When confronted with basic questions on "60 Minutes," the group appeared ill-prepared and stumped and alleged their critics were trying to "marginalize us."

When confronted with basic questions on “60 Minutes,” the group appeared ill-prepared and stumped and alleged their critics were trying to “marginalize us.”

Since its founding in 2021, the conservative organization Moms for Liberty has billed itself as a champion for “parents’ rights,” pushing campaigns across the country to ban books and the use of pronouns in schools. Their crusade, as my colleague Kiera Butler has reported, often alleges that educators, specifically in public education, are out to “groom” and “indoctrinate” kids.

But what, exactly, does that mean? It doesn’t appear as though Moms for Liberty knows either.

In an interview with 60 Minutes host Scott Pelley that aired on Sunday night, the group’s two co-founders repeatedly struggled to explain their platform beyond empty talking points that have fueled the culture war in schools. They also failed to present facts to back up various claims.

  • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
    391·
    9 months ago

    “Let’s just say, children in America cannot read,” co-founder Tina Descovich responded, referencing the group’s effort to sharpen its focus on literacy issues, before Pelley’s voiceover narration interrupted to note that the co-founders “often dodged questions with talking points.”

    “You’re being evasive,” Pelley shot back.

    GREEEEEAT

    Now do people in power the same way pls

      • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
        16·
        9 months ago

        In their culture, it is considered extremely disrespectful to challenge someone on their viewpoint or ask probing questions. Like “fighting words” level, or relationship-ending with that person and maybe several others in their same circle.

        This one time on national prime-time TV may genuinely be the first time someone’s sat them down and asked them serious and challenging questions about what the hell they’re even talking about, where they can’t choose to just end the conversation in some fashion or other.

        • mindbleach
          3·
          9 months ago

          Right: in their worldview, claims are not evaluated. They’re slogans. They’re how you signal ingroup loyalty… because only ingroup loyalty is real. The people above you are smart and right and handsome, or else they wouldn’t be above you. It is impossible for someone to simply be wrong. They must be lesser. Any challenge, any criticism, any disagreement, is a personal attack. So just shuffle your cards and pick a clever-sounding excuse for whatever has to be true, today.

          Reality is a team sport, to these people. Their stated ideals are ad-hoc justifications. And they think that’s all we’re doing, because they think that’s all there is.