-gives-everyone-every-right-to-own-whatever-arsenal-they-damn-well-FEEL-like, and NO ONE has any right to limit that in any way! And they were making some positive noises about some of the republican ads that ran every couple of minutes, Christie, Bush, Trump, etc.
I said nothing to engage them on the gun stuff (never get any traction on that without a ton of time and some realistic opening). But what I did do was laugh at some of the ads that showed scary, scary Muslims or make-believe scary, scary Mexicans. I said, “Ohh, they have me so scared.” “Oh, help me, Donald, so I won’t be afraaaayyyed.” etc.
It made a noticeable difference in how they reacted to the ads. I don’t think anyone had made fun of the fear mongering that drives so much of their agenda. It may just have engendered a modicum of critical thinking.
Admittedly small sample size (n = 2). I offer it simply as one tactic that seemed to at least partially open a closed eye or two.
Jump in below with other ways to deal if you want.