UnFiltered 009 | Political Violence in America: Has Assassination Culture Gone Mainstream?

Welcome to another episode of Unfiltered with Meseidy and Rachel! In this unedited conversation, we dive into a shocking study that found over half of leftists think violence against political figures could be justified (like, what?!). We get into why this kind of thinking has become normalized, the whole assassination culture that's developing, and how the media's constant "Trump is Hitler" messaging might be contributing to this insanity. We also chat about everything from Puerto Rico's potential statehood to Rachel's zoo trip to see pandas and that guy at Waffle House who brings his chihuahua to share pancakes (while open carrying, because America). This is straight-up truth from your favorite news skeptics - no spin, no fluff, just real talk about the stuff that matters.Episode Highlights:* Alarming Survey Results - Meseidy and Rachel discuss a Rutgers University study showing 55% of left-leaning respondents find violence against political figures potentially justifiable.* Cultural Implications - The hosts explore how media messaging, political rhetoric, and the devaluation of human life may contribute to increased acceptance of political violence.* Observing Political Asymmetry - The conversation examines why the hosts perceive a difference in how political violence manifests between the left and right sides of the political spectrum.* Book Recommendations - Rachel recommends "Hannah Coulter" by Wendell Berry and "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, while Mercedes shares her connection to "When I Was Puerto Rican."* Waffle House Encounters - The hosts share a humorous story about a regular Waffle House customer who arrives with a cowboy hat, an open-carry firearm, and a tiny chihuahua that he feeds bits of pancake while dining.Hey Friend!If you’re a free subscriber and enjoyed this preview, why not take the next step?Becoming a paid supporter helps keep independent journalism alive and ensures we can keep bringing you real talk, real news, and real accountability—without the media spin.As a paid subscriber, you’ll get:* 🔥 Exclusive Content – Access to premium posts, deep-dive analysis, and subscriber-only podcasts.* 🎙 Unfiltered Episodes – Bonus conversations that go beyond the headlines.* 💬 Community Engagement – Join discussions, comment on posts, and be part of the conversation shaping our coverage.* 🚀 Support the Mission – Help us grow and continue challenging the narratives the mainstream media wants you to believe.If you love what we do, upgrading to a paid subscription is the best way to keep independent media thriving while getting more of the content you already enjoy.Thank you for being here and supporting our mission!Chapters00:00 Chihuahua Breakfast at Waffle House 00:29 Welcome to Unfiltered: Raw and Real 01:07 Morning Chit-Chat: Pandas and Gardening 02:39 Unfiltered Format and Today's Topic 04:14 Survey Findings: Justifying Violence 20:42 Dehumanization and Political Extremes 35:38 Fringe Voices and Political Violence 36:30 Anticipating Protests and Social Unrest 37:21 Hypocrisy in Political Rhetoric 41:11 Social Media and Confirmation Bias 50:17 Cultural Observations and Gun Ownership 01:00:33 Puerto Rico's Political Status Debate 01:05:25 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riveraandreeves.substack.com