Non-Sequitur: an inference that does not follow from the premise; specifically: a fallacy resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative proposition or from the transposition of a condition and its consequent. 2: a statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said.

Non sequitur comes directly from Latin; in which language it means “it does not follow.” Borrowed into English in the 16th century by logicians, non sequitur initially referred to a conclusion that did not follow the statements preceding it. The meaning has now broadened to include statements that are seemingly unrelated to the topic at hand, or that seem to come out of the blue.—Merriam-Webster Dictionary

A Non sequitur is produced inadvertently due to some confusion, and even sometimes deliberately to confound the audience, in order to point out the confusion existing in the situation or society at large.

Types of Non sequitur can be random statements that are completely unrelated to the previous topic or context.
1.         Red Herring: Introducing a distraction or irrelevant topic to divert attention from the main issue. Example: “You should vote for me because I volunteer at a soup kitchen. By the way, have you seen the latest movie?”
2.         Appeal to Emotion: Using an emotional appeal that doesn’t logically support the argument. Example: “We must pass this bill to help the children. By the way, did you know my opponent’s favorite color is blue?”
3.         Faulty Cause and Effect: Assuming a cause-and-effect relationship without logical support. Example: “I ate carrots yesterday, and today it’s raining. Carrots must cause rain!”
4.         Non Sequitur in Comedy: Deliberate use of absurd or unrelated statements for comedic effect. Example: “I asked for a glass of water, not a bucket of tears!” These came from a great website that you might want to check out:
https://www.examples.com/english/non-sequitur.html

Although this was a great exercise in language for me today, do you get where I am going? Sometimes in writing and news media we will hear conclusions about a subject that are so way out there in never-neverland, people believe that somehow these statements are connected. It can be an extremely outrageous connection, and yet people believe it because of the personality of the one claiming it as truth.

As a former analyst and now writer, I see this every day with people who stretch the truth to make a believable story that fits their definition of the way people or the world has become (in their minds). And, unfortunately, it becomes truth to many of the masses.

I love a great story like anyone else, but when it comes to making decisions on things that matter, or the un-connectedness of the information and its interpretation starts to hurt people, we must all act together to put a stop to it. So when you hear things that make no sense as a segue to what you are talking about, try to put the person on the right track. If they won’t hear of it, just try to move on the best way you know how. Sometimes you just can’t change people. They have to change themselves or just live with the consequences.

As a final note, Robert Reich is an amazing professor and speaker and according to Wikipedia: …author, lawyer, and political commentator…. The Wall Street Journal placed him sixth on its list of Most Influential Business Thinkers…. Reich worked in the administrations of presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. And served as Secretary of Labor of President Bill Clinton. Finally, he was also a member of President Barack Obama’s economic transition advisory board.

I urge you to go to this website to encourage action right now.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/more-on-what-you-can-do

Better times will happen if we make them happen. Fight the good fight, then have a nice dinner and hug your loved ones and keep them close. Love to all tonight.